The Messiah's Secret - The Sower "Christ in you" Part 6

The Messiah’s Secret – The Sower “Christ in you. “ Part 6

2012-01-30T11:12:00.020Z

Evening Service Lectionary Reading 1 Corinthians 14: 12-20. Matthew 13: 10-17

The disciples asked Jesus why he addressed the crowd speaking in parables. Matthew 13: 10-17.
The parables spoke of earthly things which have heavenly meanings.
Jesus explained the parables to his disciples at the beginning of his ministry. Here in this reading Jesus pointed out that they had been given the secrets of the kingdom of Heaven, but the others listening didn’t understand as their hearts were dulled by the message coming from their leaders and teachers of the law.
This prophesy from Isaiah was fulfilled. “You shall indeed hear but never understand . . . For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing.”

The parable of ‘The Sower’ illustrated the circumstances of receptivity that the people had to the word of God in Jesus’ day. 2,000 years later and we still respond in the same way.
Below is the explanation that Jesus gave them to the parable of the sower 18-23.

“When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches it away what is sown in the heart; this is what is sown along the path. As for what was sown on the rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away As for what is sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what is sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundred fold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” Matthew 13: 18-23

The Apostles before Pentecost prepared the ground for the seeds of the kingdom to be sown.
“The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1: 15
The gospel message that Jesus proclaimed on the Mount was the perfect law of God, the Beatitudes are a good example of what he taught: “Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. . . . ” Matthew 5: 1-12
The gospel of preparation: to teach the kingdom of God and to heal. Luke 9:2
The disciples did not proclaim that Jesus was the Messiah. Luke 9: 20, 21.

A word I was given on 30th May 1996 was that, “The disciples were setting up the kingdom in at the beginning of Acts.” It was as I understood to be in preparation for Jesus’ return with the angels of God. Mark 8:38. 9: 1
The disciples and followers looked forward to Jesus’ return as he indicated that his coming would be in their life time.
“Truly I say to you, there is some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God has come with power.” Mark 9:1

At Pentecost the Apostles began to sow the seeds of the kingdom.
Seeds sown along the path.
At and after Pentecost the Apostles proclaimed that Jesus was the Christ. The Jews heard from Peter and John about Jesus fulfilling the prophesies that proved to them that he was the Christ. Particularly the words of Peter speaking to the crowd in Solomon’s Portico, “I know that they acted in ignorance as did their rulers." But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.” Acts 3: 17, 18.
The people did not understand that the Christ or Messiah had to suffer and die like a criminal on a cross. They did not understand because the people had been taught from the law that the Messiah when he came would live for ever. John 12: 34.

Isaiah prophesied the suffering and death of the Messiah Chapter 53: 10, 11.
10. “Yet it pleased him to bruise him; he has put him to grief; when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand;
Fulfilled. It was in the plan of God that Jesus would suffer and be killed and that on the third day God would raise him from the dead.
“Jesus said, “For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was reckoned with transgressors’; for what is written about me has its fulfilment.” Luke 22: 37.

11. He shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities.”
Fulfilled. ”For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3: 16.

Seeds sown on rocky ground
Peter loved his Saviour and knew that Jesus had forgiven him, he sowed the seeds of repentance and forgiveness.
Peter continued appealing to the crowd in Solomon’s Portico, “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of the Holy prophets from of old.” Acts 3: 19-21
It was a national call of repentance to the nation of Israel in order to establish through the promised descendant of King David the eternal throne and kingdom of God.

Seeds sown among thorns
Whilst Peter and John were speaking the priests and the Sadducees came with the captain of the temple guards and arrested them and put them in prison. They were accused of teaching the people and proclaiming that Jesus had been resurrected from the dead.
The good news fell upon these hearts hardened by man’s religious zeal who perhaps also feared the Jewish council. Also the priests were deaf to the prophesies concerning the death of the Messiah and seeing Jesus die on a cross which was a Roman punishment, in their eyes he had been defiled by lawless Roman men. The news of his resurrection had blinded the eyes of the Sadducees because they did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Acts 4: 1, 2.

Seeds sown on good soil
Peter and John spoke out boldly at their trial, the man who had been healed at Gate Beautiful appeared in their defence. They were asked by what power and name did you do this? Empowered by the Holy Spirit Peter said, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what name this man has been healed, be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man was standing before them well. The stone that they the builders had rejected has become the head of the corner. And there was salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4: 8-12.
The seeds that had been sown in Solomon's Portico had produced fruit, 5,000 men believed.
As the numbers grew the believers formed a community in Jerusalem.

The parable of the sower gives an exact picture of the times we are living in today
The Christian sows the seeds of the good news of the kingdom of heaven in the paths of the world; the Devil prevents people with hardened hearts from understanding and keeping what they have heard. Also the gospel message falls on rocky ground were Christians are unsure of what they believe and as a result when their faith is tested they compromise their faith. The word sown among thorns is where the word choked by people’s preoccupation with the materialistic world and seeing only its technological discoveries as the future. However those who come to faith having received the good news with understanding, commitment and courage, as a result their contribution to the growing of the church is evident.

“Christ in you” Part 6

Written below is a modern day parable
Our two Shetland ponies Puzzle and Shamrock

Every day the first job is to go and feed the pony in the stable and the Shetlands. When they hear the door of our house open straight away they neigh and it’s a lovely greeting, if you like horses and ponies.

The explanation at the end of the blog

Jesus explained the parables to his disciples at the beginning of his ministry. Jesus pointed out that they had been given the secrets of the kingdom of Heaven.

One of the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven is Jesus’ coming for his body of believers the church.

The Lord gave me a word: Jesus having this expectation in himself of his coming, this expectation is in us, because Christ is in us.
This hope of Jesus’ coming is born in us through Jesus’ own desire to come from heaven and call out his church.

A parable that shines out like a beacon today. (I relate the following parable to The Messiah's Secret“The disciples were setting up the kingdom in at the beginning of Acts.” It was as I understood to be in preparation for Jesus’ return with the angels of God.”)

Watch out for Jesus’ return
“But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed watch, for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the door-keeper to be on watch. Watch therefore-for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning – lest he comes suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to all: Watch.”
Mark 13: 32-37.

The man going on a journey – Jesus ascended into heaven
The servants – the disciples
The work - sowing the seeds of the good news of the kingdom.
The Apostles put in place the structures of the church: Bishops, Deacons, Elders, Apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kind of tongues.
These gifts are given to edify the whole church, to minister in the love of Christ and work with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12: 28

In our second reading Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthian church that messages were given in tongues at a meeting, but there was no interpretation of what was being said. Paul emphasised the need of interpretation of the tongues.
This gift of speaking in tongues is a language that is not the person’s own native language but a language from some where in the world, given as a gift by the Holy Spirit to that person.
At Pentecost when the disciples filled with the Holy Spirit left the upper room they went out onto the streets of Jerusalem and spoke to many people from other countries about Jesus. These people as they heard them speak to them in their own language, they were amazed. Acts 2:8
Paul preferred people to speak out prophesies so that people in the meeting could understand what was being said. 1 Corinthians 14: 12-20

The door keeper is to watch out for the master’s return.
I can just imagine the disciple’s great anticipation of Jesus’ return. Especially when Peter’s conversation with Jesus was recorded by John, “Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who lay close to his breast at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?” (Peter was quoting John’s words at the Passover Meal.)
When Peter saw John, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remains until I come what is that to you? Follow me!” The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” John 21: 20-23
John witnessed in his gospel of the longing that Jesus bore in his heart of his return soon after Pentecost.
John hoped that Jesus would return this is so evident in Revelation Chapter 1: 1-8
John was quite old when he received the vision and wrote it down. At the very beginning of the first Chapter he records Jesus’ words: “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants what, must soon take place.” “For the time is near.” “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, every one who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

John did not see Jesus return before he died. But Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

This applies to all Christians to watch for Jesus’ return.
Our daughter works abroad and she regularly comes home to spend a few days. By faith we look forward to seeing her. This expectant hope is in our hearts as we hear that she is on her way. We meet her at the airport and bring her home.
This last year 2011 she said that she was coming home in October. However, two weeks before she was due to arrive home, she emailed us to say that she would delay her visit till Christmas. Sure enough she came home at Christmas.

This state of watchfulness is the hope we have that is born in us, “Christ in you,” the hope of glory. We are watching for his coming in the clouds, for our meeting with Jesus in the air. Christians name this event as the ‘Rapture.’
“For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until his coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord he will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4: 15-18

The precise date of his coming is not known as Jesus states this in the parable, “Jesus said “Watch therefore as you do not know when the master of the house will come.”

Faith and Hope working together
Through Christ in us, we can identify with the Apostles their faith and this amazing hope of Jesus’ coming for his body of believers.
Below, Paul writing to the church at Rome, Thessalonica and Titus, Peter his letter to the Jews of the dispersion.
“And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for the adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Romans 8: 23-25.

“Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12: 12

“For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming?” 1Thessalonians 2: 19.

“Awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2: 13.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”
1 Peter 1: 3, 4.

“Our Lord, Come” Greek word Maranatha Revelation 21: 20

Why has Jesus not yet called out his church?
This parable can not be taken in isolation from the rest of what Jesus taught us about his coming. We are called to watch out also for the signs of his coming.
“From the fig tree learn its lesson; as soon as the branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things, you know that he is near at the very gates.” Matthew 24: 32-35.

Chronology of events
First and second world wars. Matthew 24: 6,7.
Establishment of State of Israel in 1948. Ezekiel 20: 33-38
Six day war bringing Jerusalem under Jewish control. Luke 21: 34.
One world government. Daniel 7: 23
Ten Kingdom world rule. Daniel 7: 24
The Third temple. Daniel 9: 24-27. 2 Thessalonians 2: 3, 4.

The first three of the six have been fulfilled. The one world government followed by the ten rulers of the world I would associate with the “distress of nations in perplexity” Luke 21: 25
We are witnessing some degree of "the distress of nations in perplexity" with the situation Europe is facing with the debt crisis.

Jesus having this expectation in himself of his coming, this expectation is in us, because Christ is in us.
This hope of Jesus’ coming is born in us through Jesus’ own desire to come from heaven and call out his church.

Our two Shetland ponies Puzzle and Shamrock (modern parable)
Every day the first job is to go and feed the pony in the stable and the Shetlands. When they hear the door of our house open straight away they neigh and it’s a lovely greeting.
Explanation
I’m sure all of creation will hear and be glad to witness the call of the archangel as Jesus call’s out his body of believers. Romans 8; 20, 21

The Messiah's Secret - Opening the Scroll

2012-01-16T11:09:00.024Z

Hello Kitty asks us to look at the picture and find the things that belong to her: pencils, umbrella, bow, boots, boat and envelope.

Wally asks us to try and spot him in the picture.

Epiphany means ‘showing Jesus to us’
Let us look at the things that belong to Jesus

The shepherds gave him a lamb; the wise men gave him gifts of Gold Frankincense and Myrrh. Jesus was born a king.

The Book of Revelation or Apocalypse
Revelation 5: 1- 10
God our Father is seated on his throne holding in his right hand a scroll or book it is sealed with seven seals. In the R S Version of the Bible the angel is described as being strong and asked to all who were present, the twenty four elders and the four living creatures, “Who is going to open the scroll?”
The strong angel, this purposeful angel I felt was inquisitive and wanted to know what is written on the scroll. Peter wrote that the angels had longed to look into these things.
The angels longed to look into this salvation spoken of by the prophets and this angel having strength of character wanted to know what was written on this scroll. 1 Peter 1:12.

One of the elders aware of John’s concerns about the opening of the scroll, revealed to him the name of the one who could open it. “The lion of Judah, the Root of David has conquered, so that he can open the scroll with its seven seals.” 5: 5
The elder was referring to Jesus, the Lamb of God who stood among them as one that had been slain who God had resurrected from the dead, the descendant of David.

The prophesies in the Bible prove the existence of God and reveal the Messiah, Jesus.
Jacob referred to the tribe of Judah as the lion - Genesis 49: 9, 10.
Jesus was descended from the tribe of Judah - Hebrews 7: 14
The Root of Jesse - Isaiah 11: 1
Testimony to the churches, “I am the root and offspring of David.” Revelation 22: 16.

The lamb had 7 horns, 7 eyes and 7 spirits of God: the horns symbolically depicting strength and power, the eyes - the symbol of insight and illumination. the spirits of God - the discerning fire of Holy Spirit.

The Lamb took the scroll from God.
Before the scroll with its seals can be opened there are prophesies that Jesus referred to that lead up to the opening of them.
“Jesus said, “For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Christ,’ and they will lead you astray. And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs.” Matthew 24:5-7
Jesus called them ‘birth pains’ because of the growing distress that was to be brought upon on the world until, the Messiah returns with the angels and all the company of heaven. When a woman who is having a baby starts to go into labour, the contractions grow in intensity and the pain becomes more severe until the baby is born.

False Messiah’s
Extract from a ‘Study of False Messiah’s’ from the Congregation Shema Yisrael Dublin Web site.
Theudas
Theudas is mentioned in Acts 5:36. In his historical work, Antiquities, Josephus the first century Jewish historian, wrote about Theudas who, around 45 AD, influenced "the majority of the masses to take up their possessions and to follow him to the Jordan River." He claimed that the Jordan would part for them at his command. Obviously it didn't, and he and many of his followers paid for their foolishness with their lives.”

Judah the Galilean
Judah the Galilean is mentioned in Acts 5:37. Josephus, made reference to Judah the Galilean, stating: "Judah the Galilean told Jews about ten years before the birth of Jesus that it was shameful for them to be 'consenting to pay tribute to the Romans and tolerating mortal masters after having God for their Lord'". It is interesting to note that Judah apparently had a false prophet by the name of Saddok. Very likely Saddok presented himself to the people as being Elijah, who, according to Scripture, was to precede and announce the coming of the Messiah. The pattern of false messiahs having false prophets was to become all too familiar.”

Jacob Frank
In more recent times in the 1726-91 "Polish Jew Jacob Frank gained a reputation as a "prophet" having, it was thought, special powers and inspiration."
Since the first century names of Jewish men have been recorded who have proclaimed themselves to be the Messiah. (see Congregation Shema Yisrael Web site)

We‘ve seen an escalation in warfare during the last hundred years with two world wars and an increase in earthquakes and volcanic activity. The change in weather patterns has increased the desert regions causing famine and great loss of life.

Only last year 2011 we saw the Arab Spring the civil war and disorder in some of the Middle East countries, nearly every month there was a major catastrophe; earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan, a volcanic eruption in Chilli, floods in Australia and the Bahamas and severe famine in Somalia as a result civil war.

The Prophets prophesied birth-pains and they are currently being fulfilled.
In Arnold Fruchtenbaum Book “The Footsteps of the Messiah.” Seventh Printing 1999 when he wrote it, he pointed to prophesies about future events: a civil war in Egypt, and the Middle East unrest.
“An oracle concerning Egypt. Behold, the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and comes to Egypt; and the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence, and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them. And I will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians, and they will fight, every man against his brother and every man against his neighbour, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.” Isaiah 19: 1, 2.

Israel’s neighbouring Nations’ engaged in internal conflict.
“Israel in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them. In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for great disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. They were broken in pieces, nation against nation and city against city, for God troubled them with every sort of distress.” 2 Chronicles 15: 4-6

The Lord wants us to be like Nathanael to observe the prophesies that relate to his coming. John 1: 43-51
In our reading Jesus said to Nathanael “Before Philip called you I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Teacher, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
Nathanael had observed that Jesus was referring to a passage of scripture in the Bible that speaks about people sitting with their neighbour under the fig tree.
"In that day, says the Lord of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbour under his vine and under his fig tree.” Zechariah 3: 8-10

Part of the ‘birth pain’ period is the increase in knowledge.
“Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Daniel 12: 4.
It is true to say that most people are aware of the speed of the increase of knowledge
The advance of science which is amazing and is of great benefit to us all, but there is a down side, our planet is suffering because of the energy required to maintain the expansion.

Another ‘birth-pain’ is Apostasy
Apostasy meaning defection, departure, revolt or rebellion. A Christian who turns away from the faith. Hebrews 6: 4-6
Sadly we shall see this grow as peoples faith will be tested when they see other Christians being persecuted for their faith.

The mainstream churches believe that we are living in the ‘Times and Seasons’ when Jesus could call out his body of believers the church, for the meeting with the Lord in the air. It could happen today, tomorrow at any moment, the time of his call is nearer than we may think. 1 Thessalonians 4: 14-18

“From the fig tree learn its lesson; as soon as the branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things, you know that he is near at the very gates.” Matthew 24: 32-35.
When we hear of these things, were the birth-pains are intensifying, pray, look for Jesus’ return and pray for people to come to faith in Christ as we want them to escape the opening of the seals. Our prayers are being held in the golden bowls full of incense by the elders and the four living creatures and we have the assurance that Jesus calls out the church before the start of the tribulation. ‘Two were working in the field one was taken the other left’.
“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 9 – 11.

Before the seals are opened.
All these birth-pains lead up to the severe pain of the desolating sacrilege, “When you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place.” Matthew 24: 15. 2 Thessalonians 2: 3, 4.
Jesus was referring to the antichrist, the counterfeit Messiah, standing in the temple at Jerusalem being worshipped as god.”
After the antichrist is revealed we see the start of the seven year tribulation with Jesus opening the seals, each seal is a judgment.

Over the last month I’ve read several books were the majority of the authors hold the same views on the meaning of the seals.
The first seal - the rider on the white horse carrying a bow without an arrow.
The rider is wearing a crown and he will go out to conquer and to conquer.
This person is generally thought to be the antichrist, the counterfeit Messiah, who on his first appearance is a man of peace, who will conquer the world with his answers to the worlds’ problems. The world is deceived by him. 2 Thessalonians 2: 9-12

The second seal - the red horse, its rider being permitted to take away the peace. The antichrist turns against Israel and makes war against her.

The third seal - the black horse and its rider depicts the consequences of war; there will be famine on a world-wide scale, because of the scarcity of wheat and barley. But medicines will be available as the oil and the wine are not hurt.

The fourth seal – the pale horse and its rider.
The pale horse signifies death on a massive scale, one quarter of the world’s population through war, famine and the wild animals savaging, searching for food.

Some Christians would say that already Jesus has opened some of the seals on the scroll, and they have overlapped the birth-pain period by coming before the desolating sacrilege.
We have an example of this:
In last years uprising in Egypt it was reported that the pale horse and its rider were seen riding through the rioting crowd. There is even a video of it on Utube, the ghostly image of horse and its rider, eerily making its way through the violent scene.

This is in my view a literal interpretation that is leading many people astray. I understand through study that the horsemen of the apocalypse are imagery. Horses represent speed of which things will happen. The rider, the messenger is revealing the nature of the judgement. The seven seals are judgements which take place after Jesus has returned for his church and the unveiling of the antichrist.

The fifth seal - Christians that will be killed in wars of persecution for their faith in Jesus. These are the people who become Christians after Jesus has called out the church and tragically go through the tribulation.

The sixth seal - Earthquakes and cosmic events, meteor showers, the sun and moon blocked by the dust. People hide in caves to escape the falling debris.

Between the sixth and seventh seal the 144,000 Jews witness for Christ bringing world-wide revival. Revelation 7: 2, 3.

The present day Jehovah Witnesses are another example of overlapping into the birth-pain period.
The Jehovah Witnesses claim to be the 144,000 Jewish descendants of the tribes of Israel and that they will be the only ones in the heavenly kingdom and the majority of those who receive eternal life will be earthly subjects of the kingdom. They also claim that Jesus has already returned with his angels, invisibly in 1914.
60 years later they predicted a date on which they claimed the Day of Wrath would happen and were wrong. Our neighbour in 1975 gave up his job and went out preaching with other Jehovah witnesses that the end was nigh, that the battle of Armageddon would be all over by the autumn of 1975, and it came to nothing.
They ignore the scripture were Jesus said, ”But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Mark 13: 32.

From the book, “The Greatest MAN Who Ever Lived.” Published by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of New York, INC. The Jehovah witnesses believe that Jesus is just a man with extraordinary powers and teachings. However sincere, they do not proclaim Jesus’ divinity that he is the living God revealed in the flesh or the Trinity.

From the book, “Released from the Watch Tower,” by Valerie Tomsett “No where does the Watchtower Society mention that one must receive Christ as a personal saviour.”
Philippians 2:9-11. Romans 10: 9, 10.

The seventh seal - This seal opens a period of silence in heaven, where we read seven angels are given trumpets and were another angel is carrying a bowl filled with incense and prayers of the saints.
It is so important that we pray the prayer that the Lord Jesus taught his disciples, "The Lord's Prayer" that has been handed down to all who follow Jesus, remembering especially the word's,“Your kingdom come, your will be done . . . .”

The time is nearer than we think, so as we realise the reality that Jesus could call out the church at any moment our hopes are raised by the Holy Spirit, because all what Jesus and the prophets prophesied will come true.

Don’t be distracted with the world and put off accepting Jesus as your Saviour today.
The pictures below: On a number of occasions whilst I’ve been watching a game of football on TV and I’ve left the room to make a cup of tea and I’ve missed the goal that has just been scored.
I’ve lost sight of the play and missed it, so we can be distracted from continually being focused on our Lord and his business and risk missing out on the call to our meeting with Jesus in the air.

The Messiah’s Secret – Flight into Egypt

2012-01-02T10:50:00.013Z

As one year ends we tend to briefly look back to the highs and lows of the year.
I wondered what Joseph and Mary paused to think about after the months of turbulence in their lives. Only ten months previously Joseph and Mary were making plans for their future marriage. When shortly afterwards the news of Mary’s pregnancy came to light, it severely tested their relationship. But God undertook through the dream were God revealed to Joseph Mary’s baby was the Son of God, the Saviour. As a result of this their faith in God must have grown.

The Roman Censorship made it necessary to make that journey to Bethlehem at the most difficult time coming to the end of Mary's pregnancy. Yet God was at the centre of their situation doing something wonderful, fulfilling ancient prophesies. The living words of God shedding light on God’s purposes and plans 700 years approx before its fulfilment.
“For unto us a child is born a Son is given, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of his peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom to establish it, and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore, the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9: 6, 7.
Mary and Joseph were making history in the fulfilment of Biblical prophesies.
Mary was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1: 18. Galatians 3: 19. Galatians 4: 4.

How Joseph and Mary’s faith must have grown.

Jesus was circumcised on the 8th day and later presented as their first-born in the temple at the time of Mary’s purification, afterwards they returned to Nazareth.
“And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. Luke 2: 21-39

Did the wise men follow the star from Bethlehem to Nazareth?
Matthew in his gospel records that the wise men visited Herod’s temple in Jerusalem. After consulting with Herod, they went to Bethlehem hoping to find the child. We read they followed the star until it held its position over the house where they found Jesus and presented him with their gifts. They were warned in a dream not to return to Herod and tell him the whereabouts of the child so they left for their own country taking a different route. Matthew 2: 7-12
Also Joseph had a dream and was told by the angel who appeared to him to leave immediately with Mary and Jesus and go to Egypt.
To start the journey to Egypt going from Bethlehem to Nazareth and then on to Egypt would seem to me not to have the urgency that was needed to escape Herod’s anger and slaughter of boys under the age of two years old.
As a result of being kept safe, how Joseph and Mary’s faith must have grown.

Looking back over 2011
As I look back on our year, we have seen the world wide devastation with the floods in Australia, America and the earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan causing great loss of life and civil disorder in some of the Middle East countries. Severe famine in Africa through civil war. The people of Samalia have suffered and many thousands have died through civil war and famine. In Europe the debt crisis has undermined the euro currency. In England in the month of August we experienced lawlessness; riots and looting by mainly young people. Nearly every week we hear reports of people being murdered. When I was a girl fifty years ago, it was rarely heard of people being murdered.

These are the escalating troubled times, ‘birth pangs’ that Jesus referred to in Matthew 24: 7
“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs.”

The Bible contains prophesies that are currently being fulfilled.
Arnold Fruchtenbaum Book “The Footsteps of the Messiah.” Seventh Printing 1999 At the time of writing he pointed to prophesies about future events, a civil war in Egypt, and the Middle East unrest.
“An oracle concerning Egypt. Behold, the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and comes to Egypt; and the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence, and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them. And I will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians, and they will fight, every man against his brother and every man against his neighbour, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.” Isaiah 19: 1,2.
“Israel in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them. In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for great disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. They were broken in pieces, nation against nation and city against city, for God troubled them with every sort of distress.”
2 Chronicles 15: 4-6
When we hear of these things, pray, looking, watching for Jesus’ return and pray for people to come to faith in Christ.

The return of Holy Family to their home land
Joseph and Mary must have wondered if they would ever be able to return to their homeland. But again prophesies were fulfilled when Joseph again was spoken to by God in a dream and the angel told them to return to Israel. Fulfilling the prophecy, “He would be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2: 14,19 - 23.
How Joseph and Mary’s faith must have grown.

God cursed the serpent and prophesied that through the seed of a woman the Messiah would bruise the head of the serpent and the serpent would bruise the heel of the Messiah. Genesis 3: 15.
Over 30 prophesies were fulfilled on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion spanning from Genesis through to the latter day prophets. Proving the existence of God and revealing the Son of God Jesus.

The prophesies concerning Jesus’ return will in due course be fulfilled.
“And I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself that where I am you may be also. John 14: 3
“Two men dressed in white robes said, “”Men of Galilee why do you stand looking up to heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1: 11.

When Jesus returns the brightness of his appearance, the ‘Epiphany,’ of his return.

Everyone in Christ, his faithful followers will be taken out of the world and this is before the tribulation period begins.
There is a great necessity of making these prophesies known especially the prophesies that refer to the return of Jesus for his church. With tears of sorrow for those who reject Jesus as their Saviour. But for those who do believe, how our faith will grow as we see the fulfilment of these prophesies.

The Messiah’s Secret – Archangel Gabriel’s message to Mary

2011-12-13T15:20:00.023Z

“Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but now is disclosed and through prophetical writings is made known to all nations to the command of the eternal God, to bring about obedience of faith.”Romans 16: 25-27
The mystery that was kept secret was the birth of the Messiah and that the Gentiles were to become fellow heirs of this mystery.

To disclose means – to bring something to light.
"It was near Christmas and two boys went to stay with their Grandma. As they both knelt beside their beds to say their prayers. The younger boy began to say his prayer at the top of his voice, "I pray for a biycle and a nintendo game." His brother whispered to him, "Why are you shouting, God isn't deaf?" His brother answered, "I know, but Grandma is."

The prophesies in Isaiah were brought to the light by Archangel Gabriel.
“And the Lord said, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”.Isaiah 7: 14
“For unto us a child is born a Son is given, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of his peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom to establish it, and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore, the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9: 6, 7.

Archangel Gabriel delivered important messages from God to a small number of people recorded in scripture.
The prophet Daniel when he saw Gabriel he noted that he had the appearance of a man.
Gabriel came to Daniel in response to his prayer were he requested understanding of the vision that God had given to him concerning the end times. Daniel 8: 15. 9: 21-end

Also Gabriel appeared in the temple at Jerusalem at the hour of incense. Where he spoke to Zechariah the priest on duty confirming to him that Zechariah’s prayer had been answered. Elizabeth his wife would conceive and give birth to a son who would be the herald announcing the coming of the Messiah. Luke 1: 10, 11.
“He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God and he will go before the Messiah in the power and spirit of Elijah . . .to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” Luke 1: 16, 17.

Following Gabriel’s visit to Zechariah six months later Gabriel visited Mary at her home in Nazareth. Gabriel’s greeting was a surprise to her, “Hail. O favoured one, the Lord is with you,” she questioned in her heart what the implications were.
Gabriel maybe sensed that she was afraid. Her fear must have been very real when he mentioned that she was going to have a baby boy who she must name him, Jesus.
Gabriel’s word to Mary in verse 32 confirming the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; his kingdom will never end.”
I don’t think the titles and greatness of the child registered in her mind because of wondering who the father was going to be as Mary was betrothed to Joseph. Luke 1: 26-38
Under Jewish law a woman found by her husband not to be a virgin after their marriage meant that he could expose her and she could be stoned to death by the men of the city. Deuteronomy 22: 13-21
Mary’s response brought out her fear. “How shall it be, I have no husband?”
Gabriel’s answer to her was that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her. Mary would know about the Holy Spirit from the Hebrew Scriptures: The Holy Spirit hovered over the waters of the earth and creation followed. Genesis 1: 2.
I think that this disclosure about the Holy Spirit to Mary gave her understanding that God was going to be the Father and the child was to be the Son of God.

Once the message became clear, fully disclosed, Mary responded in faith.
“Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord: Let it be to me according to your word.”
Gabriel assured her that nothing was impossible with God and then he left.

The disclosure of the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy to Mary that God had chosen her, led her to obedience of faith.
In Mary’s obedience of faith we see wisdom, trust and discernment, it wasn’t blind obedience.
Mary in her wisdom questioned Gabriel, “How shall it be, I have no husband?” She had genuine fears that could have put her life in danger. Mary, I feel trusted that the Lord would undertake with Joseph.
Mary discerned that God would be the Father through the operation of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps Gabriel's news about Elizabeth pregnancy, convinced Mary that God was able to do the impossible. Both Zechariah and Elizabeth being too old to have children.

Disclosure is an aspect of faith.
Disclosure is to bring to the light something which is proposed and can not be worked out, it is accepted by faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. By faith we understand that the world was created by the Word of God, so that what is seen was made out of things which do not appear.” Hebrews 11: 1,2.

When a mystery like God being the Father of Jesus is disclosed to us, we made a response, to either believe or have doubts.

If you are not sure, maybe you can be persuaded to consider the evidence:

Existence of Angels
Christians David and Jessica’s encounter with an angel. They were out walking on the moors when the mist came down as a result they got lost. As they pondered which way to go, a man appeared out of the mist, they asked him for his help and he gave them directions. As they set off they turned to thank the man, but he had vanished, they looked around but there was no sign of him. They believed he was an angel although he had the appearance of a man.

The Immaculate Conception.
God intervened in world affairs when Mary conceived without another human being involved. To me it is like a person being healed by prayer. God answers the prayer without the flesh being touched. Healing the sickness or disease without any drugs or surgery, for with God nothing is impossible.

Only God could do these things.
Jesus when he grew up showed miraculous powers were at work in him that only the creator of life could perform like: raising the dead, changing water to wine, walking on water, stilling the storm, healing leprosy, opening the eyes of the blind, healing all manner of sickness and disease.
Man's creativity
I am amazed by the technology of today; microwave ovens came about through microwaves being accidentally discovered in 1945. American engineer Percy Spencer was working on an active radar set when he noticed that a chocolate bar he had in his pocket started to melt. The radar had melted the chocolate bar with microwaves. This technology has revolutionised cooking meals.
Faith in Jesus
Computers and digital technology is truly amazing, but let’s look again at the miracles Jesus performed with only two or three words like: “Be clean,” “Peace! Be still!” “Go in peace,” “Stretch out your hand.” ”Your faith has made you well.” The man with the withered hand was restored like his other hand, men who were blind could see again. The deaf could hear and the dumb could speak.

Surely this is evidence enough to prove that Mary gave Jesus his humanity and his divinity came from God his Father.

