The End

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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.

Two certainties.

In  “The Cobbler of Preston” (Christopher Bullock; 1716) appears the line, “Tis impossible to be sure of any thing but Death and Taxes.”, and the sentiment has been echoed on a number of occasions, by a number of well-known people.

However, I would suggest that there are two other certainties, referred to by the prophet Hosea, in the book that bears his name. He writes, concerning YHWH "... He has torn, that He may heal us; He has stricken, and He will bind us up." (Hos 6:1).

I know that Almighty God punishes those who deliberately break His laws - those who are sinners in His sight. And that, as I stated on Wednesday, included my friend; it includes me; and it includes every person who has ever lived - with the solitary exception of the Lord Jesus. "... all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ..." (Rom 3:23) writes Paul - and that "all" includes you and me.

However, I also know that Almighty God forgives those who repent, and turn to Him, through the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus at Calvary. These are two certainties that I have sought to preach, clearly and distinctly, throughout my pastoral ministry.

On Wednesday of the past week, I conducted the funeral service for an English friend who, with his wife, had been living in France for some seven years. A brother in the Lord; John had been suffering from cancer for many months but, on the previous Thursday, his mortal body had succumbed. His widow asked that I would conduct the service because, to use her own words: "We sing from the same hymn-sheet"! She knew that I would bring the Gospel message into whatever I said at the funeral. And I did!

I commenced the message by possibly shocking some of those present with the announcement that John was not dead! What was in that coffin was the mortal body that he had been given and that he used for almost 80 years. The man that we knew – some of us better, and for longer, than others – was not there.  He was, and is, with Jesus! How could I be certain? Simply because at 45 years of age, John recognised that he was a sinner! That's the first certainty.

John had a 'church background'; He believed in the existence of God. He knew about Jesus. But, as he shared when he gave his own testimony, he didn’t have a personal relationship with the Saviour. However, in middle age, he discovered that the very God against Whom he sinned, loved him so much that He had already done something about the situation! In the Persona of the Son, Almighty God took upon Himself human flesh – that very flesh that He had created – and came to live among mankind. He lived a quiet, unassuming, hard-working, life for about 30 years but then became a wandering Teacher and, eventually, as we shall shortly be recalling at Pâques (Resurrection Day), was crucified, and buried in a borrowed tomb.

John confessed his sins, and his sinfulness; he acknowledged that he could never do anything about them; he accepted that, at Calvary, the Son paid the penalty that he deserved to pay; he was born anew of God the Holy Spirit; he became a true son of Almighty God – joint-heir with the Lord Jesus, the Christ; he moved from death to life – a life that continues even although his mortal body has reached the end.

One of John's favourite Bible verses is found in John’s account of the Gospel, in 14:6. It reads « Jesus said …, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” » There is only one way – and that is through the Lord Jesus. Anything else is counterfeit. I cannot earn my salvation; I cannot buy my salvation; I do not deserve my salvation. It is, as Paul wrote to the Ephesian believers “… the gift of God …” (2:8).

Two certainties: As surely as the sun rises in the morning, the judgement of Almighty God will come. But His mercy is just as certain for those who turn from their sin, to the new life in the Lord Jesus.

May all who read this post find that new life for themselves.

Free at last!

Yes, after a 30-day ban on Facebook, this exile has been allowed to come in from the cold! During such a lengthy spell, I missed being able to send greetings to many who celebrated their birthday anniversaries; I missed being able to congratulate a few friends on wedding anniversaries; I was unable to immediately congratulate on the occasions of a couple of births; and I was unable to send condolences in the cases of a couple of deaths. To all concerned, please accept my apology, and my belated greetings/condolences. 

So, what can I say on this first post in a full month? Well, I could comment on the Old (or First) Testament book of the prophet Amos. It's a book that has provided us with a number of well-known, and memorable, phrases: "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" (3:3). (Facebook certainly doesn't seem to think so!). "Prepare to meet your God." (4:12). (And He is 'your God' whether, or not, you acknowledge Him!). "Let justice run down like water." (5:24). (But there is no apparent sense of justice within the fiefdom of Facebook!).

