Living Word Magazine February 2012

Living Word Magazine

This is my commandment – love one another Going Deeper into God’s Word Issue 7 February 2012

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

Bible Studies Online International

www.biblestudiesonline.co.uk JOHN 2:11 THIS BEGINNING OF MIRACLES DID JESUS IN CANA OF GALILEE ©Photos above Marafilm CoverDanilo Ascione photo Back cover Peter Saharov

In this month’s issue: 2.

The Marriage at Cana

5.

Revival

9

The Theology of Pentecost Part Two

11.

Are You Stressed or Blessed?

12.

Gateway to God

Edwin & Lillian Harvey (USA)

13.

Words of Love

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

15.

Christ Among Women

17.

Love in Harvest – The Book of Ruth 4. Derek Williams (UK)

19.

In Depth Study – Revelation Chapter 12 Derek Williams (UK)

21.

Guest Article: Divine Dining Reinhard Bonnke (CfaN)

Carl Whorley (USA)

Arfon Lloyd Thomas (UK) Mathew Bartlett (UK)

Ken Legg (Australia AG)

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

©Photos Above © Joseph Sedmak (from Notre Dame Paris) Cover: © Andres Rodriguez. Back cover© maxfx . Left © from top: Phtoquest, Richard Thomas, and Willgame

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IN THIS ISSUE

February Reader’s Article – from USA The Marriage at Cana Read John 2

Image: © Willgame

By Carl Whorley The fact that the marriage took place on the third day is significant.

In Genesis 1:9-13, God twice call the third day of Creation good.

It is the only one of the six days of creation of which God pronounces a double blessing.

For this reason many Hebrew couples like to get married on the third day of the week, traditionally hoping it will add an extra blessing to their marriage, and it would appear that the couple in John 2:111 might have followed this tradition.

The marriage took place in Cana, (a small town approximately eight to nine miles north of Nazareth, the home of Jesus and the birth place of Nathanael). The guest list tells us a great deal. Firstly, Mary the mother of Jesus was there, along with Jesus and His disciples. Clearly, one of the newlyweds was at least close friends if not relatives of Mary, Jesus' mother. There has been much conjecture about the identity of the couple in question, but John does not reveal their identity, for the object of his history is to demonstrate who Jesus is, the Christ, the Son of God. The events of the wedding take a dramatic turn when in John 2:3, the social horror of horrors takes place they run out of wine!

How much Mary understood at this time of the capabilities of Jesus is unknown. From Luke 2:47-49, we see that Mary should have at least known that Jesus possessed superior insight in matters of Scripture and Theology.

Although he had not yet performed any miracle (John 2:11) , she knows that she can turn to Jesus with her concern about the bride's problem and so she plaintively and earnestly seeks His help.

This would not be the only time in which Jesus referred to His mother as woman or dear woman (see also John 19:26), emphasising her relationship to Him as Son of God rather than ass Son of Man. He does this firmly but very respectfully, and then asks her a very pointed question "what have I to do with you?" Or how does this concern me? This is a very polite but firm way of asking "and what would you like for me to do about this?"

Jesus refers to the fact that his time had "not yet come" Jesus was aware that He was on a divine time schedule ordained by His Heavenly Father even before the foundation of the world.

In John 2:4, Jesus states that His hour had not yet come.

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In the Gospel of John, Jesus says this several His hour/time was not yet come (e.g. John 2:4, John 7:6, John 7:8, John 7:30, John 8:20) But by the time we get to John 12:27, the wording starts to change: Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say?

Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Christ's hour is now approaching.

Later, in John 13:1 & 17:1, the wording changes again.

John 13:1...Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

John 17:1.These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee.

Clearly we see that the hour referred to by Jesus in John 2:4, is the hour in time of His passion. The hour in question would be His Passion Week.

In the world's way of seeing facts, Jesus was just another criminal being crucified by Roman jurisprudence. What mankind did not realize is that it was not only the greatest hour of triumph for Jesus, and that this hour came for our salvation.

This was the hour in which Jesus finished the work which His Heavenly Father sent Him to accomplish. And it was the hour in which mankind might have peace with the Heavenly Father through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross.