This chorus is my prayer for anyone who doubts the 'Virgin Birth.'
"Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch him, and say that we love him. Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen: O open our ears, Lord, we want to see Jesus." Robert Cull 1976 Maranatha! Music. Word Music (UK)

The Census required Joseph and Mary to set out from Nazareth and go to Bethlehem. They must have been concerned about the strenuous journey knowing that at around nine months the baby could be born at any time. After arriving at Bethlehem they searched for accommodation hastened by the probability that Mary’s labour pains had started. The Inn was full the only place out of public gaze was the stable, where Mary gave birth to Jesus.
I wonder how Joseph and Mary were feeling at the time, thankful that they had made it to Bethlehem and how difficult it must have been in not finding a room at the Inn. However the relief and joy they must have felt when Mary gave birth in the quietness of a stable. The first cry from baby Jesus must have thrilled them both.

The shepherds responded to the disclosure by the angels of an infant, who was the Christ, that had been born in Bethlehem that night so the shepherds went to Bethlehem and found baby Jesus lying in a manger.

December 11 2011
It was disclosed to me by my sister that her son Garth 34 years who lives in Melbourne Australia on Sunday 11 December accepted Jesus as his Saviour, a child born into the kingdom. Great news.

Archangel's call
The next occasion when an Archangel is mentioned is in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians.
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with the voice of the Archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” Thessalonians 4: 16
The Archangel coming with Christ calling out the believers to meet the Lord in the air. Those who have died in faith and those who are alive on the day of Jesus' coming. The church made up of both Jew and Gentiles. Abraham’s descendants are the families of the earth who have accepted Jesus as their Saviour.
“God gave to your fathers saying to Abraham “And in your posterity (descendants) shall all the families of the earth be blessed. God having risen up his servant (Jesus) sent him to you first, to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness.” Acts 3: 22-26.

Happy Christmas
(Doxology – A hymn expressing praise and honour to the Trinity.Romans 16: 25-27)

The Messiah’s Secret – A stone of offence

2011-11-28T13:47:00.016Z

Evening Service following the Lectionary Romans 15: 4-13 Matthew 11: 2-11
Advent is the time when we remember the birth of Jesus and were we prepare ourselves for Jesus' coming again.
John the Baptist was preparing the way of the Messiah through his baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John made some enemies through his uncompromising message. “He said to the multitudes that came out to be baptised by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits fit for repentance . . . every tree that does not bear fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Luke 3: 7-9
John the Baptist had been wrongfully arrested by Herod Antipas and put in jail for speaking out against Herod’s marriage to his brother Philips wife Herodias. John had said to Herod, “It was not lawful to have her.” Matthew 14: 3, 4. Under Jewish law Herod was forbidden to marry his brother’s wife. Leviticus 18: 16.
John had few friends amongst the Pharisees, they had not responded to his baptism. Luke 7: 30.

In Matthew 11: 2. John the Baptist had heard from his prison cell the deeds of the Christ. John I’m sure would be amazed to hear of the blind receiving their sight and the lame walking, lepers healed, peoples hearing restored, the dead being raised up and the poor being ministered to by Jesus.
John sent word his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
Why did John find it necessary to send his disciples to ask that question? And why did Jesus end his answer with the words in verse 6 “And blessed is he who takes no offence at me.”
John was in jail for upholding the law, was he offended by Jesus breaking the law by healing people on the Sabbath Day? Did he expect the Christ to uphold the law by applying it in his ministry?

Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy ‘A stone of offence and a rock of stumbling.”
“And he shall become a sanctuary, and a stone of offence and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble thereon; they shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.” Isaiah 8: 14, 15.
Jesus the living stone bearing witness to the overburdening laws added on by the Pharisees causing offence to their leaders. The Jews earned their righteousness by keeping the law so in their zeal they added laws to the laws given to Moses by God.
"The Gospel in the Feasts of Israel" by Victor Buksbazen. "By the second century AD there were 1521 laws just for the Sabbath Day."

The Pharisees were expecting the Christ to uphold the law so they asked Jesus, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"
“Jesus entered a synagogue and behold there was a man with a withered hand and they (Pharisees) asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” So they might accuse him. He said to them, “What man of you, if he has one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, whole like the other. But the Pharisees went out and took council against him, how they might destroy him.” Matthew 12: 9-14
Jesus taught that it was right to do good on the Sabbath.

The Pharisees stumbled in their eagerness to please God. We too can stumble and fall when we believe that the Lord is calling us to do something for him and it becomes the most important thing to us. The Lord will sometimes take the activity from us, causing us to shed tears of pain resulting in brokenness. It is then we may realise that the work had become more important to us than the Lord.
I write from personal experience, when the word 'The Messiah's Secret' was revealed to me I was on a Readers Course. I realised that the ministry that the Lord had called me to was connected with this word to make it known. The course was a challenge I had no qualifications in higher education. I stepped out in faith believing that it was what the Lord had called me to do for him.
On the final term I realised that I wasn't going to be licensed as a Reader for my church, I was devastated. I fasted and prayed but then I realised that the course had become the most important thing to me. The Lord showed me that I had to let go and keep my eyes focused on him.
Two years later I was licensed as a Reader at my present church were the word about 'The Messiah's Secret' has been received. I humbly give thanks to the Lord for their kindness towards me.

God's word of prophecy to Caiaphas
High priest Caiaphas and the Pharisees brought the council together were Caiaphas shared a prophecy that God had given to him, “That it was expedient that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they took council how they might destroy him.” John 11: 47-53
God had spoken directly to high priest Caiaphas the main leader of the ruling council of the Jews and Caiaphas believed that the prophecy was pointing to Jesus; he was the one man who should die for the people. But he did not believe that the Messiah would come and die. The people had been taught from the law that when the Messiah comes he will remain for ever. John 12: 34
Whilst Jesus was dying on the cross the chief priests and scribes mocked him saying, “He saved others but he can not save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Mark 15: 31, 32.

The Messiah’s Secret
God’s plan of salvation through the cross was hidden from Caiaphas and the council. But for centuries the church has believed and taught that the time for the Jews to receive Jesus as the Christ, their Messiah was before the crucifixion of Jesus.
Sadly down the centuries a lot of Christians have accused the Jewish people of crucifying their Messiah.
In November 2009 I went to listen to Singer Helen Shapiro she told us her life story. Helen is of Jewish decent born in London in 1946. At the age of six she went to a state school. She told us of how she remembered a child coming up to her in the playground and saying, ‘You killed Jesus.’ She was devastated and never forgot those hurtful words. In the late 1980’s she discovered Jesus as her Saviour and the promised Messiah to the Jewish people.

“For the Jews demand signs and the Greeks wisdom. But we preach Jesus Christ crucified a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles.” 1 Corinthians 1: 22, 23.
When Caiaphas and the Pharisees heard that Jesus had been raised from the dead fulfilling the prophesies of King Davis, surely they should have realised that God had given them a word of prophecy concerning the Messiah, and that God had hidden it from their understanding in order to bring the nation to acknowledge Jesus as their Christ after his death, resurrection and ascension. Also when they heard the prophecy of Joel being fulfilled in the last days I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh and whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2: 17, 21.
Sadly Sadducee Caiaphas did not believe in the resurrection from the dead. The Pharisees their hearts were hardened. Read Acts 2: 22-27

The Apostles were setting up the kingdom of God at the beginning of Acts, being about their master’s business in anticipation of Jesus’ return. (Parable of the nobleman)
The church began at Pentecost with Jewish men and women taking out the message about Jesus’ resurrection of his return with the angels of God.
Jesus had given his followers hope of his return within their life time.
Jesus said “When he comes in the glory of the Father with the holy angels. Truly, truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” Mark 8: 38. 9:1.
Peter at Solomon’s Portico knew that their leaders had acted in ignorance not realising that Caiaphas’ prophecy meant the Messiah had to suffer, die and be resurrected to fulfil God’s plan of salvation for all the families of the earth.
“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus who was preached to you before. Whom heaven must receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.”
Peter was giving the people the opportunity accept Jesus as their Messiah to bring in the times of refreshing meaning the establishing of the throne and eternal kingdom of God with Jesus the king on its throne. Acts 3: 17-21.
Peter said that Abraham’s promise had now been fulfilled by all the families of the earth being blessed by Jesus Christ. Genesis 12: 3. 18: 14. (Prophecy relating to the church)
”And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came afterwards also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God gave to your fathers saying to Abraham “And in your posterity shall all the families of the earth be blessed. God having raised up his servant sent him to you first, to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness, Acts 3: 22-26.

Two thousand years later the church has proclaimed Jesus the Jewish Messiah, and the Saviour of the world, first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. Jesus is still a stumbling block to the nation of the Jews.

In Paul’s letter to the Romans 15: 4-13 he wrote about Jesus fulfilling the promises given to Abraham, Moses and King David in sending the Saviour in whom all the families of the earth would be blessed. Jesus, his body of believers the church, in which Jew and Gentile become one that together we may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus the corner stone, a corner stone tie two walls together and the Cap stone protects and covers the top of the wall.
Jesus ‘ cross tying together Jew and Gentile becoming one, Jesus being the head of the assembly of believers.

I realise that this word ‘The Messiah’s Secret’ is a tiny part of the preparation for Jesus’ return in bringing forgiveness and healing between Jew and Gentile.

The Messiah’s Secret – Preface by John Young
“As one of the elders of a Messianic Fellowship whose congregation fulfils the desires of God to see Jews and Gentiles as one, this book will be extremely helpful to Jew and Gentile in understanding the plan, and purposes of God and for His people. The Church has long needed to understand it has a special relationship with and a responsibility towards Israel. Truth has been lost throughout the ages but like a treasure is always rediscovered. In these end times then let this book be dedicated to the One who inspired its writer and author as He did in times past. To those searching for the ‘truth’ this will be a very helpful book in bringing clear understanding and direction in where our focus should be.
I trust in the grace of God to open the eyes and to open the hearts of those searching for the ‘truth’ for it is only the Lord Jesus who declared He is the way, the truth and the life to all irrespective of colour and creed. Let this little work be to the glory of God and to the increase of His government in this world.”
John Young December 2000

In 1996 the Lord has shown me that 2,000 years ago that it was at and after Pentecost Jesus could only be received by the nation of the Jews as their Messiah, and not before Jesus’ crucifixion and death. It was a national calling to the Jewish people, first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles.
The Jewish leaders at the time rejected Jesus as their Messiah and King as they do today.

Shoah Seminar – May 5th 2000 held at the Menorah Synagogue, Manchester.
Ten years ago I was invited to attend the Shoah Seminar at Menorah Synagogue in Manchester England. This day was in preparation for the first Holocaust Memorial Day in our area that took place on 27th January 2001. (I took notes) The government wants to ensure that the terrible crimes against humanity committed during the Holocaust are never forgotten and its relevance for each new generation is understood.
The Rabbi of Menorah Synagogue when he spoke on the Holocaust, (Holocaust meaning ‘burnt sacrifice.’) he referred to the Jews that had been taken by the Nazis to the concentration camps as fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 53 ‘the suffering servant’. The people of the Holocaust were the burnt offerings for the atonement for their nation’s sin against God. Also he said, ‘God had established the new covenant when the state of Israel came into being after the war, and the land of Israel, was their Messiah.’

Whilst I respect Rabbi’s interpretation of his own Jewish scriptures, as a Christian through the churches study of the Hebrew Scriptures, I see the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy of the ‘suffering servant’ in Jesus. (blog Isaiah's prophesies fulfilled)

King David prophesied that the Messiah’s body would not be burnt by fire.
Jesus’ body was not burnt. “David foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus, God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.” Jesus risen body, his flesh and bones bore the marks of the sword and the nails. Acts 2: 31, 32. Psalm 16: 10. 49:9. Luke 24:39-42

Paul's words to the church at Rome still applies today.
“So I ask, have they (Israel) stumbled so as to fall? By no means! But through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.” Romans 11: 11
Through the Apostles these Jewish men and women all the families of the earth have the opportunity to accept Jesus as the Saviour of the world.

The Messiah’s Secret - Sheep and Goats

2011-11-21T11:00:00.019Z

Supreme Court Justice Horace Gray once informed a man who had appeared before him in a lower court and had escaped conviction on a technicality, “I know that you are guilty and you know it, and I wish you to remember that one day you will stand before a better and wiser judge, and that there you will be dealt with according to justice and not according to law.”
Taken from “A Bundle of Laughs” J. John and Mark Stibbe, Monarch Books.
Matthew 25: 31-46
Jesus used the title Son of man in reference to him being the Judge.
“For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, and has given him authority to execute judgement, because he is the Son of man.” John 5: 26, 27.

The Messiah's Secret PART TWO - What is this? A New Teaching.
"The leaders, the shepherds of Jesus’ day were looking for the Christ to bring in the Day of Judgement, the Day of Wrath and establish the eternal throne and kingdom of God.
But, these same leaders were not aware that the Christ had to die on a cross before he could bring in the Day of Judgement.
“I came to cast a fire upon the earth; I would that it was already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptised with, and how I am constrained until it is accomplished.” Luke 12: 49, 50.
Jesus couldn’t bring in the fire of judgement upon the earth until he had fulfilled the baptism of his death and resurrection and ascension and he was constrained because he saw how sinful the leaders of Israel were. Under the law the Jewish people earned their righteousness so to increase their righteousness to please God they added extra laws to the ones given to Moses by God."

In verse 32 Matthew records that Jesus spoke of every nation coming to his throne of judgement. True justice means that every nation including the Gentiles coming before his throne of judgement having heard the same message about Jesus Christ being the Saviour of the world.
“Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles. that you were at the time separated from Christ alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who were once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has made us both one . . . . . that he might create in himself one new man in place of two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross. Ephesians 2: 11-16
The wall in the temple that separated Jews and Gentiles broken down by the reconciling power of the cross.

In verse 34 Jesus introduced another of his titles ‘The King.’
The King relates to a King having a Kingdom like: King of Greece, King of Jordan etc Jesus the King of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus the Son of man is the Judge and he is also the King of the Kingdom of God.

The King gives us understanding of what separates the sheep from the goats
The sheep are the believers in Christ, whose faith has born fruit having given shelter, food and drink, clothes, visiting the sick and visiting those in prison. The goats are the unbelievers, those who deny that Jesus is the Christ and as a result they will not do these things in the name of Jesus.1 John 2: 22

Paul and Silas give us an example of what separates the sheep from the goats.
In Acts 16 we read that Paul and Silas have reached Philippi in Macedonia. They stayed in the city for a few days, then on the Sabbath Day they went to the riverside where they hoped to find people praying. When they got there they found a group of women sitting there, one of them was called Lydia she was a worshipper of God. Paul told her about Jesus, maybe he told her about Jesus fulfilling the covenants and promises given to the prophets especially those that spoke of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, also of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit by the prophet Joel. Lydia believed and invited Paul and Silas to her house to stay.

A fortnight ago at one of our churches house groups we were looking at the passage from Ezekiel 34: 1-24 and what came from our discussions was that as Christians we prepare ourselves for the day by reading from the Bible or daily notes and prayer and we make plans for the day or evening. But if the phone rings or gets a text or email to go to someone’s aid, we may wrestle with it, but more often than not, we drop what we’ve planned and respond to their need.
Lydia had probably made plans for that day, but her priorities changed as a result of her new found faith in Jesus she took Paul and Silas into her home giving them shelter, food and drink.

During Paul and Silas stay at Philippi they were followed by a slave girl who worked as a fortune teller. She annoyed Paul because she announced that they were servants of the Most High God, who proclaimed the way to be saved. Paul discerned that she was giving the impression that she was one of them, a follower of Jesus; she was masquerading as a sheep. Paul delivered her from the spirit of fortune telling.
The Roman men who owned the slave girl were furious with Paul and had them both seized and taken before the Magistrate. They accused Paul and Silas of advocating customs that were unlawful for Romans to accept or practice. Paul’s words had rendered the girl powerless which made her unable to predict the future, this meant loss of revenue for her Roman owners they were no longer able to fleece the sheep. These Romans I think we would be portrayed as unbelievers and according to this reading they would be described as ‘goats.’
The Magistrate or Judge was pressured by the indignation of the crowd and sentenced Paul and Silas to be flogged and put in secure prison cells.

God intervened by using natural forces, a slight earthquake that must have damaged the structure of the building to open the cell doors and loosen the stocks and chains so that all the prisoners were set free.
The jailer woke up hearing no doubt excited voices and noticing that the cell doors were open he thought that the prisoners had escaped. The jailer knew that he would face a terrible death as punishment from the Romans so he reached for his sword and was about to kill himself when Paul shouted to him, “Don’t harm yourself, we are all here.”
The jailer called for a light, when he saw Paul and Silas these two high security prisoners before him, he fell on his knees and said, “What must I do to be saved.” Perhaps he recalled the prayers and the singing of the hymns before the earthquake struck or maybe to him it was a miracle that the prisoners did not escape.
Paul responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”

To receive knowledge about Jesus is life giving food and drink to our inner being.

Through faith in Jesus the jailer was set free from the prison of guilt were his conscious had convicted him of sin. The stocks and chains, the evidence that bound him he received forgiveness from God and entered into the King’s eternal kingdom. As a result he was clothed in righteousness, white fine linen depicting the righteous deeds of the Saints. Revelation 18: 8
The jailer could see in Paul and Silas something that he wanted and needed. The Roman way of life did not fulfil that need. Every human being needs to be filled with the love and knowledge of God. It can only be received through faith in what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the cross.
Paul and Silas were taken to the jailer’s home where their wounds were dressed, Paul witnessed to all the household about Jesus and they went outside and they were all baptised. Afterwards they returned to the house and rejoiced over a meal.

Rita Nightingale
Rita Nightingale told us her story when she visited one of the churches in Rossendale. Rita had been on a visit to Thailand unknown to her drugs had been planted in her suitcase, as she went through customs at the Airport the drugs were found and she was accused of drug smuggling and was put in jail. Two Christian ladies visited her in prison where they gave her scriptures about Jesus, as she reflected on the words Rita came to know Jesus as her Saviour. Later her innocence was proved and above all expectations Rita was given a free pardon by the King of Thailand.

Acts 16 continued
Early next morning the Magistrate sent his officers with an order to release Paul and Silas. The jailer must have been relieved and rejoiced as he told them. However, through Paul’s Godly wisdom and courage he made it known to those present that the Magistrate had acted against Roman citizens when he had them flogged and thrown into prison. Paul insisted that the Magistrate should come and release them publicly.

The Magistrates Injustice he was a shepherd who cared nothing for the sheep
The Magistrate was alarmed he heard that he had acted against Roman citizens so he came probably out of fear of the Romans he escorted Paul and Silas from the prison. Justice needed to be seen to be done as this would have had its effect on the Gospel being taken out at Philippi. Afterwards Paul and Silas met at Lydia’s’ house were Paul encouraged them before they left them and went on their way.

Judgement
Jesus will judge the church for rewards. This judgement takes place before the Son of man comes with the angels to sit on his throne judging the nations.
On Jesus’ return he will take up the eternal throne of King David which was prophesied “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.” 2 Samuel 7: 36

The Messiah’s Secret – 'Gideon' Christ in You Part 5

2011-11-03T15:19:00.032Z

Evening Service Following the Lectionary Judges 7: 2-22. John 15: 9-17

Gideon the descendant of Abraham through Jacob, his son Joseph, his son Manasseh. Joshua 17: 1,2
The Midianites were descendants of Abraham by his concubine Kerturah, Abraham was a descendant of Shem the son of Noah.
The Amalekites were mentioned in the war of the Kings Genesis 14: 7 their land being Hazazontamar. The location given in 2 Chronicles 20: 2 as being Engedi which is on the West side of the Dead Sea. In Genesis 36: 12 Amalek was the descendants of Esau who took his wives from the Canaanites. Esau the son of Isaac the son of Abraham. Esau's twin brother Jacob received the blessing from Isaac so the promise of the inheriting the land of Canaan came down his line.

The land of Canaan was cursed by Canaan's grandfather Noah for seeing him naked, “Canaan would be a slave to his brothers.” Genesis 9:25 (see blog Lord of the Dance)

Since that time there has been controversy over the land of Canaan.
After the Israelites 2nd revolt against the Romans in AD 135 the Romans renamed the land from the 'Provincia of Judaea’ to the 'Provincia of Syria Palaestinia.’ This name was in association with the Philistines the descendants of Casluhim the ancestor of Egypt the son of Noah. Unger's Bible Dictionary page 821

When Jesus died on the cross he bore all the curses put on the land through the fall of Adam and for all generations since inheriting Adam's sin. Jesus has redeemed the land, the crown of thorns signifies this.

Gideon
In Judges Chapter 6 we read that the Midianites had prevailed over the Israelites and as a result they made their lives unbearable by destroying the produce of the land and stealing their animals. The Israelites made shelters and lived in caves in the mountains.

Gideon was afraid of being seen by the Midianites and the Amalekites so he hid and threshed his wheat in a wine press to keep it from them. Gideon was very insecure, he felt weak and oppressed by his circumstances that I feel had its effect on his faith in God.
A wine press below ground

Whilst Gideon was threshing his wheat, God sent an angel to speak to him telling him how gallant he was and to go and deliver the Israelites from the Midianites and Amalekites. Gideon was very wary of the angel’s message he had assumed that God had abandoned Israel because of their idolatry and that was why the Midianites were persecuting them. Judges 6: 10 Some Israelites had built altars to worship Baal including Gideon’s father.

After further discussion with the angel Gideon wanted a sign from God. He prepared the offerings of a kid and some barley bread and placed them on a rock. The angel touched them with his staff and fire came from the rock and consumed the offering. Gideon now believed that the angel was from God.

Trumpet call on Gideon’s life.
Gideon’s first reaction to God’s call on his life was to resist open confrontation with his father and the Midianites saying that he was too weak and fearful also he had a fear of dying at the hands of the Midianites. After this encounter with the angel, God gave him assurance. The angel said to him, “Peace be to you. You will not die.”
The Lord gave Gideon a word to dismantle his father's altar to the worship of Baal and saw up the Asherah pole. He then was to take the wood and build an altar and with his father’s bulls make offerings to God. He was afraid to do it by day so with the help of ten men they accomplished their task during the night. Next day when the people saw what had been done they accused Gideon. The Midianites and Amalekites joined forces and made camp in the valley of Jezreel.

The Holy Spirit took possession of Gideon. (verse 34)
Below Wood Carving by Dorothy Newton

Gideon sounded the trumpet, summoning his fellow Israelites to join him in battle, this action by took great courage. The rallying call of the trumpet brought several of the tribes together in support of Gideon.
God’s trumpet call on Gideon’s life broke down the walls of the wine press of the oppression of the Midianites.

In God’s eyes Gideon’s strength was in his weakness.
Gideon was still insecure, he put out a fleece to be assured of victory over the Midianites and Amalekites. If the fleece had dew on it in the morning and the ground around it was dry then they would have the victory and it was so. He then asked God to reverse the process and it was so. God gave him that assurance that he needed.

God broke through Gideon’s weakness of insecurity by reducing the numbers of men who would help him get the victory.

God suggested to Gideon that he should give the people who were afraid to go into battle to return to their homes. 22,000 went home, only 10,000 remained.
God again suggested that the men who lapped out of cupped hands should go into battle against the Midianites and Amalekites. The number of men was 300, these men were then equipped with trumpets and torches in jars.

Gideon was like the light and the fire encased in the jars that were carried by his men. He had the Lord upholding working alongside of him, yet he felt insecure.
The shattering of these jars was like Gideon being released from fear and of his insecurity.

The Lord was with him.
Gideon had a word from the Lord to go down to the Midian camp and listen. If he was afraid he should take with him Purah. They came to the camp were they overheard a conversation between two Midianites. One sharing with the other his dream, and no doubt to Gideon’s amazement the other interpreted the dream.
“Behold I dreamed a dream, and lo, a cake of barley bread tumbles down into the camp of Midian, and came to the tent, and lay flat. And the comrade answered, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; into his hand God has given Midian and all the host.” Judges 7: 13, 14.
Hearing this, Gideon knew that the victory over the Midianites and the Amalekites was his. He divided his men into three groups of a hundred men and then he told them to surround the Midian camp. At his signal they were to blow their trumpets and break the jars and shout, “For the Lord and for Gideon.” As they carried this out the Midianite armies fled. We read how Joshua brought down the walls of Jericho with a blast on the trumpets and the shouts of the people.

Let your light shine before men so that they might see your good works.
Part of loving one another is in having respect for each other. The people who became Judges over Israel were respected for their wisdom, courage and love for God.

God’s trumpet call on our lives.
The Holy Spirit shows us Jesus and that all that is written about him is true, he died on a cross and God the Father raised him from the dead and through faith in him we receive forgiveness of sin and the causes of sin. When we come to faith in Christ the transformation is amazing: we know God as our Father and that we have overcome the fear of death and have entered into eternal life.

Within a short time we may find that all that we have received is some how encased within us, like the light and fire of the torch encased in the jar.
The fears that Gideon had we can relate to: fear of combating the unbelief of others in making Christ known.
Maybe we are fearful of not being able to express our faith.
Fear of being excluded from the company of our friends because we are Christians.
Fear of the unknown or change
The fear of commitment of losing control of our lives,
Fear of giving up what we enjoy.
These and other fears are the strength of our soul or ‘the me’ within. These strengths or fears dominate over the Spirit of the Lord, encasing and controlling our walk in Christ.

To break the strength of our soul like Gideon the Lord will take our weaknesses and call us to work in our weakness. We will say to the Lord,’ I can’t do it;’ I don’t want to do it.’ We will try and hide from the Lord our God.
I can testify to this when we moved to Haslingden my hobby was wood carving. I enjoyed working with wood. When the thoughts came to start a pottery business for my church I was very sceptical because I did not think that Churches had businesses and I was not interested in working with clay. But the thoughts persisted and I went to night school to learn to the skill, but I had no flare for it. Continue in 'my Story.'

For you it might be to work alongside people with drug problems or to witness your faith to a friend or write poetry etc. The Lord will take us out of our comfort zone and that is a hard thing to do.
“I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4: 13. Romans 16: 25
“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly then all we ask or think.” Ephesians 3: 20, 21.
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8: 10

The Lord using our weaknesses means that we turn to the Lord to be dependant upon him, Jesus will strengthen us and as a result the joy of the Lord fills our hearts as we are working out the Lord's will and our salvation.

God is Love (Dorothy Newton January 1995)
Love participates in unity bending the will to love another.
Love doesn’t hide itself or shy away.
Love takes hold of the prickly thorn and caresses it.
Love picks up the bruised heart and cherishes it and makes it, it’s own.
Love gives off radiance like the heat of a summers’ day.
Love its fragrance enriches unity, time stands still
Love has a strength all of its own.
Love gives in to love.
Love is a safe place without any walls, no barriers of fear and wars.
Love prepares to serve all human weaknesses.
Love bears the pain of love, rejection grieves the lover.
Love ceases not to love,
Love is God our Saviour.

The Messiah’s Secret - Render to God the things that belong to God.

2011-10-17T10:16:00.009+01:00

One of our favourite programs at home is ‘Time Team’ were archaeologists search for items that relate to ancient times revealing the way people lived and every day things like: coins, pottery and jewellery.
Traces of Roman occupation are found in many places in England. Below we have a sand pit with some artefacts in it.

"“Render (give) therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22: 15-22.
We give acknowledgment to what the Romans have handed down to us: some of the road routes; locally Wattling Street that runs through Tottington, Radcliffe to Manchester. In the city of York and Chester some of their buildings and walls are still standing and we have the Roman baths in Bath with the traces of the Roman buildings that once stood there.

All the materials that the Romans used came from sources found in the things that God has created. We acknowledge that the stone they crafted for buildings and metals smelted out of the rocks that they made into tools. The wood they used in the construction of buildings and boats that came from the trees that God brought into being. The Romans used the knowledge and skills that God had given them.

Jesus was making the distinction between Caesar and God.

The Pharisees and Herodians decided to send some of their followers to ask Jesus about Rome taxation. They hoped his answer would undermine his popularity with the people.
"They said, ‘Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God truthfully, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men. Tell us, then, what do you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Jesus discerned that their question had been contrived; his response silenced them. "Show me the money for the tax. And they brought him a coin a denari. Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said, “Caesar’s.” Jesus then said, “Render (give) therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22: 15-22.

What lay behind the Pharisees and Herodians Question?
The Roman General Pompey conquered Israel in 63 BC, under their occupation the residents of Israel had to pay taxes to Rome; Income and Poll tax.
Income Tax paid on wages, food, property, roads and bridges.
Poll Tax paid by every adult starting at the age of 12 for a girl and a boy from 14 years.

When taxes were first imposed the people rebelled against it, mainly because the coin had an inscription on it that they despised, ‘ Tiberius Caesar Augustus, son of the divine Augustus’ Augustus elevated himself as God.

On the Hebrew coins they had emblems of ears of corn, palms, vine leaf, lilies and temple ornaments and furnishings. Some had Kings Heads on them.
The Israelites paid a temple tax of half a shekel or two Drachmas. Numbers 31: 36. Matthew 17: 27

The disciples of the Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to catch him out with their question. If Jesus had said, do not pay your taxes to Rome, the Pharisees would have told the Romans and a result they would have arrested him. If Jesus had found favour towards paying taxes to Rome, the people would have accused him of upholding Augustus’ position as God over them.
Jesus’ answer, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” Jesus’ answer I thought reflected God’s justice.

God’s justice
Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him at his home. They were sat probably on cushions, reclining, at the table, when a woman entered the room carrying an alabaster box. Whilst they continued eating their meal, she stood behind Jesus at his feet, weeping, her tears wet his feet. She proceeded to wipe them with her hair and kissed them, also administering the ointment from her box to his feet. Simon watching was alarmed by Jesus allowing her to do this.
Jesus proceeded to tell him a parable about a creditor who had two debtors; one owed him 500 denari and the other 50. When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Jesus then asked Simon which one would the creditor love more. Simon answered the one who owed him the most. Jesus said that he had judged rightly.

We would perhaps have used the words released from their debt and the one who owed the most showed his gratitude. But Jesus used the words, ‘forgiveness’ and ‘love.’
He went on to relate the parable with the woman and her sins against God, in showing her love for God by her tears and actions of repentance, she had secured the forgiveness of her sins, and was now no longer in debt to God.

Jesus equated the woman’s sin with debt.
It is the wider picture of morality or principals that have a legal aspect under God’s justice and the Hebrew Jewish law.
In the Lord’s Prayer- "Jesus said, Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Matthew 6: 11, 12.
When I was a girl I remember people were not encouraged to get into debt, in fact it was frowned upon. Some people now again would ask to owe the local shopkeeper until they received their wages. That was known as ‘putting it on the slate.’ Generally people honoured their debts, as people do today.
I now realise through doing this study that it was a Christian principle not to get into debt.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6; 14.
‘The Messiah’s Secret’ Trespass page 72
“Invading or disregarding the property rights of another person, restitution was made through a trespass or a guilt offering at the temple.”
Yesterday I received a letter from Oxfam, as I looked through the information a heading caught my attention, ‘Stop land grabs.’ Poor farmers in Uganda, South Sudan, Cambodia and Indonesia are being evicted from their land and go hungry because of secretive land deals by foreign investors.
Oxfam is seeking justice for the poor farmers through bringing it to the attention of the world.

It may not be our fault that we get into debt: there are all sorts of reasons for instance: loss of jobs. Today we are caught up in our nation’s debt, this in my view stems from our nation gradually turning away from keeping the commandments and principals of God.
The Old Testament testifies to when Israel turned away from keeping God's commandments and laws they got into a mess, Nebucahadnezzar destroyed the Jerusalem temple and exiled the Israelites into Babylon. God brought back the exiles through Cyrus who gave them financial aid to return to Israel. (Cyrus Cylinder kept in the British Museum.)