However, the phrase in the prophecy of Amos that is most often repeated, occurs five times in just one chapter - chapter 4. Time after time, YHWH speaks of all that He has done to discipline His wayward, self-indulgent, people and draw them back to Himself. In every case, He states, the result is the same: "You have not returned to Me." (4: 6, 8-11).

We may read of, and marvel at, the hardness of heart of those contemporary Children of Israel - but surely we must ask if we are any different! If we have sensed that the Lord has been trying to 'get our attention', how have we responded to Him?

Amos, in his prophetic book, shares warnings of judgement; of captivity; of destruction. However, there are also calls for repentance, and promises of restoration. "Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; so YHWH Elohim Sabaoth will be with you." (5:14). The book has many memorable phrases - but we should never forget the invitation of Father God to all who have wandered away from Him: "Return to Me". 

Facebook sends those with whose perspectives it disagrees, into "exile". Jesus, the Christ, issues the invitation: "Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden , and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." (Matt 11:28-30). 

Turn, or return. Just ensure that you are in the right relationship with Almighty God, through faith in the Lord Jesus, and be filled with new life in God the Holy Spirit. You will never regret it if you do!

Saved to serve!

This morning, in my personal devotions, my reading was Matt.25:31-46. These are some of the words of the Lord Jesus concerning judgement. There is too much to share in a blog post but, perhaps, one of the most important lessons concerns behaviour. 

We read: "When the Son of man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Before Him will be gathered all the nations, and He will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and He will place the sheep at His right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the King will say to those at His right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see Thee hungry and feed Thee, or thirsty and give Thee drink? And when did we see Thee a stranger and welcome Thee, or naked and clothe Thee? And when did we see Thee sick or in prison and visit Thee?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then He will say to those at His left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see Thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to Thee?' Then He will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." 

What do these words say to us? May I suggest that the first thing is the certainty of His coming?  Secondly, that there will be judgement! But I want to emphasise what I see as a third lesson. If you read those verses carefully, you will notice that the charge against those who are condemned to eternal punishment does not concern what they have done, but what they have failed to do! There are sins of omission, as well as sins of commission! James writes: "Whoever knows what is right to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." (4:17; my emphasis). The Westminster Divines defined "sin" as "... any want of conformity unto (omission), or transgression of (commission), the law of God." (Shorter Catechism). Not doing good is the moral equivalent of doing evil!

Of course, those who had - however unknowingly - served the Saviour (through serving others in His name) did not gain salvation by their good works! Paul makes that perfectly clear when, writing to the believers in Ephesus, he states that: "... 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). I have written in the margin of my Bible: "Salvation is not by works; but good works are the result of salvation." In that vein, Paul continues: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Eph 2:10; my emphasis). 

We do not serve to be saved - but we are certainly saved to serve!

As up-to-date as tomorrow's newspapers!

Those who read the Bible with any level of understanding will appreciate what used to be often claimed that, in its basic teachings, it is not a bundle of irrelevant ancient documents, but is, as the title of this post says, as up-to-date as tomorrow's newspapers!

This was, once again, brought home to me during my personal devotions this morning.  Having completed my time in Paul's letter to the disciples of Jesus in Galatia, I decided that I should return to the books of the Minor Prophets, in the Old Testament.  These are the closing books of the OT, starting at Hosea and going through to Malachi.  I should perhaps point out that they are referred to as the "minor" prophets, not because they are less important than the 'major' prophets, but merely because their writings are shorter!

It is always useful, I would contend, to familiarise oneself with the background to any Biblical text before attempting to read it, and learn from it.  Accordingly, I picked up a commentary by Warren Wiersbe - in my opinion, one of the finest Biblical commentators of this generation.  In his introduction to Hosea, I read the following: "Israel was enjoying great prosperity, but Hosea could see that the nation was rotten to the core; for honest government, pure religion, godly homes, and personal integrity had vanished from the land.  Judgment was inevitable."

