Living Word May 2012

I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus

Living Word Magazine

Going Deeper into God’s Word Issue 10 May 2012

London Olympics 2012 Are you ready?

Bible Studies by: Daniel Kolenda, Ken Legg, Mathew Bartlett, Derek Williams, Edwin & Lillian Harvey & more!

Bible Studies Online International

www.biblestudiesonline.co.uk PSA 107:29 HE MAKETH THE STORM A CALM, SO THAT THE WAVES THEREOF ARE STILL. (AV) ©Photos above Marafilm CoverDanilo Ascione photo Back cover Peter Saharov

In this month’s issue: 2.

The Forgiving Nature of God

3.

Rebuilding the Walls Part 3

Arfon Lloyd Thomas (UK)

5

The Countdown has Begun

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

7.

Pressing Toward the Finish Line

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

9.

Forward to Glory

10.

Man’s Strange Reluctance

11.

The Prophecy of Amos Part 1

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

14.

Standing Firm Through the Storm

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

17.

The Runaway Prophet (Jonah Part 3)

Derek Williams (UK)

20.

In Depth Study – Revelation Chapter 15

Derek Williams (UK)

22.

Guest Article: Prayer that Brings Heaven to Earth (2)

Lewis Armstrong (USA)

Ken Legg (Australia AG) Edwin & Lillian Harvey (USA)

Daniel Kolenda (CfaN) ©Photos Above © Photoquest. Cover: © Rob Wilson 39.. Left © from top:Enjoylife25, Jeff Schulz, MPZ@sapo.pt; ShariffC, and Eleandra.

1

IN THIS ISSUE

May Reader’s Article

By Lewis Armstrong USA

The Forgiving Nature of God

WRITE IN THE GAPS

Lev. 4:26. What was done to receive forgiveness of sin?

Num. 15:28 Was an intentional sin forgiven?

Jer. 33:8 What two things will God do? _________________________

_________________________

_________________________

Lev. 4:31 What created a sweet Aroma for God? _________________________

Josh. 24:19 What brought on this harshness from God?

Dan. 9:9What comfort do we draw know what God has available for His people rebel against Him?

Lev. 4:35.What was done with the offering? _________________________ Lev. 5:10 What did the priest do for the individual? _________________________ Lev. 5:13 What did the priest receive? _________________________ Lev. 5:16 How was the trespass offering accomplished? _________________________

_________________________ II Chron. 7:14 God will hear from where and do what? ______________________________ ______________________________ I Kings 8:30 For the people, what does he want God to do?

1. ________________ and 2. _________________ I Kings 8:34 What is the plea to God?. _________________________ 1 Kings 8:36 Not only a plea to forgive but teach them what?

1. __________ 2. ____________ Mark 3:29 What will never be forgiven? _________________________ Mark 11:25 How important is forgiving others? _________________________ Acts 5:31 Why is Christ exalted in this verse? _________________________ Acts 13:38 What do we receive through Christ? _________________________ Acts 26:18 We need to turn from

Lev. 5:18 What kind of animal was required in this verse?

_________________________

_________________________

1 Kings 8:39 Give to everyone according to what?

Lev. 6:7 Can an individual be forgiven and how?

_________________________

To receive what? ___________________________

_________________________

1 Kings 8:50 What is this prayer about?_

Ephes. 1:7. What do we have through Christ's blood?

_________________________

___________________________

Num. 14:19 How long had God forgiven the people?

Psalm 34:17-19 When the righteous cry out, God does 1._______ 2._______

And this is according to what? ___________________________

_________________________

3.________

Num. 15:25 How are a group of people forgiven?

Psalm 86:5 Why is ready to forgive is so important to man? ___________________________

Lev. 19:22What could a priest do? __________________________

_________________________

2

1. ________________ 2._________________

Col. 1:14 We have redemption through what? ___________________________

MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK NEHEMIAH chapter 3 verses 1-32

By Arfon Lloyd Thomas Photo © Paul Prescott

Many of the local inhabitants responded to Nehemiah’s challenge – and the first to get their hands dirty were the Priests! They could have pleaded their calling to undertake the sacred things, but they took the lead in the rebuilding plan. What an amazing sight that must have been, when the men of God got going for Him! Nehemiah was aware of each group and the areas that best suited them. Today the Pastor’s task is to help the people to discover their spiritual gifts and then use them in the allocated areas. I wonder have you discovered yet where you belong in the Body of Christ? It seems obvious to me that each one of us has at least one basic spiritual gift and we should use it or we

will be discouraged. Whenever we are serious about spiritual growth and undertake the task of building and rebuilding we need to search our hearts to develop the gift – otherwise we may become square pegs in round holes.

The important fact is that we must be aware of and have an understanding of that the gift is – otherwise we go through our spiritual walk with minimum effectiveness and maximum weariness, whereas, it should be the other way around.

We discover one negative note here in this chapter. The Nobles of Tekoa would not put their shoulders to work under supervisors. Their problem was pride.

This is the sin that changed the Angel into the Devil.

3

Thus there will be little spiritual progress where pride gets in the way.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, Am I a square peg in a round hole? Help me to be remoulded by your hand so that I might discover my basic gift and be effective in my work for You. If I am proud then help me to humble myself and live for You. Amen.

Nehemiah was obviously an expert at getting people to cooperate. Even the daughters of one of the officials assisted their father. He did this by being inspiring in leadership as he shared with them the vision and then encouraged them in their task. We may look at this list of names as being tedious, but everyone needs to know that

they count for something and it encourages us to know that we are appreciated.

Nehemiah arranged the people to work as close to their homes as possible – this brought a sense of family belonging. This of course is where the real work of God must always begin and be anchored. An alarming trend in the Church today is to only come along but not be truly committed to the family.

Perhaps a question that we need to ask is, “What are the walls like around your own home?” Are we cemented together with fervent prayer, faithfulness, integrity, oneness and a deep concern for each other? Nehemiah coordinated the efforts of each worker and inspired them by setting them a clear vision and then commended them for their sacrificial effort.

I believe the main point to our story and text today is “communication.” This involved the whole family being committed to each other and looking out for each other. The instruction to each part of the family is so that we might know what to do and where and when to do it. So, let us prepare to coordinate, co-operate and communicate, because, as the Chinese Proverb says, “May hands make light work.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, we want our home to be Your home. Help us to rebuild any walls that have fallen down in the Body of this Church. Help us to be fully committed and dedicated to Your calling.

Lord, teach us the principles of governing and spiritual success as we obey Your bidding. Amen.

Christian Counsellor’s Companion from Ken Legg.

Building the Walls Worldwide Pastor Arfon Lloyd Thomas is an experienced minister with the Baptist church in the UK and is willing and available to conduct short term mission trips and revival schools both in Great Britain and overseas.

If you would like to invite Pastor Arfon Lloyd Thomas to your church or conference anywhere in the world, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Only $1.99!

The ideal counselling resource for pastors, pastoral care workers, chaplains, small group leaders, visitation team members, etc.

Provides vital Bible-based counsel on a wide range of life-related issues and lists the main points to cover for various counselling topics.