In Jesus’ day under Jewish law a person if they could not pay their debt became a hired servant, not a slave.
“And if your brother becomes poor beside you, and sells himself to you, you shall not make him serve as a slave: he shall be with you as a hired servant and as a sojourner. He shall serve you until the year of the jubilee; then he shall go out from you, he and his children with him, and go back to his own family and return to the possession of his fathers.” Leviticus 25: 39, 40.

When the year of the Jubilee came round, if the hired servant had not paid back his debt, he was released from it.
A week - seven days, the seventh being the Sabbath. Each year the crops were rotated and every 7th year left fallow, this equated with the Sabbath Day. God provided extra yield on the 6th year’s harvests. The Jubilee was celebrated every 50 years 7 x 7 49years, 7 Sabbaths the following year was also a Sabbath, another day of rest, seen as a new beginning, fresh start, and debts wrote off.

Paul wrote in his letter to the Hebrews Chapter 4 that God rested on the 7th day having finished his work of creation. God intended with the coming of Jesus the Messiah they should have entered into the permanent rest of the Sabbath Day, the Messiah establishing the New Covenant. “I shall remember their sins no more,”
It was the year of the Jubilee for the woman with the alabaster box.

God’s Justice - The cross is where Jesus paid off our debt of sin.
The cross, Jesus took upon himself, sin and the causes of sin, to make us right with God. It is through faith in this, that we turn to Jesus just like the woman in repentance and love, as a result we are completely set free from sin, God has wiped our credit card clean, our debt has been paid in full.

We belong to God, “For those who believe in his name, who receive him, he gave power to become children of God.” John 1: 12

50 days after Jesus' death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit came into the world bringing new life into every heart that repented and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons/daughters of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery, to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of sonship. When we cry Abba Father it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are the children of God and if children then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs, joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8: 14-17
When we fall on difficult times we can call upon the Lord our God’s help simply because we belong to him.

A fortnight ago I was visiting the home of John and Anne, during my visit Anne told me this true story of a Christian friend of hers who at the time attended All Saints Church, Preston.
This particular day this lady was about to embark on a journey by train to Scotland in connection with ‘Faith Mission’. However, she had not enough money to take her to her destination, Edinburgh, she only had enough to take her to Carlisle. As the train was about to enter the station at Carlisle, she literally opened her Bible and money fell out of its pages, just enough to take her to her destination in Scotland.

How special it makes us feel when our Lord Jesus makes his presence known to us. It is by faith we can please God and enter into his grace.

The Messiah’s Secret – Christ in You Part 4

2011-10-03T10:49:00.023+01:00

The Evening Service Following the Lectionary
A preacher, describing the human condition, put this question to his congregation; “Is there anyone here who claims to be perfect? If so, stand up.” To his surprise, a man at the back of the church got immediately to his feet. “Do you mean to tell me you are perfect?” asked the Vicar. “Oh no,” said the man, “I’m far from perfect. I’m standing in for my wife’s first husband.”

The Pharisees came to test Jesus as to what were his thoughts regarding divorce. His answer he gave the original concept of marriage like that of Adam and Eve before the fall, (see blog The Evening of the Day of the Resurrection) as a result of sin coming into the world, the Law was introduced by Moses allowed a separation to take place, they called divorce. However, Jesus said what God had intended that the two, male and female should become one in marriage.

Divorce was apparently common in Jesus’ day; a certificate of divorce was easily obtainable.
“When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favour in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a bill of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house. . . . Deuteronomy 24: 1-4
We have the example of the Woman of Samaria in conversation with Jesus at Jacob’s well.

During the conversation it was revealed to her by Jesus that she had been married 5 times and the man that she was living with was not her husband. Her response to this she perceived that Jesus was a prophet and when he offered to give her a drink of living water, the water of eternal life, she recognised its implications that Jesus was the Messiah. Having accepted what he said, Jesus acknowledged to her that he was the Messiah.
John writing this gospel tells us that the titles Messiah and the Christ are one of the same both mean ‘the anointed one.’
On the MU Quiet Day it was said by the person leading the day that the Samaritan Woman was one of the first apostles as she had met Jesus in person and afterwards she brought several people to faith in Christ.

The Christian betrothed to Christ.
Paul wrote of a Christians’ relationship with Jesus as being betrothed to Christ.
“I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to Christ to present you as a pure bride to her one husband.”
2 Corinthians 11: 2
Jesus’ relationship between each one of us, we are one with Christ, betrothed to Christ.
In Judaism the betrothal was the first step in a marriage secured by a legal document.

a) The betrothal, the father of the groom made the arrangements for the marriage and paid the bride –price. Sometimes it occurred when both children were infants, and at other times it was shortly before the marriage itself. Often the bride and groom did not even meet until their wedding day.

God provided the bride-price for each Christian when Jesus laid down his life at Calvary. We become his bride when in faith we accept Jesus as our Saviour.

A week ago I went to see the recently released film Jayne Eyre. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and starring Mia Wasikowska as Jane and Michael Fassbender as Mr Rochester.
This is another excellent adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s novel. I’ve seen ‘Jane Eyre’ as a serial on TV and at the Cinema many times.
Charlotte Bronte

Charlotte Bronte was the daughter of a Vicar who lived at the Parsonage in Haworth until she was married to Rev Nicholls. Below are pictures of the Parsonage and of the Church that I took last week when my husband and I visited Haworth.

St. Michael and All Angels Haworth

Charlotte Bronte was a truly Christian lady. The thinking and Spirit behind her book I find that she was challenging the church on equality and Victorian morality. The love of Jesus is like a thread running through its’ pages.
The central character is Jane Eyre; Charlotte begins the story with Jane as a girl of ten living with her guardian Aunt Reed, who was a Christian, and her cousins. We soon discover that Jane was shown no love from her relations.
Every child knows when it is loved and when there is no love shown, it has an effect on a child and as a result the child can not show love.

Jane was sent away to Lowood School, the school master Mr Brocklehurst was a hard, cold hearted Christian. The stern and cruel face of Christianity under the rule of law.
Jane in her teens became a teacher at the school. At the age of 18 she advertised for a governess position in the Herald newspaper. In response to the advert, she became the governess to Adele at Thornfield Hall, the home of Mr Rochester.

Soon after arriving at Thornfield she was summoned to her Aunt Reed’s death bed. While she was in attendance with her aunt, her aunt confessed her dislike of Jane and told her that when she received a letter enquiring after Jane by her father’s brother in Jamaica. He wanted to adopt Jane and bequeath to her his fortune. Mrs Reed declared that she had wrote back saying that Jane was dead. Most people hearing this would have been very angry; upset, but Jane’s response “Love me then or hate me, as you will, you have my full and free forgiveness: ask now for God’s, and be at peace.’ ” Chapter 21
Charlotte writing these words I believe she knew what it was to recieve Jesus’ forgiveness, so we must forgive those who do wrong against us regardless of their indifference towards us.

In the book Jane’s relationship with Mr Rochester developed, he declared his love for her and she expresses her love for him as an equal."I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, not even of mortal flesh; - it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God's feet, equal, - as we are." Jane Eyre Chapter 23.

True love overcomes all kinds of division, in this particular case Jane does not see her poverty and her low standing in society as making her inferior to Mr Rochester.

In the early 1800’s in England there were class distinctions. Mr Rochester was upper class whereas Jane Eyre was lower class.
The disposition given to Jane Eyre of her equality with Mr Rochester I felt came from the author’s freedom given to her through her faith and knowledge of Christ. As a Christian she was equal in Christ, we are joint heirs in Christ.
Romans 8: 17 King James Authorised Version.

In Victorian England it was frowned upon for women to write books, Charlotte Bronte used a suedinum Currer Bell.

When the day of Jane's marriage to Mr Rochester arrived, his marriage to Bertha Mason came to light. John the apostle wrote that people stumble in the dark, meaning often one lie leads to another until eventually the truth reveals all.

During the service when the Vicar asked if any one knew of any impediment why these two people may not marry, Mr Briggs interviened and revealed that Mr Rochester already had a wife. Jane who knew nothing about it and was jilted at the altar.

During the discussions that followed Mr Rochester pleaded his ignorance as to Bertha's inherited insanity; he felt that he was cheated by his family into marrying her to gain her family fortune. Mr Rochester had kept his wife’s existence a secret she was kept in seclusion and was looked after by Grace Pool.
In Victorian England people with mental illness were shunned by society and were treated badly, locked away in institutions.
Charlotte Bronte brought out into the open the needs of those suffering mental illness and the families who were ashamed of them.

Mr Rochester pleaded with Jane to become his mistress, but Charlotte would not allow her main character to compromise her Christian faith by going against what Jesus taught it was wrong to come between a husband and wife and break up a marriage.

Today in cinemas across the nation the film Jane Eyre is bringing to people's attention the morality that Jesus taught. Our present day divorce laws have become like those in Jesus’ day 'a certificate of divorce was easily obtainable.' Marriage works when both work at loving one another and treating each other as you would like to be treated yourself.

Jane who was broken heart left Thornfield, leaving behind her a devastated Mr Rochester.
Jane wondered aimlessly from place to place, she grew weak with hunger and was too proud to beg. However, she was saved from certain death when she was found at the door of a house by true Christians St John Rivers and his two sisters Mary and Diana, who took her into their home.

Charlotte portraits Jesus’ suffering and death in Jane’s suffering, she died to self desire turning away from sin as she abided in Christ.

Some time afterwards St John Rivers proposed to Jane, he offered her a marriage of convenience.
Charlotte makes the difference between a loveless relationship under law and love that warms the heart, the spiritual love, the eternal love of God.

Jane heard in the spirit her name being called by Mr Rochester. “I recalled the voice I had heard; again I questioned whence it came, as vainly as before: it seemed in me-not in the external world. I asked was it a mere nervous impression – a delusion? I could not conceive or believe: it was more like an inspiration. The wondrous shock of feeling had come like an earthquake which shook the foundations of Paul and Silas’s prison; it had opened the doors of the soul’s cell and loosed its bands.” Jane Eyre Chapter 36.

Charlotte Bronte resurrects the relationship between Jane and Mr Rochester through Jane hearing in her spirit the call of her name from her beloved Rochester.

Jesus has raises us to new life in him.
The author’s freedom and faithfulness to her Lord and Saviour she knows the first love of Christ. The holy, pure, righteous love of Christ. It is like the innocent first love of a young person.
Love that is ageless and full of joy for ever young. This treasure we have within our being as we abide in Jesus and him in us, as we are betrothed to Christ.

Jane returned to Thornfield to find a ruin. Mr Rochester’s wife had started the fire that took her life and caused Mr Rochester’s to partly lose his sight.
Here we are reminded of Paul and Elymas’ temporary blindness that was put upon them by the Lord to show them their spiritual blindness. Mr Rochester had pretended to be a fortune teller. Jane Eyre Chapter 18. (see blog Christ in You part 2 & 3)

Charlotte Bronte portraits our unity with Christ as being strengthened by what we suffer as we abide in him. Therefore we find that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Jane and Mr Rochester were re-united and later were married.

When Jesus comes to fetch his bride
b) Fetching of the bride, this could have occurred weeks years or decades after the first step. The bridegroom would go to the home of the bride in order to bring her to his home.
c) The wedding ceremony, to which a few would be invited.
d) The marriage feast, would follow, and could last for as many as seven days. Many more people would be invited to the feast.

(Jesus in conversation with the Sadducees pointed out to them that in the resurrection there is no marriage between believers. Luke 20: 34, 35.)

We are looking for Jesus’ return, until that occurs each believer is betrothed to Christ.
Our relationship with Jesus is personal; through faith Christ enters every human heart and makes a perfect union, one that we can relate to in marriage. The first love that we experience in courtship we can identify with the perfect, holy and righteous love of God.

Charlotte Bronte has combined her faith with her walk in life in her book Jane Eyre. Also she has woven into it the issues of her day that challenged the church on equality and politicians on child welfare, mental illness and morality.
One hundred and sixty four years later some of these issues have been sorted out like equality in the church, child welfare and poverty, and there is now no stigma attached to mental illness. But sadly marriage is no longer for the majority in our nation based on Jesus’ teaching.

Today 3rd October Douglas and I we celebrate our 41st wedding anniversary.

The Messiah's Secret - Jonah

2011-09-19T11:20:00.023+01:00

In England we have sweets called Liquorice Allsorts
All sorts of people work in the Lord’s Vineyard
Christians from all over the world work together serving the Lord Jesus.

The parable of the labourers in the Vineyard.
The 5 vines represent the five occasions when the owner of the Vineyard went out to hire labourers to work in his Vineyard. At the end of the day the labourers were paid their wages.
A day represents a life span.
A Denarius represents the gift of eternal life, Salvation.

The first labourer represents becoming a Christian at an early age.
The second becoming a Christian maybe as a teenager and so on until the last one were someone who has towards the end of their life become a Christian.
We can not earn the gift of eternal life we can only receive it through faith in Jesus.
It is not about being a good person; we need to accept Jesus as our Saviour to receive the gift of eternal life.
This parable gives us insight into the nature of the Lord showing us his priority of belonging to him.

Jonah
The prophet Jonah lived around 800 BC, during the reign of Jeroboam II. He lived in a town just north of Nazareth in Gath-hepher. Jonah’s name means ‘dove’ which reminds us of the dove was sent out from the ark by Noah to find evidence of dry land and returned with an olive leaf. Genesis 8:10, 11. The Holy Spirit was sent into the world at Pentecost.
Jonah was sent by God to Nineveh to preach against their wickedness that was before God.
However we read that he did not want to go to Nineveh. Put yourself in his shoes, Nineveh was the capital city of the Assyrian Empire, it was like asking someone to go to Moscow during the cold war and tell the atheist leaders that God was against their sin. God was asking Jonah to do something big. In his humanity he was reluctant to go.
Instead he went and boarded a ship heading for Tarshish. Soon after setting sail a storm blew up, as a result of taking on water they threw items overboard in an effort to save themselves and the boat. The sailors assessed their situation by casting lots, the lot fell on Jonah. Casting lots was quite a common amongst the nations to discern the outcome of a situation. The Hebrews used Urim and Thummim to discern God’s will. On the underside of the High Priest’s breastplate was a pouch in it was kept two pebbles one white the other black these were the Urim and the Thummim. Exodus 28: 30.

Today we discern what the will of God through Godly wisdom or a word of scripture prompted by the Holy Spirit or a word of prophecy through the gift of prophecy. We do not cast lots.

When the lot fell on Jonah, he owned up to the sailors what his God had called him to do, to take a message to the city of Nineveh which he had not fulfilled. He offered them a solution to throw him overboard, but the sailors were reluctant to offend Jonah’s God, so they tried to row to the shore, but it was to no avail, the storm grew worse. In desperation they threw Jonah overboard, as he fell into the sea a whale swallowed him whole, as a result he storm abated. He spent three days and nights inside the whale then the fish vomited him out onto dry land.

In this account we can discern the cross of Jesus.
Jonah had turned away from God, but he could not hide, he recognised his sin as it was brought to light. To save the sailors and the ship he was prepared to die. He died inside the whale and God resurrected him as he was vomited out on to dry ground.

When we recognise our sin against God, we realise that Jesus was prepared to lay down his life for you and me, so through faith in what Jesus has done for us, just as God raised Jesus from the dead so he raises us into his newness of life which is eternal. This act of God transforms the way we think feel and behave. We realise that God the Father loves all people, he loves the sinner but hates the sin.

It is only as we know about sin, that we seek to be saved from it.
We read that God asked Jonah to go again to Nineveh, this time to tell them to repent or after 40 days the city would be destroyed. Jonah went and gave the message as a result the King brought his people to repentance in sackcloth and ashes.

Maybe he had been persuaded by a previous prophecy that Jonah saw fulfilled; the land of Hamath would be restored to Israel. 2 Kings 14: 25

Jonah's displeasure
Instead of being pleased and glad with Nineveh’s repentance Jonah was displeased, he was angry. Theologians say that it was because his prophecy the destruction of the Assyrian city of Nineveh was not fulfilled.

Why was Jonah displeased?
I believe that his displeasure and anger arose from jealousy, which is another part of this prophecy given to us in the life of Jonah.

The first part
The life and witness of Jonah reflects the sign Jesus gave to the scribes and Pharisees
Jesus spoke to the scribes and Pharisees giving them a sign, the sign of Jonah.
“For as Jonah was three days and nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.” Matthew 12: 40, 41.
Jesus fulfilled the sign: Two of Jesus’ followers were travelling to Emmaus when a stranger joined them and walked with them. As they walked the disciples spoke to the stranger about the events that had recently taken place at Jerusalem saying, “And how our chief priests and rulers delivered him (Jesus) up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, and who said that he (Jesus) is alive.” Luke 24: 20-23
Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day.

The Messiah’s Secret
Cleopas and the other disciple state that they were not aware that the Messiah had to die before he could be received by the nation as their Messiah.
“And how our chief priests and rulers delivered him (Jesus) up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped he was the one to redeem Israel.” They were not aware that Jesus had to be raised from the dead before he could be received as their Christ, even though he had told them several times that he would be raised from the dead, but it was hidden from their understanding. “For he will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon; they will scourge him and kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” But they understood none of these things; this saying was hid from them, and they did not grasp what he was said.” Luke 18: 32-34
On the road to Emmaus, the stranger replied, “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24: 26,27.
Jesus opened up their understanding to the scriptures that proved he was the Christ.

Continuing Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew 12 the King of Nineveh had brought the city of Nineveh to repentance. "The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here."
Jesus foretold of his rejection by the Jewish leaders. At and after Pentecost when the apostles proclaimed Jesus for the first time that he was the Christ, the Jewish leaders instead of bringing the nation to repentance they rejected Jesus as their Messiah and later were jealous of the Gentiles who accepted Jesus as their Saviour.

The second part
Jonah’s response to the Gentiles shows that he was jealous because the Assyrian people were loved by God, who he regarded as his enemy.

This was prophetic when we read of the jealousy of the Jews when the Gentiles accepted Jesus as their Messiah. God’s love for the Gentiles not just of the people of a city but every person in every nation of the world.

At Antioch in Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas were asked by the Gentiles to tell them about Jesus.
“The next Sabbath the whole city gathered together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted what was spoken by Paul, and reviled him. and Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.” Acts 13: 44-46
The Gentiles brought into the New Covenant.

Jonah’s jealousy instead of being glad that the Assyrians had repented he constructed a booth, a shelter made of branches to watch over Nineveh. We read that a plant grew up alongside of him, this must have raised his expectations as it gave him shade from the sun’s rays. But a worm destroyed the plant. This is a picture of what jealousy does it eats away at a person’s heart. It is destructive. Jonah was so affected by his jealousy that he wanted to die.
“Set a seal upon your heart for love is as strong as death jealousy is as cruel as the grave.” Song of Songs 8: 6

Jonah’s pity for the plant, he was thinking of the shade that it gave him. The Lord pointed out to him that the plant grew in a night and perished in a night. Jonah had no part to play in how the plant lived or died.
But he had a part in saving the people of Nineveh with God by taking God’s message of repentance to them.
For us today we have a part in working with the Lord taking the good news of God’s saving grace to the people of our community. May we have the courage to pray for the Lord to give us a heart felt burning love, his love for how feels about people that are outside of the Christian faith.

The Messiah's Secret - 'Christ in You' Part 3

2011-09-05T10:28:00.015+01:00

Evening Service following the Lectionary reading.
Acts 19:1-20. Mark 7: 24-37.

Last Thursday my husband and I, we went on a walk up the Dunsop Bridge Valley in the Trough of Bowland. It is a very beautiful valley, the hills were covered in purple heather and the fir trees were the tallest I’ve ever seen, at least 30 metres high. The water coming off the hills ran into a stream, and as the water rushed over the stones, the splashes sparkled because of the clarity of the water. The water’s purity reminded me of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

When Paul visited Ephesus he found that the disciples there did not know about Jesus' baptism they had been baptised into John the Baptist’s water baptism.

John's Baptism
John's baptism was for the forgiveness of sins, in preparation for the coming of the kingdom of God. The people wondered if John was the Christ, but John said this, “I baptise you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the throngs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Luke 3: 16.

Jesus’ Baptism
The baptism of the Trinity, The Holy Spirit opens the door to knowing God in a personal way as our redeemer and Saviour. “If a man loves me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him and we will come and make our home with him.” John 14: 23
In the letter to Titus he wrote interchanging the words: Grace and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Saviour.’ Titus 1:4. ‘God our Saviour’ with ‘God and Saviour Jesus Christ’ 2:10, 13. ‘God our Saviour’ with ‘Jesus Christ our Saviour.’ 3: 4, 6.
Jesus' words to Philip, "He who has seen me has seen the Father." John 14: 9.
The Holy Spirit acts upon faith in the words about Jesus’ death and resurrection brings about a wonderful transformation of mind, will and nature.

We can receive Jesus’ baptism at baptism service or sometimes through the laying on of hands or through a scripture or the words of a hymn or a prayer, head knowledge becoming heart knowledge.

12 Disciples at Ephesus.
At Ephesus after the twelve disciples heard about Jesus’ baptism from Paul and they received the Holy Spirit through the laying on of his hands and afterwards they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

At Ephesus Paul went into the synagogue, it was the custom for visiting Jews to be given the opportunity to speak to the congregation, and we read he gave the message about the kingdom of God.
The majority of the Jews in the synagogue rejected Paul’s message. We are not informed of the details of the discussions that took place. Paul then left the synagogue and with the disciples they met the Lecture Hall of Tyrannus and from that situation they reached out with the gospel message to both Jews and Gentiles. Acts 19: 1-10

In the context of the story that follows in Acts 19 I turned to look as to why the Jews turned away from Paul’s message. The healing ministry of Jesus and latterly of his disciples had angered the Pharisees; we know this from what has been recorded by the gospel writers. Matthew recorded the Pharisees accusing Jesus of healing by the power of Beelzebub. Jesus responded by saying,”If I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.” Matthew 12: 27.
Perhaps Jesus was referring to their 'sons' to mean various sects like the Essenes, it is recorded in the Dead Sea Scrolls that they practiced exorcisms.

At Ephesus seven Jewish intinerant, wandering exorcists undertook to pronounce the name of Jesus over those who had evil spirits. What followed was as a result of their prayers, the man set upon them and they fled. They perhaps had good intensions, but these seven men had no power to exorcise the man.
They were not true followers of Jesus.

Unger’s Bible Dictionary page 334
“The Jews at Ephesus encountered by Paul illustrate an attempt to mix pagan traffic in demonology with expulsion of evil spirits by the power of God. Acts 13: 13-19

The question as to why the Pharisees denounced Jesus’ healing ministry I thought that it was because main stream Judaism did not practice exorcism.
Mainstream Judaism believed that only God had the power and authority to deliver them from all of their enemies.
I’ve searched the scriptures: Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua they did not practice exorcisms.
David the shepherd boy was invited by King Saul to play his lyre at court as his playing released Saul from the evil spirit. But we read that God had allowed this spirit to come upon Saul.
David on the run from Saul did not practice exorcisms on anyone. He looked to God for deliverance.
“Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! Take hold of shield and buckler, and rise for my help! Draw the spear and Javelin against my pursuers!
“Say to my soul, I am your deliverance!” Psalm 35: 1-3.
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.” 2 Samuel: 22: 2.

Job looked to God and not to his three friends to deliver him from his affliction. Job 3: 11
Job’s three friends had been unable to convince him of his guilt of sin and Job had been unable to convince them of his innocence. God was his vindicator, his redeemer. Job 19.

Jesus is God and Deliverer
Jesus, the spoken word of God clothed in the flesh, ministered God the Father’s power to cast out evil spirits.
It is recorded in the Gospels that Jesus healed all manner of sickness and disease, blindness, fever, those who were deaf and dumb, mental illness and he healed those who were paralysed, he cast out evil spirits and even raised the dead. He manufactured bread and fishes, re-created flesh (leprosy), turned water into wine and he stilled the storm.

Two examples of Jesus healing in two different ways in Mark’s gospel Chapter 7: 24-37
The Syrophoenician lady came to Jesus for him to cast the demon out of her daughter who was at home. Jesus’ response was an unusual one, he said, “Let the children first be fed, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs,” verse 27. The children - Jesus was referring to the descendants of Abraham, and the bread - Jesus' words and actions fulfilled the covenants and promises. Jesus under the old covenant was gathering the outcasts, those who had fallen away from the law, bringing healing and wholeness to their lives with the promise of eternal life through faith in him. Jesus establishing the New Covenant in his death and resurrection. (Jeremiah’s covenant.)
The promise to the Jews that God would send a Leader and Saviour, the Messiah.
The dog is a term referring to the Gentiles.
The Syrophoenician ladies persistence was rewarded by her response to Jesus words in verse 27 with the words,”Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
God’s promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. The Gentiles are loved by God and included in the New Covenant. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whosoever believe in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3: 16.

Another way of looking at the Syrophenician’s daughter’s healing.
The lady came to Jesus on behalf of someone very dear to her asking him to heal her.
There was a barrier: her daughter’s illness kept her at home, the lady was a Greek outside of the Jewish faith, she was a woman, and she was at first turned away.
But love and faith working together overcame the barriers, her persistence, her heart felt pain she released her daughter into Jesus’ care.

Jesus by the power and authority of God told her that the demon had left her daughter. When she arrived home she found her daughter well.

A Time to Heal Report.
The Anglican Church provides on request Christians with this ministry to exorcise a person from demonic possession. “A Time to Heal Report” guidelines 1975

Second Example
The man who came to Jesus to be healed of his deafness and his impediment speech. Jesus did not cast out demons out of him, but instead by his actions and words. He put his fingers into his ears, his spittle onto his tongue and said, “Be open.” The man was healed. He was released immediately.

Christ in You
Jesus said the Father is greater than I, “In that day you will know that I am in the Father and you in me, and I in you.” John 14: 20, 28.
“He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15: 5.
Great miracles were brought about by faith in Jesus through Paul, he prayed over handkerchiefs and aprons and they were taken to the sick and the people were healed.
Again we see the role of Christian in bringing someone’s need to Jesus for his healing touch upon them and being used by the Lord to bring the means of healing to a person’s need.

Paul came to know Jesus as his personal Saviour through the ministry of Ananias, he prayed for the healing of his sight and through the laying on of his hands Paul was baptised into Jesus’ Baptism.
(See blog Christ in You Part 2)
We see a parallel with his conversion and with the incident on the Island of Cyprus. Serguis Paulus had asked to hear the message about Jesus from Paul and Barnabas. Elymas who was with him came against the Christian message; he tried to turn Serguis away from the faith. Paul I believe saw himself in Elymas in the way he came against the disciples and followers of Jesus. Blindness had come upon Paul after his encounter with Jesus. The Lord using blindness as a means to show Paul his spiritual blindness. Jesus Christ now being in him, he imitated Jesus. Paul he used his authority to show Elymas his spiritual blindness. Blindness had come upon Elymas after his encounter with Paul. Acts 13: 11.

Christ in us today.
Jesus’ baptism enables us minister in the gifts of the Trinity: prayer for healing, words of wisdom, practical help, listening and were appropriate giving assurance. Faith and love are essential to healing; it isn’t how holy we are or the circumstances that surround the person who needs healing. Simple faith and few words coming from the love that flows from the river of life within every Christian baptised into Jesus' baptism.

Resting, relying in the promises that are ours in Christ.
Praying in faith: “All things are possible to them that believe.” Mark 9: 23
Receiving healing: “Whatever you ask in prayer, you shall receive if you have faith.” Matthew 21: 22.
The Lord's Prayer: "Deliver us from evil."

The majority of people in our communities who are poorly just need that healing touch from Jesus through having faith in him. Jesus uses ordinary Christians with compassion for those who are suffering. He takes our prayers and graciously answers them.

The Messiah's Secret - The Third Temple

2011-08-19T10:09:00.013+01:00

Jesus prophesied through the sign of Jonah which inferred his resurrection and the Jews rejection of that sign.
The scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign from him, he gave them the sign of Jonah saying that has Jonah was three nights and days in the belly of the whale so would the Son of man be in the heart of the earth. The people of Nineveh will condemn this generation as they repented when they heard the message from Jonah and take notice something greater than Jonah is here. Some one greater than the Wisdom of Solomon was in their midst, it was Jesus who instituted the temple.

The Messiah’s Secret page 166
"Jesus was with his disciples for 40 days after his resurrection, speaking to them about the kingdom of God. One of the disciples remembered his confrontation with the Pharisees when Jesus had told them the parable of the Vineyard owner. After the tenants had killed the heir, the vineyard was let out to another nation to produce the fruit of it. The disciple asked if Jesus would restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus said that only his Father knew the time of his return and the circumstances of it. He said that he would return within their lifetime, but some of them would not see death before the Son of man would return with the angels and power of the kingdom. Mark 8:38. 9:1"

The Messiah’s Secret
The disciple thought that Israel had lost their opportunity to accept Jesus as their Messiah/Christ – the Anointed One. He did not realise that the Messiah had to die be raised from the dead and ascend into heaven before he could be accepted by the leaders as their Leader and Saviour. Acts 5: 31. For their leaders to accept Jesus the apostles first had to proclaim him as the Christ. Acts 2: 36

The temple was in place, the people were in anticipation of the Messiah’s coming. They were chosen by God to take the good news of the establishing of God’s kingdom on the earth with the Messiah, the King of God’s kingdom at its head. Israel its people, recognised by God as being a kingdom of priests, responsible for the worshipping of God. The nation of Israel had been given the covenants and promises of God. Exodus 19: 24. Ephesians 2: 12.

The Ruling Rod of Iron of the Kingdom.
“Ask of me, and I will make nations your heritage and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel. Now therefore, O Kings, be wise be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, with trembling kiss his feet lest he be angry, and you perish in the way for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.” Psalm 2: 8-11. Revelation 19: 15.

“The Messiah’s Secret” page 110 A word from the Lord that I was given on 30th May 1996 was that, “The disciples were setting up the kingdom in at the beginning of Acts.”

Looking and Watching for Jesus' Return
They had been told by Jesus to be awake, watching, looking for his coming within their life time, to be about their master’s business.”
Soon after Pentecost the apostles set up a community in Jerusalem. The Mishna rules allowed the setting up of a community with a ruling body that must be one tenth of the whole. There were 120 followers in the house at Jerusalem; Mathias made the number of officers up to twelve fulfilling the requirement of this law.

The disciples had been told by Jesus that in the new world they would as Jesus sat on his throne, they who had followed him would sit on 12 thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matthew 19: 28
On the evening of the day of the resurrection Jesus came amongst his disciples and breathed on them the Holy Spirit and gave then his authority to retain of forgive the sins of people.
Peter carried out judgement in the case of Ananias and Saphira. Acts 5
Simon who joined the church had a Godly fear of Peter’s authority and repented. Acts 8: 24
Herod Agrippa1 was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they sent representatives to the king through Blastus the king’s chamberlain to seek peace as they depended on the king’s country for food.
On the appointed day they came before Herod as he sat on the throne, he spoke to them, in response the people present proclaimed that he had the voice of God not of a man. Herod at that moment was taken ill and soon after he died. Luke recorded the words of the person who gave him this account, “Immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give God the glory; and he was eaten by worms and died.” Acts 12: 20-23.
I understand that the apostles were putting in place the ruling rod of iron of the kingdom of God. They were going about their master’s business in readiness of his return.