The book was published in 1996.  Twenty years later, those words are, surely, even more true of most of the so-called "western" countries, than they were back then.  I read my daily (online) newspaper; I receive additional information through e-mails; I am inundated by Facebook messages that also inform me as to the state of the world in which we live.  Sadly, I see that "... honest government, pure religion, godly homes, and personal integrity ..." are in as short supply today as they were in Israel [the northern kingdom; the southern kingdom, at that time, was referred to as Judah] at the time of Hosea.   In the UK there is a Prime Minister who appears, to many, to be an inveterate, almost pathological, liar.  The major, traditional, Christian denominations are almost indistinguishable from the world to which they should be an example, and a prophetic voice (like Hosea!).  Godly homes are almost as rare as hen's teeth.  Personal integrity seems to have become little more than a phrase from antiquity.

Is it too much to suggest that judgement is inevitable?  Indeed, is it possible that we are, in the 'western' world, already tasting that judgement?   When child sacrifice, under the name of "abortion", is practiced on a scale that would horrify even those who practised it millennia ago in an attempt to appease the 'deities' they worshipped, but merely because a pregnancy, and the responsibility of a child, would be "inconvenient", what right have we to claim that we are the civilised ones? When deviant sexual relationships are accepted as being perfectly normal, even although they are incapable of producing children, what allows us to call our selves "progressive"?  When people are murdered, under the label of "euthanasia", because they have reached a certain age, and are no longer 'productive' members of society, how on earth may we call ourselves loving, caring, and compassionate?

All of the above - and there is so much more - is in total contradiction of the teachings of the Bible, and the will of the Creator God Who, through His servants, authored it (see II Tim.3:16).  However, Paul, writing to those Galatian believers in the letter that I have just finished reading again, warned them: "Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." (Gal 6:7-8).  As a society, I fear that we are beginning to reap what we have sown - and it is not pleasant!

A mighty man of God named Moses, spoke to the Children of Israel shortly before his own physical death.  Listen to these words, spoken towards the end of that discourse: "I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life , that you and your descendants may live, loving YHWH your God, obeying His voice, and cleaving to Him; for that means life to you and length of days, that you may dwell in the land which YHWH swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them." (Deut 30:19-20).

Have you chosen life?  It's readily available to you, and in a measure greater than was offered to those people all of those millennia ago.  Because the life that is offered to you is the very life of Almighty God - eternal life, here and now.  It is something that you can never deserve; never purchase; never earn.  It is offered, as a free gift, to those who are willing to confront, and confess, their sins - and their total inability to do anything about them - but who come to the foot of the cross of Calvary, and accept, by faith, that God has done it all, in Jesus the Christ.  He has paid the penalty that you and I ought to pay, that we might know salvation, full and free.  When you take that step, you become His child, adopted into His family: "How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every blessing in heaven because we belong to Christ. Long ago, even before He made the world, God chose us to be His very own through what Christ would do for us; He decided then to make us holy in His eyes, without a single fault - we who stand before Him covered with his love.  His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for us. And He did this because He wanted to!" (Eph 1:3-5; TLB; emphasis added).

Like me, you may live in a world that appears to be "going to the dogs".  Like me, you may enter a new relationship; a new family; and have a new future.  The choice, always, is yours.  Make the right one!

It needs to be read!

Over the past week, or so, I have been with a couple of groups of people that included some who would appear to have very little knowledge of the Bible, although they are, I believe, regular "church-goers".  A number stated, openly, that they do not know it as well as they should and because of that, they do not know the basic message of the Gospel.  To hear, for example, a professed disciple of Jesus accept the possibility of reincarnation tells me that such a person either hasn't read Hebrews 9:27 - "... it is appointed unto man to die once, and then comes judgement." - or has totally failed to understand it! 