Mary was going to have to understand, that though she was Jesus' mother, the usage of His divine abilities was set by the Heavenly Father, and not by her.

Here, Jesus lovingly, yet firmly, reminds her of this fact.

Jesus is telling His mother that this was neither the place nor the time in which Jesus wanted to start His ministry which would show Him as the Messiah, and culminate in His death and resurrection.

In John 2:5, Jesus' mother, Mary, gives the caterers the best advice ever given to mankind. And that

being, whatever Jesus tells you to do, do it! When God says that because of what his son has done on the cross, all we must do to obtain eternal life is believe in him, then do it! When it comes to being a success in your walk with God the Father, then whatever He tells you, do it.

However, even on God's timescale, he is able to pause to hear and answer the prayer of an earnest, godly soul. In response to Mary's plea, our Lord miraculously supplied wine at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee in John 2:1-11.

There are many words used for "wine" in the Old Testament, though it is not clear which word would best describes the wine that Jesus produced on this occasion.

(Carl gives us a thorough examination of these words and their usage, which I have posted at our contributor's blog livingword.com - editor) In John 2:1-11, the Greek word used for the English word wine, is the Greek word oinoV/oinos. From this one Greek word we get the general English word wine. However, this one Greek word was used to denote a number of items, from intoxicating beverage, to unfermented wine, grape juice, vinegar and even grape skins and raisons.

Therefore, at the marriage at Cana, what did Jesus miraculously create?

Did He make an intoxicating beverage, or did He make a very pleasant, family friendly, beverage to be enjoyed by all? In truth, the Bible never does tell us and neither does the Greek New Testament.

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However, emphatic warnings are given in the New Testament against excess in the use of wine (e.g. Luke 21:34; Rom. 13:13; Eph. 5:18; I Tim. 3:8 and Tit. 1:7).

As close as we can get to an answer to this question, would be the comments of the governor of the feast in verse 10. He makes a general statement that it is a common practice at the start of the feast, to serve the finest wines. He does not say "strongest wine", but "finest" or "best". His comment does not infer any intoxicating properties in the beverage created

by Jesus, but to its superior quality.

There is no mention of anyone being intoxicated at the wedding feast, and so we can assume they were not. In a society where water was not always pure, wine formed a staple daily drink for the population, and was necessarily lacking in intoxicating properties.

When things go wrong, such as they did at this wedding feast, God is not unprepared. He is able to intervene and meet the need. Things went wrong in the Garden of Eden. It was not His will for Adam and Eve to disobey Him, yet, they did.

It is not God's will for anyone to die without Jesus Christ as their Saviour and spend a Christless eternity in Hell. Yet, at the rate, globally, of approximately three per second, people do die without Jesus and Hell becomes their abode for all eternity.

This is not the will of God for mankind: 2 Peter 3:9...The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some

men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

In John 2:11, we see that it was here that Jesus... manifested forth his glory. Jesus would take this opportunity to reveal the fact of His deity. That He is in fact, the very God in flesh form. Also, Jesus will use this opportunity to illustrate His teaching about being born again (or regeneration).

which Jesus Christ gave and shed to purchase this new regenerated born again life on our behalf.

Hebrews 9:22 tells us that if Jesus would not have shed His blood on the cross, then this new life would have been an impossibility. We would have literally been born to die and spend eternity in hell.

Jesus came to pay for this eternal life in Heaven with His own blood and life, that we might have abundant spiritual life.

Titus 3:5...Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Our Heavenly Father wants to fill and overflow us with this new life.

John 2:7

John 3:3...Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

It is the one and only way to Heaven.

John 3:5 & Titus 3:5

John 3:7...Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again.

I Peter 1:23...Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever.

What is Jesus attempting to point out with His miracle at the Marriage at Cana in John 2:1-11? Let us look at the time line in His earthly ministry. In John chapter 2, He is just starting his earthly ministry.

Therefore, this miracle would be an encapsulation of what He came to do. When we compare Scripture with Scripture, we see from Matthew 26:27-28, that the cup, or wine, represents the blood Image: Š Ingrid Heczko

It is the finest life which a person can live. John 2:9-10

It is a gift from God. John 4:10 and Ephesians 2:8-9 It issues from a source which will never expire. John 4:14.