John the last of the Apostles did not see Jesus return even though Jesus had implied that he might see the kingdom come in. “The saying went abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was going to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you.” John 21: 23

A God of Justice
Our Lord God in his great love, gave Israel the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Christ at Pentecost and soon after. Acts 3: 17-21 and 70AD (See blog Wheat and Tares)

Today, now is the time to accept Jesus as your Saviour. Jesus has made it known to us in his word that we must make that choice to accept him in our present life. The parable of ‘The rich man and Lazarus’ confirms this. Also Paul in his letter to the Romans wrote of those who die without hearing about Jesus will be judged according to their conscious.
Short prayer: Lord, take me as I am, I accept you into my life, in faith I come to you. Amen.
Luke 16: 19-31. Romans 2: 14-16.

‘One World Government’ before the Tribulation.
In 2008 the discovery of more holes in the ozone layer across the world had caused the world leaders to enter into discussion as to what we should be doing about it. As these debates were going on in the TV and newspapers, these three words came into my mind, ‘One world government.’ In response to these words, I turned to my Bible to the Book of Daniel and to Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah” published in 1983.
I subsequently wrote about it briefly in our local newspaper.

“View from the Pulpit” Rossendale Free Press August 8th 2008

Bible prophesies are being fulfilled in our time. The prophecy in Daniel states that in the last times there will be an increase of knowledge. Daniel 12: 4.
I was born before television, computers, CD’s, mobile phones, and artificial hearts, gene technology and dishwashers. This amazing increase of knowledge has come about over my life time.
Another prophecy in Daniel chapter 7 verse 24 “As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise.”
In Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah” published in 1983. He writes that the division between the Soviet Union and the Western Alliance has to come to an end before a one world government will come into being made up of ten world powers (ten horns). He argues that this government is not the European Common Market but a world government. This one world government will eventually be dismantled, followed by ten world rulers (ten kings) from which the antichrist will emerge.
Since Fruchtenbaum wrote his book, in 1989 the Berlin Wall that divided West Berlin and East Germany was pulled down by the people living on both sides of the wall. The wall had been a symbol of the cold war between Soviet Union and the Western Alliance.
One world government is on the horizon.
The G6 that was formed in 1975, six world leaders met informally making voluntary agreements on global economic issues. In the 1980’s politics gradually came onto the agenda.
Out of necessity, to save our planet global issues have to be addressed by the nations of the world.
At July’s (2008) meeting of the G8 they had a ‘shared vision’ on climate change, however, the developing nations have declined to sign up to the G8 set emission targets.
Bible prophesies will come true. 32 prophesy were fulfilled in one day when Jesus was crucified.
The Bible also prophesies that those who accept Jesus as their Saviour will come to know Jesus the living God and that prophecy has come true for me and for millions more.”
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The Third Temple
The question arises will the Israelis build a third temple? Only the ‘Wailing Wall’ remains of the temple that once stood there.

The Jewish Temple Institute in Jerusalem has made replicas of the furniture and equipment according to the pattern given to Moses by God (tent tabernacle) Solomon and Zerubbabel temples. Herod extended the second temple.
Extract taken from The Temple Institute website.
The Temple Institute (in Hebrew, Machon HaMikdash), founded in 1987, is a non-profit educational and religious organization located in the Jewish quarter of Jerusalem's Old City.
“The major focus of the Institute is its efforts towards the beginning of the actual rebuilding of the Holy Temple. Towards this end, the Institute has begun to restore and construct the sacred vessels for the service of the Holy Temple. These vessels, which G-d commanded Israel to create, can be seen today at our headquarters in Jerusalem. They are made according to the exact specifications of the Bible, and have been constructed from the original source materials, such as gold, copper, silver and wood. These are authentic, accurate vessels, not merely replicas or models. All of these items are fit and ready for use in the service of the Holy Temple.”

The Third Temple known as the Tribulation Temple.
In Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah”. “Nevertheless, prophetically speaking the Old City of Jerusalem had to fall under Jewish control. This can be deduced from the prophesies dealing with the third temple, sometimes known as the tribulation temple. There are four passages of scripture that speak of a specific event in relationship to the tribulation temple that will occur in the middle of the tribulation. They are as follows:

The prophesies of Daniel was quoted by Jesus in reference to his return, “But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those in Judea flee to the mountains.” Mark 13: 14

“And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week; and for half of the week he shall cause sacrifice and offerings to cease; and upon the wings of abominations shall come one that maketh desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.” Daniel 9: 27

“Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself against every so called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.”
2 Thessalonians 2: 3, 4.

“Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told: “Rise up and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there . . . And I will grant my two witnesses power to prophesy for one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” Revelation 11: 1-3.”

We do not know when and where the third temple will be built in Jerusalem and the course of events that will bring it about, only time will tell. Arnold Fruchtenbaum writes that whilst none of these passages spell out a time factor as to when this was to occur. . . While the six day war itself was never predicted by scripture, what it accomplished clearly was.” Chapter 9 page 69

There are Three Millennium Views in connection with the Second Coming of Jesus (See Blog ‘Saved by the Blood)
I take the pre-millennist’s view that the church will be called out from the earth by Jesus before the tribulation takes place. 1 Thessalonians 1: 10. Romans 5:9. We are raised together with those who have died in the faith and we meet Jesus in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4: 14-17 Together we ascend with Jesus to where the marriage of the Lamb (Jesus) takes place. The Bride being the church, followed afterwards with the marriage supper. Revelation 19: 7-9.
Jesus returns to the earth with the saints and the armies of heaven and will defeat the antichrist and his allies and a remnant of Israelis will be saved. Revelation 19: 11-21.
We shall reign with Jesus Christ during the Millennium. Revelation 20: 4

Our bodies the temple of Jesus
The church on earth is the body the living temple of Jesus Christ; we are Christ’s presence on earth. The church will for ever be the temple of Christ’s body. “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb.” Revelation 21: 22.
But the millennium temple that Jesus builds is in fulfilment of this prophecy in Chronicles. It is in looking forward to these future events we can not limit God because they are part of the plan of God.

Jesus will fulfil the Davidic Covenant.
“He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son; I will not take my steadfast love from him . . . In accordance with these words, and in accordance with this vision, Nathan spoke to David.” 1 Chronicles17: 12 -15. 2 Samuel 7: 11-16. Isaiah 60: 7, 13. Psalm 89: 3,4,29,34-37. Jeremiah 33: 15-26. Zechariah 14: 16-21.

Ezekiel’s Millennium Temple
This is about Jesus building a house for worship at the beginning of his 1,000 year reign on the earth, ruling with a rod of iron. “From his mouth issues a sharpe sword with which he will smite the nations.” Ezekiel 40 Revelation 19:15.
Millennium Temple Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah” & ‘Ezekiel’ Ralph Alexander Published in 1976.

Christ’s house of worship will be on top of a mountain.
Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah”
“At the time of the second coming of Christ the land will undergo some tremendous geographical and topographical changes. One of the key changes in the land of Israel will be the rise of a very high mountain which will become the highest mountain in the world. On this mountain the millennium temple will stand. Isaiah 2: 2-4. 27:13. 66: 20 Ezekiel 17: 22-24
But not Jews only, for Isaiah 56 6-8 points out that this great mountain of Jehovah’s house will become a place of prayer for all peoples, Jews and Gentiles alike: Isaiah 66: 20-23. Psalm 24.

‘Ezekiel’ Ralph Alexander Published in 1976.
In the book of Isaiah we find millennium worship. Isaiah 60: 7, 13. 66: 20-23. Zechariah 14: 16-21
The sacrifices made in this millennium temple are made by all the people living on the earth.
Ralph Alexander writes that the sacrificial system described in Ezekiel is similar, though not identical, to the Mosaic system. Not all of the Old Testament Feasts or pieces of temple furniture are included; like the Feast of Pentecost, the Day of Atonement. No lamb is offered in the Passover in the millennium. No High Priest in the millennium instead the prince acts as both ruler and priest, a representative of the people.
Gentiles (foreigners) worship with the Jews and offer sacrifices. Isaiah 56: 6-8

Theologians make a comparison with the Lord’s Supper saying that the bread and wine are to commemorate the sacrifice Jesus made at Calvary. The sacrifices made at the millennium temple will too will be commemorative, looking back to the Mosaic Covenant.

Alexander makes distinctions between Ezekiel’s Temple and Jerusalem and John’s Jerusalem in Revelation
In both there is no temple in the city of Jerusalem. Ezekiel 48: 8-22. Revelation 21: 22.
In Ezekiel the temple and Jerusalem are two separate identities. In Revelation there is no temple at all and the measurements are not the same.
Both Fruchtenbaum and Alexander give detail diagrams of the layout of the temple, priest’s quarters and city.

Arnold Fruchtenbaum “The Footsteps of the Messiah” Published by Ariel Ministries Press 1983.
‘Ezekiel’ Ralph Alexander Published in 1976. The Moody Bible Institute at Chicago.

The Messiah’s Secret – ‘Christ in You’ Part 2

2011-08-09T15:40:00.015+01:00

Evening Service following the Lectionary
The ‘Hovis’ advert on the TV is an interesting one, as it shows a young boy going to the shop to buy a loaf of bread. On his journey back home the streets he passes through are scenes from 100 years of our nations and the bakeries history.

In John’s Gospel Chapter 6 the Jews ask Jesus for a sign like the one God gave Moses the ‘Manna’ that sustained their ancestors on their wilderness journey. This took place 1400 years before Christ. In response Jesus said to them, “ Their fathers ate manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die.” John 6: 49, 50.

The Jews were outraged at Jesus suggestion that he was the bread of life, coming from God. He went on to say, ‘unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you shall not have life within you.’ Even some of his own disciples were upset by Jesus saying this and they ceased to follow him.
For Jesus to suggest that they should eat his flesh and drink his blood was against the laws relating to food.
Under Law they were not allowed to eat shell fish, pork and other foods that would make them unclean. No meat could be eaten without first draining the blood from it, because life is in the blood. The blood removed from the meat made the food spiritually sinless and clean. Food was spiritually part of them. Leviticus 11: 1-end 17: 11
What the Jewish people did not understand was that to enter into the New Covenant, the Old Covenant had to come to an end. Jeremiah 31: 31-36
Jesus’ body, his flesh would be the final sacrifice ending the laws relating to food. Mark 7: 19.

When Jesus said ‘unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood’ he was referring to them partaking of his death and resurrection, his sacrifice, the final sacrifice.

The Messiah’s Secret page 93
“At the last supper Jesus introduced the New Covenant through his body and his blood, his life laid down for the final atonement, for sins against a Holy God. When a Jewish person made a sacrificial offering for sin, an offering of an animal, fowl, or meal, was brought to the temple, were the person would place their hand on to the head of the animal to be sacrificed, their sin was transferred by prayer into the sacrifice; its blood was then sprinkled upon the altar to make atonement, a covering for sin. This was repeated time and time again. Leviticus 1: 4. 3: 2
This offering would be accepted to make atonement, reconciliation, and pardon. This meaning of the word atonement is ‘to cover.’ The transfer of guilt to the sacrifice, brought forgiveness to the offender. The sacrifice was regarded as a person’s substitute for breaking the laws of Moses.”

Today, when we turn to Jesus in repentance saying sorry to him for our sins against God. Jesus becomes our substitute taking our sin upon him on the cross, so releasing us into the freedom of God’s forgiveness through his resurrection.

On the night of the Passover Jesus introduced the New Covenant.
The Bread
The bread is representing Jesus’ body.
Luke 22: 19 ‘Jesus took the bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
The Chalice
The Chalice holds the wine representing the blood of Jesus, the blood of the new covenant.
Matthew 26: 27 ”Jesus gave thanks and said,’ Drink this all of you for this is my blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for the forgiveness of sins.’ ”

New Covenant”
It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh is no avail; (profits nothing) the words that I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.” John 6: 63.
Signifying a change from being under law to grace which means undeserved giving from God.

John the Apostle in his first letter described Jesus as the word of God covered in flesh.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life. The life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us, that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with the Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1: 1-3
We are nourished and sustained by Jesus’ words becoming to us spiritual food.
The word, the ‘Bread of Life’ Jesus said “I am the bread of life.’

Christ in You
At Antioch the followers of Jesus were given the name of Christians meaning ‘Christ-like’ people.
St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Colossians, “The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1: 26, 27.

Paul knew personally the meaning of ‘Christ in You’. In his encounter with the Proconsul Sergius Paulus and the Jewish false prophet Bar-Jesus also known as Elymas the sorcerer.
On the first ministry tour Barnabas and Saul arrived at Cyprus. They proceeded to travel around the island preaching the Good News about Jesus. At Paphos they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet Bar-Jesus. He was with the Roman Proconsul Sergius Paulus, who was regarded as an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Paul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Bar-Jesus or Elymas (which means sorcerer) withstood them, seeking to turn Sergius away from hearing their message. Paul said these words to Elymas, “And now the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind and unable to see the sun for a time. Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.” Acts 13: 11.

This is what happened to Paul on the Damascus road after he saw the vision of Jesus and heard the Lord’s words to him. When he arose from the ground he could see nothing; so the soldiers led him by the hand and took him to Damascus.
In that situation with Elymas coming against the Christian message, Paul saw himself in those early days were he came against the disciples and followers their message about Jesus. Now through Jesus Christ being in him, he imitated Jesus.

The words Paul used, he put the hand of the Lord upon Elymas, 1400 years before Moses had used those same words when he approached Pharaoh asking him to let the people of Israel go and he refused. The animals of the Egyptians were hit by a plague but the animals belonging to the Israelites were not touched by the plague. Pharaoh was seen as an rival of God.
Paul saw Elymas as an opponent of God when he tried to turn Sergius Paulus away from hearing their message about Jesus. In Paul’s words he was making the path of the Lord crooked. I do not believe that God penalized Elymas, just as in other instances were blindness was used by God to show the works of God. John 9: 3
Paul was seen as an opponent of God when he rounded up the Christians and put them in prison and when he was consenting to the stoning of Stephen. Steven forgave him and all those involved in his death. Acts 8: 3. 7: 60
Paul was visited by Ananias who prayed for him: to receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

From reading the Acts and letters we do not know if Elymas became a Christian.

In the next chapter of Acts Paul and Barnabas were witnessing to the crowd at Listra where we read a crippled man was healed. Acts 13: 8-20
Paul and Barnabas were applying the Christ-like ministry giving the bread of life to the people listening to their message about Jesus. One man in particular caught the eye of Paul. He saw that this crippled man had faith to be healed. Perhaps Paul saw in his mind this man standing and walking.

From the perspective of the man who received healing, he had accepted the good news about Jesus. This meant that he was entitled to all the blessings of the risen Christ.
Jesus’ body had not been corrupted by all the sickness and disease that he bore on the cross, ‘the uncorrupted bread of his risen body.

Matthew realised the significance of what Jesus did for us on the cross, in his death and resurrection. Jesus has redeemed us from the causes of sickness and disease and through faith in him healing and wholeness comes as the application of the word that is acted upon by the Holy Spirit.
"That evening they brought to Jesus many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Matthew 8: 16, 17. Isaiah 53: 4

Paul shouted to man, “Stand upright on your feet.” and the man sprang up and he was healed.

2,000 years ago the Holy Spirit acted upon the word spoken by Paul about Jesus that bringing healing to the crippled man.
In 1978 I was healed as the Holy Spirit acted upon the words spoken by Harold Oldham Minister of Winton Baptist Church about Jesus, followed by prayer and the laying on of hands.

“Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday and for ever.” Hebrews 13: 8

The Messiah’s Secret page 148 The Ministry of the Holy Spirit after Pentecost.
“If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make their home with him.” The apostles and followers were the first fruits of Jesus’ resurrection having received from Jesus the Holy Spirit. The combination of Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit made those who believe ‘Christ-like,’ Christ in you this was the mystery that Paul spoke of in his letters through faith in Jesus; God has made those of faith sons and daughters, children of the living God.
Jesus said to his disciples,” Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will do greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. What ever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14: 12, 13, 23.
Love, joy and peace are the nature of Jesus Christ. We are called to abide in his love that his joy and peace may be in us. The promises that are made by Jesus are part of the divine nature of God. A Christian empowered by the Holy Spirit manifests the life of Christ in the world. The graciousness of Jesus, abundant kindness, patience, humility, gentleness, longsuffering and faithfulness.”

The Messiah’s Secret – ‘Christ in You’ Part 1

2011-08-08T16:39:00.007+01:00

After the 5,000 people were fed, it was evening so Jesus sent the crowd home. He gathered his disciples together and made arrangements; they would go to Capernaum by boat. Whilst he went to spend some time quietly on his own before rejoining them at Capernaum.
In John’s account we read that they rowed across the Sea of Galilee. John 6: 16, 19.

When I was growing up my father and mother used to take my sister and me and sometimes my cousins to Heywood Park where we would make straight for the rowing boats. On one occasion my cousin was about to alight into the boat when the boat moved away from the jetty and as a result she had one foot in the boat and one on the jetty and ended up in the water. She eventually saw the funny side to her falling into the water.

The team work involved when rowing in a big boat like the Oxford and Cambridge boats is very significant, pulling together in perfect timing. The Helmsman has an important role he keeps watch on the rowers timing so they pull together in order to propel the boat forwards.
Our Scout leader brought some oars and we had a demonstration and a bit of fun as some of the congregation had a go at rowing, sitting on chairs with their oars.
Jesus calls us to pull together in our churches, he is at the helm.

On the Sea of Galilee a strong wind prevailed against the disciple’s boat so they struggled to make progress.
The western governments are struggling to make progress as they are try to get a grips with their countries finances. The results of this are now being felt by most families in the UK in various ways: price increases, redundancies, stress levels rising. In my own family we have experienced this.
In times of stress we tend to focus on the problems and fall back on ourselves to sort things out and lose sight of putting our faith in Jesus to help us.

The disciples were making headway painfully slow. They had been rowing for several hours and had only travelled 3-4miles. They must have been tired and wet and when they saw the figure walking on the water coming towards them, they were afraid. Jesus realising this, shouted to them, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.” He said, “Come to me” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; and when he saw the wind he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got to the boat the wind ceased.” Matthew 14: 27-32

If you are going through a difficult time turn to Jesus and fix your eyes upon him. Find the time to share your situation with a Christian friend and pray about it together.

In the 90’s my daughter’s friend Julie came to stay with us, she told me a remarkable story of an instance were the unexplainable happened. I wrote her story down. Julie was a Life Guard at Blackpool, a busy place in summer.
Julie’s own words, “This particular day I was walking along the promenade, the tide was in and the sea was choppy, when I heard racing past me the sirens of the police, ambulance and fire brigade. They stopped at the pier; I began to run towards the pier, on arriving a policeman told me that someone was in the water at the end of the pier. I could just see something bobbing about near the stanchions. I took a lifebuoy and jumped into the sea. I reached the person in the water and grabbed out to get hold of her. The waves were so big I lost my hold of her and she hit her head on the stanchion and disappeared under the water. I remembered feeling afraid and I thought that I was going to drown. I prayed for God’s help. I found the person again and began towards the shore, bouncing along on the sea bed, holding the woman in front of me.
We both survived the ordeal. On returning to the Life Guard base, I was debriefed, I told them what had happened, bouncing backwards on the sea bed. But the guards told me that it was impossible to have done that because of the depth of water.”
Julie went on to say that God had put a platform under her enabling them to reach the shore.

I have since wondered if this is what Peter experienced, a platform under him as he walked towards Jesus on the water of the Sea of Galilee.

Even though it had been a struggle for Julie the Lord needed her arms to uphold this lady and save her life.
Both Peter imitated Jesus walking on the water and Julie her faith enabling her to save the ladies life, Christ in her.

On the Sea of Galilee the disciple’s boat had veered off course they landed the boat on the shore at Gennesaret. Matthew 14: 34
Don’t let go of Jesus, this recession may mean a change in direction or cutting back on the things we may now consider essential like cars, mobiles, 48” TV, designer clothes, but consider this: Graham Kendrick put it into words in his hymn;
“All I once held dear built my life upon.
All this world reveres and wars to own.
All I once thought gain I have counted loss;
Spent and worthless now, compared to this.
Knowing you Jesus,
Knowing you, there is no greater thing.
You’re my all, you’re the best,
You’re my joy, my righteousness,
And I love you, Lord.”

Kendrick Graham 1993 Make Way Music.

Ended with a prayer for families effected by our nations debt crisis.

The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus removes the blindfold.

2011-08-01T11:46:00.023+01:00

Evening Service following the Lectionary

Saul and Barnabas set off from the church at Antioch having been called by the Holy Spirit to take the good news about Jesus to the Jews in other lands. Acts 13: 1-13
It was in the plan of God for the Jewish people to be the ambassadors of the good news to the rest of the world.
“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness should be preached in his name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem.” Luke 24:46,47

Later in this chapter the Jews were filled with jealousy as the Gentiles were readily accepting Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
“And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.”

Fasting and Prayer The church at Antioch sought the will of God through fasting and prayer. Fasting enables a Christian to be more focused on prayer and less on the appetite, the delights of food.
Prayer is simply talking to the Lord as you would a friend, preferably finding a quiet place, free from the distractions of family, friends, TV and computers.

Paul and Barnabas travelled to Seleucia, from there they sailed to Cyprus were John Mark joined them. In the early days when they arrived at a town they always found their way to the synagogue, to tell their fellow Jews the good news about Jesus being the Christ.
They made their way from Salamis in the north to Paphos at the southern end of the island, preaching the good news about Jesus as they went. Jesus had said to his disciples when they asked him what they should do to do the works of God, “Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, and that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6: 28, 29. The work of God - the message of faith in Jesus taken out.

At Paphos Paul and Barnabas met the Roman Proconsul Sergius Paulus who was accompanied by a Jewish man called Bar-Jesus, who was described by the disciples as being a false prophet. He was also known as Elymas the magician, a sorcerer.

Sorcery – is the practice of the occult arts under the power of evil spirits or demons and has been common in all of the world’s history. Ungers Dictionary
Since the fall of Adam and Eve sorcery entered the world.

Roman Proconsul Sergius Paulus summoned Paul and Barnabas to hear the word of God. But Elymas intervened trying to turn Sergius away from the two disciples; he didn’t want Sergius to come to faith in Jesus.

Elymas was the Proconsul’s personal fortune teller/prophet.

Whilst I was studying this passage I had a phone call from a Christian friend who has since given me permission to write it about it on this blog.
My friend asked me to pray for her son’s wife who had come into contact with a lady who is a member of the Spiritualist Church. The Spiritualist Church do not believe that Jesus is God made visible in the flesh, and their spirituality is like Elymas the Jewish false prophet.(They also falsely communicate with the dead)

My friend said that her daughter-in-law was sat in the waiting room at her doctor’s surgery and as we often do we make conversation with the person we are sitting next too. The result was that she befriended this lady, who on another occasion proceeded to tell her fortune through tarot cards. She has become her personal counsellor.
My friend continued, ‘Whilst this was going on, my friend’s son, his best friend has become a Christian’, Her son told her that his friend had prayed with him and has invited him and his family to join him at the church where he attends.
However, her daughter-in-law is resisting going with her husband to his friend’s church and therefore is making it difficult for her son to go and hear the good news about Jesus.

It seemed that the reading spoke directly into the situation that she was faced with. We prayed over the phone lifting her son and his wife and the spiritualist medium to the throne of God’s grace to undertake in opening their spiritual eyes to the true faith in Jesus.
The following day the Lord gave me a word, ‘he came to release people from captivity and spiritual blindness.’ I use this word in my prayers for them.
(Update January 7 2012 Good news the lady is no longer having fellowship with the spiritualist lady.)

Paul used his gift of discernment and the power of the Lord Jesus’ victory over sorcery and prayed physical blindness upon Elymas. This was a witness to Sergius and he believed and he came to faith in Jesus.

I have found it difficult to understand why Paul prayed for this man temporarily to lose his sight. But what the Lord has shown me through this word is the spiritual blindness on Israel.
“Let their (Israel) eyes be darkened so that they can not see and bend their necks for ever. . . Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brethren, a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles come in and so all Israel will be saved as it is written. . . . As regards the gospel they are enemies of God, for your sake, but as regards the election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.” Romans 11: 10, 25, 28.

I now realise that at Paul's conversion on the Damascus Road when he opened his eyes he could not see and he was led by the hand to a house in Damascus. The Lord sent Ananias to pray for him to regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 9: 8, 17.

Jesus was blindfolded by Roman soldiers. Jesus after his trial was blindfolded by the Roman soldiers who attended him.
“Now the men who were holding Jesus mocked him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and asked him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” Luke 22: 63, 64
Jesus bore on the cross every spiritual blindness.
“So also the chief priests mocked him to one another with the scribes, saying, “He saved others but he can not save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Mark 15: 31, 32.

The Messiah’s Secret - Jesus’ death was hidden (Blindness)from the disciples and the people’s understanding.
Luke wrote in his gospel from material given to him from eye witnesses, the disciples and followers of Jesus. “And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marvelling at everything he did, he said to his disciples. “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of man.” But they didn’t understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.” Luke 9:43-45
“And taking the twelve, Jesus said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem and everything that is written of the Son of man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon; they will scourge him and kill him, and on the third day he will rise. But they understood none of these things; this saying was hid from them, and they did not grasp what was said.” Luke 18:31-34
What Jesus had told them about his death conflicted with what they had been taught that when the Messiah came he would live for ever.

The people were taught that when the Messiah comes he will live forever. Peter’s response to Jesus’ words concerning his death,”God forbid. Lord! This shall never happen to you,” confirmed what the Jewish people were taught from the Law of Moses that when the Messiah came he would live for ever. “The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains for ever. How can you say that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?” John 12: 34.

The Jews at that time didn’t believe that God would allow their Messiah to come and die. They expected the Christ to come and take up the throne of King David and rule from Jerusalem the eternal kingdom of God. They were the people who God would use to take the news of the Christ to the ends of the earth.

Jesus opened the eyes of his disciples and released them from their spiritual blindness. In Luke’s account of the evening of the Day of the Resurrection when the disciples where gathered in the house Jesus came among them. Jesus opened up their minds to understand the scriptures concerning his death and resurrection.
“Then he said to them, “These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened up their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness should be preached in his name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem.” Luke 24:44-47

I now realise the Paul when he was converted on the Damascus Road when he opened his eyes he cound not see. He was led by the hand to a house in Damascus where the Lord sent Ananias to pray with him to regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 9: 8, 17.

Today there is a blindfold over the eyes of many millions of people. The church today like the Christians at Antioch we are separated and sent out by the Holy Spirit to tell people the good news about Jesus our Saviour.

The church is a sanctified people. Jesus in his humanity was sanctified, “I do not pray that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth, as thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they may be consecrated in truth.” John 17: 15-19
Sanctification -This means belonging to Jesus made holy by faith in him. It also means being separated from the world by following his ways, and by what he taught, the words of Jesus.
We should pray for the gift of discernment of spirits so that we made aware of the dangers we face when we are being tempted to engage with the practices of other religions. Especially be aware of the spirituality that comes from New Age or the age old practices of Sorcery.

The things we do in secret are seen by a wider audience. The angels watched the shepherds as they watched over their flocks by night in the fields at Bethlehem.
Satan watched Job and challenged God to allow him to test Jobs Godly fear and trust in God.
Many a Christian have fallen into the snare of the evil one, but through sincere love for the Lord’s word and having fellowship with the Holy Spirit, faith triumphs over evil.
The Lord is on our side; his love is always ready to defend us and draw us back to himself and rescue those whom we love through faith in him.

Tell the world that Jesus is risen God uses our weaknesses to reveal Jesus to the world. Jesus uses the church, his body which is made up of people from all over the world, to witness to the world of God’s love towards us.
Nothing can take away the truth about Jesus. Jesus speaks for himself through his recorded words in the gospels, his words are alive and when they are received in faith they have the power to open the eyes of anyone’s understanding.

The Messiah's Secret - Wheat and Tares

2011-07-15T09:39:00.025+01:00

Jesus gave his disciples and us the meaning of the parable of the ‘Wheat and the Tares.’ The good seeds are sown by the Son of man, the seeds are the sons of the kingdom, and the field is the world. The weeds are the sons of the Devil, the enemy of God, the harvest is the close of the age and the reapers of the harvest are the angels of God.

Jesus often gave examples of what was going on in the daily lives of people and their surroundings to describe the Kingdom of Heaven. Maybe he had heard or seen at first hand the result of someone being the victim of their enemy’s handiwork, when the wheat seeds began to show they found black seeds appearing on the husks. Someone had sown in amongst the wheat Zewan seeds, which is a plant that when it is growing has the appearance of wheat until the seeds show through which are black and poisonous. Dakes Bible Concordance.

Jesus was making the distiction between good and evil, good things come from God like the wheat seeds that we grind to make flour and bread and kindness when people are kind towards one another.

The things that are not good for us like the Zewan seeds, if we ate those seeds they would make us very poorly and when people are nasty to each other it makes us feel bad.

Some times we describe a person as being the salt of the earth meaning: a good person with integrity. Jesus described himself as a seed, a grain of wheat.
The good wheat seed sown by the Son of man – A title of the Messiah
Jesus first had to die to bring forth the new seed in the likeness of himself; the seeds of eternal life.

Jesus said, “The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies; it bears much fruit.” John 12: 24
A seed of wheat has first to die before germination begins. In the garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was arrested his disciples fled, he was left on his own. On the cross he cried out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Jesus died alone and was buried in the darkness of a tomb. God brought the lifeless body of Jesus back to life, giving him new life, eternal life.
Those who have faith in Jesus receive the eternal seed through the combined action of the Word, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Father. God’s love touches the seed that has been planted in our heart and mind and it begins to grow in the knowledge of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We recognise that our sin separates us from God, we ask the Lord for forgiveness and receive the Jesus into our heart and the Holy Spirit acts upon our faith in Jesus God our Father raises us to new life, to know him.

The good news sown by the children of God We read in the Acts of the Apostles were Paul and his companions were taking the good news into the world. Paul had been working with twelve disciples at Ephesus establishing the church there. Lots of people became Christians and the Church flourished as God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul. He prayed over handkerchiefs or aprons and they were taken to the sick and they were healed.

The church founded upon the Rock, the true God overthrew the false god, Artemis or Diana the fertility god.
Ephesus was the main centre for the worship of Artemis; the temple at Ephesus was regarded as one of the seven wonders of the known world. This would make it a very busy place with tourists and worshippers.
Paul’s ministry impacted the silversmith’s trade of making idols of Diana. The discerning Christians did not want to buy their idols.

The seeds of discord were sown in the field at Ephesus. The silversmith Demetrius decided to act against the church, by sowing seeds of discord, he brought the silversmiths together inciting them to riot as he quoted what Paul had said, “That gods made by hands are not gods and that the temple of the goddess would count for nothing.”

Paul had taken the teaching from Isaiah, “All who make idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit; their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. Who fashions a god or casts an image, that is profitable for nothing? Isaiah 44: 9,10.
The silversmiths were angry and went in number to demonstrate and taking hold of Christians Gaius and Aristarchus they dragged them into the theatre. There action caused confusion, and those who found themselves caught up in their protest did not know why they were there.

The Town Clerk questioned some of the people, and then he spoke to the crowd and defused the situation. He said that the silversmiths should settle the matter in court/Assembly. Acts 19: 23-41.
We can see that Demetrius was looking after his business interests rather than the consequences of a starting a riot. Underlying this action the devil was trying to antagonise the people against the church.