Of course, important 'though the reading of the Word of God is, that is not enough if we are to be true servants of the Lord Jesus.  I have been reminded of the story of the man who announced to his pastor that he was planning to visit Israel.  After having shared his planned itinerary, he asked the pastor : "And what do you think I'm most looking forward to doing?"  The pastor thought for a moment before replying.  "Well," he said, "a number of things come to mind.  However, since you want me to name just one, I would think that it would have to be the empty tomb."  "No," responded the other.  "Obviously I do want to see that, but the highlight of the tour will be to climb a mountain. Then, when I reach the summit, to read aloud the entire Sermon on the Mount!"

The pastor knew his flock!  He shook his head, all too aware of the man's spiritual problems - and the reason behind them.  "Brother," he remarked, "why go all of that distance just to read it?  Wouldn't it be better for you to stay at home, and keep it?!"

It is, of course, commended, and commendable, to read the Word of God.  Indeed, it is actively encouraged within its own pages!  So the Psalmist declares: "With my whole heart I seek Thee; let me not wander from Thy commandments!  I have laid up Thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee." (Ps. 119:10-11).  Paul reminds the believers in Rome that "... whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope." (Rom 15:4).  The same apostle instructs his "son in the faith", Timothy, to "... attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching." (I Tim 4:13).

However, if all that we do is read, then we are in danger of treating that Word, that is "... living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Heb 4:12), as little, if anything, more than literature. C.S.Lewis writes: "... in most parts of the Bible everything is, implicitly or explicitly, introduced with 'Thus saith the LORD'.  It is if you like to put it that way, not merely a sacred book, but a book so remorselessly, and continuously, sacred that it does not invite, it excludes or repels, the merely aesthetic approach. ... ... It demands, incessantly, to be taken on its own terms: ..." (The Literary Impact of the Authorised Version").

Reading is good, but it is insufficient.  James urges his readers to: "... be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22); while Paul assures the Romans that: "... it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified." (Rom 2:13).

You may be a faithful reader of the Word - but are you a keeper?  Do you, perhaps, just scan its pages superficially; merely perusing it as a spiritual exercise (that can, all too easily, degenerate into some form of "salvation by works"!), or to salve your own conscience?  Or does it move you to effective action?  As the titles of many of the commentaries on the Letter of James make clear, there are two parts to the Gospel - believing it; and behaving it!

Remember that, while it is true that it is "... 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." (Eph 2:8-9), it is also true that: "... we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works , which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (v.10)! 

Walking with God.

One of my favourite Old Testament characters is Enoch, the father of the better-known Methuselah, of whom it is written: "Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." (Gen.5:24).  I believe that those words are telling us that, every morning, when Enoch awoke, his first words were “Well, Lord, where are we going today; what will we be doing?”  And the Lord told him.  Then, one day he awoke and, having asked the same question, was told by God, “Today, Enoch, dear friend, you are coming to my bit.  Let’s go!”  And Enoch simply walked through the veil that separates time from eternity – a veil that is so fine that it makes gossamer look thick and heavy by comparison; but a veil that is so strong, that not even the combined force of all of the world’s nuclear weapons could even dent it.

There are, I would suggest, three questions that we may legitimately ask about Enoch - the answers to which can apply to you and to me today.

The first question is "When did Enoch walk with God?"  We discover that it was during a most evil time in the history of mankind.   A great-grandson of Enoch was a man named Noah and, by his time, "YHWH saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Gen. 6:5).  As I read, watch, and listen to, our contemporary news reports, I see a similar world today.  I see cruelty; I see greed; I see fraud and deceit; I see wickedness in high places; I see men with men, and women with women, in unnatural relationships; I see rebelliousness against God in what could be unprecedented measure.  In a word or two, I see sin rampant in society in every part of the world.  I see a world that is ripe for a similar judgement as that exercised against the generation of Noah.  For Enoch, it was a difficult time to maintain fellowship with God - yet it was also a time when the importance of "walking with God" cannot be over-emphasised.  The same, I would contend, applies to us.