Through the miracle at Cana, Jesus shows mankind, through the symbols of water and wine, that God our Heavenly Father is offering new life to all mankind.

To have this new life means to know for a certain fact (1 John 5:13) that we can be at peace with God, and know for certain that when we die, we will go to Heaven to be with the Heavenly Father (2 Cor. 5:8).

Jesus gave his life as a ransom for many, so that we might obtain this new life. The wine represents the method of payment for this new 4

born again life. Our peace with God cost Jesus His life and His blood.

Because He has paid the highest price, when we leave this life, we go immediately to Heaven to be with Him for all eternity.

For Jesus, the Marriage at Cana was an opportunity to tell mankind that God wanted to give them new and more wonderful life.

Jesus died and rose again, and it is His resurrection life, abundant spiritual life, which God wants to give to you right now, and He will give it to whomsoever will ask.

something to life, to

Revival

By Arfon Lloyd Thomas, UK. Images: Desert © Paul Moore and Waterfall © Troy Lilly

2CHRONICLES 7:14 “If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

bringing back something to life, to full consciousness or to full strength.

Spiritual revival can best be described as, “an inrush of divine life into a body that is threatening to become a corpse,” or “God bending down to the dying embers of a fire and breathing on it so that it bursts into flames.”

This is the most significant passage of Scripture about the way of revival.

One might say that revival is the Church returning to Pentecost.

I believe that if this text was truly and humbly undertaken by every Christian today then the whole Church would be revived. It is God’s recipe for spiritual awakening.

What is revival? Perhaps it is easier to ask, “What is not?”

Billy Graham came to England and many people were converted – but that is not revival. It was a demonstration of God’s anointing on a chosen vessel, but it was not revival; evangelism is an expression of the Church, whereas revival is an experience in the Church.

Revival is not the restoration of back-sliders, wonderful though it is when a person returns to God. Some think of revival as a special touch from God, or an unusually powerful and exciting meeting; but according to the dictionary, revival is the process of bringing back

On the Day of Pentecost a highvoltage burst of spiritual energy flowed into all who gathered humbly in prayer. The effects of the outpouring in the upper room were felt by the entire nation, with many brought to their knees in repentance. God’s power broke down every barrier like a mighty wave of the sea, and everything it touched was changed; lives were transformed and the Church burst into being as souls were saved for Eternity.

This is God’s Revival.

History books record that revivals in later years have 3 distinct characteristics in common: an intense and extraordinary sense of God’s presence, a deep desire to be rid of all sin, and a powerful impact on the wider community.

We must never settle for less than what God wants to give us.

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Christianity in the UK is on the decline, and after several decades of charismatic renewal we are still making very little headway.

The Church as a whole did not make much impact on the nation during the “Decade of Evangelism” which took us to the turn of the Century.

Therefore, something much greater and more powerful is required if we are to experience the effect of revival in our nation. You might very well ask these questions, “Why does God not come now?” “Why doesn’t He do anything about it?” “Why are we having such little impact with our own members, never mind about impact into the community?”

I believe the answer can be clearly found in 2 Chronicles 7:14. The text begins with a little word that is full of meaning. Just as a large door swings opens on considerably smaller hinges, so this word “if” unfolds the secret of spiritual awakening. We see that God is prepared to act, provided that we take our full responsibility.

For many years I have considered the point that: “Without God man can’t, but without man God won’t!”

Although revival is a sovereign act of God, this does not relieve us of our personal responsibility. The great Welsh preacher Christmas Evans said, “Revival comes from God, but is borne to Earth on the wings of fervent prayer.”

“If” is a condition, and if we are in a lapsed condition as an individual, or as the Church, then we need to repent of that condition, and humbly open ourselves up to God, that He might restore us to our rightful position.

Joel, the charismatic prophet in the Old Testament calls for repentance: “Declare a Holy fast; call a sacred Assembly; summon the Elders and all who live in the land.” (Joel 1:14)

Whereas the prophet Hosea writes: “Sow for yourself righteousness; reap the fruit of unfailing love.”