In recent times the seeds of violence sown in the field of Ireland. Those who wanted to see a united Ireland incited violence over many years through the religious divide to achieve their aims.
We give thanks for the peace process in Ireland that has brought an end to the hostility. Our prayer is that in Ireland, its people will continue to live in peace with each other.

Signs of Jesus’ return The Apostles and followers of the first century church were expecting Jesus to return within their lifetime. Jesus had said “If, it is my will that he remains until I come, what is that to you.” referring to the disciple John. John 21: 22
For the first time at Pentecost the apostles proclaimed that Jesus was the Christ.

The return of the Christ was a possibility soon after Pentecost.
“The Messiah’s Secret” page 108
“God was calling his people to repentance. Peter had told them that the rulers and people had acted in ignorance when they crucified Jesus; he had to die to accomplish the plan of Salvation for the Jews and for the world. If they would repent and acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus would return. The times of refreshing, after his coming he would restore the throne of King David, an everlasting throne and Kingdom, and the restoration of the land given to Abraham by God for an eternal possession. Those who were expecting, waiting would see the Kingdom come with power. Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

The crowd were gathered in Solomon’s Portico around Peter and John. Peter said to them, “And now brethren I know that you acted in ignorance as did your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all his prophets, that the Christ should suffer he has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.” Acts 3: 17-21
This was a national calling for the people to repent so that the sin of Israel against God would be forgiven and as a result God would send the appointed Christ, who was Jesus. The leaders did not recognise Jesus as the Christ, Caiaphas who was the high priest that year, he was a Sadducee. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead and with the Roman's defiling Jesus through his death on a cross. It would seem that Caiaphas was unable to overcome these things and accept Jesus as the Christ on behalf of the nation.

The second time the Christians expected Jesus to return was around 70AD
Jesus prophesied the signs that would precede his coming are recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke, the gospels recounts Jesus’ words. The disciples were stood admiring the beauty of the temple.
Josephus wrote in his book, “The Wars of the Jews” Book 5
“The outward face of the temple in its front was covered all over with plates of gold of great weight, and at the first rising of the sun, reflected back a fiery splendour, and made those who forced themselves to look upon it to turn their eyes away, just as they would have done at the sun’s own rays.” The forty foot columns were of white marble each one was of a single block of stone.”

The disciples were proud of the magnificence of the buildings, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings.” Mark 13: 1.
Jesus responded by telling them that it would be levelled to the ground. How shocked the disciples must have been hearing this from Jesus.

The first century Christians saw the destruction of the temple as a sign of Jesus’ return.
Jesus went on to say as they marvelled at the splendour of the temple buildings, that false Messiah’s and prophets would arise and lead many astray. His disciples would face persecution as they took the gospel to the known world. There would be wars and famine, earthquakes. The heavens would be shaken and darkened along with the moon and the stars would fall from heaven.
All these things took place before and around 70AD. St Paul was involved with the persecution of the early church as a result the Jerusalem community were scattered. I’ve no doubt that false Messiah’s and prophets arose. There was a terrible famine during the reign of Claudius and a devastating earthquake at Laodicea.

Josephus and Tacitus the Roman historian wrote of strange happenings in the heavenlies. A comet appeared over Jerusalem for 12 months. A bright light for the space of half an hour, shone so bright in the night between the temple and the altar that it seemed as if it were noonday and a flaming sword was seen over Jerusalem.

Before and during the Roman move against Jerusalem with its army made up of various nationalities, many Christians left Jerusalem and fled to Pella where they found sanctuary. The Romans took Jerusalem and the temple was set on fire, afterwards they searched and removed the melted gold from the temple ruins, as a result it was demolished, just as Jesus had foretold.
Josephus wrote that gradually afterwards the Christians moved back to the outlying parts of Jerusalem. Zechariah 14: 1-4 After the onslaught of Jerusalem, the return of Jesus to the Mount of Olives.
The Christians were expecting Jesus to return but it wasn’t to be. The nations surviving leaders did not bring the people to repentance or recognise that Jesus was the Christ, (the time of his visitation Luke 19: 43, 44)

Today we are still expecting Jesus to return.
“But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Mark 12: 32.

This year 2011 Mr Camping was reported by the ‘Daily Mail’ of spending millions of dollars on Billboards across the US forecasting that the day of judgement was to come to fruition on Saturday May 21st 2011. However sincere he and his followers were, they were wrong, sowing seeds that have led many astray.

The question of the third temple I'll leave it for another time.

Israel will recognise Jesus as the crucified Christ. Zechariah prophesied the nations coming against Jerusalem and in that terrible situation the Jewish leaders will bring their nation to repentance as they recognise Jesus as their Christ.
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of compassion and supplication, so that, when they look at him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weeps bitterly over him, as one weeps for the first-born.” Zechariah 12: 10

The Mount of Olives

Zechariah also prophesied that when the Christ comes he will stand on the Mount of Olives. As the apostles watched Jesus ascend into heaven, the man in white standing there with them told them that Jesus would return to the same place where they had seen him leave, the Mount of Olives. Acts 1: 11.

“Behold the day of the Lord is coming, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in the midst of you. For I will gather the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women ravished; half of the city shall go into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives which lies before Jerusalem on the east and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley; so that one half of the Mount shall withdraw northward, and the other half southward.” Zechariah 14: 1-4

Zechariah goes on to described in verse five that this splitting of the ground on the Mount of Olives as being like an earthquake, so when the Lord comes, the earth will shake. We have the example in Acts; the house shook when the Holy Spirit came and filled the followers as they rejoiced and gave thanks and prayed after the release from prison of the Apostles Peter and John. Acts 4: 31.

Christians return with Christ Zechariah informs us, “Then the Lord your God will come, and all the holy ones withy him.” 14: 5
He shows us that Jesus has two titles, he is the Lord and our God. The holy ones coming with him is generally thought to be the church made up of Christians.
John confirms this, “And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, followed him on white horses. From his mouth issues a sharp sword with which he will smite the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. . . On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Revelation 19: 14-16

We pray for the Lord to come soon. Come, Jesus, come. Amen.

Note: The book "The Messiah's Secret" is available just for the cost of postage and packaging.

The Messiah's Secret - Children at Play in the Market Place

2011-07-05T09:51:00.024+01:00

It has become a tradition at Wimbledon that strawberries and cream are almost as important as the hallowed turf. This year, each day 8,6165 punnets of Kent strawberries were consumed.

Jewish traditions passed down the generations; Jesus refers to traditions when he said, “But what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places and calling their playmates, ‘We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’” Matthew 11: 16, 17.

The children at play in the market places were imitating their parents who probably played their pipes at weddings and feast days, and wailed and cried at the homes of the families of those who had died. Matthew Henry Commentary page 58
Jesus draws our attention to the children who would not join in the dancing to the playing of the pipes.

First of all lets look at the children who were dancing; they were the Jewish people who were eagerly looking for the coming of the Messiah, who sat listening to Jesus expound the scriptures, while others brought their sick to be healed by him.
Also there were those who stood by the roadside welcoming Jesus with joy, as he entered Jerusalem riding on a colt the foal of an ass. They shouted out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel. Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna in the highest!” I don’t think that they realised that they were fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo your King comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, riding on an ass, on a colt the foal of an ass.” Zechariah 9: 9.
We understand when we read John’s account about this occasion that a lot of those people waving their palm branches had earlier been with sisters Mary and Martha consoling them in the Jewish tradition, wailing and crying, after the death of their brother Lazarus. But as we know it was not for long, when Jesus arrived he prayed to God his Father and Lazarus was brought back to life after being dead for four days. Even today I’m told it is medically impossible to be resuscitated after being dead for so many days.

Others in the crowd had heard from these witnesses of the great miracle that Jesus had performed. John 12: 17,18.
Jesus was referring to the children who danced, as the people who recognised him as their Redeemer King.

But also in the crowd were some Pharisees and they shouted to Jesus, “Teacher rebuke your disciples.” Luke 19: 39
These were the people who were like the children who would not join in the dancing to the pipes.

Jesus healed people on the Sabbath Day, as a result the Pharisees saw Jesus as a man who broke the Sabbath Day Laws. Jesus responded by saying it was right to do good on the Sabbath Day. I also believe that the Pharisees heard a lot of laughing coming from amongst Jesus and his friends. Jesus full of the joy of life, which I do not think the Pharisees would have approved of.

Jesus out of love for the Pharisees and all of the people he said, “Come to me all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11: 28

Jesus was asking the Pharisees to listen to him, but they would not, instead they laboured over their rules of law and as a result were weighed down by them.
The Jewish person earned their place in the kingdom of God by keeping the law. Jesus was peeling away the laws that the Pharisees had added over generations to the Laws given to Moses by God. "The Messiah's Secret" page 99

Jesus in the parable of hiring labourers to work in the vineyard makes the point of the labourer not gaining through the amount of work that person had done, even those who had borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat. Matthew 20: 1-16

I’ve met Christians who labour for our Lord God, but are burdened by keeping the commandments as a set of rules. It reminded me of the days when we went camping. Our car was on its knees with the weight of camping gear we carried.
Our Scout Leader put together a short sketch, were we made the comparison between the heavy burden and the light weight burden using camping equipment. He read from the old rule book and asked his scouts to bring in their camping equipment; a huge bag containing a tent, bags containing poles, pegs and guy ropes. Calor gas for cooking and a stove, mats and sleeping bags, tilly lamp and other bits and pieces.
Then one of the Wardens came in with a haversack and a small bag. Inside his haversack were the sleeping bag and mat, cooking gear, water carrier, and in the small bag, to our amazement it contained a tent. They errected the tent fitting together the metal rods that formed a half circle which was then attached to the bedroom, lastly an outer fly sheet was placed over the frame.

The rule book and the heavy old camping equipment were made obsolete by the lighter more flexible camping equipment. The comparison making the point the Pharisees struggled to keep the law they were heavily burdened by them. Whereas Jesus released people from generations of added laws by the Pharisees.
Even in more recent times the Jews have added laws like switching on an electric light on the Sabbath Day is not allowed. “The Book of Leviticus” by Charles R Erdman

Jesus wants us to be imitators of him; he fulfilled the law in love. There is no heavy burden in love; we are called to walk in love, love that comes from the Spirit of God.

“Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7.

Jesus wants us to enjoy labouring in his kingdom. Graham Kendrick's hymn “Teach me to Dance, “ expresses so well the joy and excitement of being a Christian.

Teach me to dance to the beat of your heart
Teach me to move in the power of your Spirit
Teach me to walk in the light of your presence
Teach me to dance to the beat of your heart
Teach me to love with your heart of compassion
Teach me to trust in the word of your promise
Teach me to hope in the day of your coming
Teach me to dance to the beat of your heart

You wrote the rhythm of life
Created heaven and earth
In You is joy without measure
So, like a child in your sight
I dance to see your delight
For I was made for your pleasure
Pleasure

Let all my movements express
A heart that loves to say 'yes'
A will that leaps to obey you
Let all my energy blaze
To see the joy in your face
Let my whole being praise you
Praise you
Graham Kendrick
Copyright © 1993 Make Way Music,
www.grahamkendrick.co.uk

Prayer
Lord our prayer is that you would teach us to dance to the beat of your heart, to move in the power of your Spirit, to the tune of your grace. May we be attentive to your word to us and in response out of love, may our movements express our willingness to do your will, so our whole being will praise you and glorify your name. Amen.

The Messiah's Secret - The Ascension of Jesus

2011-06-16T11:46:00.013+01:00

Family Service
Can you guess what the flower is below?

It is a Dandelion.

Dens Leonis is Latin for: a lion’s tooth

The name Dandelion takes its name from the shape of its’ leaves, they have points like a lion’s canine teeth.

Jesus’ name: Jesus Christ
Jesus means: Saviour
Christ “ The Anointed One.
Jesus is also known as The Lion of Judah. In C.S. Lewis’ books ‘The Chronicles of Narnia' Aslan the lion king represents Jesus he was like Jesus he died and God raised him back to life.
It is set in the fictional realm of Narnia where there is a battle going on between good and evil. The wicked Queen slays Aslan on an altar of sacrifice and the children see him lying there dead, then by a miracle Aslan comes back to life, resurrected from the dead. The children are called upon by the lion Aslan to protect Narnia from evil and restore the throne to its rightful line.
Animals like Dandelions especially rabbits, pigs, goats and horses they eat the leaves and flowers.
The leaves of the Dandelion grow almost straight up, this means that when it rains the rain drops trickle down the leaves to the centre of the plant and straight down into the roots. The soil around the roots needs the water to release the good things out of the soil that the Dandelion thrives on. The Dandelion grows strong and its roots grow long.

Selwyn Hughes’ book ‘Getting the Best from the Bible’ Selwyn wrote that as Christians we need to read a little of the Bible every day. When we do, it is like the rain trickling down into the depths of our being, making us strong and powerful Christians.

St. Paul was saying this to the Christians at Colossae, he told them to be rooted and built up in their faith in what they had been taught about Jesus. In his letter to the church at Ephesus he wrote that they should be rooted and grounded in the love of God. Paul was saying that they should be kind and generous with each other.

The Dandelion Flower (Collect before the service Dandelion flowers and a magnifying glasses, this will allow the children to observe the five points on the petals and the stamens)
Each petal is bright golden yellow and has five points; the number 5 in the Bible means grace- undeserved blessings from God. (Children are invited to look at the flower heads using the magnifying glasses)
The flower produces a lot of pollen and nectar. The bees love the Dandelion flower because it provides nectar for them from spring to autumn. Here we see how God looks after the bees pouring out his grace, his abundance of nectar.

(A tray is prepared before hand, placed on it are the Dandelion products: cordial, Dandelion and Burdock. Glasses, cups and a flask with Dandelion tea.)

We use the Dandelion flower heads for Dandelion cordial, Dandelion & Burdock. Its’ roots when cut up, dried, roasted and ground make coffee, and its’ leaves dried and cut up make Dandelion tea.
(Pour our cordial,Dandelion & Burdock and tea and ask older children to give them out for tasting.)
The young tender leaves of the plant can be added to salad, they are rich in iron.
The Dandelion also has healing properties in the Inulin, this is the milky fluid in the stem and roots.
Many years ago people made medicine from it for: kidney, liver and gall stones complaints.

Taking the flower head with the white fluffy down.
(Allow the children to examine the construction of the seed attached to the pappas.)
After the flower dies a fluffy down appears in the shape of a circle. When I was a little girl we called it a Dandelion clock, we would blow onto the fluffy down and say one o’clock, blow again two o’clock, until all the seeds had been carried on the breeze and out of sight.

(A paper seed attached to string and to three helium filled balloons. Also a fine string attached to pull it down at the appropriate time in the talk. At this point let the balloons carrying the seed are let go, allowing it to float upwards.)

The Dandelion seeds that are carried upwards on the breeze reminded me of Jesus’ ascension into heaven; the disciples watched Jesus ascend, he was caught up in the cloud and disappeared out of their sight.

This also reminded me of our prayers ascending to where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God’s throne in heavenly places.
When we pray, it is good to find a quiet place where we can talk to Jesus, we may want to kneel or sit on a chair, we talk to him like we would to a friend. We put our hands together and close our eyes, so that we are not distracted by the things that surround us.

You may find it helpful when praying to remember the word: A.C.T.S
A – ADORATION
C – CONFESSION
T – THANKSGIVING
S – SUPPLICATION

ADORATION
We express our adoration of God quite often in singing a hymn or a chorus.
“Father we love you we worship and adore you, magnify your name in all the earth.”
As we sing these words or similar words we are honouring God, lifting up his name in reverence and awe.

CONFESSION
Having recognised God for who he is and does for us, we realise that we have let the Lord our God down. This is were we say sorry to the Lord for the things we have said or done wrong. All we need to do is acknowledge in our prayer that we have sinned and say sorry to the Lord Jesus.

THANKSGIVING
In prayer we thank the Lord for his forgiveness, his kindness towards us. We thank him for our daily food, our homes, family, friends, our pets, school, college, work and our church fellowship.

SUPPLICATION
This word means we ask Jesus to bless all those who need help in some way through our prayers; people we know who are going through a difficult time. Those who are lonely, sad, those who are homeless and those who are poorly. We remember the people who are displaced or recovering from natural disasters: droughts, famine, earthquakes and floods. For peace in the world.

Lastly we pray for ourselves.
At the end of all our prayesr we say : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. By saying this we are asking Jesus to bring our prayers before God our Father, for him to answer them.
Amen means - so be it.

Answered prayer is like the Dandelion seed descending to the earth and landing on the soil. In due course will start to grow and the cycle is repeated.(Pull down the seed attached to the balloons.)
It is good, if you have the time to write your prayers down in a diary and as they are answered, record that too.

The Dandelion is a wonder of creation.
The Dandelion I find reflects the Lord our God and creator as it continually gives of itself and helps to keep alive the bees and supply some of our needs: food, drink and medicine.
The Lord wants us to look into the things that he has created, and observe the part they play in supplying our needs and how they show to us that God wants to take care of us. By the example of the Dandelion we also learn that he wants us, to give out of ourselves, especially in our prayers the love of our Lord God for others and his creation.

The Messiah's Secret - Mary the mother of Jesus supported her son

2011-06-11T10:09:00.014+01:00

Mother's Love
Mary the mother of Jesus had heard the rumours that were going around that Jesus was ‘beside himself’ and out of love for her son, she went with her other sons to support him.

The Bible says, “Then Jesus went home; and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. And when the family heard it, they went out to seize him, for the people were saying, “He is beside himself.”
Mary was not standing idly by, she went to find Jesus. When she found him he was surrounded by many people, so she asked to speak with him. I do not think that Mary went to apprehend Jesus, she went to protect him, out of concern for him.
Jesus’response maybe would indicate that he was looking for the support of those who were sat listening to him. “Here are my mother and my brothers! Who ever does the will of God are my brother, and sister, and mother.” Mark 3: 20, 21, 34, 35.

The Scribes were behind the rumours
The Scribes and the Pharisees were trying to discourage the people from going to Jesus for healing. As a result there was a division amongst the people over him. Refer to John 10: 19-21.
Jesus was healing people of all kinds of sicknesses and diseases and hundreds of people were going to him. The problem for the Scribes was that Jesus healed on the Sabbath Day and this caused them to seek his demise. Under Jewish Law the people earned their righteousness, so to please God, the Pharisees, Lawyers and Scribes had added extra laws to the Laws of Moses.
Jesus was ignoring those extra laws by healing on the Sabbath Day. “The Messiah’s Secret” page 27 “Kingdom Teaching.” “The Scribes and Pharisees were overburdening the people with added rules, under law they earned their righteousness through keeping the law, their traditions made void the word of God.” Mark 7: 13

We must call for Christian mothers and fathers today to protect their children by supporting the report by Mothers’ Union Chief Executive Reg Bailey on the “Sexualisation of Childhood,” “Sexualised and gender stereotyped clothing, products and services for children.”

Mothers’ Union ‘BYE BUY CHILDHOOD CAMPAIGN’
“We believe that children should be valued as children and not targeted as adult consumers. Children have become a marketing opportunity worth £99 billion in the UK and £350 million is spent in the UK each year persuading children to consume. Manipulative techniques exploit children’s natural credulity and use them as a conduit to the household purse. The materialism this encourages has negative effects on children’s physical health, mental and emotional wellbeing, on their values, educational development and relationships with families and peers. The use of sexualised content to sell to children and the imposition of sexuality on children to market goods is particularly abhorrent.

How can you make a difference?
This campaign guide which outlines three ways in which you can make a difference:
• Analyse your consumer habits.
• Challenge retailers and advertisers who sell or advertise inappropriately to children.
• If you are concerned about the inappropriateness of an advert aimed at children; contact the relevant regulator with your concern.
For print, press, posters, television, radio, cinema, internet (banners and pop-ups etc), emails text and sales promotions, you can log your complaint online: http://www.asa.org.uk/complaints-and-ASA-action/How-to-complain.aspx
Contact Mid City Place, 71 High Holborn, London. WC1V 6QT Phone 020 7492 2222

The Mothers Union supports families by serving the church and the community in practical ways:
‘Freshers’ Week – University Students especially overseas students are given support by receiving gift parcels containing : coffee, tea, pasta, rice, mugs, pans and other basic needs to help them settle in to their new homes.
The Mustard Tree is a Manchester based organisation which helps to support refugees in Manchester. They asked the Mothers’ Union in Manchester to supply ‘bras’ for refugee women and in response over 5,000 bras from MU members were sent by the Manchester office to help these women.

The Messiah's Secret - God the Mathematician

2011-05-29T20:20:00.011+01:00

“Einstein’s theory of relativity, which postulates a space-time continuum. “Curved” space-time continuum, that is, space closed in on itself.
Albert Einstein was able to calculate the curvature and to draw conclusions from it, and even to predict certain events, such as the change of path of the planet Mercury in its course around the sun.
As a result of this, mathematics, this so “abstract” science, becomes the connection-the only connection-which we can make with the four dimensional world, just as it is the only key which has unlocked the gate into the strange world of the atom.” “The King of the Earth” by Erich Sauer
Einstein extended his Relativity theory to include gravitation.

Jesus upholds the universe by his word and power. Hebrews 1: 3
In the New Testament we see the link between God the mathematician and the Word Jesus.

The Hebrew and Greek languages each letter has a numerical value. In the Old Testament and the Greek New Testament scriptures there are significant meanings to both words and numbers.

I’ve always wondered why John wrote a precise number of fishes that had been caught in the net.
In the book “Numbers in Scripture’ by E W Bullinger he gives the answer.
Linking Hebrew and the New Testament the word Beni Ha-Elohim having numerical value of 153.

Hebrew letters and numerical value

B
E
N
I

H
A

-
E
L
O
H
I
M

ב = 2
נ = 50
י = 10

ה = 5
א = 1

ל = 30
ה = 5
י = 10
מ= 40
153

This word Ben Ha-Elohim means: Sons of God
The 153 fishes caught in the net relates to the “Sons of God.”

“After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing.
Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul in, for the quantity of fish. The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciple came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

When they got on land, they saw the charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went on board and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.” John 21: 1-14

The 153 fishes with its significant meaning “Sons of God”
When Jesus called Andrew, Simon Peter, James and John to be his disciples he gave them a word in connection with their future ministry, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.” Mark 1: 17 The 153 fishes caught would have confirmed to them the words of Jesus,
Later at Pentecost Peter speaking at Pentecost (cast the net) proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection and that he was the Messiah, 3,000 people received Jesus as their Saviour.

Factor of 8
8 the dominant factor in Jesus’ name
8 this number connected with new beginning
On the evening of the day of his resurrection (the first or 8th day) Jesus came amongst his disciples in the upper room. Acts 2: 19
On the eight day Jesus appeared again to his disciples in the upper room. verse 26

After Jesus ascension the 11 apostles and their followers gathered in the upper room where they were staying at Jerusalem to pray.
“In those days Peter stood up among the brethren (the company of persons was in all about a hundred and twenty), and said, “Brethren, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas who was a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us, and was allotted his share in this ministry. . . . For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it’; and ‘His office let another take.’ . . . And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. . . .And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles.” Acts 1: 15 – 26
Peakes Concordance tells us that in the Jewish rule book ‘The Mishna’ by law there had to be 12 officers, on tenth of the number required to put in place a community. The number of people present is recorded in Acts 1: 15 as 120 fulfilling the requirement of the law.

The Messiah's Secret - The Lord of the Dance

2011-05-20T09:05:00.025+01:00

Strictly Come Dancing a popular T.V. Show with Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly the presenters and its panel of judges Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Elisha Dixon.
The variety of dances: the Waltz – flowing with ease and grace. The Quick Step – sure footed precise timing. Latin American – lots of rhythm and powerful gestures. Rock’n roll – athletic and fast moving.
The Celebrities are partnered with professional dancers and over the weeks we saw a gradual improvement of their technique.

The Lord of the Dance
The Lord brings us into fellowship with each other in our churches, we dance together, work together for a period of time, until our circumstances change, perhaps move house or job and so we change partners, change churches and go off and dance with someone else. We may go back to where we started from or even dance on our own for a bit, until we cease to dance.

Barnabas and Saul
In Acts 13 Barnabas and Paul set out on their first ministry tour. They went from place to place setting up churches. John Mark joined them on route, but he left them at Perga in Phamphilia. Barnabas and Paul eventually arrived back at Jerusalem. Soon afterwards Paul wanted to go and re-visit the churches that had been planted. Barnabas was inclined to take John Mark with them; Paul did not want him to so they disagreed and changed partners: Barnabas went with John Mark, Silas accompanied Paul.

On the previous series of Strictly Come Dancing, John Sergeant and his partner Kristina Rihanoff were very popular as a result each week they were voted by the general public to stay on the show. This really upset the judges as other celebrities and their professional partners who were better dancers than John and Kristina but they were being voted off the show.

Barnabas was known as the encourager he perhaps wanted to encourage the young John Mark. Whereas Paul, I could imagine him being a person who dotted the i and crossed t and expected everyone to do the same.
On Strictly Come Dancing the encourager for me was Bruno Tonioli, and Craig Revel Horwood who looked for perfection from the celebrities.

The Lord of the Dance
Jesus said, “We piped but you would not dance.” Matthew 11: 17
Jesus maybe was thinking of the time when the Ark of the Covenant was being moved from the house of Obededom to the city of David by King David. The people played their instruments whilst King David danced before the Lord.
“King David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouting, and the sound of the horn.” 2 Samuel 6: 14, 15.
The Pharisees would not dance before Jesus the Ark of the New Covenant.

The Ark was a wooden box overlaid with gold, the lid was made of solid gold with two cherubim facing each other on it. Contained inside the Ark were the tablets of stone with the Ten Commandments written upon them. The almond rod that budded, that had belonged to Aaron and the pot containing Manna, the daily bread provided by God for the Israelites on their wilderness journey. The Ark had 2 gold rings on each side placed on the four feet, to hold the poles which were overlaid with gold that allowed it to be carried by the Levites.

The tablets of stone with the ten commandments written on them.
The prophecy of Jeremiah prophesied that the Law would be written in the heart and mind, everyone would know God and their sins would be remembered no more. The Law and all the temple rituals and sacrifices of the Mosaic covenant were fulfilled in Jesus death and resurrection.
The almond rod that budded, the sign of the priesthood.
A dispute arose amongst the tribes of Israel as to should be the priests. Moses was instructed by God to give all the houses of Israel a rod and to place Aaron’s rod with the rod of the Levites. Next day Aaron’s rod was found to have budded and also it had almonds on it. The dispute was settled, Aaron and his sons with the Levites were chosen by God to maintain the sanctuary, its offerings, and the altar of incense.
Following this action Aaron took a censor, which was a vessel that contained hot coals sprinkled with incense and made atonement, he prayed for the people. He stood between the dead and the living; and the plague stopped. 2 Samuel 16: 47, 48.

Jesus was chosen by God to be the intercessor between God and his church.
“For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee” as he says in another place, “Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5: 1-6.
Jesus was appointed by God as high priest, he offered himself as the final sacrifice for sin and the causes of sin by laying down his life. God raised Jesus from the dead. He is seated at the right hand of God in heaven where Jesus intercedes for us, his church.
Jesus the Manna, the Bread of eternal life.
Jesus the living bread, meaning his words inwardly digested are food that nourishes the human heart/soul, they become to us Spirit and life. Jesus the Word of God clothed in the flesh. John the Apostle wrote we have handled the word of life.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life. The life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us, that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with the Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1: 1-3

On the last series the voters at home continued to support the more entertaining celebrities like Ann Widdecombe and her dance partner Anton du-beke. The judges seem to have come to terms with the change of emphasis from being completely competitive, to the show having an element of light entertainment.

Naomi and Ruth
In the course of their life time the Lord of the Dance brought them to a situation were they moved on by going back to where Naomi came from, the town of Bethlehem. Naomi and her husband and their two sons left Bethlehem because there was famine in their area.
They moved to Moab which was located south east of the Dead Sea. Naomi’s husband died and within a short time her two sons died. Naomi decided to go back to Bethlehem, she advised her daughter’s in law to go and live with their families. However, Ruth did not want to, she wanted to stay with Naomi and go with her to Bethlehem. The two ladies went to Bethlehem, there Ruth met Boaz and fell in love with him, and they were married.
This love story reminds me of the waltz, the elegant couple dance with flowing steps gliding across the dance floor.
Len Goodman the top judge on the show apparently looked for good interaction between the professional dancer and the celebrity. We saw this interaction in most of the celebrities as they developed over weeks of training.

Nabal and Abigail.
Abigail was married to Nabal; he was very rich he owned 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats. We read that Nabal was surly and snappish, a hard, ill tempered and an oppressive man.
It was shearing time and they asked King David for his help to guard their flocks against Philistine sheep rustlers. In response David sent his soldiers to guard their flocks. Shortly afterwards David needed Nabal’s help in supplying food his men. Nabal made out that he did not know King David. When David heard he was displeased and took up arms against Nabal. When Abigail found out that David was on his way to take his revenge, she decided to intervene, but not to disclose her plan to Nabal. She would go and make peace with King David before he arrived at their home. Abigail loaded her donkey with goods as a gift in defence of her husband.
When she met King David her attitude was so respectful and apologetic David accepted her apology and the gift on behalf of her husband. On her arrival home she found her husband drunk. Next day she told Nabal of her meeting with King David, his reaction to this news, he was ashamed. Ten days later Nabal died.
Nabal had suffered a mortal blow to his pride knowing that his wife had interceded on his behalf to make amends for his sin against David.

Shame associated with nakedness.
Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, their eyes were opened to the consequences of their sin against God, they felt ashamed of their nakedness and covered parts of their body with fig leaves.
In the Hebrew Scriptures nakedness is associated with sin. Canaan was cursed by his grandfather Noah for seeing him naked, “Canaan would be a slave to his brothers.” Genesis 9:25 Noah’s sons found their father naked and took great care to cover him up.
Jesus when he arrived at Golgotha, the soldiers removed his garments and divided them between themselves by casting lots. Jesus was naked on the cross bearing the shame of Adam and Eve redeeming us from their sin.
Shame can leave us with lack of self worth, passive and insecure. Healing comes when we ask Jesus to walk back to that moment when we felt ashamed and through repentance leave that shame on the cross where we enter into the freedom of Jesus' forgiveness. God raised Jesus from the dead defeating sin and the causes of sin. Through faith in Jesus that he has paid the price for our sin we are set free from shame.

I think Abigail would have been good at the quick step, she monuvered around Nabal and arrived precisely at the right time to negotiate with King David on her husband’s behalf.
Arelene Philips was taken off the judges panel, I think most people were puzzled as to why? Maybe the producers were ashamed of her age. The producers replaced her with a younger woman Elesha Dixon.

Abigail went on to marry King David becoming one of his wives.
Arelene Philips is now a judge on another TV dance show judging the latest modern dancing.

Letting go
It was hard for the disciples to let go of Jesus when he was crucified, died and placed in a tomb. They did not understand why God had allowed him to die.
On the evening of the day of his resurrection after Jesus breathed on them the Holy Spirit, he opened the eyes of the disciples understanding regarding the prophesies that referred to his death and resurrection, and also that repentance and forgiveness should be preached in his name to all nations. Luke 24: 45-47.
Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians he wrote of coming to them not in lofty words or wisdom, he came among them preaching the crucified Christ which was followed by signs of the Spirit in power. “That their faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” He goes on to say, “But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him. God has revealed to us through the Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 2: 2, 6-10.