 Our second question could be "Where did Enoch walk with God?"  It was on this same planet Earth that we inhabit - an Earth filled with violence; an Earth that is well described by those words already quoted.  Yet it was in the midst of such a world; in the midst of a decaying, immoral, godless, generation that Enoch enjoyed this fellowship with Father God.  Did he realise that such fellowship; such sweet communion; was his only defence against the moral, social, and spiritual pollution that surrounded him?   I would contend that this is our only defence in the world of today!

Thirdly, we may ask "Why did Enoch walk with God?"  Could it be that he was aware that judgement was near?  Could it be that he was looking for God to act?  Could it be that he knew that only divine intervention could deal with the world that was around him?  We are informed that "... Enoch in the seventh generation from Adam prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord came with his holy myriads, to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness which they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him." (Jude 14-15).  In other words, he warned his contemporaries about the judgement that would befall them if they continued in their sinful ways.  Are we warning those in whose midst we live, in the same way?

"By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was attested as having pleased God." (Heb 11:5).  By faith in what, or whom?  You see, the amount of our faith is of little importance (see Matt.17:20).  The object of our faith is what matters.  Enoch's faith was in the One with Whom he had walked for as long as he could remember.  Where is your faith?  Where is mine?  Are we "walking with the Lord"?  Are we expecting His imminent return?

Those who walk most closely with Him, and who work hardest for Him, watch most for Jesus' return!

The Ten Words (2.2)

In the post before the last one,I made some comments on the 2nd Commandment: "You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love Me and keep My commandments." (Ex 20:4-6).

The eagle-eyed among you may have noticed that I actually commented only on the first part of that Commandment.  So what has the second part got to say to us, today?  It reads: "for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love Me and keep My commandments."

The first thing that we must notice is the word 'jealous'.  This does not mean that Almighty God is envious of anything, and certainly not of man-made images.  It's a word that expresses, in context, God's deep love for His chosen people.  It doesn't refer as much to an emotion, as to an activity - in this case a zealous activity that "springs from he rupture of a personal bond as exclusive as that of the marriage bond." (Alan Cole).  This phrase is a reminder that God desires, and expects, the exclusive love of His people.

The other phrase that causes difficulty for some people is the one about "... visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate Me, ..."  However, this is merely the usual Semitic manner of expressing continuity.  It is not saying that God punishes my children, grandchildren, etc for my sins.  It is making the point that sin has long-term consequences.  It is a reminder that children suffer because of what their parents, and even earlier generations, have done.  To take a simple example, if a young woman is addicted to hard drugs, and becomes pregnant, then her unborn child may be born with the same addiction.  If that child is a girl, she too may become pregnant, and her child may be born with the same addiction.  

However, we must also note that this is applied only to "... those who hate Me ..." - in other words, those who refuse to live their lives in accordance with His will; those who 'bow down', and 'serve', idols. 

The other side of all of that is the assurance that, while God will punish those who fail to conform to His will; and while such failure will have long-lasting consequences; those who seek to keep His commandments will know His 'steadfast love'. 

So, this commandment reminds us, also, that we have responsibilities - and that God is the Judge of all the earth.   That judgement, of course, is already over for all who have placed their trust in the Lord Jesus, the Christ - recognising, and confessing, their own sinfulness, and depending solely upon His perfect sacrifice for their salvation.  I trust that all who read this blog are in that company!

Judgement!

Only minutes after having published the previous post, I opened one of my regular e-mails and read  these words:

God's patience and mercy stretch beyond any patience or mercy we show others. He will pursue us until we either respond to Him or make ourselves unreachable by our own choices and hardness of heart. Then God's judgement is swift and sure. The only safe course is to turn to God before our stubbornness puts us beyond redemption. 

Where is Scotland, this evening?!

A special day.