(Hosea 10:12) Revelations chapter 2 verse 4 says: “I hold this against you, you have forsaken your first love, remember the height from which you have fallen, repent and do the things you did at first.”

The prophet Jeremiah records that we should: “Return faithless people; I will cure you of back-sliding.”

(Jeremiah 3:22) We discover then, through these Scriptures that God is speaking directly to His people.

“My people” means He is speaking to His own people.

This also includes us because He chose us and saved us and made us His own.

The message of revival is then a direct call from God to His own people. The response must come from us who are His body. We can see the desperately low state of the nation, but it’s the Church that we need to attend to.

We will never put the World right by looking at its sad and sorry state, because revival must start with God’s own people.

In the Old Testament we discover that God called Abraham to be His own.

He promised that his descendants would be “Children of God”, a chosen race, a people belonging to God. However, the New Testament makes it clear that through Jesus Christ, both Jew and Gentile are accepted into the family of God. We are adopted into His family and through Christ become part of His Holy people. Paul the Apostle writes: “We also received the salvation of our souls when we believed in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:13) Furthermore, we receive the Holy Spirit as a guarantee to our inheritance.

The Apostle Peter confirms to us that we are “living stones”. We are being built up into a spiritual home (1Peter 2:5). “But you are a Royal priesthood, a Holy Nation, a chosen generation.” (1Peter 2:9) John records the words of Jesus: “You did not choose Me; I chose you and appointed you to bear fruit that would last.” (John 15:16) The most wonderful promise follows that text - that as God’s children, chosen by Him, we may ask anything in His name.

In Matthew’s Gospel we find: “Which of you if his son should ask for bread will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish will give him a snake? How much more then will our Heavenly Father give to us who are called by His name.” (Matthew 7:9-11) Malachi urges us to test God in His goodness so that “He might throw open the windows of Heaven and pour out His abundant blessing upon us.” (Malachi 3:10) This is the very nature of God, that if we, His people, act according to His will then He will respond with His overwhelming presence, power and purpose.

“If My people who are called by My name” – quite simply this means those who call upon His name, who have a personal relationship with Him through Christ.

Going to Church, or living a religious life, or keeping within the law, is not enough to make us a child of God. Going to Church does not make someone a Christian any more than going to a football match would make them a footballer.

God, in His wisdom, has chosen to begin revival within His Church as a whole and this puts an enormous responsibility on all His people. The world will often judge the Church by the behaviour of its individual 6

members. If one Christian acts in a way that is unfitting for the Church, then the whole Church is judged.

The people of the world do not see us as individuals, but they do observe our ways and say things like, “Well, if that’s how Christians behave then I want nothing to do with them.”

On the other hand, if we act in a godly manner then this will serve to draw and win others for Christ. For this we need a heaven sent revival!

Let us then look at the action that we must take in order for God to visit us with revival. Our key text tells us that we are to humble ourselves. Humility is the ability to take a close look at yourself and discover in all honesty what you are.

Humility turns from self and seeks the presence of God. A humble person will always recognise that they are nothing without God.

The opposite of humility is pride, the first sin to enter into mankind. The Devil fell from heaven to Earth through pride. He tempted Adam and Eve to take the fruit, declaring that they would be like God. When we are full of pride we are like the Devil, when we are full of humility we are most like Christ.

God’s command for us today has not changed since the beginning of time. “If My people who are called

by My name will humble themselves.”

We must be willing to evaluate ourselves, not by the standards of others, but by the standard of God’s Word. We must come under the authority of the Bible and submit to its truth. Our attitude is to be the same as that of Christ (see Phil. 2:111).

Pride is the enemy of God, and the Bible gives us a strict warning concerning this sin: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the

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The Theology of Pentecost

By Mathew Bartlett Image: © Photoquest

Part Two: The Initial Evidence The Initial Evidence With the increasing interest in the baptism of the Holy Spirit among Christians from traditional denominations, it is more vital than ever that we set out our distinctive Pentecostal testimony. A Baptist friend once said to me “I know when I received the Holy Spirit, for I felt a great peace.” In fact, he was speaking of the time when he trusted Christ as Saviour, and I am sure that he did enjoy great peace – the peace of sins forgiven and of being reconciled to God. But that is not the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The realm of the Holy Spirit is the human spirit, not human emotion.