God decreed before the foundation of the earth his Son would suffer and die on a cross to redeem all creation from the fall of man. Those who believed in the Son of God would enter into the glorious kingdom of God. But it was a secret unrevealed until after Jesus' ascension. At Pentecost the Apostles for the first time proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah.
The Jewish people would not have crucified their Messiah, if they had known that the Son of God was Jesus. For this very reason, it was hidden from their understanding. The Chief Priest Caiaphas had a prophecy from God which he shared with the council when they were seeking a way to destroy Jesus. “It is expedient that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should perish.” John 11: 47-53.
He believed that Jesus was threat to the stability of the nation. By removing Jesus God was delivering them from the Romans destroying their holy place and nation.
After Pentecost when Caiaphas heard from the Apostles that Jesus had been raised from the dead, you would have thought that he would have realised that it was God's intention for the Messiah to die and be resurrected, but Caiaphas was a Sadducee and they did not believe in the Resurrection of the dead.

“Though he had done so many signs before them, yet they did not believe in him; it was that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed our report, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe. For Isaiah again said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart . . . Nevertheless many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” John 12: 37-43.

The Lord of the Dance will cause us to move on to dance with new partners. This can sometimes cause distress, especially if we don’t realise that the Lord is moving us on to fulfil his purposes.

On Strictly Come Dancing the celebrities were very disappointed when they had to leave the show. They had worked so hard to learn the dances and to win the hearts of the voters.

Mary and Martha
When Lazarus died, his sisters were broken hearted, but we know that it was only for a short time. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. But for us, when a husband or wife dies or a family member the pain of separation remains like a thread unbroken by the passage of time. Our hope is in the resurrection of the living and the dead when Jesus returns, we shall be for ever with the Lord of the Dance.

Bruce Forsyth at 83 years old he has seen a resurrection of his career. Old twinkle toes, he can still think on his feet with his spontaneous jokes.

Dancing for Joy
Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev danced for joy as they were voted Strictly Come Dancing winners. During the weeks they had spent learning to dance together they had fallen in love. The show ended with a spectacular dancing from them.

The Lord of the Dance
Jesus our dance teacher and partner, perfects all that we undertake in his name. Our rhythm and posture, the steps, twirls and gestures are effortless movements on the dance floor of the kingdom of God. Like Kara and Artem’s love for each other, Jesus loves us so much that he gave his life for us and his love is everlasting.

The Messiah's Secret - The Evening of the Day of the Resurrection

2011-05-02T11:46:00.020+01:00

On the evening of the day of the resurrection the disciples and followers were gathered in a house in Jerusalem, the door was shut for fear of the Jews.
Then to their amazement Jesus appeared in the room amongst them.

The Lord has been.
This brought to mind my friend, Sister Irene Mary an elderly Anglican Nun who lived in Blackburn. I met her at the Urban Thanksgiving Service at Blackburn Cathedral in 1993. Following my conversation with her about my pottery, she wanted to give them as gifts for staff at St. Wilfred’s school where she taught Religious Knowledge. Sister invited me to her home to collect the pottery order. When I called to collect it she showed me into her front room where she said her daily offices. There was a small table covered with a white cloth. On the cloth were prayer cards, small stones, two candlesticks, a picture and an Icon.
When I had completed the order I took the pottery to her home, on my arrival she greeted me with, “The Lord’s been.” she was so excited and so humble. Sister told me that as usual she came down stairs and entered her front room to say her early morning office. However as she approached her table she saw the cloth had been burnt forming the letter T the burnt cloth was 25mm or 1 inch wide. The papers on the table had been singed only on the edge. The cloth had been burnt through were it came in contact with the flame. but the table had no sign of any burning on it. There was no candle wax on the cloth or any sign of a fire starting from the candlesticks.
I witnessed this table and its contents: the burnt cloth and the papers that were singed brown only on the edge. It was too precise for Sister Irene to have done it herself and I discerned that the Lord had certainly been there that night. Later she researched the letter T it was the Greek letter used as a sign, by the early Christians, it represented the resurrection of Jesus.
Just like the early church Sister Irene Mary’s home was a place were Christians called for spiritual refreshment: fellowship, prayer and Bible study, use of her small library and study materials.

Above is a booklet Sister Irene Mary produced with a photograph of the table just as she found it that morning after the Lord had been.
The picture below was taken at Ambleside the town by Lake Windermere. We had earlier visited Rydal Hall an Anglican Retreat and Conference Centre. Sister organised day pilgrimages to various places I went on three of them.

On the evening of the day of the resurrection the disciples were afraid of the Jews coming to arrest them. Jesus’ first words when he appeared before them were,”Peace be with you.”
On another occasion when I arrived at Sister Irene Mary’s home, on entering her house she greeted me and the peace of the Lord flowed out from her. It was a memorable moment.
This dear lady met people from all walks of life and faiths and she showed no partiality, she treated everyone as a friend.

After Jesus had greeted his disciples with his peace, he showed them his hands and his side and they were glad. It must have been an amazing moment to be in the company of the risen Lord. How glad they were to see him with the marks of the nails and the sword proving that it was the same body that was taken down from the cross and was laid in the tomb. Luke records that it was noticed that his resurrected body had no blood in it. Luke 24: 39. The Saviour poured out his life’s blood to make the final atonement for sin.
Jesus then spoke of sending them out again, not just in his authority and power as he did during his ministry, this time he anointed them for the work he had called them to do, he breathed on them the Holy Spirit and said,”Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” John 20:22, 23.

John the Baptist said that the Messiah would baptise them with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Luke 3: 16.
Holy Spirit
The disciples received the Holy Spirit directly from Jesus, just as God had breathed his life into Adam.” Then God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Genesis 2: 7.
Our Lord God breathed new life into his disciples that night on the evening of the day of his resurrection.

As they had received the Holy Spirit from Jesus they were now able to understand the prophets prophesies concerning his death and resurrection. In Luke’s account of the same evening Jesus opened their minds to understand everything written about him by the prophets that the Christ had to suffer and die before he resurrected and enter into his glory. Luke 24: 44-49.
At Pentecost empowered by the Holy Spirit Peter expounded the prophecy of Joel that in the last days God would pour out his Holy Spirit to all who believed. The prophecy of King David that the Messiah’s body would not be destroyed or decay but that God would raise him from the dead. Acts 2: 14-36.

Fire of Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit fans the flame spreading the good news about Jesus, giving light to his word.
On the road to Emmaus Jesus shared the prophesises concerning himself with the two disciples “Jesus said, was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24: 26.
When Jesus blessed and broke the bread, the eyes of the two disciples were opened, they recognised him. They commented, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures." Luke 24: 32. The fire of the Holy Spirit giving light to the words of the prophets that revealed Jesus.

The word that God gave me on 30th May 1996,”The disciples were setting up the kingdom of God at the beginning of Acts.” I believed that this was in preparation for Jesus’ return with the angels.
The disciples were expecting Jesus to return within their life time. Below are two verses that indicate this:
“Jesus had said to them, “For who ever are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous sinful generation, of him will the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” Mark 8: 38. 9:1
“The saying was spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is the Lord’s will that he remain until I come, what is that to you.” John 21:23

12 Apostles
At the beginning of Acts shortly after Jesus’ Ascension the apostles and followers met together in the house at Jerusalem. Peter made the point to those present that the scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit had spoken through King David that their number should be made up to twelve. After casting lots Matthias joined the eleven. Acts 1: 15 - 26
Peakes Concordance tells us that in the Jewish rule book ‘The Mishna’ by law there had to be 12 officers, on tenth of the number required to put in place a community. The number of people present were 120 fulfilling the requirement of the law. Acts 1: 15

Day of Judgement delayed
Jesus said, “I came to cast a fire upon the earth, and how I would that it were already kindled, but I have a baptism to be baptised with and how I am constrained until it is accomplished.” Luke 12: 49, 50.
Jesus referring to the fire of judgement the wrath of God, the unquenchable fire of Judgement day, not yet lit. Matthew 3: 7-12.
The baptism is were he was referring to his death; he had first to reconcile both people and world through the cross by his suffering and death, before he would bring in the kingdom of God. Luke 24: 26
Jesus saw how sinful the Pharisees and Sadducees and lawyers were they had added their laws to the laws of Moses as a result the people were heavily burdened. He was constrained because he was not able to bring in the day of wrath at that time.
The fact that he had to fulfil his death and resurrection and ascention before he could be proclaimed their Messiah and only after he was accepted by the nations leaders as the Messiah could he return and rule Israel and the nations of the world with the ruling rod of iron, righteous justice, having first defeated their enemies.
Luke 11: 46"From his mouth issues a sharp sword with which to smite the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God almighty." Revelation 19: 15

The Holy Spirit is a purifying, refining fire.
Peter along with the other disciples were given authority on the evening of the Day of Resurrection to administered judgement on forgiveness sin or to retain sin.
Peter retained the sins of Ananias and Sapphira. This was the ruling rod of iron of the kingdom of God that was put in place by Jesus in anticipation of his return within the life time of the Apostles.
During Jesus’ ministry the disciples were told by Jesus that they would have judgement over the twelve tribes of Israel in the kingdom of God.
“You are those who have continued with me in my trials; and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke 22: 28-30
Psalm 2: 9.Psalm 89: 32.

Ananias and Sapphira were the Adam and Eve of the New Testament. (The Messiah’s Secret page 111)
Since I published my book, the Lord has shown me more about Ananias and Sapphira. Just as Adam and Eve started out having fellowship with God Ananias and his wife Sapphira had received Jesus as their Saviour and they had joined the early church community. They had committed themselves to selling a field and giving the proceeds to the community. However, they changed their minds and kept back some of what they had received and lied to Peter to cover up the fact that they had gone back on their word. Peter through the gift of knowledge told them individually that they had lied to God and as a result they both died in turn falling at Peter’s feet. Acts 5:1 -11

Ananias and Sapphira made an informed choice; they knowingly lied to Peter and to God. They fell back into their fallen state and as testimony to it they took the consequences of their actions. Peter administered the ruling rod of iron of the kingdom of God, making the point that there is no other sacrifice for sin. Hebrews 10: 26
We read that this incident caused a Godly fear amongst the people.

The Bible reveals that the first Adam’s separation from God gave Satan, the devil the power over mankind’s heart/soul. As a result sin followed bringing into the world pain, suffering, sickness, disease and death known as the fall of man. Human beings became self- centred, self-ruled in heart, mind and will, but man’s conscience bore witness to God. Human beings have the ability to worship that other creatures do not have.

Jesus the second Adam
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil.”
Hebrews 2: 14
Jesus was God’s answer to redeem us from the fall. He partook of the same nature, he knew our weaknesses and failings and ultimately he was separated from God himself when he bore the sins of the whole world upon the cross. “Then as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to acquittal and life for all men.” Romans 5:18
Jesus, the second Adam, in his humanity went to the cross, to redeem us from the inherited fallen nature of the first Adam which is available to all those who would believe in him.

The parable of the Wedding Feast. Matthew 22: 1-14
Whilst studying last week I understood that Ananias and Sapphira were like the man in Jesus’ parable were the King giving a wedding feast for his son. The king noticed among the invited guests there was a man who was not wearing a wedding garment as a result the man was cast out of the wedding hall.

The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son and sent his servants to call those who were invited, but they would not come. Everything was ready the meal was prepared so the invitation went out again but they made excuses not to attend.
They were so displeased that they treated the king’s servants badly and some were killed by them. The king was angry and sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
Then he said to his servants ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go and invite all who will come, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
The king came in the wedding hall to look at the guests, and he saw there a man with no wedding garment. The king said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment? And he was speechless.” the man was cast out. “For many are called but few are chosen.”

The first part of the parable relates to the Jewish people who were invited to the wedding feast by the God. But they declined his invitation. In the parable Jesus prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem by fire which took place in 70AD.

“Many are called but few are chosen.” Today the people who accept the invitation are those who become members of the church. Each Christian wearing a wedding garment made of fine linen which represents the righteous deeds of the saints. Revelation 19: 8.
Righteous deeds of the saints: Christians using their gifts of the Holy Spirit: praying and reaching out to those outside the church, visiting the sick and the lonely, giving our money to support the work of the church and many more.
The man not wearing a wedding garment portraits people like Ananias and Sapphira Christians who were giving lip service to God: seeing a need and not responding to it, self interest above the Lord’s calling on their life, and faith without works is dead. James 2: 14.

It also embraces a wider view of the church, the reference to the good and bad making a distinction between the Christian denominations. Christians who believe in God and say that Jesus is a prophet and those who profess that Jesus is God made visible in the flesh.

I hold the view that Jesus is God made visible in the flesh.

Peter wrote that the Lord's judgement begins with the church and there are those who will scarcely be saved. 1 Peter 4: 17

Apostles Peter and John speak of Jesus’ return. It was at and after Pentecost when for the first time the disciples proclaimed Jesus as the promised Messiah. “Peter and John spoke to the crowd in Solomon’s Portico, ‘and now brethren, I know you acted in ignorance as did your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.’” Acts 3:17 - 20.

“The Messiah’s Secret” page 108
“God was calling his people to repentance. Peter had told them that the rulers and people had acted in ignorance when they crucified Jesus; he had to die to accomplish the plan of Salvation for the Jews and for the world. If they would repent and acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus would return. The times of refreshing, after his coming he would restore the throne of King David, an everlasting throne and Kingdom, and the restoration of the land given to Abraham by God for an eternal possession. Those who were expecting, waiting would see the Kingdom come with power. Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

The apostles were told by Jesus to remain in Jerusalem, even when the persecution and scattering of the church took place they remained waiting for Jesus to return.

The apostles and the early followers did not see Jesus’ return within their life time. The ruling rod of iron has not continued since the Apostles ministry in the early church. (The gifts of Holy Spirit continue)
Jesus prophesied in his parable of the kings wedding feast that he knew that the hearts of the nation’s leaders were hardened against him. He prophesied the days of vengeance when the surrounding nations would destroy Jerusalem with fire and its people scattered. Those who accepted the invitation are waiting in readiness for the king to come and look at the guests in the wedding hall.
Jerusalem will be trodden down until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Luke 21: 22-24

The Messiah’s Secret – The Sovereignty of God

2011-04-18T13:14:00.011+01:00

In London on Friday the 29th April 2011 the flags will be flying and the bunting will be waving across streets and buildings. The crowds will be gathered on the pavements and around Westminster Abbey as the young couple Prince William and Catherine Middleton make there way there to be married.

On Palm Sunday the church celebrates the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The crowds had gathered along the road into Jerusalem waving their palm branches and laying them down before the donkey, paying homage to Jesus their King.

To make that celebration possible Jesus had to surrender his all to the work of God and that was in response to God his Father’s call on his life. Philippians 2: 5-11
We know that his calling, his mission was to die on a cross to bridge the gulf, the chasm between us and God, to unite us with God. If you can imagine the horizontal bar of the cross being a bridge between us and God. Through repentance and faith we cross the bridge to enter into God’s eternal kingdom.
Having received Jesus as our Saviour, so we enter into God’s sovereign call upon our lives.

Church Pastoral Aid Society Lent Course ‘Exploring God’s Call on our Life’ The course was led by Martin our Vicar and the local Superintendent Methodist Minister. On the first session we looked at the sovereignty of God on the life of Abraham.
Abraham believed and trusted God so therefore he responded to God’s call on his life, God spoke to Abraham saying, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land I will show you.” Genesis 12: 1.
The Methodist Minister shared a conversation that he had with his son about God being sovereign over his life. His son was taken-a-back by his words that God was first in his father’s life. His father explained to him that when he and his mum got married they agreed to put God first in their marriage as they both recognised the sovereignty of God over them. After further discussion his son understood.

Sovereignty of God over Jesus. As we read the Gospels we recognise the sovereignty of God over Jesus. For Jesus to fulfil his mission to go to the cross he had surrendered the riches of heaven, he became a servant and he surrendered his will to God.
Riches in Heaven Jesus pointed to the heavenly riches that last for an eternity which are the true riches: Wisdom, knowledge, faith, grace, love, liberty etc.
Jesus born into this world became one of us, but he taught his disciples and through them us, to abandon seeking material riches.
The rich young ruler came to him seeking how he might inherit eternal life. Jesus suggested to him that he should keep the commandments. The young man replied that he did keep them. Jesus looking upon him, loved him saying to him, “You lack one thing; go and sell and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Mark 10: 17-21
The man turned away because he had many possessions. Jesus went on to say to his disciples how hard it was for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. The disciples were amazed at his words. Jesus continued, “Children how hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. It was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle." verse 25. An entrance into Jerusalem was known as ‘the eye of a needle’ a fully laden camel could not go through this gate. Jesus was making the point that only the camel could enter through the gate. For us today the riches we store and carry about us have no value in the kingdom of God.
The disciples were astonished and said to him, “Who can be saved?” The disciples had given up their family life to follow Jesus.
Jesus went on to say that the Lord our God would bless them with the abundance of life in every aspect of their lives.
“”Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.” Mark 10: 29, 30.
The Lord's call on Christian lives today to go where he would send us, is looked upon in love by Jesus, as this will bear the fruit of a surrendered life in Christ.

Jesus became the servant King Jesus had surrendered his expectations of being made the king of Israel during his ministry, as he knew that he had to die on the cross and be resurrected before he could take up the throne of King David. The high hopes of his disciples and followers of him being made the King of Israel were dashed as they did not know the scriptures that spoke of it that the Messiah had to die before he could redeem Israel.
Luke 24: 21
Even though on one occasion after the 5,000 the people had been miraculously fed with the loaves and fishes, the people there would have taken him by force to make him King. But Jesus withdrew himself to the mountain, to be on his own. John 6: 15.
If the people had carried out their plan to take Jesus by force to make him their king it would have been insurrection deposing the Sanhedrin, God’s ruling authority at Jerusalem.

To fulfil his calling Jesus surrendered his will in Gethsemane. After the Passover meal Jesus and his disciples went to the garden of Gethsemane. There he humbled himself and wrestled with his own will, he prayed,”Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will but thine be done.”
Luke 22: 42
Jesus chose to do his Father’s will and that meant suffering at the hands of brutal men. They beat, flogged him and they pulled out his beard. Isaiah 50: 6.
The authorities treated him as an unbeliever, a sinner and a blasphemer.
But to God, every wince of Jesus pain was a flag of victory. Every mocking gesture was an, Alleluia, our God reigns.
At the cross Satan was bowing down to Jesus surrendering all his weapons that stood against us, all of creation and the universe.
“That at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2: 10, 11.
At the cross Jesus was being crowned with a crown of an indestructible life. God raised Jesus from the dead, his body being indestructible.

A Flag - Jesus Reigns We are his subjects, we bow to his name. Every generation of Christiains have to learn to surrender their all and take up the cross of Jesus’ suffering.
Surrender our all to Jesus. Knowing that Jesus has died for me and has saved me from eternal darkness, and from the distress at not knowing God. From having a constant conflict within myself over guilt and fears. From the worry over my family and their future. To surrender myself to put myself in the hands of God who loves and cares for me and all that is dear to me, yes I surrender my all, gladly. To go where he would send me by taking a step of faith has been an adventure. I have endured some persecution, but nothing compared to some Christians.

“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” Philippians 1: 29.
Paul also wrote in his letter to the Philippians that they should rejoice in their sufferings. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.” Philippians 4: 4.
A Flag - Faith Today when we are frowned on when we reveal that we are Christians, Rejoice.
A Flag – Love We rejoice as we stand alongside those who are suffering as a result of upholding Jesus’ name in the work place. Rejoice.
A Flag – Grace We rejoice when a person is miraculously healed or come to faith, we rejoice with them.
A Flag – Serving We rejoice when we are called to serve by visiting, or working or praying or contributing by giving money.

Every Christian will rejoice in experiencing suffering, as we are drawn closer to our Lord God and the love of Jesus.

The Messiah's Secret - Faithful Relationships

2011-04-08T09:27:00.022+01:00

Duck pond at the entrance to St. Mary’s on Mothering Sunday

In the picture below Joe Armstrong was about to catch the duckling that had leapt off the ledge of a building.
A few weeks ago whilst watching TV news, the BBC included an item that appears on ‘YouTube’ Joe Armstrong rescuing twelve ducklings from their nest off a ledge, that was just below his office window 5 mitres above the ground. Joe had been keeping an eye on the duck’s nest with its twelve eggs. The day the ducklings hatched mother duck flew down from the nest on to the pavement below leaving her ducklings pacing nervously on the edge of the ledge.
Joe rushed down on to the pavement and stood next to mother duck wondering what to do, when one of the ducklings leapt off the ledge and began plummeting straight down as it was unable to fly at a day old. Joe reached out and caught it. Then another one jumped, until eight ducklings were on the pavement next to their mum. The other four ducklings were removed from the ledge by using a ladder. When all twelve ducklings were safely on the pavement Joe and the crowd of well wishers guided the duck and her ducklings to the river.
Joe is reported as saying, “Oh we did it, man that was an ordeal, I can’t believe we did it, wow, we did it.”

This true story about Joe rescuing the ducklings reminded me of the faithfulness of God. Our Lord God watches over us giving us a helping hand when we take a leap of faith.

Faithful relationships is this years theme for the Mother’s Union.
The Mother's Union is an organisation that began in 1877 when Mary Sumner, a vicar’s wife, and by this time a grandmother, founded the organisation which was to become a worldwide body of 3.6 million members in seventy-nine countries. Her world was very different from the one we find today.
In 1851, Reverend George Sumner was given the living of Old Alresford, Hampshire. Mary dedicated herself to raising her children, and helping her husband in his ministry by providing music and Bible classes. In 1876, when her eldest daughter Margaret gave birth, Mary was reminded how difficult she had found the burden of motherhood. She was inspired to call a meeting of mothers in the parish to offer mutual support. Her plan was quite radical in it’s day, as it involved calling women of all social classes to support one another, and to see motherhood as a profession as important as those of men, if not more so. The first meeting was held in Old Alresford Rectory.
Today’s members are well aware that family life has changed over the years, and now there is a much broader level of membership, and care for members and their families, including divorced, separated and single women and men.

This years theme 'Faithful relationships' we are making the connection with people’s relationships that occur in the Bible and with Christian relationships today were we support one another through good times and bad times.

St. Mary's Players
We have all had or got a mother and the sketch gave us a Christian view of faith seen in our mother.
Sketch: Whilst mum was preparing the meal the members of the family arrived and on arrival they were asked the question by dad, "What is faith?" Each one in turn gave a word that in the end described faith in mum.
Mum is: truthful, honest, reliable, steadfast, loyalty, trustworthy and having assurance in.
If we put together these words with Peter’s words in his second letter Chapter 1 verses 1-8 and Hebrews Chapter 8 verse 10.
The seed of the word, Jesus, received by faith contains all the righteousness of God. The characteristics of faith in the divine nature of our Lord God: truth, honest, reliable, steadfast, loyal, trustworthy and having assurance in, virtue, perseverance, self-control, knowledge, Godliness, brother and sisterly affection with love, compassion, kindness and the commandments written in the heart.

We grow in faith gradually becoming more like Jesus. The Holy Spirit convicting us of our shortcomings. Maybe we find ourselves saying the things that result in us having a difference of opinion with some one.
A couple were travelling down a country road, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had lead them to an argument, and neither wanted to concede their position. As they passed a farmyard, in the yard there were pigs and donkeys. The husband said sarcastically to his wife, “Relatives of yours.” His wife replied, “Yep, in laws.”

The fruit of the seed of faith in Jesus we see in faithful relationships.
I see an example of faithful relationships when after the Ascension of Jesus the apostles, the women, Mary and Jesus’ brothers were gathered in the upper room in the house at Jerusalem. Acts 2: 12-14.
11 apostles, 10 women followers (Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James and John, Salome, Joanne wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, Susanna, Mary and Martha of Bethany, Mary mother of James the younger, Joses and Salome, Mary mother of James and Joseph, Mary the mother of Jesus her sister Mary, wife of Clopas,) (Not all of these women may have been there.)
Mary and Jesus’ brothers; James, Joseph, Simon and Judas. Jesus’ sisters are not present. Matthew 13; 55,56 Mary must have had at least 7 children.

I tried to imagine the scene in the upper room. Their expectation and excitement as Jesus had told them to wait in Jerusalem and pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit from Heaven and having the peace of the Lord in their heart, as they were now no longer afraid of the Pharisees knock at the door.
I would also think that they shared their meals together. It was customary for Jewish people to reminisce over meals.
At some point after Jesus’ resurrection Mary would have shared the story of Jesus’ birth with the believers. Remembering the day when the angel Gabriel visited, telling her that she had been chosen to bear the Son of God.

Joseph’s heart must have been broken when he heard that Mary was pregnant. The same as any man would feel today. But we can’t always see the whole picture, we jump to conclusions which often proves us to be wrong conclusions. Mary’s honesty had tested her relationship with Joseph. We know he considered ending their betrothal.

Mary must have known the pain that Joseph was suffering, but her loyalty to God made her faithful, reliable, truthful and trustworthy.
God comforted Joseph by giving him assurance in a dream, he was told by the angel that the baby was of God and that he should marry Mary and name the child Jesus.
Joseph and Mary’s relationship was restored.

I’m sure that everyone gathered around the table would have been eager to hear of Simeon’s prophecy to Joseph and Mary.
Joseph and Mary took Jesus when he was 6 weeks old to be presented at the temple. On arrival in the temple, Simeon saw them and immediately went up to them and took Jesus into his arms and blessed him, prophesying over him. He declared him to be the Christ and Saviour of Israel and also of the Gentiles.

Then Simeon spoke directly to Mary giving her a prophecy that her Son would bring to pass the ‘Fall and rising’ of many in Israel and a sword would pierce her own heart.

How relevant it would have been if she shared it with the apostles and followers at that time so soon after it had been fulfilled.

The Fall and Rising.
The Fall It had been apparent that the disciples James and John had desired to sit one on Jesus left and the other on his right in his kingdom. This would indicate that they expected Jesus to be their King.
How their hopes were dashed when Jesus was arrested and brought to trial and then crucified by the Romans. The disciples fall from the height of expectation of Jesus being the King of Israel to the anguish of the cross his suffering and death.
Mary with some of the other women and John the disciple were at the cross. Mary would have suffered as most mothers would, at seeing her Son going through an agonising death. She surely would have remembered Simeon’s prophecy to her, ‘A sword would pierce her heart.’
Mary perhaps didn’t recognise at the time the significance of Jesus’ death he died to save the whole of humanity.

Mother duck needed the help of Joe Armstrong to enable her ducklings to survive the fall from off the ledge; otherwise they would have suffered and died on the pavement.

Jesus has saved us; otherwise we were heading for destruction and death. We are saved through faith in Jesus; he has touched our hearts with his love for us. His arms outstretched to embrace us.
Just as God raised Jesus from the dead, so we are raised up with him, from death to life eternal.

The Rising Jesus being raised from the dead surely must have filled the disciples with joy and amazement. For 6 weeks he was with them teaching the things concerning the kingdom of God.
God is faithful Jesus had told them that he would send the Holy Spirit to comfort them. They waited and prayed for only 10 days in the upper room, when he came, the sound of a mighty rushing wind filled the whole house and they were too filled with the Holy Spirit.
Ever since that day the Holy Spirit has been filling people’s hearts and lives.

So as we sit quietly and sing ‘Come breath of life come sweeping through us fill our hearts with life and power, O Breath of Life, come cleanse renew us . . . . O Breath of Love, come breathe within us renewing thought and will and heart . . . O Wind of God, come bend us, break us till humbly we confess our need; then in your tenderness remake us, revive, restore for this we plead. MP 488

After the Hymn has finished a prayer for the sealing of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those present.

The Messiah's Secret - Jesus the Light of the World

2011-04-05T17:12:00.015+01:00

Miriam, who had started to come to church, asked me, “How do I talk to God? How do you pray? Do you say your prayers like the ones on the service sheet?” “No,” I said, “When I pray I talk to God like I’m talking to you.” Not long afterwards she told me that she understood about prayer, she said, it was like scales falling from her eyes. The eyes of her understanding had been fully opened.

John the apostle recorded Jesus healing a man of his blindness; this man had been blind from birth. When his neighbours found out that he had been healed, they went with him to the Pharisees to give testimony of his healing and to offer thanksgiving to God. The response from the Pharisees when they heard, they criticised Jesus calling him a sinner for healing on the Sabbath Day. In verse18 we read that the Jews did not believe that the man had been blind at all. They knew of no one born blind being healed. They called his parents and questioned them, but their response did not satisfy the Pharisees. They questioned the man for a second time, he challenged them claiming if God were not with this man, he could do nothing; the Pharisees refused to believe and threw him out.
Jesus heard that he had been cast out, so he went to the man and asked him, “Did he believe in the Son of man?” The Son of man one of the names associated with the Messiah. The man replied, “And who is he, sir, that I might believe in him?” Jesus identifies himself as the Son of man. The man acknowledged Jesus, “Lord, I believe” and worshipped him. John 9: 1-38 Mark 1: 44.

The Pharasees did not discern this miracle was of God. In verses 39-41 Jesus pointed to the Day of Judgement when those like the Pharisees who had the knowledge, the oversight of the scriptures were accountable to God would be answerable to Jesus as God has given judgement to his Son. John 5: 22.
Matthew Henry in his concordance wrote, “The Pharisees gloried in that they weren’t blind, they saw with their own eyes and relied upon their own ability for their guidance.”

Let your light shine
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians he advises every Christian to walk in the light, in the knowledge of Jesus Christ so that our deeds are pleasing to God. Ephesians 5: 8-10

Composition of Light – ‘Chemistry of the Blood’ Chapter 4 Chemistry of Light by Dr DeHaan
Light rays can be seen as shafts of light streaming through the clouds, seen, but not felt.
Heat rays are felt, but not seen. Chemical rays are invisible they can neither be seen nor felt.

Jesus in him there is no darkness at all; he is the lamp light of the world. His light reveals our creator God through his words. The words of Jesus are a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Psalm 119: 105.

Jesus’ words have been recorded in the Gospels and Letters they give people from all walks of life an opportunity to make a choice to believe or not to believe on the evidence in the writings.
Even though written 2,000 years ago, the recorded evidence takes on sight, inwardly in our soul/spirit. The words of Jesus are living words and eternal. The parable of the sower shows us that the sower sowed the word and the word is received by faith. Mark 4:14, 20

The fruit of light is found in all that is good and right. Ephesians 5: 9
.Abraham believed God and it was counted as righteousness. Genesis 15: 6. Romans 9: 30.
The seed of the word, received by faith contains all the righteousness of God. Characteristics and attributes of faith in the divine nature of our Lord God: truth, honesty, loyalty, trust, perseverance, and assurance in, commandments, virtue, self-control, knowledge, steadfastness, Godliness, brother and sisterly affection with love, compassion and kindness. 2 Peter 1: 5-8
Our deeds are brought to the light at the Judgement Seat of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5: 10. Romans 14: 10. We come before Jesus for rewards not punishment. Our deeds that were worldly will be burnt up and only the deeds of faith are seen like gem stones and are rewarded. 1 Corinthians 3: 12.