Builds confidence in your ministry – even at short notice you have easy access to a structured approach for that ‘emergency’ situation, making counselling easier

Contact the Bible Studies Online International office at:

Available now in iTunes App store.

admin@biblestudiesonline.co.uk

http://www.small-groupsministry.com/ChristianCounsellorsC ompanion.html

4

For more information go to

The Countdown has Begun!

Get ready for a Royal visitor!

By Mathew Bartlett 5

Photo Š Miluxian

Here in the UK thousands of people have been geeting ready for the greatest event to hit London for many years - the Olympic games!

When it was announced that the Queen would officialy open the games on 27th July, I bgean to recall a Wednesday afternoon about twenty years ago when the queen came to visit my own workplace.

I can clearly remmeber that day, being a student in Cardiff when her majesty the Queen of England came to inspect the Physics department at our University. All over the building was the smell of fresh paint, and a new red carpet was rolled out in the foyer for the Rotal guest’s arrival.

Unfortunately, her Majesty had only been scheduled to meet with some of our best postgradute students in two of the upstairs laboratories, which I think it were the astrophysics lab and the student’s lab where we did our experiments with radium and uranium.

As we walked through the campus, one of my lecturers (who was also a Christian) said to me 'Look at all this fuss they are making about the coming of the Queen, but they are making no prepartion for the coming of Jesus Christ who the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!'

And that was certainly true. Most of my felow students were entirely unconcerned about their souls’ salvation, although I had tried, in my own small way, to reach out to them with the gospel. I had spoken of Christ to

a number of tehm in the campus canteen, and I has even posted gospel message posters on various notice boards around the University building, but they were invariably torn down by a rather irate Iranian postgraduate who seemed to follow me about, replacing them with veres from the Koran. To me, this was a strange thing todo, since I was not actively evangelising his fellow moslems;; and indeed, in those days there were not that many of them in our part of the University campus.

I wondered how would these students ever be ready for the coming of the King?

Jesus said: Rev 16:15 Behold, I am going to come like a thief! Blessed (happy, to be envied) is he who stays awake (alert) and who guards his clothes, so that he may not be naked and [have the shame of being] seen exposed! (AMPNT) This verse speaks ogf being ready for the coming of Christ. Jesus said 'Be ye also ready for the son of man is coming at an hour when you do not expect him’ (Matt. 24:44). Those who are not ready will be shut out of God’s presence of God to endure everlasting destruction: 2Th 1:8-9 With flaming fire he will mete out punishment on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will undergo the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his strength, 6

So it certainly pays to be ready!

Jesus is coming soon, and I can’t wait to meet him, whom having not seen, I love!

When her Majesty Queen Elizabeth came to visit our University, I was given the choice either to stay and wave to the royal party from a distance, or to go home. So I thought, well, why should I stay? I am not going to personally meet the Queen. I may not even see her among the great crowds that will gather to wave Union Jacks for her. One thing that is certain is that she isn’t coming here to see me personally – in fact, she doesn't even know of my existence!

But the wonderful thing about Jesus coming again is that he is coming personally to meet me. I have been on his heart and on his mind for all eternity, and he is longing for me to be with him even more than I desire to be with him.

That Wednesday afternoon in 1992 I decided to go home and join our afternooon prayer meeting for revival. In that meeting, I could meet with the Lord Jesus, the King of Kings! It is the same today – I can come to meet the Lord at any time without any appointment being necessary. Yet how wonderful it will be when I finally see Jesus face to face and remian eternally with him.

'Forever with the Lord'!

Pressing Toward the Finish Line

By Mathew Bartlett Photo Š ShariffC With the London 2012 Olympics approaching, it is inspiring to once again consider the athleticism displaye din teh life and service of teh aposlte Paul. As committed to his mission as a top athlete is to his training. His eyes were constantly on teh prize or goal of his whole life -nt an olympic gold medal, but to be approved of Christ in life and finally to be united with Christ in death.

Nothing, not even legitimate passtimes, family or firends could deter Paul from fixing his whole personality on becoming what Christ had predsestined him to be.

3:10 My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death, Paul has made is clear that his chief desire in life was to know Jesus Christ. He eplains the way in which we can know Christ now - by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, which has been made available to through Christ's resurrection. Yet Paul realised that in order to know Christ's life, he must understadn the heart and mind of Jesus, and that he

could only do so as he shared in His sufferings. After all, no one can honestly say 'I understadn how you feel' when they have not experienced what you have! If we would have a deeper felloship with Christ, tehn we too must come to know him by sharing in his sufferings.

Resurrection always follows death; Christ died before being raised to life by the Holy Spirit, and similarly to know the power of Christ's resurrection we must first suffer for Christ. It is not our determination or fortitude that shall help us withstand in times of uffering, it is the power of Christ's resurection power which enables us to endure joyfully. Since Paul's desire was not only to know Jesus, but to be like Jesus., he rejoiced that by becoming like Him in His death he would also becoem like him in resurrection.

3:11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

What Paul means here by "the resurrection of the dead" is not that he may become worthy of the resurrection to immortal life, for this gift of sternal life has already been secured for all believers by Christ's 7

own death and resurrection. Rather, what Paul desires is that in this present life he might know God's power working in him - teh power that raised Christ from death. Paul wanted to experience the fullness of Christ's life dwelling within and flowing out from him. Do we share the same desire? True, as believers we all have the life of Christ in us, but teh measure of our daily experience of it will depend very much on how much we desire it!

3:12 Not that I have already attained this -- that is, I have not already been perfected -- but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me.

Even a mature apostle like Paul recognised that there was still room in his life for spiritual growth. He had not yet attained to the final perfection for which Christ has saved us and that will be ours only when we see Him face to face. Until then, the law of sin will continue to work in our bodies. Only when Christ comes again will our bodies, which He has redeemed, be changed that there might be a complete absence of sin. When we see Him, we shall be like Him (1 John 3:2). Until then, we should follow Paul's example. He was like a runner in a race, pressing on with his eyes on the finish line, which is perfection. And that perfection is none other than Christ Himself. To be with Jesus and to be liek Jesus was Paul's all consuming desire.

3:13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, If Paul, that man of God, could say he was not yet perfect, let us beware of thinking that we are (1 John 1:8). Paul ran with all his

energy to obtain the prize - which was not a gold medal. The reward at the end of our race is Christ Himself.

Christians should not view the image of running in a race to mean that only one can win the prize. We are all running in the same race, and the prizes are for everyone - all of us will win, provided that we all finish the race we have begun.

Christians running in teh raceof life acan learn important lessons from athletics. The runner who keeps looking behind him will lose valuable time; and similarly, whatever has happened before in our lives, whether good or bad, are now gone into eternity. It is no good for us to look back or dwell on them. Looking back in this way will only hinder us from running in the race. So, we are to FORGET those things that are behind.

Also, any serious runner will tell you that it is important to keep your eyes on the finish line, lest anything distract you from winning the race.

We too must keep our eyes on our finish line, which is Jesus (Heb. 12:2).