He does not reveal Himself through our feelings, but by supernatural signs and wonders.

My own baptism of the Holy Spirit was accompanied by the supernatural evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave me utterance, and I would maintain that this is invariably the case. Jesus told his disciples “these signs shall follow them that believe. In my name they shall . . . speak with new tongues.”

(Mark 16:17)

The Initial Evidence in the Scriptures There are only a few episodes in the book of Acts where Luke records the receiving of the Holy Spirit, yet in

each case the supernatural sign of tongues was in evidence.

In Acts 2, the whole group of 120 believers were gathered for prayer, and their receiving of the Holy Spirit was evidenced by their speaking with tongues and prophesying.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Act 2:4 Peter later told the crowd that following their repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus, (which would be evidenced by their baptism in water) they too would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 8, whilst we are not explicitly told that supernatural evidence accompanied the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Simon clearly saw that something genuine had been imparted to the new converts. Being used to the supernatural, and since he wanted to possess (for the wrong reasons) the power he saw demonstrated, it is clear that a supernatural manifestation had occurred which was different to any that he had previously witnessed in the healing and deliverance ministry of Phillip. It is reasonable to suppose that it was the miracle of speaking in 9

tongues. In Acts 10 when the Spirit was poured out on Cornelius and his household, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Act 2:4 In Acts 19 Paul met a company of believers at Ephesus who knew only the baptism of John. After further instructing them in the Christian faith, Paul prayed for them: And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Act 19:6

The Pioneers of the Modern Pentecostal Movement All the Pentecostal pioneers of the 20th century testified to the miracle of speaking in tongues as the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Here are just a few:

Harold Horton “(tongues) is the gift manifested in each case when believers receive their baptism in the Holy Spirit, though other gifts may be evidenced as well as it”i

Donald Gee “The New Testament is clear that the gift of the Spirit in the beginning was invariably witnessed to by some physical manifestation — something others could “see and hear” (Acts II. 33). the most usual

and most persistent manifestation was speaking with tongues (Acts II. 4; X. 44; XIX. 6). The Pentecostal Movement has consistently taught that speaking with tongues is the scriptural initial evidence of that baptism.”ii

Smith Wigglesworth received “the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues as the Spirit gave utterance.”iii

George Jeffries wrote that “the great outpouring of the Spirit with the miracle of speaking in tongues is taking place all over the world.”iv

you all spoke with tongues” (1 Cor. 14:5).

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

i

Horton, Harold. 1954. The Gifts of the Spirit.

London. Assemblies of God Publishing House. ii Gee, Donald. 1941. Croydon. Wind and Flame.

Heath Press Ltd. iii Wigglesworth, Smith. 1924. Ever Increasing Faith. First Published 1924, but reprinted in the Pentecostal Evangel, September 13, 1924. iv Jeffries, George. 1933. Pentecostal Rays.

London. Elim Publishing Co.

Subsidized Book Scheme for Pastors At Bible Studies Online International we produce a number of high quality Bible study books for sale at cost price (i.e. we make no profit).

May I say that after twenty years in active Pentecostal ministry, I have never yet witnessed anyone being baptised in the Holy Spirit who did immediately begin to speak with tongues.

Jesus’ own experience is our example We may take valuable lessons about the supernatural ministry of the Spirit from the life of the Lord Jesus.

Following His baptism in the River Jordan, the Holy Spirit came to dwell within Him. We do not read of Christ performing any miracle until after He was endued with power from on high, but from that time on His miraculous ministry began and never ceased.

Since the ministry of the Holy Spirit is inevitably miraculous, the believer’s baptism in the Holy Spirit is always accompanied by miraculous signs, in particular the miraculous sign of speaking in tongues.

Christian friend, the answer to the question “do all speak with tongues?” is still “no,” (1 Cor. 12:30) but may I remind you of the apostle’s holy desire, surely the desire God’s heart, “I would that

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Coming soon: New commentary on 1 Corinthians due out this March 2012.

