The Messiah's Secret - Wheat and Tares

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

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

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

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

Extract from “The King of the Earth” by Erich Sauer
“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.”
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 153 fishes that had been caught in the net.

“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 out onto 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

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.”

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

The meeting of 'The Ladies Fellowship and Longholme Sisterhood' in Rawtenstall. 

The Lord of the Dance

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,the rings were placed on the four feet to hold the poles which  (overlaid with gold) 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 son's Shem and Japheth 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

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