3:14 with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Finally, when running a race, we are not to stop running until we have crossed the finish line. The Christian race is a life long commitment. It never stops till the day we die. Even though Paul was in prison, even though he was getting old, he never "eased up" in his commitment to Christ. Instead he was pressing forward. He was reaching forth to obtain, for by faith he could see the prize that was before him. He could already see the finish line, and anticipated crossing the line to receive the prize - being with Christ.

3:15 Therefore let those of us who are "perfect" embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways.

All those who are mature in the Christian faith should take the same view of their lives as Paul did. If we are prepared to listen, God will reveal to us the things that hinder us, so that we may act on this knowledge and cast off the hindrance.

3:16 Nevertheless, let us live up to the standard that we have already attained.

Whether we are old or young in the faith, we are all to have this same attitude since we are all running in the same race.

Heaven our Home 3:17 Be imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example.

Sometimes in athletics races, a 'pacemaker' runs ahead to set the correfct pace for the runners coming behind. He is like an exampel for the others to follow. Paul and those who live like him have been given by God as examples, showing us how we should live our Christian lives. Paul was eager for the Philippians to follow his example and not the bad example of others.

3:18 For many live, about whom I have often told you, and now, with tears, I tell you that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.

Many who professed to know Christ as Saviour were in fact His enemies "enemies of the cross of Christ".

3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, they exult in their shame, and they think about earthly things.

8

Rather than accept the cross of Christ and surrender to its implications, these people lived according to their own sensual appetites. Their minds and desires were completely fixed on earthly things- not spiritual things. There can be no other end for such people than eternal misery (Mark 8:34-37).

3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven -- and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, The Christian's desires are to be fixed on what is eternal and spiritual for these things are of Christ (Col. 3.1). They come to us from heaven, our true home, where the Lord Jesus is at present. We eagerly and patiently wait for His return.

3:21 who will transform these humble bodies of ours into the likeness of his glorious body by means of that power by which he is able to subject all things to himself.

When He comes, He will transform our mortal bodies to be like his own glorious resurrection body by exerting His divine power to which all things must submit. When we compare the prize before us with a paltry gold medal, let us exert all our energy to run with endurance, fight the good fight, and finish the coure which God has laid out for us!

Prayer: God our Father, thankyou that by your grace we are running, stretchign forward to reach the prize to which your grace has called us! .

Forward to Glory

By Ken Legg Sin will not have dominion over us because we are not under law but under grace. That’s what he meant when he said that where sin abounds God’s grace abounds more.

Image: © Eleandra

The string holds the kite to its owner AND keeps it in the sky!

Probably the most common objection people raise in connection with the teaching of grace is that it just gives people a license to sin.

Even Paul was “slanderously reported” as teaching this (Romans 3:8). In Romans 5:20 he says that the law can never deal with sin. In fact, it causes sin to abound even more (see Rom.7:5&8). The strength of sin is the law, because not only does it place in our minds thoughts that were not previously there, the law also touches the point of our rebellion.

Sin will always ‘out-sin’ the law. But where sin abounds God’s grace abounds much more. You can never out-sin grace. Now that’s the sort of language legalists cannot handle.

And they accused Paul of actually teaching: “Let’s sin more so that grace might abound!” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said that if a preacher has never been accused of teaching that, or something similar to it, he has probably never preached the true gospel of grace. A faithful presentation of grace will al ways lead people to conclude that you are saying that sin is OK because grace has got it covered.

In fact, Paul taught the opposite. He said that grace is the only thing that can deliver us from the power of sin.

But the question in the minds of many is, “But what if someone hears the message of grace and uses it as an excuse to continue in sin?”

Before we look at Paul’s response to that in the second half of Romans 6, let me say two things. First, it is not only some who are under grace who choose to live in sin. There have been many examples of legalistic preachers who have secretly committed the very sins they preach against. Secondly, just because someone chooses to abuse the message of grace by using it as an excuse to live in sin, this doesn’t mean that we should stop preaching the gospel of grace. That's what the enemy wants, because grace is the only thing that can empower against sin!

Paul says that anyone who chooses to live in sin will experience three consequences: Bondage (Rom.6:16). Sin always takes us much further than we want to go. That’s the deceptive power of sin. It makes you think you are getting what you want. In fact, you lose control the moment you give yourself over to its power. Jesus said, “Whoever commits sin is a slave to sin” (Jn.8:34). Whenever a person chooses to sin he is no longer in control of what will take place.

Shame (Rom.6:21a). Probably most of us has done shameful things in our past, which nobody knows 9

about because we have been too ashamed to speak of them.

Thankfully God has forgiven and forgotten those things! One of the wonderful things about our salvation is that shame is replaced with glory. We have been saved in hope of the glory of God. Then why, like a dog ret urning to its vomit, would we want to go back to those shameful things God has delivered us from? The grace of God does not take us back to shame, but forward to glory.

Death (Rom.6:21b&23). Sin and death are inseparable. Sin kills joy, peace, dreams, relationships, ministries, etc. Let’s be clear, it is not that God brings judgment upon sin for the believer because their sin has already been judged. But, the law of sowing and reaping reminds us that there are always consequences for sin.

In contrast to sin’s fruit of slavery, shame and death the blessings of righteousness are freedom, glory and life. The Christian’s freedom does not mean that we are free to do what we want to do. That’s the bondage we are saved from! Real freedom does not exist outside of being one with Christ. It is like flying a kite. The kite’s freedom to fly is related to the string to which it is tied. The very thing that holds the kite to its owner is what keeps it i n the sky. If the string is cut the kite will crash to earth. The string, which seems to bind it, gives it the ability to fly. Our freedom is being held tightly in the grip of God’s grace.

We, who once were slaves to sin, by God’s grace are now slaves of righteousness.

That’s the outworking of our true identity; and that’s true freedom!

Man’s Strange Reluctance to Commune An extract from “Kneeling we Triumph” by Edwin & Lillian Harvey ISBN 1-932774-08-4. 128 Pages Price $6.00. Image © Margaret M. Stewart Reproduced by kind permission of Harvey Publishers. www.harveycp.com the communion did not last. Adam’s very likeness to God, viz., his freedom to choose, permitted him, though it did not compel him, to make a choice contrary to the will of God. So sin entered and the wondrous fellowship was broken.

Photo © Keeweeboy

Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God (Gen. 3:8).

The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside (Psa. 14:2, 3).

If prayer is so marvellous a privilege, why is man so loath to enter into his rich heritage? The observation of this reluctance has puzzled many believers.

The answer can only be found in the story of Adam’s lost communion in the garden.

Disobedience brought departure; obedience means communion. The Old Adam, the flesh, does not delight in God. In the following quotation, A. W. Tozer makes it clear that it is only the enthroned Spirit within the believer who can enjoy fellowshipping with the Father: “That first picture of God and man at the time of the creation shows them in close and open-hearted communion.

Adam listens while God explains how it is to be with him in his Eden home and lays down a few easy rules for his life on earth. The whole scene is restful, relaxed, and altogether beautiful. “But

“Seen from our human standpoint, redemption must rank first among all the acts of God. No other achievement of the Godhead required such vast and precise knowledge, such perfection of wisdom, or such fullness of moral power. To bring man into communion with Himself God must deal effectively with the whole matter of justice and righteousness; He must dispose of sin, reconcile an enemy, and make a rebel willingly obedient. And this He must do without compromising His holiness or coercing the race He would save.