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Are You Stressed or Blessed? By Ken Legg

Image: ©Joyce Geleynse

Stress is a fact of life. All living involves some stress. Stress is simply the response your body makes to any demand you place upon it. Not all stress is bad.A certain amount of stress is necessary for renewal and growth. Efficiency often increases as stress increases. Many of us work best under stress.

But the problem is that continuous stress will lead to distress. When stress is prolonged it becomes harmful. The same adrenaline that prepares the body for action is also toxin and may lead to sickness.

The consequences of stress are serious. These include: illness(stress can cause illness in ups up to 80% of sufferers), insomnia (the inability to fall asleep), High blood pressure and even premature aging!

Let’s just consider the first of these consequences for a moment – sickness. It is a medical fact that prolonged periods of emotional tension may lead to hypersecretion and if persisted in result in sickness.

What started in the mind ends in a harmful consequence to the body.

For example, stress can cause the arteries to contract, restricting the flow of blood to the heart. This causes many kinds of problems.

What is the answer? The medical world tries to bring the body into a state of rest through

medication, e.g. anti-depressants.

The result is rest, but artificial rest.

Health and fitness industries try to manipulate health through diet and exercise. Yet, no amount of diet and exercise can provide wholeness when the soul is in turmoil. It’s not what you eat that determines the state of your health so much as what is eating you! (Matt.15:11).

Jesus knew the stresses that weigh upon the soul. He offers true rest to our souls by means of His yoke (Matt.11:28-30). A yoke, a wooden frame, was something that was placed upon a person’s shoulder to make his load easier by distributing its weight. The purpose of a yoke, then, is to enable the strain to be passed from one to another.

The yoke of Christ is described as being easy, meaning kindly, wellfitted, serviceable, pleasant and well-adjusted to the shoulders. In other words, there is nothing more natural than to come under the yoke with Christ. We were meant to live Christ-dependent lives. The first negative emotion, fear, was the result of Adam’s disconnection from God. The Bible likens the masses of those who have left God to the roaring sea of restless waves. The problem is that we too, His children, can live independently of Him and experience all the stress symptoms that the ungodly have because of 11

their disconnectedness from God. Christ never promised we would be free of trials and difficulties in this life. What He promised, though, is peace in the midst of the storm.

During WWII a competition was held for artists in USA to submit a painting that best depicted peace.

Entries of sunsets, flowing streams, snowcapped mountains and pastoral settings abounded. But first prize went to a picture of a raging storm over a narrow valley. To the left a waterfall cascaded down a sheer drop, while lightening streaked across the raging sky.

Growing precariously from the sheer face of the cliff was a small scrub tree, its few surviving branches bending to the pressure of the wind.

Perched on one of these branches that protruded over the waterfall was a small bird, its head turned upward in defiance of the pounding rain, singing at the top of its voice.

That’s peace! Inward peace defies outward circumstances.

Jesus could sleep in the midst of a storm. He had something the disciples did not have at that time.

And He has bequeathed this same peace to us. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn.14:27).

Peace surpasses all understanding. It defies analysis. Peace is not deliverance from circumstances, but the ability to stand composed in the midst of a storm. The difference between Christians and nonChristians is not the absence of problems, but the presence of the peace of God in the midst of turmoil. That yoke of His sure looks inviting!

Ken Legg is pastor of New Beginnings Christian Church Gold Coast Australia.

Article: http://www.small-groupsministry.com/Grace_Roots-GraceRoots-18.html

Gateway to God 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

(c) Ingrid Heczko

Then began men to call upon the name of the LORD (Gen. 4:26).

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil (1 Peter 3:12).

Prayer is the Christian’s greatest resource and the one least used. It is his greatest obligation and the one most neglected. It is the most common form of devotion, yet the one least understood. Prayer is the gateway to God’s presence, but few enter. Prayer is the channel of God’s grace, but in most lives it is clogged. It is commonly supposed that anyone can pray, but only those who are accepted in Christ have full access to God. Many regard prayer as optional, but God requires prayer as the condition of His working and where there is no prayer, there is no power.—Slocum.