Today is a very special day!   It is now a full forty-three years since a vision in white walked up the aisle of St George's-Tron Parish Church building, on her father's arm and, in the sight of God and the gathered congregation, she and I committed ourselves, each to the other, in a covenant relationship that may only be broken when one of us dies.  I have made many wrong choices in my life-time, but that was one that I have never had cause to regret.  The Lord gave me the most loving, faithful, supportive, and encouraging wife that was possible, and I daily thank Him for her.

At sunset, today, the Jewish New Year - Rosh Hashana - will also commence.  This will be a two-day holiday, which will conclude on Friday evening at which time Jews will welcome the first Shabbat (Sabbath) of the New Year.

According to Jewish tradition, God completed the creation of the world on Rosh Hashana. Every year on this day, He takes inventory - an annual accounting. He sits in judgement over all mankind, reviewing the ‘file’ of every human being. He examines our past, our present, and our future. He weighs our actions, our behaviour, and our relationships. He looks to see what direction we are going in. He evaluates what kind of year we are going to have. A true day of judgement. Our lives are in the scales.

Commencing at Rosh Hashana, devout Jews will take part in the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah - the Ten Days of Repentance, leading to Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), their most special day in the year.  During this ten-day period, there will be serious self-examination, and an attempt to make peace with any who have been offended during the previous year.

When disciples of Jesus gather around the Lord's Table for the sacrament of Holy Communion, they often read words written by the apostle Paul, to the early church in Corinth (see I Cor.11:23-26).  However, not all continue to read the following verses, as far as v.32.  They include this exhortation: "Let a man examine himself, ..." (vs.28).   How often believers come to the Table without that self-examination!  We are happy to remember what the Table symbolises; we are happy to give thanks for the sacrifice made on our behalf - the ultimate 'atonement'; we are happy to partake of the elements.  However, I am convinced that, when Paul wrote those words he was thinking, as one who had been steeped in Judaism, of that period between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur - those ten days of repentance.  I am convinced that he was encouraging his readers to look carefully at themselves, and recognise their complete and utter unworthiness to even handle those elements that speak of the broken Body and the shed Blood of God the Son.

Of course, if he had stopped there, then the sacrament would be a miserable affair!  Praise God, he didn't.  He continued, "... and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup."  You see, it's as I realise my own unworthiness that I am made fit to partake!  If I come, with something of a laissez-faire attitude, assuming that I have the right to do so, then I have no right and, as Paul goes on to point out, I eat and drink judgement upon myself! (see v.29).

So, Shanah Tovah to my Jewish friends - and an encouragement, to all of us who claim to follow the Lord Jesus, to truly examine ourselves every time we come to the Table.

Isn't It Funny...

Being on holiday is always great fun - even if, at the moment, most of my time is being spent building a terrasse (verandah) around the mobil-home (static caravan) that we now have in the Gironde area of France.  However, intermittent access to the worldwide web means that my blog tends to suffer a wee bit!

The following is not original - I have certainly read it before - but it was in one of the almost 250 e-mails awaiting my attention when I logged on this evening!  Please feel free to copy and paste - or to direct others to the blog!

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God, and then wonder why the world's going to hell.

Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven, provided they do not have to believe, think, say, or do anything the Bible says.

Funny how someone can say "I believe in God," but still follow Satan who, by the way, also "believes" in God.

Funny how we are quick to judge, but not to be judged.

Funny how you can send a thousand 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

Funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but the public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Funny how someone can be so fired up for Christ on Sunday, but be an invisible Christian the rest of the week.

Are you laughing?

Funny how, when you go to email a message like this, you will not send it to many on your address list, because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it to them.

Funny how I can be more worried about what other people think of me than what God thinks of me.

Are you thinking?

Pass this on if you think it has merit. Maybe it's not so funny after all!

Identification - it's so important!