“How two wills set in opposition to each other, and both free, could be harmonized was God’s problem and His alone; and with infinite wisdom and power He solved it through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ our Lord. Because Christ is God and man He can properly represent each before the other. He is the Days man Who can stand between the alienated man and the offended God and lay His hand upon them both. ‘For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus’ (I Tim. 2:5).

10

“All this is such a familiar part of evangelical theology that it may safely be assumed that the majority of my readers know it already. That is, they know it theoretically, but the experiential aspect of the truth is not so well-known. Indeed large numbers of supposedly sound Christian believers know nothing at all about personal communion with God; and there lies one of the greatest weaknesses of present day Christianity.

“The experiential knowledge of God is eternal life (John 17:3), and increased knowledge results in a correspondingly larger and fuller life. So rich a treasure is this inward knowledge of God that every other treasure is as nothing compared with it. We may count all things of no value and sacrifice them freely if we may thereby gain a more perfect knowledge of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. This was Paul’s testimony (Phil. 3:7-14), and it has been the testimony of all great Christian souls who have followed Christ from Paul’s day to ours.

“To know God it is necessary that we be like God to some degree, for things wholly dissimilar cannot agree and beings wholly unlike can never have communion with each other. It is necessary therefore that we use every means of grace to bring our souls into harmony with the character of God.”* *Excerpted from “The Increasing Knowledge of God,” in That Incredible Christian, by A. W.Tozer.

Christian Publications, Inc., Harrisburg, Pa. 1964.

Used by permission.

The Prophecy of Amos – A Warning for Today

An extract from our top- selling book.

Introduction. v1.

1. The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of King Uzziah of Judah and in the days of King Jeroboam son of Joash of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

Very little is known about the prophet Amos other than what is written here; that he worked "among the sheep breeders" in the area of Tekoa. The word translated "sheep breeders" can refer to various kinds of livestock and it is by no means clear whether Amos was the owner of the livestock or just a hired hand. Not much is known of Tekoa, either, except that is was a town in Southern Judah, near Bethlehem. It was fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:6) and surrounded by rocky desert (2 Chronicles 20:20).

God's choice of Amos shows how God calls the weak and ordinary instead of the wise and strong. (1 Corinthians 1:26 - 27). Amos was a nobody, but God revealed Himself to Amos through His word, just as today He reveals Himself to all who put their faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The vision Amos received warned of God's judgment on many nations, but especially Israel, which by the time of Amos' ministry had already been split into two kingdoms - Israel and Judah.

This happened when ten tribes of Israel rebelled against Solomon's son Rehoboam and made Jeroboam king over them, taking for themselves the name Israel. Only Judah and Benjamin remained faithful to Rehoboam, David's grandson, and his realm then adopted the name Judah. That is why the two kingdoms are referred to separately throughout the book of Amos, who prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah king of Judah and Jeroboam II king of Israel (who, according to Thiele, reigned between 782 and 753 BC). This made him a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea. The exact time when his message was given is said to be "two years before the earthquake". This must have been an event of some significance to be used as a date marker by the compiler of Amos' prophecies.

Unfortunately today we cannot be certain as to its exact date.

designed by Jeroboam to prevent his subjects being reunited with Judah. He reasoned, quite shrewdly, that if the people had the same religion and worshipped in the same place, then a national reunion, based on repentance toward God, would be more likely to occur. (1 Kings 12:26 - 33). Although God had given ten tribes to Jeroboam as a punishment on David's family because of their idolatry in the days of Solomon, He was further angered when Jeroboam began to follow the same ways as the King who was ousted before him. God's judgment on the idolatrous nation was sure to come, and would initially take the form of a drought, which would result in a lack of pasture for sheep.

Israel was known as a nation of shepherds, but as a consequence of the drought, even the lush pasture of Carmel would wither, for God had warned Israel that if they were unfaithful to Him then: The LORD will change the rain of your land into powder, and only dust shall come down upon you from the sky until you are destroyed. (Deuteronomy 28:24).

God's Judgment Imminent. v2.

Judgments Against: Syria. v3 - 5.

2. And he said: The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds wither, and the top of Carmel dries up.

3. Thus says the LORD: For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing sledges of iron.

Amos warns his hearers of impending judgment. A lion does not roar unless it has a prey. Israel is the prey that God is about to take in judgment. The picture of God making his voice heard from Jerusalem, the place which He had appointed for worship, is significant, since under the leadership of Jeroboam I, Israel had forsaken this place of worship and instead worshipped the golden calves at Bethel and Dan. Jeroboam had even appointed his own priests, contrary to God's command.

This entire system of idolatry was

Amos now begins to pronounce judgment on the five nations surrounding Israel. The formula "for three... for four" shows how these nations continued obstinately in their evil ways, for if a nation had seen it's error, they may have repented and God would not need to speak of judgment.

But the verses reveal an absence of repentance. As a result of the nations' persistent sin, God says to each one, "I will not turn away" - judgment could no longer be withheld.

11

First to be dealt with is Syria. Damascus, the capital of Syria, represents the rule of the nation and therefore denotes the nation as a whole. Gilead was near Syria and seems to have been a regular target for Syrian troops. (See 2 Kings 10:32 33). Although it is true that God had used Syria to chastise unfaithful Israel, they would not be excused for their inhumanity. The Israelites which the Syrians captured in battle were literally threshed to death with farming implements of sharpened metal ("threshing sledges of iron"). For this war crime God would judge the whole Syrian nation.

4. So I will send a fire on the house of Hazael, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad.

Hazael and Ben-Hadad had both been kings of Syria and so represent the rulers of that nation. As Tatford points out, the name "Ben-Hadad" was adopted by many Syrian kings in honour of their god "Hadad", the god of storms ("Ben-Hadad" means "son of Hadad").

The fire, symbolic of God's judgment, would come to destroy their rule and ruin their nation. Throughout Amos' prophecy, it is the fire of war. Many towns and cities were literally burned to the ground by invading armies.

5. I will break the gate bars of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitants from the Valley of Aven, and the one who holds the scepter from Beth-eden; and the people of Aram shall go into exile to Kir, says the LORD. The capital, Damascus, would be besieged before eventually being captured (this is symbolised by the broken gate bar) and there would be no one left in the whole country of Syria, from "the Valley of Aven to Beth Eden" indicates that the conquest would be all inclusive. In Britain we might use the phrase "from Lands’ End to John O'Groats", meaning the whole nation.

In days when Assyria was not considered big enough to pose a threat to the surrounding countries, Amos accurately predicted the Assyrian invasion of Syria. The victorious invaders literally deported the whole Syrian nation, rulers and subjects (that is, "the inhabitants" and "he that holds the scepter"), and resettled them elsewhere, as was their usual policy with prisoners of war. The place of their resettlement is named as Kir. There is considerable debate among scholars as to which city is meant, for the word "Kir" simply means "a walled enclosure" and more than one city of that time was named "Kir". However, what is clear is that only thirty years after Amos uttered his prophecy, it was fulfilled. (2 Kings 16:9).