A prominent Christian leader, acquainted with spiritual conditions said: “If I were to put my finger on the greatest lack in our Christianity, I would unhesitantly point to the need for an effective prayer life among laity and ministers.” And E. M. Bounds warns us that past praying cannot suffice for today’s needs: “The Church that is dependent on its past history for its miracles of power and grace is a fallen Church.” Speaking of Hudson Taylor, D. E. Hoste says:

“He was of necessity a busy man, but he always regarded prayer itself as in reality the most needful and important part of the work.

He practically recognized that much time must be spent in seeking God’s guidance if a right understanding was to be obtained of the problems and difficulties that confronted him, in carrying on the work of the Mission. He knew that in no other way was the power of the Holy Spirit to be obtained for himself and his brethren, as they sought to develop the work. I venture on this occasion not only to impress upon myself but upon you as well the importance of our copying him in this respect.”

And Mrs. Howard Taylor, in her biography of Hudson Taylor, quotes him as saying: “Am hoping to give special time to prayer and Bible study on the voyage. I do want our whole life to be an ascending plane—not resting in anything we have learned or felt or attained, but a pressing on and up. . . .

Do we not want more really to meditate on God, to gaze on Him, to take in what we are even now competent to take in of His greatness, His resources, His assurances and promises? Dwelling thus on Him, should we not be enabled to grasp more of the heights and depths of His character and purposes and be more ready and able to do His will?” One of the Lammermuir party, writing home to England, said: “Oh! that we may be made capable of bearing much blessing.

Do pray that we may each be 12

drawn close to the Savior, and kept walking with Him in such sweet fellowship that for us to live may be Christ. Then, what wonders should we see! The destitution in the light of eternity is awful. It stares us in the face.

Human effort cannot meet it; nothing can, short of divine power. So do pray.

Oh, we need to lay hold upon God about it. May He make us really in earnest. How can we trifle, how can we be listless in view of His unfailing promise that what we ask in faith we shall receive? . . . Why are we not Israels? God grant that we may learn how to pray.”

Prayer power is not only the most direct, but also the most effective force that can be brought to bear upon the many difficult problems that exist in the Lord’s work. Prayer is not only more effective than other methods of carrying forward the work of the Lord, but it has also the further great advantage of being free from human schemes and carnal manipulations.

He who waits upon God, moves on in quiet confidence and needs neither the blare of trumpets nor press agents’ methods to announce his success, but in godly fear, leaves until the day of Christ’s return the record of achievement. The whole tendency in the life of prayer is to bring us to the place of crucifixion, and to school us in the great principles of righteousness, justice, and love.—Unknown.

In many countries, the 14th day of February is observed as Saint Valentine’s Day, with Saint Valentine himself being (probably) a legendary figure.

He is best known for falling in love with an executioner’s daughter before losing his own life.

It is remarkable how much money people spend on chocolates, flowers, and cards (c) 1David Asche at this time of year. Heart shaped gifts represent their love for their spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend. Each gift is a way of saying “I love you.”

The trouble is, the English language is rather limited, and so the word love can have several different meanings. I can say I really love popcorn, I love my dog and I love my wife, all with the same word!

In New Testament Greek, fortunately, we have four different words for love, each with its own particular meaning:

Storge

Philia

OK, this is the word I can use when I’m talking about my dog or my popcorn. Some people might say “I really love icehockey.” This word means to have affection for, to really like something or someone, whether that is an activity or an object, or even a person.

Here is a word for describing those feelings we have in a close friendship. It might be the love that we have for a brother or a sister, or someone close to us that we confide in. It may be our love for a best friend, someone we feel we have a lot in common with. We may have this kind of love without any romantic overtones.

I may “love” someone in this way without being deeply attached to them 13

out to be very good in the end.

Eros

Agape

From this Greek word comes our English word erotic. This kind of love is the physical or sexual attraction which Saint Valentine’s Day is usually associated with.

The literal meaning of this word is “sacrificial love”. It is the kind of love shown by someone who gives up their life in order to save another.

Most of the time, when we hear pop, rock or country songs about love, we can be sure it is this kind of love they are singing about.