We reign with Christ in the heavenly Jerusalem.
Abraham looked for a city whose founder and maker is God. Hebrews 11: 10
John the apostle saw the heavenly city Jerusalem and described its appearance as a jewelled city.
“And in the Spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel was inscribed; on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” Revelation 21: 10-14

The twelve gates bearing the names of the tribes of Israel. On the high priest’s breast plate were the names and gem stones of the tribes. Exodus 39: 14.
The breastplate was covering the heart, worn close to the heart signifying how precious the tribes, the sons of Jacob were to God. ”So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment upon his heart, when he goes into the holy place, to bring them to continual remembrance before the Lord.” Exodus 28: 29.

“And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” Revelation 21: 14.
“The foundations of the city were adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eight beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.” Revelation 21: 19.
Jesus said that the twelve disciples would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Three gates on each of the walls, “The wall was built of jasper, while the city was of pure gold, clear as glass.” verse 18

The twelve gates made of twelve pearls.” And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.” verse 21
Under law the Jews were forbidden to eat shell fish, therefore it must be under the grace of the new covenant for the gates to be made of pearl and have the names of the twelve tribes inscribed on them. Leviticus 11: 9-12. Deuteronomy 14: 9, 10.
The pearl is known as ‘The Pearl of Salvation’ to understand its meaning we look to how a pearl is produced; it is after an oyster’s shell is damaged, as a result a parasite enters the shell, this parasite would destroy the oyster. However the oyster sends to the parasite a solution ‘Mother of Pearl’ that covers it and the interior of its shell. After a period of time the solution builds on the parasite and forms the pearl. (In cultivated pearls a grain of sand is inserted into the oyster’s shell, which irritates the oyster. It sends the mother of pearl solution in the same way to the grain of sand which eventually forms the pearl.)

Pearl of Salvation
When we look at this process spiritually; the parasite is sin, the solution is the blood of Jesus for forgiveness of sin, which takes place within the darkness of the shell. The shell is opened to reveal the pearl and this is symbolic of the resurrection and Jesus’ victory over sin and death.

Entrance into the heavenly city through the Pearl of Salvation.
In the heavenly city the gates are the twelve tribes no longer under law but under grace.
The disciples all Jewish men were setting up the kingdom of God at the beginning of acts in anticipation of Jesus’ return with the angels of God. They were given the task of making Christ known as the promised Messiah, it was a national calling. Peter addressed the crowd at Pentecost, “Men of Judea . . . . Men of Israel . . . Brethren, I say to you confidently of the patriarch David . . . “First to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. Acts 2: 14, 22, 29.

Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus that it was God’s plan to unite Jew and Gentile into one body and one Spirit.
”So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets.” Ephesians 2:18-20

Jesus founded the church through the apostles, they witnessed to the death and resurrection of Jesus. They proved through the prophetic writings of the prophets that Jesus was the promised Messiah. The Holy Spirit gave them direction, guidance and gave testimony to Jesus, by signs following the word.
The Jerusalem church put in place the structure of leadership; Bishops, Deacons and Elders.
(See blog The Messiah’s Secret – The Way)

The prophecy of the out pouring of the Holy Spirit at the Feast of Tabernacles.
“The Day of the Great Hosanna” The Gospel in the Feasts of Israel by Victor Buksbazen.
“The ritual of water pouring lasted six days, climaxing on the seventh day, which concluded the Feast of Tabernacles. This day was called Hoshana Rabba, The Day of the Great Hosanna. It had special messianic significance. . . . the pouring of water from the Pool of Siloam into the altar basin, the blasting of trumpets by the priests, the singing of Psalms by the Levites, and the prayers of the people, “Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord,” when the Messianic fever was at its highest pitch, that the Lord Jesus Christ stood in the temple crying: “If any man thirst let him come to me and drink. He that believeth in me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John7: 38. “What our Saviour said by implication was: “I am the answer to your prayers.”

The Permanent Light of the Heavenly City Jerusalem.
In the first and second temples at Jerusalem the temple were permanently lit using olive oil.
In 163BC the temple was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes he had pigs sacrificed on the altar.
After the Jewish revolt led by Mattathias Maccabee the temple was re-dedicated. In the temple they found a jar of cruise oil which was used in the temple for the permanent light. This jar contained only enough oil to last one night, by a miracle the oil lasted for eight days. The Feast of Dedication ‘Hanukkah’ in December celebrates this event.
The church celebrates Jesus the light of the world coming into the world, his birth in December.

The Feast of Tabernacles is also a celebration of light. The temple was filled with light.
The Gospel in the Feasts of Israel by Victor Buksbazen. ‘Temple Lights and the Light of the World.’
“Another central feature of the Feast of Tabernacles was the illumination of the temple in Jerusalem. The festive pilgrims came to the temple bearing lights and torches; while in the temple itself the golden candlesticks were lighted, transforming the temple into one brilliant focus of light which illuminated most of Jerusalem and surroundings. What an eloquent symbol of the Sanctuary of God which was to be a light of the world. Amidst all this splendour and the brilliant lights in the temple, our Saviour stood proclaiming: “I am the light of the world.”

The eternal light of Christ is in every believer.
I’ve seen the light of Christ shining in Christians on a number of occasions: In my twenties I saw the light of Christ in a young man who today would be described as having learning difficulties. It was lunch time and my sister and I were passing through a room where this young man was sat reading. We asked him what he was reading. He looked up and said that he was reading his Bible and began to quote from what he was reading; as soon as he spoke I saw his face was glowing in the light of Christ.
On another occasion I was at a church function the room well lit and full of people. I happened to look across the room and saw around the head of Ron Freeman our Vicar, a halo around his head and in the light the word ‘love.’
On another occasion a lady came to my market stall as we conversed she told me that she was a Christian as soon as she started to tell me this her face shone with the light of Christ.

The prophecy of Joel gives a clear indication that the created light will falter.
“The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day.” Acts 2: 20
The prophet Isaiah wrote, “For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising and the moon will not shed its light.” Isaiah 13: 10.
“Jesus said, “But in these days after the tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” Mark 13: 24, 25.
These are future prophesies, and other prophesies have yet to be fulfilled before the heavenly Jerusalem comes from heaven to the new earth.

The eternal light of God will light up the eternal city.
“And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for the glory of the Lord is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light the nations will walk; and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory into it.” Revelation 21: 22-24.

The church reigns with Christ in the heavenly Jerusalem.
“And night shall be no more; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 22: 5.

The Messiah's Secret - Faith and Grace

2011-03-22T10:58:00.034Z

When someone gives us a promise it is very important to us that it is kept.

God gave Abraham his word, a promise which Paul refers to in his letter to the church at Rome. “The promise to Abraham and his descendants, that they should inherit the world, did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.”
Romans 4: 13
God gave the promise as a gift with no strings attached and no conditions to fulfil.

God promised Abram that he would be the father of a great nation and that all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
Genesis 12: 1-3
Abram pointed out to the Lord God that he had not given him an heir. Eliezer of Damascus would inherit Abram’s estate. ”And the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; your own son will be your heir.” The Lord told Abram to look towards the heavens and if you can number the stars, your descendants shall be as many as those stars. Abram believed the Lord and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:1- 6
Abraham pleased God, through having faith in him. But we understand that Abraham had to learn to live by faith and grace.
At this time Abram and Sarai had no children and she was too old to have any so they decided between them that under Nuzi Messapotainian law it allowed for their servant girl Hagar to bear them a child. Hagar bore Abraham a son who they named Ishmael. Genesis 16: 1-15 Nuzi Tablets – The Messiah’s Secret blog Removing the Veil 15th July 2010

But that wasn’t what God intended, he didn’t want Abraham to work it out for himself. God wanted Abraham to wait upon him so that by having faith that God could do the impossible, to give them an heir.

God changed Abram’s name to Abraham meaning a father of a multitude of nations. Sarai’s name was changed by God to Sarah from her she would be a mother of nations; kings of peoples would come forth from her. Genesis 17: 5, 15, 16.

The Promise Fulfilled.It was a miracle that Sarah bore Abraham a son Isaac, he was the heir to the promise and through his descendants all the families of the earth would be blessed.
Genesis 21: 1-3

In the New Testament Nicodemus a descendant of Abraham.
Nicodemus was a member of the ruling council the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem; he was an important man in Jewish society.

It was recorded by Luke that the Pharisees and Lawyers were opposed to John the Baptist baptism. “Jesus said, “Yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist. When they heard this all the people and the tax collectors justified God, having been baptised with the baptism of John; but the Pharisees and the lawyers had rejected the purposes of God for themselves, not having been baptised by him.” Luke 7: 28-30

Jesus’ ministry was rejected by the authorities (council) Chief Priests and the Pharisees. Jesus was regarded by the Pharisees as a law breaker and blasphemer.
“The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering about him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to arrest him.” John 7: 32.
The temple guards were sent to arrest Jesus but they returned without having arrested him.
They were questioned by the Pharisee, “Why did you not bring him?” The guards responded, “No one ever spoke like this man!” “The Pharisees answered them, “Are you led astray, you also? Have any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? (Jesus) But this crowd, who do not know the law, are accursed.” John 7: 45-49.

We can understand why Nicodemus came at night to where Jesus and his disciples were staying because he did not want to be seen by another ruler consorting with Jesus. Nicodemus was not convinced that the council were right in their assessment of Jesus.

Nicodemus’s own view, he saw that God was at work in Jesus, so he went to him to find out more about him. He believed that they shouldn’t judge a person without first hearing what they are about. John 7: 50.
He expressed this at a time when the officers were in confrontation with the Pharisees.

On entering the house Nicodemus started the conversation by acknowledging Jesus’ teaching and the signs, the healings and miracles; these could only have been accomplished by God working with him. Jesus and his disciples would have been glad to hear these words from Nicodemus; his comments probably put them at their ease.

However, Jesus knowing the thoughts and intentions of every person’s heart touched immediately on the subject of ‘Baptism.’ “Truly, truly, I say to you unless one is born anew he can not see the Kingdom of God.” “Unless one is born of water and Spirit, he can not enter the Kingdom of God . . . . . . . verse 11 Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony.” John 3: 1-11.
These words in verse 11 I feel is were Jesus touched on an underlying issue between him and Nicodemus that needed to be sorted out.

“We speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen.”
Nicodemus had already acknowledged Jesus’ teaching and the signs; these could only have been accomplished by God working with him.
“But you do not receive our testimony.” What was the testimony that Nicodemus did not go along with?
John the Baptist and Jesus baptism were in preparation for the coming Kingdom of God. John bore witness to Jesus that Jesus’ words and signs were of God. John 3: 25-36. As we have read in Luke 7: 30 “The Pharisees and the lawyers had rejected the purposes of God for themselves, not having been baptised by him.”
These words would indicate that Nicodemus had not received John’s or Jesus’ baptism in preparation for the coming of the Kingdom of God. John 4: 1, 2.

On that night instead of talking to Nicodemus about John the Baptist’s water baptism, 'repentance for the forgiveness of sins,’ Jesus spoke of the baptism that he was going to give, 'the baptism of water and Spirit,’ which we understand Nicodemus had no knowledge about.

Jesus’ baptism of water and Spirit that was first received at Pentecost. John in his first letter wrote “There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood.” 1 John 5:8
Water is something that we all use for cleansing purposes and when we add a cleansing agent to it removes stains, dirt and germs.
So when we think of Jesus baptism: the water and the cleansing agent the blood of Jesus applied to our heart we can understand the implications, it removes the things that spoil our relationship with God.
So the water and the blood cleanse us and then God adds the sparkle to the water, the Holy Spirit.

The King James’ Bible’s translation the word ‘Quicken’ – to become alive,
Quickening – the period in pregnancy when the mother first becomes conscious of the movement of the child.

”And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2: 1
”Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.)” Ephesians 2: 5.

Nicodemus was unsure about Jesus. That night when he came to see Jesus, Nicodemus wanted to confirm that Jesus was the Messiah. Later after Jesus' death on the cross, he openly made his association with Jesus when he helped his fellow councillor Joseph of Arimathea take Jesus’ body down from the cross and carried it to the tomb. Nicodemus he could not have done this without having love for Jesus. Mark 15: 43. John 19: 39, 40.

Today after hearing about Jesus some people need some evidence to confirm their faith. In the 1980’s I can not remember the exact date, I went to a meeting the guest speaker was Farmer Jim Wilkinson of Holly Bush Farm. I remember him telling us a true story about his neighbour who lived on the farm next to his. Jim had witnessed to his neighbour about Jesus being his Saviour, but he did not respond straight away, not until the time of harvesting the wheat. Jim and his neighbours field where side by side and both were being harvested at the same time. The weather was overcast and Jim said that they had prayed for the weather to hold fine in order to get this field of wheat in before it rained. That afternoon it rained but only on his neighbour’s field and not on Jims’ field. His neighbour marvelled at the way God had spoken to him through this incident, as a result he came to faith in Jesus.

Stepping out in Faith. For us it is often in the small things were we learn to have faith and trust as we hold onto the Lord Jesus.

Visual Aid. An 8’ x 5” x 3” plank and a blind fold and plastic boxes.
The plank is raised off the ground at both ends. Place one end of the plank on chancel steps and the other end on a box that is the same height as the chancel steps. Ask for a volunteer to walk the plank. Blindfolding the person whist explaining what it is about.

Stepping out in blind faith can be difficult (tying the blind fold on to the person’s head) holding onto Jesus is necessary (taking the person’s arm they begin to walk along the plank) so as we begin to walk in faith we find it easier to trust in the Lord.
(Taking off the blindfold halfway across the plank, the last few steps to the end of the plank are taken on their own.)

It’s in the small steps of faith that we experience our faith and trust grows. I went to Manchester to a meeting; I turned into my usual car park, but on this occasion the only spaces available where at the north end which meant I had to walk the full length of the car park before the short walk first crossing the road and then on past the Cathedral and on to Deansgate. On my next visit, three weeks ago, I prayed that I would not have as far to walk. When I entered the car park I saw a car just leaving and it was on the perimeter. I only had the short walk crossing the road and then on past the Cathedral and on to Deansgate. The shortest walk that I could have ever had imagined, which gave me assurance that the Lord had heard my prayer.

Like Abraham we have faith in God’s Promises
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11: 24.
I was waiting for a special delivery of Transfers the 150th Celebration of St Thomas’ Church Musberry from Mr Cross of Pilling Pottery my supplier. The deadline was drawing near and they still had not arrived it was only two weeks away. Another week went by and still they had not arrived. Mr Cross confirmed that he had sent them to me by registered mail and I should have received them.
I rang the Royal Mail Parcel depot, the man who answered took my address and he said that a wagon had just arrived at the depot and he would go and ask the men unloading to look out for my parcel.
Within minutes the phone rang and a very excited man told me, “When I reached the bay the wagon was just starting to be unloaded. I asked the men unloading to look out for your parcel and I gave them your address. As soon as I read out your address a man coming off the wagon had it in his hand and he gave it to me” and he said that they were all amazed.
I thanked the Lord; I went straight away to the depot and picked up my parcel. The pottery was completed, at least enough to present on the day of celebration at St. Thomas’ Musberry.

Precious Promises “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him, Jesus who is called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises . . . . . . and become partakers of the divine nature.” 2 Peter 1: 3-4
“Truly, truly I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do, because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:12-14
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.” John 15: 7
“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” Ephesians 3: 20

The Messiah's Secret - Elijah and Elisha

2011-03-05T10:24:00.031Z

In 2 Kings 2: 1-14 Elijah and Elisha went to say goodbye to the prophets at Bethel and Jericho from there the made they way to the river Jordan. There Elijah took his cloak rolled it up and struck the water, and it parted from one side to the other.
Elijah and Elisha walked across on the dry ground of the river bed of the Jordan. In conversation together as they walked, Elisha asked Elijah if he could inherit a double portion of his spirit. Elijah replied, “You have asked for a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.”
As they continued on their way, a chariot of fire came between them and caught up Elijah and took him into heaven. This is seen spiritually as entrance into the Promised Land and entrance into the kingdom of God.
Therefore because Elisha saw this, he duly received the portion of Elijah’s spirit that he had requested. Afterwards he had to prove it to himself, so he took the cloak and struck the water of the Jordan with it and immediately the water parted, just as it had done earlier when Elijah struck it.
Elisha had followed the example of Elijah in the spirit of Elijah.

We see a similarity in the New Testament when Jesus called his disciples together and gave them his authority to preach the message of the kingdom and heal the sick. On their return they told Jesus how the demons were subject to them in Jesus' name. Jesus rejoiced with them in the spirit thanking God for their witness. The disciples had followed the example of Jesus, in the Spirit of Jesus.

Today like the disciples of Jesus we have been commissioned to take out the message about Jesus and to pray for the sick, following the example of Jesus and his disciples in the Spirit of Jesus, God our Father and Holy Spirit.

Faith and Grace
A man came to Jesus and asked if he would heal his son, who was suffering from epilepsy, he went on to say that he had brought him to his disciples and they could not heal him. We read of the father’s persistant faith, he had not been put off by the disciples inability to heal his son. Jesus healed the man's son of epilepsy.
The disciples asked Jesus why they could not heal the boy? Jesus’ response was to point out to his disciples that they had turned away in unbelief resulting in having little faith. If they had the faith a small as a mustard seed they could remove mountains. Matthew 17: 14-21

Mustard Seeds
There are two species that florish in the Israel: a plant and a tree, beside the black mustard which is cultivated as a condiment. All produce minute seeds. Unger's Dictionary.

The mustard seeds of faith are part of our inheritance as we are heirs of the kingdom of God. By having faith in Jesus we are beneficiaries of the last will and testament of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9: 16, 17.

On Monday evening 28th February we watched the local TV news program, ‘Look North’ An item of news that drew my attention to it was about a lady Joan Nicholson had died leaving her whole estate to ‘The Lakeland Housing Trust’ in total £1,000,000. The Trust buys and renovates properties in the Lake District for Local for people to be able to afford to live there. The Lakeland Trust and the people who will live in these homes are the beneficiaries of Joan Nicholson's estate.

Jesus has bequeathed his whole estate to those who have faith in him. The King of Kings, The Lord of Lords, God our Redeemer and Saviour. Creator of all things invisible and visible and the sustainer of life.
We have moved from being commoners to becoming members of the Royal family of God. The recourses that belong to Jesus are now ours, we are entitled to use them to the glory of God: Christ-like life.

In a state of grace
Grace means undeserved giving from God. It also is about entering into a state of grace, which is to be at ease, at peace, resting, unworried and having liberty to act on God’s behalf.
We have been given authority to remove all obstacles that cause obstruction whether it’s a sickness or a problem. We can look to and rest upon our inherited promises:
"I will never fail you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do, because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." John 14: 12, 13
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. Ephesians 1: 3
"Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed." James 5:16
Prayer is the key that engages the action of the Word and the Holy Spirit together releasing that person from the sickness or problem.
It is like turning the key that starts the engine of a car. After we have started the engine, we then move the car forward by engaing the gears.
Some sickness will persist unless we fast as well as prayer.
We are called to serve in a spirit of compassion and in humility. Always to seek the lowest place.

The Messiah's Secret - The Transfiguration

2011-02-26T13:23:00.019Z

Mrs Paris was the wife of one of our church Wardens at Christ Church Walmersley Bury. She was a very quiet reserved lady, I could tell that she had a strong faith and she knew her Bible well. One day we were talking and she told me of her encounter with Jesus. Before she was married she worked in a sewing factory, it was as she was busy at her work, when she looked up and saw Jesus standing at the side of her machine he was all in white and shining and in a moment he was gone.

The Transfiguration
“And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead.” Matthew 17: 1-9

Jesus transfigured – A change of form
Jesus was shining from the top of his head to the tips of his fingers and toes, and his clothes were glistening. Jesus did not want the vision that the disciples had seen to be made known before his resurrection for two reasons:
1/ If the people had heard about this vision and that the prophets Moses and Elijah were present in the vision, the expectation of Elijah heralding in the Messiah would have been very great. Jesus told his disciples that John the Baptist ministered in the power and spirit of Elijah. Luke 1:17. Matthew 17: 11-13. Mark 9: 11-13.
2/ Jesus had to die on the cross at Calvary before he could be received by the nations leaders as the Messiah, the call of the Messiah was first to the nation of Israel.

1/ The Jews were taught that Elijah would announce the coming of the Messiah’s Day of Judgement. Malachi 4: 5.
The people were in expectation of Elijah heralding the coming of the Messiah. If the disciples had told the people about Elijah being present in the vision then the people would have expected seeing Elijah not John the Baptist in the power and spirit of Elijah.

John the Baptist was preparing the nation through a baptism of repentance, restoring the people under the Law of Moses. He spoke of the need to prepare themselves for coming of the Messiah he would baptise them with the Holy Spirit and bring in a fire of judgement. To give them understanding he described the Messiah using his winnowing fork to separate the chaff from the wheat. The chaff he would burn with unquenchable fire. The chaff represented the unbelieving lawless, selfish people who would enter into eternal darkness and the wheat the people who believed and were obedient to the Laws of Moses sharing what they possessed with each other they would enter into the kingdom of God. Matthew 25: 31-46

Paul and Barnabas on their first ministry tour, when they arrived at the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia Paul spoke of John the Baptist that he had preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. But he was not the Christ; he was the one opening up the way. Acts 13: 24.
Just like Elijah who threw his mantle onto the water of the Jordan as he did so the waters parted opening up the way across the Jordan. Both he and Elisha walked on the ground of the dry river bed. 2 Kings 2: 1-12

2/ The disciples Peter, James and John heard the voice of God, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” On hearing these words they responded by falling upon their knees in awe, Jesus touched them and said “have no fear.” The touch of Jesus was comforting, re-assuring and strengthening his disciples. Jesus' gentle touch on our lives especially when we’re in difficult situations from my experience gives a sense of being lifted up and comforted.
On another occasion the people heard a voice in response to Jesus speaking aloud to his Father. Jesus said that his time had now come to fulfil the purposes of God, “Father glorify thy name.” In reply the voice of God saying, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” It sounded like thunder, others said that an angel had spoken to him. Jesus told them that this voice had come for their sake, not for his. He also indicated the death he was to die, “When I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” The people had not been taught that the Messiah would come and die for their sins. They assumed that when he came he would remain for ever. “The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that when the Christ comes he will remain for ever. How can you say that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?” John 12: 33, 34.
The people were wondering if Jesus was referring to another Son of man, because they realised that he was speaking of dying on a cross, which they did not know anything about.
Mark records the words spoken by the chief priest and the scribes, “He saved others but he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Mark 15: 31, 32.10.

Paul taught that the Christ had to suffer and die
Paul made it known to the people in the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia that those who lived in Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognise Jesus or understand the utterances of the prophets, the scriptures that refer to the Messiah’s suffering and death, they fulfilled these prophesies by condemning him. Acts 13: 27.

Here are two prophesies out of over thirty prophesies fulfilled by Jesus (see blog Mercy not Sacrifice)
“Yet it pleased him to bruise him; he has put him to grief; when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand;
Fulfilled. It was in the plan of God that Jesus would suffer and be killed and that on the third day God would raise him from the dead.
“Jesus said, “For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was reckoned with transgressors’; for what is written about me has its fulfilment.” Luke 22: 37.
25. Prophecy. A great Calvary miracle prophecy uttered about 800 years before. “ And it shall come to pass in that day, said the Lord God, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.” Amos 8: 9
Fulfilled. This is one of the most profound prophesies of the word of God. On the day that the Saviour would be crucified, there would be darkness at noonday.
“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. (12noon – 3pm) Matthew 27: 45.

On the hill of Calvary Jesus was crucified
Jesus in his suffering cried out, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” “And some of the bystanders hearing him, “Behold he’s calling Elijah.” And one ran and, filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait lets see if Elijah will come and take him down.” Mark 15: 35, 36.
They was watching to see if what they had been taught by their leaders would happen. God hearing his plea, would he send Elijah to come before he died on the cross and rescue him. The death of the Messiah was hidden from their understanding. Even Caiaphas the leading man of the council of the Sanhedrin did not understand, God had hidden these prophesies concerning the death of the Messiah from him and the other members of the council.
But Caiaphas had received a prophesy from God, prophesying that one man would die to save the nation. He believed that he was doing God’s will in pursuing Jesus death.
It was God’s will, Caiaphas had accomplished what God intended without knowing that Jesus was the Messiah who had to die to fulfil those prophesies given by God to the prophets. John 11: 49-52

“The Gospel in the Feasts of Israel” by Victor Buksbazen’
“At the Passover table a place is set for Elijah, the herald of the Messiah, and he would announce that the Messiah had at last come. For the rabbis say the Messiah is most likely to come on the night of the Passover, so the traditional cup and an empty chair awaits him.”
Jesus was crucified on the eve of the Passover, on the Day of Preparation when all the lambs were killed at the temple in Jerusalem.
Jesus the sacrificial lamb, his blood brushed onto the doorposts and lintels of the repentant heart of every believer. As a result we pass over death, on the dry ground of the Jordan on having our sins forgiven and we are translated into the kingdom of God.

Luke records at the transfiguration that Jesus was heard to speak of his departure from Jerusalem, that departure being his resurrection and ascension into heaven to be with his Father.
Elisha walked with Elijah across the Jordan. A chariot of fire came between them and caught up Elijah and took him into heaven and because Elisha saw this he received the portion of Elijah’s spirit that he had requested.

“I pray you; let me inherit a double portion of your spirit?” And Elijah said, “You have asked for a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” 2 Kings 2: 9, 10.

After Pentecost the Holy Spirit is given as a gift to every believer in Christ.
Today the Holy Spirit is given to all who believe in Jesus, he comes to us to witness to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news of God's saving love for all people. Jesus embraced death to give us life, eternal life. Elijah was translated into eternal life without going through a physical death. Elijah has witnessed to what every believer in Christ receives. Paul wrote, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." Authorised or King James Version. Colossians 1: 13.
We have entered into the place were Jesus is in heavenly places in our union with him in the Holy Spirit.
(Unlike Elijah we do go through a physical death.)

The Messiah's Secret - The Way

2011-02-22T10:35:00.013Z

Some of the changes I’ve experienced over my life time:

Decimalisation of our currency.
Bible written in modern language.
The computer age- This has meant learning a new way of communication involving the computer itself, how to operate it using its functions like emailing to another computer or looking up pages on the web.
Sat Nav – On screen map with voice giving directions to the programmed destination.
Mobile phone having access to the web and a camera as well.
Moving towards the future widespread use of the electric car.

Gospel of Change
2,000 years ago a major change was imminent, Jesus was teaching under God’s ruling authority the end of the Law of Moses as the people knew it.
On the mountainside Jesus was teaching a crowd of Jewish people, “You have heard it said, ’An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” Matthew 5: 38
Jesus has quoted from what Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 19: 15-21.
When a charge was brought against someone it could not prevail unless it was confirmed by two witnesses. If one of these witnesses gave false witness against the accused, I quote from Deuteronomy, ‘that person you shall do to him as he had meant to do towards his brother, so you shall purge the evil from the midst of you. . . .Your eye shall not pity; it shall be a life for a life, eye for eye, tooth for a tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”

The severity of the law.
Even today 2011 in some countries of the world, some crimes are punished by the removal of limbs. A friend of ours lives and works in Dubai she says it’s a very safe place because the laws are so severe anyone found stealing, the law punishes them by cutting off their hand, and there is no leniency.

Liberated from the Law
In February 2011 when I saw on TV the release on the faces of the people of Egypt from their laws, it brought it home to me that Jesus’ teaching must have been so liberating, releasing the Jewish people from fear and the harshness of the law. God was making changes to the laws he gave to Moses that would liberate his people from their way of life and ultimately the world.

(Matthew 5: 29 Jesus made the point and used the law 'pluck out your eye if it causes you to sin 'metaphorically' to demonstrate how God feels about the sin of adultery to make it clear to the listeners so they would understand.)

Jesus making the change to the law of the false witness, “But I say to you, do not resist the evil one.” Don’t contend or struggle against the person who bears false witness against you, turn away from them, as Jesus says ‘turn the other cheek.’
Jesus was arrested and taken to trial before the chief priest Caiaphas and the ruling council. They brought false witnesses against him, the witnesses couldn’t agree. Jesus’ response he was silent, he turned away, and he turned the other cheek.

The Way
Jesus founded in himself the way of love, love fulfils the law.
‘The Way’ was the name given to the early church because it professed a way of life that followed the teaching of Jesus.
The Apostles remained in Jerusalem after the dispersion of the community of believers from Jerusalem. The structures of the church were put in place by the Apostles and Elders of the church in Jerusalem and all the churches came under its authority.
Saul and Barnabas on their first ministry tour after establishing a church they appointed an Elder. On there return to Jerusalem they told the apostles about the gentiles accepting the good news.
It was decided that a letter should be sent to the churches, telling them to abstain from food offered to idols.
Peter as one of these leaders was mentioned by Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, on a visit to the Corinthian church he baptised member's there.1 Corinthians 1: 12. 15: 5.

Paul as a member of ‘The Way’ came under the authority and was accountable to the church leaders at Jerusalem. Acts 15
In Paul’s first letter to Timothy he described the offices: Bishops, Deacons and Elders. “If anyone aspires to the office of Bishop, he desires a noble task.” 1 Timothy 3: 1 These offices are part of the gifts given by the Holy Spirit. “Tend the flock of God that is in your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5 : 2, 3.
Paul was taken to trial before Felix he spoke in his defence about, ‘The Way. “But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the law or written in the prophets, having a hope in God which these themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of the just and the unjust.” Acts 24: 14,15, 22.
Felix was aware of this branch of Judaism known as ‘The Way’ Paul emphasises its beliefs: in the God of Israel, the writing of the prophets and the hope of the resurrection.

Jesus continued his teaching telling the people there and us today how to respond to the demands of people for example someone who borrows.
When I was a child growing up in the 1950’s I remember how the neighbours would borrow from one another, soap powder, sugar, butter etc. Now and again things wouldn’t be returned, but as I remember it wasn’t held against anyone.
The basis for this attitude was in loving one another. Jesus taught that we should not with hold anything from some one in need.

Jesus went on to say “You have heard it said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’" Matthew 5:43
Jesus was maybe referring to this incident on the Israelites exodus journey from Egypt as they made there way towards the Promised Land. Moses recalled how the Ammonite and the Moabites would not go to meet the Israelites and give them bread and water. As a result they were not to seek peace with the Ammorites or the Midianites all the days of their life, for ever. Deuteronomy 23: 3-6
These people were afraid of the Israelites so they treated them as their enemy, their rivals.

There tends to be a lot of rivalry between football supporters. There are a small minority that take this rivalry to its limits by their attitude and actions they bring the whole game into disrepute.

Paul writing his first letter to the Corinthian church made the point that their support of various leaders had led to arguments, falling out with each other had brought the whole church into disrepute. He reminded them that the church was founded in Jesus through faith in him, nobody else. 1 Corinthians 3: 11.

“Jesus went on to say, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5: 44.
We have an example in the Old Testament in 2 Kings 5: 1-16 concerning this, it also points to Jesus and the church.