Philistia. v6 - 8.

6,7,8. Thus says the LORD: For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; because they carried into exile entire communities, to hand them over to Edom. So I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, fire that shall devour its strongholds. I will cut off the inhabitants from Ashdod, and the one who holds the scepter from Ashkelon; I will turn my hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, says the Lord GOD. Philistia is next to come under Divine sentence and is symbolised by its chief city of Gaza. The Philistines were to be judged for their part in the deporting of an entire population, possibly from a region of Israel. Those they took as captives were, says Tatford, presumably sold as slaves to the Edomites. (Edom was a nation which traded in slaves; see 2 Chronicles 28:17). The judgment of God coming upon the wall indicates that there would be no protection for the city from its high towers and fortifications, which would be 12

destroyed. Philistia was not in fact a nation but a federation of city kingdoms, each with its own king. All but one of these cities (Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron and Gaza) are named here, each city and king receiving their share of the judgment. Only Gath is not mentioned, though it is not excluded, since God makes clear that the whole population (remnant - whoever is left) of the Philistines would perish.

Tyre. v9 - 10.

9,10. Thus says the LORD: For three transgressions of Tyre, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; because they delivered entire communities over to Edom, and did not remember the covenant of kinship. So I will send a fire on the wall of Tyre, fire that shall devour its strongholds.

Tyre was a shipping port in Phoenicia. It is unlikely that they captured men as slaves, but rather that they traded in the Jewish slaves which were captured by the Philistines. They were middlemen, selling the slaves on to Edom. God's case against them is that they should not have shut their eyes to the suffering of these Jews, but they should have remembered the peace treaty which their nation, under king Hiram, had made with Israel at the time of King Solomon. (1 Kings 5:12). As was the case with Gaza, walls and fortifications could provide no protection from the judgment of God. This is why the Psalmist sang, "Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain." (Psalm 127:1).

Today in Western Countries we pride ourselves in our ability to wage high tech warfare and for security we trust our "nuclear deterrent". The message of Amos abides that men ought not to trust in defences, but in God, who is able to make any defence as naught before His judgment.

Edom. v11 - 12.

11,12 Thus says the LORD: For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; because he pursued his brother with the sword and cast off all pity; he maintained his anger perpetually, and kept his wrath forever. So I will send a fire on Teman, and it shall devour the strongholds of Bozrah.

Next comes judgment on Edom. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob's older brother, and should have shown some affection for their relatives the Jews. The opposite was true. They manifested continual hostility to Israel, an unreasonable hatred which allowed no mercy or pity, a cruel anger which was never satisfied by any amount of vengeance. Like the men Paul describes, they were "without natural affection."

(2 Timothy 3:3). Since no further elaboration is made about Edom's judgment, the "fire in Teman" that would "devour Bozrah" must refer to events similar to those depicted in the previous prophecies - that is, Assyrian and later Babylonian invasions decimating the entire nation.

Ammon. v13 - 15.

13. Thus says the LORD: For three transgressions of the Ammonites, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; because they have ripped open pregnant women in Gilead in order to enlarge their territory.

The Ammonites were a very cruel people. Their soldiers deliberately targeted pregnant woman and cut them open in order to kill mother and child.

They had no mercy in their lust to gain more land. Gilead, an extensive and mountainous region of Israel, which was close to the Ammonite border, was seized by them in this way.

14,15. So I will kindle a fire against the wall of Rabbah, fire that shall devour its strongholds, with shouting on the day of battle, with a storm on the day of the whirlwind; then their king shall go into exile, he and his officials together, says the LORD. The same fate of defeat in battle and subsequent captivity awaited Ammon and its rulers as did Syria and its rulers, coming suddenly and irresistibly like a whirlwind. Ray Beeley says, "According to Poole, (this) judgment was eventually completed by the Babylonians." (c/f Ezekiel 25:1 - 4).

Moab. Ch. 2 v 1 - 3.

1. Thus says the LORD: For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; because he burned to lime the bones of the king of Edom.

Such was the violent nature of the Moabites that they were not content merely to kill the king of Edom; they dissolved his bones in lime. No respect was shown for man, who is created in the image of God, not even for the human body after death. This crime may have had special significance if, as Tatford suggests, it was done as an offering to one of their gods.

2,3. I will send a fire on Moab, and it shall devour the strongholds of Kerioth, and Moab shall die amid uproar, amid shouting and the sound of the trumpet; I will cut off the ruler from its midst, and will kill all its officials with him says the LORD Kerioth was the capital city of Moab.

War and violent destruction would overtake the land (advancing armies are indicated by the sound of the trumpet) and all the leaders, whether judges or princes, would be killed.

So ends Amos' pronunciation of judgment on the heathen nations 13

surrounding Israel. These were people who neither knew God nor worshipped Him. God nevertheless held them accountable for their actions. The apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans points out that such people will be judged according to the light which they have received, in particular that revelation of God's eternal power and Godhead which is self-evident in creation. This is so sufficient and compelling evidence as to leave those who do not have the scriptures without any excuse for their rejection of God. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and Divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things He has made. So they are without excuse; (Romans 1:19-20) The God who was at work in Amos' day to bring judgment on the heathen is still in charge of world affairs today, governing the nations. All nations would do well to realise that it is not through strength of arms, nor use of force, but in dependence on God that true national security lies.

God is not only the God of nations, but of every individual. The day is coming when God shall judge every person for their own sins. (Acts 17:31). The verdict of this future and final judgment will depend on whether or not a person has received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Only those who do so will escape the wrath of God (John 3:36; 1 Thessalonians 1:10) and eternal punishment (Hebrews 6:2). If those who did not know God and did not have His word were judged just as Amos foretold, what would happen to those who knew God's word and yet rejected it? Amos next turns his attention to those who were privileged to possess God's word yet were failing to obey it Israel and Judah.

Standing Firm through the Storm although he had been torn away from them by circumstances, he

For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. (1Th 3:8) Today, persecuted believers can stand firm through the storm, just as the persecuted Thessalonians did.

Acts 17:1-15

by Mathew Bartlett Images: Above Š Enjoylife25 Overleaf: Mpz@sapo.pt

When the Thessalonians came to know Christ as their Saviour they immediately faced a tremendous storm of opposition and persecution. The young church suffered harassment, arrest and even confiscation of their goods.

One such incident is recorded in the above reading from the book of Acts 17, especially v 5-9.

The result was that Paul was forced to flee for his life, leaving the young church to face the on-going situation alone. It is clear that this incident was not isolated. Paul writes to them, For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; (1Th 2:1415) Paul knew more than most what that persecution involved, having been on both sides of it. So,

he writes to encourage them. He sent Timothy to see how they were getting on, and was overjoyed to learn that they were standing firm through the storm. As believers we will have persecution and face opposition. Paul says we are appointed to this. In acts he "strengthened the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." (Act 14:22) Jesus said this too. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also (John 15:20) But thank God the young believers in the town of Thessalonica were standing firm through the storm, and young believers in Pontypool can do the same. Let's see how they stood firm.