So, the English and Welsh local council elections have come and gone!  The results appear to indicate that the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) is now a major force with which to be reckoned in British politics.  In my opinion, for what it's worth, this is no bad thing.  The three "major" parties - the Conservatives, the Labour Party, and the Liberal Democrats - have shown, over recent decades, to be increasingly separated from "ordinary" people.  They have been, overwhelmingly, filled with career politicians who seem to have personal conservation as their highest priority, and the serving of those who elected them delegated well down the list.  Now I know that there are honourable exceptions - the problem is that they are exceptions!

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, ..." Moses tells us. (Gen.1:1)  That amazing act of creation culminated in the creation of mankind - the only 'part' of creation made in the image of the Creator (Gen.1:26-27), and into which the Creator breathed His own life (Gen.2:7).  Mankind was created, we understand, to enjoy unbroken communion and fellowship with its Creator.  Regretfully, that same mankind allowed sin to enter the world that God had declared to be "... very good!" (Gen.1:31), and so was cut off from the Creator, and banished from the beautiful Garden in which they had been placed. (Gen.3:23).

That could, quite easily, have been the end of the story.  God had acted with perfect justice, in accordance with Gen.2:17.  However, His written Word assures us that the Almighty, creating God is not only perfect justice, but that He is also perfect Love!  Indeed, love is the very essence of His being (see I John 4:8, 16).  Because of this, he was not prepared to leave a sinful humanity with no escape from its predicament. In what is referred to as the "protoevangelium" ("first Gospel"), He makes clear that a single descendant of the woman will open the way for mankind to, once again, have a deep and personal relationship with its Maker. (see Gen.3:14-15).

In order to do that, this same Almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of all that is, took upon Himself, in the Persona of the Son (see my book {details at top of blog} - chapter on the Trinity), human flesh and, unlike so many modern politicians, became one of us.  He was not separated from the "common man" but "... understands our weaknesses, for He faced the same testings we do, yet He did not sin." (Heb.4:15).  He lived among us, a man among men; He died for us, bearing "... our sins in His Body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness." (I Peter 2:24); He rose from the dead, victorious over sin, death, hell, and the grave. (see, e.g., I Cor.15:51ff).

He is also the One Who has promised that He will return (Jn.14:3) and, unlike the average politician, He keeps His promises - to the letter!  As I look about me, I am increasingly convinced that that coming again is not far off.  I am not so foolish as to join the ranks of those who have claimed to have predicted the very day on which the Rapture (chapter on the subject available in my book!!) will take place.  However, I am certain that it will - possibly during my own mortal lifetime!

The Rapture will be a truly earth-shattering event - but it will merely fore-shadow the coming again of the Lord Jesus in judgement.  It will be then that "... the kings of the earth and the great men and the generals and the rich and the strong, and every one, slave and free, [will hide] in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him Who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand before it?'" (Rev 6:15-17).

May all who read this post be spared that terrible situation, by turning to Him now, in repentance and faith, and accepting Him as their personal Saviour and Lord - for your own good, and for His glory.  If you think that I may be of any further help, please do not hesitate to contact me, in order that I may respond at a personal level.

The death is announced!

No-one will need me to tell them that the major news story at the beginning of this week has been the death of former British Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher.  It's a story that has been broadcast all around the world - and one that has been met with either sadness or an almost obscene expression of joy.  Mrs Thatcher, it would seem, was one of those about whom it was difficult to be ambivalent!

My mind has gone back just over a week, as many of us remembered in a special way, the death by crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, almost 2,000 years ago.  He, too, was One about Whom it was (and is) difficult to be ambivalent.  He was, and is, either loved, or hated.  He cannot be ignored.

Much has already been written about Mrs Thatcher's legacy and, doubtless, much more will be written.  However the record may be biased, by friend or foe, she made, and left, her mark on not only the U.K. but also the wider world.

Much has been written about Jesus.  Some by friends; some by foes.  However, His legacy is one that no politician, however famous; no member of the aristocracy, however wealthy; no celebrity in sport, entertainment, or whatever; could ever leave.  He, and He alone, has left the offer of full salvation, purchased by the shedding of His own blood at Calvary.  That's what we remembered a week past on Friday.  It's what those of us who partake in the Lord's Supper (aka Communion; the Eucharist) remember every time we come to the Table.  It's the central message of the Gospel - "... God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8; RSV).