A young Jewish girl was taken by a band of Syria raiders into captivity in Syria; she became servant to Naaman’s wife. Naaman was a general in the King of Syria’s army.
The Israelite girl noticed that Naaman had leprosy so she told her mistress about the healing ministry of Elisha the prophet. As a result of this girl’s concern for her enemy, Naaman went to the King of Syria and told him what the girl had said about Elisha.
Naaman was not deterred by the two nations being enemies, his faith rose above it. The King was pleased to give Naaman a letter of introduction to the King of Israel.
However when the King of Israel received the letter he was displeased, “Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends word to cure a man of his leprosy.” He saw it as blasphemy, to indicate this and he tore his clothes. He was being asked to make a decision whether this man lived or not. He also thought the king of Syria was seeking to quarrel with him.
When Elisha heard about Naaman’s situation he wanted to help him, he saw the bigger picture. It was an opportunity to glorify the God of Israel and so Naaman was invited to Elisha’s home. On his arrival he was met by Elisha’s servant who delivered the prophet’s message to him saying that he should go and wash in the Jordon seven times.
This wasn’t what Naaman expected and he became angry because Elisha had not met him in person and he decided to leave.
Naaman’s pride caused him to become angry, his self importance became a stumbling block and I feel that he might have felt persecuted because of his leprosy. In Judaism lepers were separated from other people, as they were regarded as unclean.
Naaman’s servant convinced him to do what Elisha had said and so he relented and went and washed himself in the Jordon seven times and amazingly he was completely healed of his leprosy. Naaman wanted to give Elisha the gifts that he had brought with him. But Elisha refused to accept them. Naaman rejoiced having recognised that the God of Israel was the one true God.

The Jewish girl had shown love, respect for her enemy.
While she was held in captivity, she had sown a seed of faith, hope out of love, respect for her captor Naaman. She must have prayed for him to be healed of his leprosy and rejoiced when she heard that he had been healed through the ministry of the prophet Elisha and by grace he now believed in the God of Israel.

We can see the bigger picture of God’s love for all of the nations. Naaman was a gentile, who had integrity and humility and he had faith, in the God of Israel, believing that he had the power to heal him through his word to the prophet Elisha.

Isn’t this what we believe today? The Lord our God reaching out through his people to the unbelievers in our communities pointing them to ‘The Way’ to find a change taking place within themselves in the heart through faith in Jesus. Where they will find inner peace, joy, love, hope and truth in our Jesus.

The Messiah’s Secret page 148
“The Ministry of the Holy Spirit after Pentecost.”
“The promise of the presence of the Trinity within a person, Jesus said to his disciples before his death, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make their home with him.” The apostles and followers were the first fruit of the resurrection having received from Jesus the Holy Spirit. The combination of Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit made those who believe ‘Christ-like,’ Christ in you this was the mystery that Paul spoke of in his letters through faith in Jesus, God has made those of faith sons and daughters, children of the living God. Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it." Love, joy and peace are the nature of Jesus Christ. We are called to abide in his love, that his joy and peace may be in us. John 14: 12-14.
The promises that are made by Jesus are part of the divine nature of God. 2 Peter 1: 4.
A Christian empowered by the Holy Spirit manifests the life of Christ in the world. The graciousness of Jesus, abundant kindness, patience, humility, gentleness, longsuffering and faithfulness.”

The Messiah's Secret - Jesus the Physician

2011-02-10T12:51:00.021Z

The Physician - A title of the Messiah

The Physician, the Balm of Gilead.
Jeremiah wrote of God grieving for the spiritual health of Israel and he pointed to the Messiah, the Physician who would restore the nation’s health.

God speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, “My grief is beyond healing, my heart is sick within me. “Hark the cry of the daughter of my people from the length and breadth of the land: “Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her?” “Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with their foreign idols?” “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my people not been restored?” Jeremiah 8: 18-22

Jesus the Messiah and Physician was sent by God to restore the health of the nation. When Jesus stood and read from the book of the prophet Isaiah he quoted the words of healing: to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind to set at liberty those who were oppressed and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. Jesus’ most important healing, the grieving heart of his Father God over his people, Israel.
Jesus restored the whole person for instance: the lady who was unclean in the eyes of the law because of her issue of blood. When she touched the hem of Jesus garment she was physically healed, which restored her under law. Luke 8: 43-48
The leper who came to Jesus for his healing, “If you will you can make me clean,” Jesus moved with pity, stretched out his hand and touched him, and said, “I will; be clean.” The man was healed. Jesus then told him to go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for his cleansing as it was the custom under the Laws of Moses. Mark 1: 40-45 He was healed and restored under the law of Moses.

The Messiah’s Secret
Afterwards Jesus sternly told the man who had been healed of leprosy not to tell any one about his healing and that he should go and be examined by the priest to show that he was clean, free from leprosy and make his offering according to the law.
Jesus did not want him to publicise his healing. He wanted to keep his identity of being the Messiah a secret because he had to die and be raised from the dead and ascend into heaven before he could return with the holy angels and be their Leader and Saviour.
“Jesus said, “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” Mark 8:38. 9:1.

The Balm of Gilead
The soothing, comforting ointment of our Lord God, his words of forgiveness and hope. His healing touch bringing release from fear, freedom, love, joy and peace. The Holy Spirit opening the eyes of our understanding to know the living God, and giving us assurance of his sovereign rule over the entire universe.
In Gilead there was a tree that was well known for its healing properties, Balsam tree. The resin from the tree was used as an ointment. It is recorded in Genesis 37: 25, 28. “The Ishmaelite Midianite Traders coming down from Gilead with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to Egypt.” They used these to barter with the Egyptians. This tree is no longer is found in Gilead. Unger’s Dictionary page 1134

As part of healing and wholeness the Lord has given to the church gifts of healing.

In the year 2,000 Rev Mark Pearson came and spent a weekend teaching the churches on the Lord’s healing ministry. I bought his book at the time and from it and on the weekend he stated four ways in which the Lord uses to heal people. (I’ve only taken the headings and included the healing of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law.)

1/ Skill and Science.
Rev Mark Pearson tells us that the Lord uses doctors and surgeons using their skill and knowledge. The scientist that produces medicine and medical implants and appliances. The nursing profession and carers are all used to bring healing to our bodies.
Mark reminded us that Paul suggested to Timothy that he should take a little wine for his stomach problem. Also Dr Luke accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys attending to his medical problem. This shows us clearly that the Lord intends to use both the skill of doctors, surgeons and science for our well being.
Combine the ministry of Skill and Science with prayer and the sick person is upheld, strengthened and at peace.

2/ Spiritual Gifts
Jesus spoke of himself as being the Physician in the synagogue of his home town of Nazareth he said, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself; what we have heard you do in Capernaum, do here also in your own country.’” Luke 4: 23.
Matthew wrote that at Nazareth they took offence at him, and as a result he did not do many mighty works there. Matthew 13: 57, 58.
Simon Peter’s mother–in-law was healed at Capernaum.
Mark 1: 29-31

Jesus with his disciples left the synagogue at Capernaum and went to the family home of Andrew and Simon Peter. Simon’s mother-in-law lay poorly with a high fever. Jesus was informed and immediately he went into the room to her, where he stood over her and rebuked the fever and then taking her by her hand, he lifted her up, finding that she was healed of the fever. Without any delay she helped serve the meal. Mark 1: 29-31. Luke 4: 38, 39. Matthew 8:14-17
The faith of Andrew and Simon brought his mother-in-law’s need to the attention of Jesus. He responded in love to her need. I think the lady having a high fever would not perhaps be aware of what was going on, so her healing did not depend on her faith.

Faith.
Faith means to believe in some one or something e.g. If we’re feeling ill we go to the doctor, we have faith in the doctor that he will prescribes some medicine that we believe or have faith that it will make us better.
It takes the same kind of faith to believe that the Lord will heal us through his promises in his word.
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21: 22.
“And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible to them that believe.” Mark 9: 23
“What so ever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name I will do it.” John 14: 13, 14.
“And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Luke 8:48

Mark refered to the healing gifts listed in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian Church should be viewed like a sandwich: Chapter 12 The gifts are used when there is a need. Chapter 13 without love they are administered from the position of what I do, rather than being motivated by compassion. Chapter 14 Faith reaches out in the Lord’s love to comfort and pray for healing and wholeness.
Jesus rebuked the fever, he addressed and named the cause praying for her release from it.
When we pray for someone in a similar situation it is good to follow the pattern that Jesus has given to us in the gospel.
Quietly praying with the authority that he has given to us in his name and in his words of scripture. The power is not in the rebuke it is in the Word.
Dear Lord, we bring before you our sister or brother who is dear to you and us, just as you touched the hand of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law and restored her to health we pray for your healing touch as we rebuke and release our sister or brother from ----in your precious name. Amen

Church Services
When a person is ordained for the priesthood, they are anointed with oil for the ministry of the sacraments.
Two sacraments: Holy Communion and Baptism. (Church of England Articles of Religion)
Looking briefly at one of these sacraments Holy Communion.

Mark Pearson calls the sacraments vehicles by which God uses to bring healing and wholeness to our lives.
At the Communion the tokens the bread (body) and the wine (blood) representing Jesus’ victory over all sickness and disease.
The Communion service is regarded by many as being a healing service; the Common Prayer Book states that as we receive the bread and the wine ‘we enter into all the benefits of his passion,’ which are many: forgiveness, comfort, strength, support, endurance, peace, healing in various ways and many more.

In Matthew’s account of Jesus healing Simon Peter’s mother-in-law he adds the words from Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Matthew linked this prophecy after Jesus had fulfilled it. Matthew knew that the cross is where Jesus took(bore) upon himself our broken bodies in his suffering and death to bring us healing and wholeness.
On the evening of the Day of his resurrection the disciples touched Jesus’ risen body where the marks of the nails and the Centurion’s sword pierced his heart in his side. Matthew must have also realised that in Jesus’ risen body he was free from all infirmities placed upon him. His risen body was free from corruption.

Jesus touched the hand of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law and then he lifted her up by her hand.
The healing touch of Jesus.
Jesus heals our broken bodies and restores us to health and wholeness even when we knowingly eat the wrong foods which can be detrimental to our well being.
Today a lot of illness is a result of eating food that is not good for us because it’s high in fat and sugar. But it is these foods that are pleasant to eat; at least they are for me. I’m reminded of Paul’s words to the Roman church, “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Romans 7: 15
Ongoing Wholeness.
The Holy Spirit enables us to discern what we eat and convicting us when we are eating too much fatty and a sugary food that is not good for us. We can be also convicted to change our habits; the need to take regular exercise and having regular meals. The Lord will also prompt us with the scriptures concerning these things. I find it works to pray for the Lords help when I’m struggling to avoid the things that are detrimental to my health.
Jesus died on the cross and God raised him from the dead overcoming all the things that are detrimental to our life.
Whatever our circumstances we can look to Jesus to continue to make us whole.

4/ Prayers of all Christians

The next day Jesus got up very early to spend time in prayer with his Father God. Simon Peter and others who were with him pursued him, and they found him.
To begin the day with a time spent in prayer with the Lord prepares us for the day before us. I believe that Jesus is waiting, wanting to hear from us and we don’t have to search for him. We should, if we can set aside time in a quiet place, were we can talk to our Lord God about the things that are on our heart. Some Christians use lists so they don’t forget to pray for the people and their needs, that are precious to them.
At the end of each day we rejoice in all things and recollect were our prayers have been answered and for the things still to do.

Mark writes: "The church ministers healing co-corporately through members love for one another." "Christian Healing" by Mark A Pearson Published by Chosen Books a division of Baker Book Company. Grand Rapids.
Church service intercessions embrace of the whole worshipping body praying for the world poverty, Queen and country, mission, ministers of the church, community, environment etc.

At St. Mary’s we have a small prayer group who pray for the sick and housebound members of our church. The Lord has ministered through those prayers; we have seen a decline of sickness in our church.
Most churches have a ‘Prayer Chain’ were a number of Christians are linked through email or phone praying for not only church members but anyone who asks to be put on the chain.
We have opportunities to attend healing services in a number of churches in the Rossendale Valley. The Diocese of Manchester holds Healing Quiet Mornings and Diocesan Healing Days.

The Messiah's Secret - Saved by the Blood

2011-01-31T11:11:00.016Z

We have an awesome God and the heavens declare the glory of the living God.

God revealed his future plan to the Apostle John.
John the Apostle saw in heaven a woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet. She was wearing a crown of twelve stars. Revelation 12: 1 - 5

In John’s revelation “the woman clothed with the sun.”
The woman Israel - the wife of God. Isaiah 50: 1. Jeremiah 3: 6-13.
The sun – Jacob. The moon – Rachael. The twelve stars – the sons of Jacob. Genesis 37: 9-11
The woman, one of King David’s descendants would bring forth the Messiah, as Leader and Saviour. 2 Samuel 7: 12, 16. Luke 2:11. Acts 5: 31.

Israel the wife of God brought forth the Son of God, the Messiah.
This was fulfilled when Mary a descendant of King David brought forth Jesus. God was the Father of Jesus. Genealogy of Mary: Joseph the husband of Heli’s daughter Mary. Luke 4: 23
Jesus was born into this world, his mother Mary giving him his flesh, his body.

Medical science tells us that the female egg by itself can not start the process of producing blood, it is only after the introduction of the sperm from the male, that life begins and the blood appears.
Jesus’ blood, I believe came from the author of life, the sinless life of God, therefore he had the nature of God his Father. The virgin Mary was overshadowed by God’s Holy Spirit when she conceived. The Holy Spirit convicts us of the truth and we accept this truth by faith.

A local Midwife explained to me how a baby has its own blood.
"The baby’s blood is developed soon after conception, no actual blood from mum goes directly to the baby, and the baby has its own blood. The placenta is like a giant lung attached to the umbilical cord to the baby. From the placenta the baby receives oxygen and nutriments from mum. The waste and the carbon dioxide go via the placenta and are disposed of through mum’s bodily functions.”

Our blood circulates around the whole of our body. In fact human blood with its blood groups is the same throughout the human race, whether we are Chinese or English, the blood in our veins, can be given through transfusions to other human beings.
Simply stated, the blood consists of liquid called plasma, a colourless liquid in which are found chemical compounds.

A great deal is known concerning red and white cells.
Red cells

There are 5,000,000 red cells per cubic millimetre, red cells are very tiny, and every red cell travels in the blood to the lungs where it picks up oxygen. After picking up the oxygen a single red cell offloads the oxygen to a single tissue, the oxygen gives combustion and heat to the tissue. The red cell then takes the waste away from the tissue and disposes of it out of the body through skin, bladder and bowel. “The Chemistry of the Blood” by Dr M.R.DeHaan. MD

Now this is true of the physical body but it all points to a deeper spiritual truths.
Spiritually the blood of Jesus goes into action when a person is hearing about what Jesus achieved through his death on the cross. He made the final sacrifice for all that separated us from God, his blood being accepted by God for the forgiveness of our sin.
“Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness for sin.” Leviticus 17: 11. Hebrews 9: 22
Like the red blood cell, the blood of Jesus has the power to spiritually cleanse us and remove our sin and the causes of sin.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our sins from us.” Psalm 103: 12
“And no longer shall each man teach his neighbour and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31: 34

“The next day he saw Jesus walking towards him, and said,” Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1: 29

Like the red cell takes away the waste from the tissue, so Jesus takes away our sin, and it is remembered no more.
The Holy Spirit like the oxygen gives combustion sparks off the person into the newness of life, to live our lives in the Spirit of God’s love.

The red and white cells work together.
The work of the single red cell to a single tissue speaks of personal salvation; the Lord meets and treats us equally men, women and children.
Paul wrote in Romans 12:5 “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” As Christians working together we are one in the blood of Jesus. But like the Trinity individually members of it.

The white cells are the soldiers of the body; they defend the body from bacteria and bring healing to damaged skin.

When for instance we have a splinter in our finger, a message goes to the brain and the brain sends a message to the marrow to produce and send more white cells to the infected area. In the process of combating the infection, the white cells have power to destroy bacteria some of the white cells die along with the bacteria, this forms the puss.

The white cells have built in their structure DNA which the red cells do not have. The DNA produces new skin to heal, restoring and producing new flesh. Amazing.

The blood of Jesus defends us from spiritual attack from the powers of darkness.
Second sign
The red dragon representing Satan, he brought his demonic host against the holy child Jesus when King Herod ordered the slaughter of male children under the age of two years.

There were further attempts to end Jesus’ life before his time: In the wilderness temptations he was tempted to jump by Satan from a pinnacle of the temple. At Nazareth some of the people there threatened to throw him over the cliff. At Jerusalem some Jews there were about to stone him, accusing him of blasphemy.
Jesus identified Satan as the evil one, “I do not pray that thou should take them (his disciples) out of the world, but that thou should keep them from the evil one.” John 17: 15
The powers of darkness knew that Jesus was the Holy One of God, that he had the power and authority of God. Jesus disarmed, immobilised, but not yet totally destroyed these principalities and powers.

Rebellion in Heaven
The scriptures reveal that there was a rebellion in heaven. Satan claimed equality with God and some of the angels sided with him.
”How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of the Dawn! (one of the many names of Satan)How you are cut to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit in the mount of the assembly in the far north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High.’ Isaiah 14: 12-14

Satan was defeated and evicted from his heavenly home. The words of Jesus in Luke 10: 18 “Jesus saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven.”
After the creation of the earth Satan sought to undermine the fellowship between man and his creator. God created man out of dust and then he breathed into Adam his blood, giving him life. “The life of the flesh is in the blood.” Leviticus 17: 11.

Moses in his God inspired writings wrote about Adam and Eve’s encounter with Satan, who lied to them when he offered them a way to be like God knowing good and evil. They accepted his lie and as a result their lives fell under Satan’s influence; every part of their nature became tainted by sin. Adam’s son Seth was born in the likeness of Adam not of God. (God named the first male and female, ’Man,’ plural ‘mankind.’ Genesis 5: 2, 3 Not to be confused with 'The Doctrine of Man' which in my view places a woman under Law.)

God cursed the serpent and prophesied that through the seed of a woman the Messiah would bruise the head of the serpent, and the serpent would bruise the heel of the Messiah. Genesis 3: 15
The Israelites on their wilderness journey they were dying through snake bites. Moses was instructed by God to make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole; and every one who was bitten, when they looked at it, would live. Numbers 21: 9

The Messiah’s Secret page 73
Jesus used this incident, in the exodus from Egypt, to demonstrate his death and resurrection.
The Son of man had to die and be lifted up so that those who believe in him and follow him receive eternal life.” John 3: 14.
As a result of the fall of the first man, Adam's sin resulted in death. (Serpent – death) the second man Jesus through victory over sin and death won eternal life. (Serpent lifted up – healing) Jesus as a result bruised the head of the serpent.
The serpent bruised Christ’s heel; this happened when Jesus suffered the agony of the wooden cross, the death by hanging on a tree, crucifixion. Deuteronomy 21: 23.

Like the white cells in our blood, the blood of Jesus defends and heals our wounds.
Today Satan continues to deceive, denying Jesus’ victory over him. We fend off the fiery darts which often are accusations and deceit coming from Satan with the blood of Jesus.
One of his strategies is to send thoughts to our mind that suggest that we have said or done something wrong which when we reflect on it, we know that we haven’t, but still the thoughts keep on coming.
We disarm Satan by claiming Jesus’ victorious blood over his accusations. He has to retreat because we are justified through faith in the blood of Jesus. Justification means declared not guilty of sin against God.
When God our Father looks at us his beloved children, he sees the righteous blood of Christ in our being.
Arrow Prayer (This is saying a short prayer while active during the day)
I claim my position in Christ from the word; I then take the shield of faith the blood and make a stand against the principalities and powers, in the authority of Jesus’ name.
Dear Lord, I am your child, “To those who believe, you gave power to become the children of God”, I take the shield of faith which is mine in Christ and block the thoughts coming to me from the evil one that are not true. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Antibodies in our blood.
Antibodies prevent infection; after a person has had a disease cells are produced that have a resistance to that disease. Some are effective for life, others temporarily, immunity only for a time. This immunity is in the blood.

Satan is immobilised by the victory that Jesus has won. It is like the army that is defeated and afterwards surrender their weapons. In prayer we are able to claim Jesus’ victory and discern the activity of Satan and bring it to an end. This may take persistent prayer.

There is power in the blood to save, to protect and to heal because Jesus that is in us, is greater than Satan that is in the world. Jesus has won the victory over all principalities and powers in his death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit teaches us how to stand in the continual flow of the righteous blood of Jesus Christ from the throne of his grace and in the word of God against the strategies of Satan.
It is very important that we study and meditate upon the scriptures. Jesus being the Word of God clothed in the flesh.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1: 1
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life. The life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us, that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with the Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1: 1-3

Future prophecy
In John’s revelation the woman went off into the wilderness for a period of 1,260 days.
Daniel prophesied that there will be an agreement between Israel and the antichrist for seven years. This is the last week of the seventy weeks prophecy of Daniel. Daniel 9: 27
The week is divided into two parts. The first part: for 1,260 days, three and a half years, during that time there will be a period of peace in the world. Second part: the antichrist turns on Israel and the Great Tribulation takes place for the remainder of the week of prophecy.
John refers to the Christians who die to self and live for Christ who are caught up in this, the great tribulation in Revelation 12: 11
“They conquered Satan with the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony, for they did not love their own lives unto death.”
After this terrible time only a small number of Israelis survive and it’s at this point Jesus returns to take up again with Israel and defeat the antichrist. Revelation 19: 13-21.

Three Views on the Millennium Revelation 20: 1 – 15 Eyre & Spottiswoode Bible page 1884

Post Millennium
A Post Millennialist holds that the millennium is a period of world history in which the reign of Christ has been established through His church which is destined to conquer the world with the gospel, and at the end of this golden age Christ will personally return to earth and inaugurate a new heaven and a new earth.

A – Millennium
A – Millennialist denies that there will ever be a literal earth-rule of a thousand years, either before or after Christ’s return. By some the thousand years are taken to be simply symbolic of eternity (although verse 5 poses a serious problem for this view), and the only reign spoken in this passage is an eternal heavenly reign. Christ’s return to earth will simply usher in the “new heaven and the new earth” and His only eschatological rule will be celestial, not in this world. By others the one thousand years of Christ’s reign are taken to be the period between the first and second comings of Christ.

Pre-Millennium
Looks for the return of Christ to earth at the beginning of a literal, thousand year reign upon the earth when “the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea” and all the nations of mankind will be completely subservient to the Lord Jesus. At the end of this period Satan will be released again in order to stir up the secretly rebellious portion of mankind to a final open revolt against God (verses 7 – 9). After a second “Armageddon” the new heavens and the new earth will be ushered in.

The Messiah's Secret - Lamb of God

2011-01-18T11:08:00.027Z

Clarence House in London announced, heralded the good news about Prince William and Kate Middleton’s engagement on 16th November 2010.

Almost 2,000 years ago John the Baptist heralded the good news of the coming of the Messiah to the people of Israel. As part of the preparation for his coming John called the nation to repentance, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” Matthew 3: 3. Isaiah 40: 3.

At Bethany John the Baptist saw Jesus coming towards him, he was standing with two of his disciples, John remarked, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1: 28, 29.

The ‘Lamb of God’ identified as being a man, the Messiah. The prophet Isaiah reveals this to us in 53: 7. “Led like a lamb to the slaughter, like a sheep before its shearers is dumb, he opened not his mouth.”
We have another reference to the ‘Lamb of God’ being a man. Abraham was instructed by God to take his son, his only son Isaac, whom he loved to the land of Moriah, and offer him as a burnt offering. Abraham did as the Lord requested, he saddled his ass, placing the wood for the burnt offering upon it, and taking with him two servants, and his son Isaac; they set out. After travelling three days they arrived at the place. Abraham told the young men to stay with the ass while he and Isaac went away up the mountain. Abraham gave Isaac the wood to carry for the burnt offering and he carried the fire and the knife. Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Behold, the fire and the wood; but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”

The writer of Hebrews informs us that Abraham believed that God would provide the sacrifice.
“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your descendants be named.” He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead.” Hebrews 11: 19

When Abraham and Isaac arrived at the place where God had told him, he built an altar, upon the wood he bound Isaac and just as he was about to slay him, an angel spoke to him telling him not to do so.
Abraham looked up and immediately saw a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. He took the sheep and offered it as a burnt offering. Genesis 22: 1-14

God knew that Abraham loved and trusted him and would not withhold his son from him.

Reading this account today causes us to realise that God did not withhold his son from making the sacrifice in order to take away the sins of the world.
The cost to God, God is love and the magnitude of the depth of his love is beyond my comprehension.
I see it, like looking at an iceberg, we can only see the tip above the water, the huge amount of ice that lies below the water is hidden from view. The unfathomable, unsearchable depths and riches of God.

Next day John the Baptist saw Jesus walking along the road. Two of John's disciples standing with him, they heard John say, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
These two disciples followed Jesus, he stopped and invited them to the place where he was staying. After spending all day with Jesus, Andrew, one the two disciples afterwards he went and told his brother Peter, “We have found the Messiah.” Peter responded and went to find Jesus.
The next day Jesus went to Galilee where he found Philip and asked him to follow him. John 1: 30-43

Here we read of three ways to find Jesus:
o Hearing the evangelist or preacher’s message.
o Through personal witness giving testimony to Jesus being the Messiah
o Jesus spoke directly to Philip.

As a result of the dispersion of the community of believers at Jerusalem, The Apostle Philip visited a city in Samaria where he preached the message about Jesus. Those who believed he baptised, Jesus' baptism.

Philip was directed by the Holy Spirit to travel towards Gaza following the Jerusalem road.
Philip made his way along the road when he and came upon a chariot. Inside the chariot there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a minister of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of all her treasure, he had been to Jerusalem to worship and he was returning ; seated in his chariot, he was reading from the prophet of Isaiah. Philip led by the Holy Spirit came alongside the chariot, he heard him reading from Isaiah. He asked the eunuch did he understand what he was reading? He replied, “How can I, unless some one guides me?” He invited Philip to sit with him.
The passage that the Ethiopian was reading: “As a sheep led to the slaughter or a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken up from the earth.” Isaiah 53: 7, 8.
The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, pray, does the prophet say this, about himself our some one else?” Then Philip beginning with this scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. As they went along the road they came to some water, the Ethiopian stopped the chariot and was baptised in the water. The Ethiopian eunuch went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8: 4-38

The Messiah's Secret - Introduction page 10
Luke the writer of Acts recorded this incident perhaps to convey to Theophilus and the Jews reading this account that these verses that were prophesied by Isaiah were definite references to the suffering and the death of the Messiah. The Ethiopian's baptism in Jesus' name for the forgiveness of sin and the prophecy of Joel, the pouring out of God's Spirit upon all flesh in the last days.

For Jesus the ‘Lamb of God’ to take away the sin of the world he was prepared to deal with the origin of sin. Moses inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote about separation that took place between God and Adam and Eve in Genesis.

Adam and Eve began life knowing God in a personal way, their lives were changed when they accepted a lie from Satan, who manifested himself to them, as a serpent.
God had forbidden Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan suggested first to Eve and through Eve to Adam, that if they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they would be like God knowing good and evil.
They both disobeyed God and as a result they were separated from God and they became gods unto themselves.
Their nature changed to become self orientated which led to self rule, and leading self centred lives. Also this opened a door to death, sickness, wars etc; and enmity against God. Since then their fallen nature has been inherited by every person in every generation.

(Most of the World religions are based on self improvement and training the soul.)

God chose Abraham through Isaac and his descendants to make him known amongst the nations. The Mosaic covenant was put in place by God to identify sin and its causes. A blood sacrifice was repeatedly made at the temple for the forgiveness of sin. "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin." Leviticus 17: 11. Hebrews 9: 22.
A person brought their sacrifice a lamb or a bird to the gate of the court of the priests. The person laid their hand upon the head of the offering and transferred by prayer their sin to it. The lamb became their substitute taking their punishment and it was slain and its blood caught in a vessel by the priest and then the blood was sprinkled upon the altar to atone for their sin.

Today when we recognise that our sin separates us from knowing God and we find out that God has made it possible for a person to be forgiven by Jesus becoming our substitute. If we can picture in our mind the person who came to the temple and by prayer they laid their sin on the lamb uniting it with the person, so we are united with Jesus our substitute and his blood has made for us the final sacrifice for our sin against God. The term for it: is being crucified with Christ and just as the person in the temple recieved forgiveness, so we recieve forgiveness.

In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus was tempted not to go to the cross and die. But he did go to the cross and was led like a lamb to the slaughter in meekness and love he gave his life and took upon himself the sins of the whole world.
Jesus was resurrected from the dead, because death and Satan had no dominion over him.
Through faith in Jesus, we die to our sin and we are raised by the action of God, our hearts and nature given newness of life, to have fellowship with God in the Spirit.

A prayer asking for God’s forgiveness:
Lord God thank you that you love us so much that you sent Jesus to be my substitute for all my sin, please forgive me, as I forgive those who have sinned against me. I ask that you would make yourself known to me and fill me with the newness of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

"But what does it say? The word is near you, on our lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach); because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:8, 9.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit equips every Christian with gifts to give witness to Jesus being alive and risen from the dead and to the promise of eternal life.
In the church these gifts are distributed among the believers for the work of making Christ known and to herald the news to the world that Jesus is alive, risen from the dead. And he is coming back again and we with him shall reign for ever more.

Place on a board the Gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12: 28 Distribute pictures relating to those gifts which include all the ministry of the whole congregation.

Healing – Prayer, Doctors and Nurses, First Aiders

Next day Jesus went to Galilee
After Philip met Jesus in Galilee he went and found Nathanael and told him that they had found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote about, Jesus of Nazareth.

Moses told the Hebrew people that God would send to them a prophet like him from among their people. God would give him his words that would come to pass. Deuteronomy 18:18
Jesus fulfilled this requirement of the Law. “They shall leave none of the lamb until morning, nor break a bone of it; according to all the statute for the Passover they shall keep it.” Numbers 9: 12
The soldiers did not break Jesus’ legs on the cross because he was already dead. John 19: 33

The prophet Ezekiel prophesied the Messiah being the chief shepherd of his people, “ My servant David shall be King over them and they shall have one shepherd. They shall follow my ordinances and observe my statutes. They shall dwell in the land for ever.” Ezekiel 37: 24

Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene. Isaiah 11: 1

Nathanael doubted Philip’s words to him and said, “Can anything good come from Nazareth.”
Perhaps Nazareth was thought of in Jesus’ day as being a city of no consequence.

Philip took Nathanael to see Jesus and as they approach him, Jesus said, “An Israelite indeed, in whom there is no falsehood.”
I’m sure Nathanael was pleased to hear these words, he replied, “How do you know me?” Jesus said, “Before Philip called you, I saw him under the fig tree.” This reply caused him to discern that Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah.
The connection is with Jesus seeing Nathanael as being honest, truthful and a sincere man and also him being seated under the fig tree was confirming the coming of the Messiah.
The prophet Zachariah prophesied the branch, the Messiah would bring in the Day of Vengeance a day of judgement. And in that day those who were saved would invite their neighbour to sit under his fig tree.
“ In that day I will remove the guilt of the land in a single day. In that day, says the Lord of Hosts every one of you will invite his neighbour under his vine and under his fig tree.” Zechariah 3: 8-10.

Jesus said to Nathanael, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” John 1: 29-50

The greater things - Jesus’ baptism of water and Spirit
Water is something that we all use for cleansing purposes and when we add a cleansing agent to it it removes stubborn stains, dirt and germs.
So when we think of Jesus' baptism: the water and the cleansing agent, the blood of Jesus, applied to our heart we can understand the implications, it removes sin and its causes, things that spoil our relationship with God and other people; selfishness, pride, envy, covetousness, murder, deceit, fornication, slander and theft.
So the water and the blood cleanse us then God adds the fiz to the water, the Holy Spirit. We are made alive, a new creation, born again into the kingdom of God.

“This is Jesus who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is the truth. There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has borne witness to his Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself . . . .And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in the Son.” 1 John 5: 6-11