14

They had a strong foundation When Paul came to Thessalonica he preached the gospel of Christ's death and resurrection, which they believed. Their faith was founded on sound teaching. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (1Th 1:9-10) When they received the word, it was with all readiness of mind. They knew God's word was true. For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. (1Th 2:13) So when the storm of persecution comes, you can know that your faith is founded on the truth of sound teaching. No matter what men say,

you have no need to abandon it, for it is the word of God.

They had a Solids Conviction For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. (1Th 1:5) The Thessalonians were able to believe God's word for they had experienced a deep conviction of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Jesus said it is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He did this work for the Thessalonians which led to their genuine conversion. Those of us with experience of this conviction know that the man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument. Men may try to undermine our faith, but we know whom we have believed. Our conviction is solid, and we can stand firm through the storm.

They stood firm in the storm because they had a strong foundation, but also because they had a simple vocation.

They had a Simple Vocation.

Having received the Lord Jesus Christ they had one simple aim in life - to do his will. Everything else was let go of for this. Before we come to Christ, our interests may be many and varied. But when we come to Christ, this all surpassing interest possesses us. People cannot understand what change has come over us. My Grandma used to say to

me "you need to get a life." But I had found the best life any one could have with Jesus. I still have interests, I enjoy sport, I surf the internet, I play with my daughter, visit family and sometimes, rarely, go out for meals but nothing compares to knowing Jesus as my Saviour and without him, life would be empty and lifeless.

They had a Sound Conversion.

Their sound conversion was evidenced by their faith, love and hope: 1 Thess. 1v3,4 work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father; they had a faith that was doing. Not merely a mental assent but an involvement of the heart. James says that faith without works is dead. Show me your faith without works, he says, but I'll show you my faith by my works. The unsaved in their community could see that these Thessalonian believers were Christ's not just because of what they said, but because of how they lived their lives.

The whole world knew that "they turned to God from idols" 1 Thess. 1 v 10. As persecution came, only a sound conversion could enable them to hold on to their faith. Paul had been concerned about them. He said "For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain. (1Th 3:5) The devil wanted the young church to abandon its faith in the face of persecution. All over the world 15

Christians are experiencing this. In many countries they say "If you will stop following Jesus we will make it easier for you, we will stop persecuting you, we will let you live." Don't listen to the devil's lie: it will lead to you losing your soul.

No man can take my life unless the lord allows it, so my life is not in their hands, but in God's. So the threat to kill is an idle threat.

Holding on to my faith in Christ is certain proof that I have eternal life.

Jesus said "Do not fear those who can kill the body but who cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." If you are suffering persecution for your faith, don't be afraid, you are not on your own.

Peter says "The same things are happening to your brothers who are in the world". We have all experienced persecution from family and friends.

Don't let go of your faith, be like the Thessalonians. By the grace of God they held on to their faith and were victorious.

Their labour was motivated by genuine love for the Lord and his people. The Bible says "having not seen him you love him." And "love one another as I have loved you". If you do not love your brother whom you can see, how can you love God whom you cannot see? How wonderful to know that love is a doing word. God's love is always giving and doing. God loved the world and gave his son. The son loved me and gave his life for me.

He demonstrated his love on the cross. A love that does nothing is no

love at all John writes But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1Jn 3:17) And so brother, sister, if you are going through persecution for faith in Christ, you are not alone, for we love you. We are concerned for you.

We will pray and if possible we will help you. This is our labour of love, together we can stand firm through the storm.

They Enjoyed a Saving Presence.

Thank God that in times of persecution or trouble, we have the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is described by Jesus as the comforter, someone who comes along side us to help, encourage and strengthen us in the face of trouble and opposition against our faith. The Thessalonians had "received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit" (1Th 1:6) Just like the apostles, they were able to suffer affliction because of the presence of the Holy Spirit, who supernaturally gave them joy. For the believer the Holy Spirit is: An Indwelling Power Jesus said "I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17) The Holy Spirit comes to live in believers through the baptism of the

Holy Spirit. This is his indwelling presence, and none can ever take him away - he will be with you forever. As the Holy Spirit dwells in us he gives us a longing for heaven.

We, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. (Rom 8:23) And in times of trouble he helps us to pray, for he perfectly knows and understands our needs and God's will. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.(Rom 8:26) An all sufficient helper Jesus called the Holy Spirit the helper. Whatever situation we face, the Holy Spirit is able to impart to us the victory that is ours in Christ. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." (2Co 12:9) We can stand firm in the storm as we know the Saving Presence of the Holy Spirit

They Enjoyed a Living Hope The hope that carries the believer through times of persecution is that Jesus is coming come again. The Thessalonians waited for this hopeHis son from heaven 1 Thess. 1v10.

In the midst of persecution they were encouraged by looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Nothing could trouble them for long -for Jesus is coming. It is the hope that sustains us. How 16

often have we cried and groaned under a wait of sorrow "O Lord Jesus How long?"

When Jesus comes again he will bring with him all the Christians who have died before his coming. The dead saints will be raised, the living ones changed, and we shall all be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we be forever with the Lord. Comfort one another, writes Paul with these words.

Are you standing through the storm? You are not alone. I wrote this message because I know some of you are experiencing opposition and persecution for your faith. We want to help you. You can stand firm through the storm by having a strong foundation in God's word; a simple vocation - seeking to do God's will; a sound conversion evidenced by faith and love; experience the indwelling, all sufficient presence of the Holy Spirit who will come to be your helper and look for that blessed hope - the coming of our Lord Jesus to receive us to himself. You can stand through the storm as we stand together with Jesus. Amen.

The Runaway Prophet The Book of Jonah Chapters Three and Four A brief Bible study by Derek Williams.

Photos this page: © Jeff Schulz. Bottom Right: © Fotogeek

Jonah's Obedience 1 - 4.

V1 - 2. Although Jonah had been disobedient and failed God does not cast him off but gives him another opportunity. The Lord recommissions Him by speaking in almost the exact words of verse one, chapter one.

The only difference being that in chapter one He tells him to "'cry against"' the city and here he is instructed to "preach to it", or rather the inhabitants. To cry against implies condemnation without hope, whereas preach means this but also includes the hope that if there is repentance then forgiveness may be given. This was the full message that God entrusted to Jonah. V3. Jonah who had himself repented of his disobedience this time did what God asked him to do in the beginning - he learnt the hard way. If he had not opposed God he could have saved himself a lot of trouble.

Nineveh was indeed a great city it is said that its walls were wide enough for three chariots to ride abreast. It was approximately 60 miles across, thus requiring 3 20mile travel days. V4. Jonah went a third of the way into the city before he began to preach the short but powerful message of warning from God. He was mightily anointed and did not beat about the bush but gave it to them straight so the people knew that it was a message from God and they feared (Deut.

18:22).

The People's Response 5-10 V5. It is amazing that this heathen, idolatrous, wicked people, who didn't know Jonah from Adam should listen to what he had to say!

It is remarkable that they recognized that it was God’s voice!

But the fact that they "believed" can only be attributed to the grace and mercy of God in opening their hearts and minds to 17Him.