But then, of course, came the Resurrection!  And here there is a great difference between the Lord Jesus and the former PM.  You see, Mrs Thatcher will rise - but to a judgement, the outcome of which it is not for me, or anyone else, to speculate.  The Lord Jesus has risen - and He is the Judge!  Those who have placed their trust in Him, in this life - be they figures on the world's stage, or social nonentities - will spend the timelessness of eternity in His glorious Presence; those who rejected, or simply ignored Him, will spend that same eternity without Him.

The question for each one of us is simple: "What will you do with this Jesus Who is called the Christ?" (see Matt.27:22).  On your answer to that question, depends your eternal destiny.  Choose life; choose Jesus.

Building Your Home

A great and wise man once called one of his workmen to him saying, "Go into the far country and build for me a house. The decisions of planning and of actual construction will be yours, but remember, I shall come to accept your work for a very special friend of mine."

And so the workman departed with a light heart for his field of labour. Material of all kinds was plentiful here, but the workman had a mind of his own. "Surely," he thought, "I know my business. I can use a bit of inferior material here, and cheat on my workmanship a little there, and still make the finished work look good. Only I will know that what I have built has weaknesses."

And so, at last the work was completed and the workman reported back to the great and wise man. "Very good," he said. "Now you remember that I wanted you to use only the finest materials and craftsmanship in this house because I wanted to make present of it? My friend, you are the one I had you build it for. It is all yours."

How much like us. We come to earth as strangers. We have free will. We may build our lives as we like. But on "that Day" each of us will receive what (s)he has built for an eternal home and habitation.

Jesus said:"Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it." (Matt 7:24-27; RSV).

For those of us who own the Lord Jesus as our personal Saviour, Paul has this to say: "According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it.  For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay , straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are." (I Cor 3:10-17; RSV).

Be careful how, and what, you build!

My Barrister!

After living what I felt was a "decent" life, my time on earth came to the end. The next thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what appeared to be a court house.

The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.

As I looked around I saw the "prosecutor." He was a villainous looking character who snarled as he stared at me. He was definitely the most evil being I had ever seen.

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat my Barrister, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, that I felt I must know Him.

The door flew open and the Judge appeared, in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome Presence and, as He moved across the room, I couldn't take my eyes off of Him.

As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, "Let us begin."

The prosecutor rose and said,

"My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell."

He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and times in the past when I had cheated others. He told of other horrible sins that were once in my life and, the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, not even my own Barrister, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at my Barrister Who sat there silently, not offering any form of defense at all. I knew I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't they at least cancel part of the harm I'd done?

Satan finished with a fury and said, "This man belongs in hell.  He is guilty of all that I have said, and there is no-one who can prove otherwise."

When it was His turn, my Barrister first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward. As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendour and majesty. I realised why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Saviour.

He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, "Hi, Dad," and then He turned to address the court.

"Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned. I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wages of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished."

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted Me as his Saviour, so he is Mine."

My Lord continued, "His name is written in the book of life and no one can snatch him from Me. Satan still does not understand. This man is not to be given justice, but rather grace and mercy."

As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, "There is nothing else that needs to be done. I've done it all."

The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips..

"This man is free." The penalty for him has already been paid in full. Case dismissed."

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, "I won't give up, I will win the next one." I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, "Have you ever lost a case?"

Christ lovingly smiled and said, "Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you, ....... Paid In Full."

It's only a story - but it does have a message. If we want Him to represent us there; we must be willing to represent Him here!   If you've never done so before, confess your sins to Him now; ask for His forgiveness; thank Him for taking your place on the cross; accept Him as Saviour and Lord.  Then live for Him - "life in all its fulness" (Jn.10:10).