They went even further for they not only believed but they did something about it. First of all they called a "fast" which is a universal sign of a spirit of repentance. Secondly they put on sackcloth - a sign of mourning or sorrow for their sins (2 Cor. 7:9 10).

V6. The message even reached the ears of the king and in response he steps down from his throne, he humbled himself under the hand of God, acknowledging that He is Lord of all (Acts 10:36). He took off his robe, that is, he laid aside his authority and power as sovereign of the people.

He replaced it with sackcloth and added sat in ashes - in Godly sorrow for his sins and in a spirit of repentance.

V7 - 8. He called the whole city to deny themselves food and drink, also their animals, and pray and turn from their wicked ways. V9. They did not do all this believing that if they did God had no other choice but to forgive and spare them – but in the

hope that He would in his mercy accept their repentance and forgive and spare their lives.

V10. God saw that they were sincere in their contrition and in accordance to His nature and in response to their action He changed His mind.

This is not to say that God is inconsistent, for He is completely consistent in His intention to bless everyone everywhere. Thus if anyone truly repents, (even Ahab 1 Kings 21:29), God will have mercy.

3. Jonah's Anger Resentment 1 - 5.

and

V1. Although Jonah had reluctantly been God's messenger to warn the Ninevites of impending doom, he did not really want them to repent.

As they were the enemies of his people he wanted them destroyed for their many sin (contrary to the teaching of Jesus Matt. 5:44-45). It is not for us to discourage repentance when an enemy decides to repent V2. Jonah knew the character of God; he had received of His grace and mercy personally and knew the history of God's dealings with Israel.

But he could not reconcile this to God’s dealings with the Ninevites.

Jonah's view of God was limited, therefore he could not imagine how great His grace is even to the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:14). He states the reason why he disobeyed God in the first place was because he knew that in His love He would change His mind. V3. Jonah would rather die than admit that he had a wrong attitude or allow God to change his unforgiving spirit. (Matt. 6:14-15).

V4. God desires to teach Jonah his final lesson concerning the value of souls and the extent of Divine mercy He asks him "Is it right for you to be angry?" V5. In reply Jonah leaves the city and sits down with a resentful spirit to wait and see what would happen.

4. God's Kindness v6. In spite of Jonah's attitude and behavior in isolating himself from God and the Ninevites, God in His wisdom and knowledge sees that Jonah has put himself in a very dangerous position in more ways than one. So in loving kindness and concern for His prophet He caused a plant to grow in order to protect him from the fierce heat of the sun.

God had another reason for doing this for apart from Jonah's physical welfare He was concerned for his spiritual wellbeing.

5. God teaches Jonah about Compassion 7 -11.

V7 - 8. In His grace God had given Jonah protection, now He takes it away so that Jonah may learn about compassion. In the state that he was in both physically and spiritually, brought on himself, Jonah could only see death as the way out. V9 God asks him of it concerning the plant. Jonah still holds on to his anger and resentment. This time he

18

answers God "It is right", "I am right because I want to be right and no one will change my mind!"

V10. Jonah could have pity on a plant that he had done nothing to create V11. This is the central challenge of the book. There were 120,000 lost souls in Nineveh who were deserving of hell, but ignorant of how to escape their plight. God had created them and provided all they needed to live. Has He not the right to have mercy and pity upon them?

God went to an awful lot of trouble to bring salvation to the world, it cost Him a lot "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting Life" (John 3:16). We are not told whether Jonah got the point or if he responded to God and repented.

Have you got the point?

Our In Depth Study.

Revelation 15.

By

Derek R. Williams. Photo © Godfer

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Prelude to the Final Judgments. v1 - 8.

It is to be noted that the series of visions given to John in Revelation do not follow each other in strictly chronological order. The events in chapters fifteen and sixteen actually precede those in chapter fourteen.

1. "Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete."

John sees another great and wonderful sign in heaven - seven angels holding seven bowls containing the seven last plagues to be poured out in judgment on the world. These are the last to be poured out for with them God's wrath is complete.

2. "And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God." Before the particulars of the seven bowls are given, another vision is seen.

John sees what seemed to be a sea of glass blended with fire, representing God's holy and righteous judgments.

Standing on the sea are those who have not bowed down and worshipped the beast or his image or received his mark.

These are the victorious ones. They have harps in their hands, which were given them by God that they might worship Him. 3. "They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are

Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!"

Accompanying themselves with these harps they sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. These are not two different songs but one, a song of praise and thanksgiving such as that Moses gave the Israelites to sing after their deliverance from Egypt (Exodus chapter 15). It is sung in honour of the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our mighty deliverer (Rev. 5:9 - 13). Their song: Exceedingly great and wonderful is the work of God, especially evidenced in the redemptive work of Christ. He is just and true in all that He does and is Lord of those He has redeemed.

4. "Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested."

There will be no one who will not revere His Name, bow down to Him, honour and praise Him (Phil. 2:9 - 11; Rom. 14:11). He alone is perfectly and to the highest degree, holy. All nations will pay Him homage for His righteous acts have been seen. Ps. 86:9.

5. "After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened."

After this John saw that the way into the presence of God; the dwelling place and throne of God (the heavenly holy of holies) was opened.

6. "And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands."

19

John's attention returns to the seven angels bearing the plagues coming out from the presence of God. They are dressed in pure bright linen and have a golden sash across their chest, a mark of the divine authority which is given them (Rev. 1:5).

7. "Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever."

One of the four living creatures gave to each one of the angels a golden bowl filled with the wrath of God i.e. the seven plagues. "Who lives forever and ever." "The particular object in referring to this attribute here appears to be, that though there may seem to be delay in the execution of his purposes, yet they will be certainly accomplished, for he is the ever-living and unchangeable God" (Barnes).

8. "The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed."

When this was done the sanctuary was filled with a smoke because of the glory of God's presence and by His mighty power (Ex. 40:34). Because of this no one was able to enter until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

Most commentators agree that during this time no intercessions can be made..

From The Revelation of Jesus Christ by Derek Williams (paperback £6.99)

mourning and crying and pain will be no more’. Rev. 21:4 The only alternative for those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is a place called hell. Jesus said, ‘The one who rejects the Son (Jesus) will not see life, but God's wrath remains on him’.

John 3:36

Copies of our latest Gospel tract are available at www.biblestudiesonline.co.u k/Gospel-tracts.html

Where will you go when you die?

When you die, is that the end of your existence? Or is there a life after death? The Bible teaches that the soul shall live on after death.

The Bible says ‘people are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment’ Heb. 9:27 Jesus made very clear that there are only two possible destinations for the soul after death. The one is heaven, and this is for all who believe in him. The one who believes in the Son (Jesus) has eternal life. John 3:36 In heaven, ‘God will wipe every tear from their eyes.

Death will be no more;

according to their works. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:12-15 In order to go to heaven when you die you must repent of your sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

Jesus warned ‘It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God than to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched’. Mark 9:47-48

Jesus paid the price on the cross at Calvary so that your sins might be forgiven; He died and rose again that you might be saved from the wrath to come.

Once a soul enters hell, there is no way of ever getting out.

In hell your soul will be awake and fully conscious of the torment it is suffering, and this torment will continue forever and ever.

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life’. John 3:16

‘And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and there is no rest day or night’. Rev. 14:11 A final Judgment Day is coming in which everyone will give an account of their lives to God. Only those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their Saviour have their names written in the Lamb’s book of Life so that they might enter eternal life.

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, 20

Will you trust him to save you today?

‘I have set before you life and death, therefore choose life’.

Deut. 30:19 ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved’. Acts 16:31

My Decision From this date:...............................

I have received the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I believe Jesus died and rose again to save me from all my sin and now I belong to Him, saved by His grace.

Signed ..................................

The Divine Alliance “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 This Bible Study has been taken from Chapter VI of Daniel Kolenda’s new book “Your Kingdom Come” and is for those who desire to enter into a divine partnership with God and His purposes by joining the prayer revolution.

Charles Finney (1792-1875) is considered by many people to have been one of the greatest revivalists in American history.

When Finney preached in a city, the entire region was powerfully impacted by the holy presence of God, which seemed to descend like a cloud. The tangible presence of God would be felt for miles around and multitudes of people would come to Jesus as if being drawn by a mysterious, magnetic force.

Churches would be overwhelmed with new converts. Crime rates would plummet, and jails would empty because of the numbers of people who had come to Jesus.

The moral nature of cities and regions would be impacted for

decades to come because of the supernatural work that was

Much has been written about the amazing ministry of Charles

done by the Holy Spirit through this man of God.

Finney, but very little is known about another man named Daniel Nash who was an associate of Finney.

Interestingly, approximately 80 percent of those people who came to Jesus in Finney’s meetings were still actively serving the Lord twenty-five years after their initial salvation experience16 – an extraordinary statistic.

The amazing revivals that followed the ministry of Charles Finney were much more than just the result of the eloquent preaching of this evangelist.

There was an atmosphere that followed Charles Finney that reflected the holiness of God. When people encountered that atmosphere, their testimony was much the same as the prophet Isaiah who, encountering the holiness of God, cried out in despair, “Woe is me! for I am undone…” (Isaiah 6:5).

People were stricken by the horrors of their sins and the deep offense that sin caused in the heart of God. A reverential fear of the Lord was experienced by many that caused them to turn to the Lord with true, heartfelt repentance, and they were never the same again.

21

Very few people even knew that he existed. He was very quiet by nature and rarely, if ever, attended any of the revival meetings where Finney preached. Though he had been a pastor early in his life, he had been wounded by some church leaders who had fired him from his church thinking he was too old. He was forty-six at the time.

This breaking of Nash’s heart was only a part of the preparation for a much greater work that God had prepared for him to do.

Nash’s ministry was a ministry of prayer and intercession.

Because of his hurt, he withdrew from public ministry but became a man of mighty prevailing prayer!

God brought Daniel Nash and Charles Finney together to form a team that was to be used by God in a most phenomenal way.

Nash would precede Charles Finney’s arrival in a city for revival meetings. He would go to the city and check into a boarding house and begin praying for the meetings that were coming. Sometimes he

wouldn’t come out of his room for days at a time as he devoted himself totally to intercession.

Sometimes people reported hearing weeping and groaning coming from this man’s room as he prayed for the Holy Spirit’s power to be released and a mighty harvest to be reaped when Charles Finney came to preach.

Daniel Nash would pray for days before he felt that the work had been done in the spirit for the meetings to convene. Other times he would pray for three to four weeks in advance of Finney’s arrival, but he would not quit until he felt in his spirit that the preparation through intercession was complete. Nash prayed until he felt that the spiritual atmosphere had been prepared, and once he felt a release, he would send word to Charles Finney that the town was ready for him to come.

Finney would follow, preach the Gospel, and the tidal floods of God’s holy, convicting, and saving glory would overwhelm the town and people would come to Jesus to be saved as a result.

The greatest moves of God in American history occurred during this season of time. Entire regions were changed as a result of Finney’s ministry. Historians point to those meetings as having such a profound impact upon people and societies that the effects could still be seen a century or more later! The powerful preaching of Charles

Finney that saw hundreds of thousands of people saved would have never had the impact it did had it not been for the spiritual partnership with the intercessory ministry of Daniel Nash.

It is interesting to note that only four months after Daniel Nash’s death, Charles Finney left the itinerate revival ministry to pastor a church. The powerful revivals that characterized his ministry and changed a nation began to wane.

Daniel Nash is buried in a simple grave in an obscure cemetery behind a farmer’s barn in upstate New York. It was lost in history for many decades. On his small, well-worn tombstone are these words: “Daniel Nash – Prayer minister for Charles Finney.” Though he was virtually unknown to the masses, God used Nash in a most profound way to birth the revivals of Charles Finney which touched multitudes.

Surely, Daniel Nash enjoys the same fruit of reward as Charles Finney in Heaven today because of the role he played in intercession and prayer! I believe that there are many Daniel Nash’s in the earth today.

They are known only to God (and maybe a few family members or friends). They may never write a book. They may never have a television program.

They may never have a large public ministry that draws money, popularity, and acclaim 22

of the masses, but their unseen labours in the spirit through intercessory prayer are resulting in the work of God moving forward in the earth.

They may be strangers while here, but one day they will be champions in Heaven.

The next great move of God will come as a result of Prayer & Obedience by the body of Christ.

Discover how God made us partners with Him for the fulfilment of His purposes in the earth.

Don't miss your opportunity to purchase the first book released

by Author and Evangelist Daniel Kolenda.

GET THE BOOK NOW! http://bit.ly/A0OmSW

Be Blessed,

Daniel Kolenda, Evangelist

To find out more, or to support the work of CfaN visit their website: http://us.cfan.org/?lang=en-US

Article reproduced with the kind permission of Christ for all Nations.

Gospel Tracts www.biblestudiesonline.co.uk/Gospel-Tracts.html

A New improved version of our Welsh/ English Bilingual Tract: ‘The Way to Heaven/ Y Ffordd I’r Nef’ has been reprinted.

PLUS! Our NEW plain to read Gospel tract ‘Heaven and Hell’ is available now. Both tracts only £2 per 50 (includes UK postage) Rest of world, contact for shipping price. We make no profit on our tracts. Request samples.

We offer professionally printed copies of Living Word Magazine at cost price for you and your church members.

Contact Us Editor: Mathew Bartlett

Bulk discounts available for orders of 20 or more. Contact us for details.

Living Word Magazine and Bible Studies Online are ministries of Sharon Full Gospel Church. UK

Current prices (UK pounds) including postage for 12 monthly issues are:

Reg. Charity No. 1050642 www.sharonchurch.co.uk

Tel: (+44) 01495 753561 Lines open 9am-5pm

UK/USA £42 for 12 issues.

Mon to Fri with answerphone.

Canada £48 for 12 issues.

Living Word digital magazine is available free

Rest of World £82 for 12 issues.

of charge. Print copies also available at less

Go to http://www.biblestudiesonline.co.uk/Liv ing-Word.html for more details.

than cost price from: www.biblestudiesoline.co.uk

23