This kind of love might make a teenage girl blush or a young man act kind of silly. It’s the love that brings two people together, a man and a woman, in the life long bond of marriage The world makes this kind of love seem dirty and guilt ridden when in fact it is a beautiful expression of the Creator’s will, even as He blessed the first married couple with the words “Be fruitful and multiply”.

Jesus said of this kind of love: “Greater love has no man than this than a man lay down his life for his friends.”

What seems strange about this love is that is just keeps on loving even when it gets nothing back. It is not looking for what it can receive but for what it can give. It is the kind of self-giving love which God has for the world.

“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) In fact, in the New Testament, whenever the love of Jesus or the love of God is mentioned, this is the word which is used.

Jesus illustrated this love in the well-known parable of the “prodigal” (or wasteful) son. In the modern vernacular he was a “waster”. This young men turned his back on his father and wasted all his father’s money having a “good time”, though actually it didn’t turn 14

This boy’s father just kept on loving him – with agape love.

When the son’s life was a wreck and he was penniless and starving he came home to his father and was stunned to find a warm welcome with no word of reproach on his dad’s lips. The reason? His dad loved him with agape love, and this said Jesus is the love God has for every one of us who have wandered away from God, sometimes paying a high price for our sin.

God will welcome you back.

The greatest demonstration of agape love was seen when the Lord Jesus hung on a cross, bearing your sin and mine, so that we might be forgiven. Men buried the Lord Jesus but three days later he came back to life.

Today he is alive forever more, and if you come to God through him, you will receive a warm welcome, instead of words of reproach you will receive words of forgiveness and love. You will become a child of God, and no one can ever separate you from His love again. Reader, this love is really worth having, and by trusting Christ you can have it today.

Christ Among Women

By Mathew Bartlett. Images from top left to bottom right: Kamil Macniak, Podius, Leloft1911 recognising him as Lord of your life, and taking him from henceforth to be such.

Mary recognised and received Christ as her Lord and sovereign. Will you?

John 4 Christ the Satisfier To the woman of Samaria Christ revealed himself as the Satisfier.

John 2 Christ the Sovereign To Mary Christ revealed himself as the Sovereign -He is Lord.

At the wedding in Cana, when they ran out of wine, Mary’s request is apparently rebuffed: woman, what have I to do with you. Mary had given birth to Christ and so was his mother. But Jesus wanted her to look deeper than this at the beginning of his ministry, for she knew very well that he was the eternal son of God. Her relationship with him was no more to be that of a mother with a son, but of a servant with her lord and creator, for only the creator can turn water to wine.

Has it occurred to you that Jesus Christ is Lord? God has made this same Jesus which you crucified both Lord and Christ, has highly exalted him and given him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that he is Lord to the glory of God the father.

What is your relationship with Jesus Christ? Are you submitting now to his lordship, or are you a rebel refusing to bow the knee to the Lord of all. The Bible says that if you confess with your mouth the LORD Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead you will be saved. In other words receiving Jesus as Saviour means

At the well of Sychar Jesus meets a dissatisfied woman. She has tried it all but life has not been good to her. She had tried to fill her life with relationships, especially sexual relationships with men, but she could not find satisfaction for her soul.

Only Christ was able to satisfy her soul.

The woman had a longing in her heart for something. She had not found it with one husband so she tried another. She had not found it with any of her five husbands, so now she was living with a man who was not her husband. How many people are like her, seeking satisfaction for their souls? We cannot find true satisfaction in merely human relationships. Some people turn to drink, but are not satisfied. They drink, take drugs and still must come back for more.

Why? Because what they have had has not given them the satisfaction they crave.

This truth is conveyed by Christ's words "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again." In fact anything the world offers can only satisfy for a moment. "But whoever drinks the water I give him shall never thirst for the water I give him shall become in him a spring of water welling up to everlasting life" Continual joyous, eternal satisfaction for the soul.

The woman had been dissatisfied with religion, so she asks Jesus "Our fathers worshipped here, yours in Jerusalem.

Which is right?” That is like of a lot of people today. Many are dissatisfied with religion, but the question on their lips is the same: "where can I go to find God?" This woman, in spite of her sinful, dissatisfied life knew that she needed 15

God. Where could she find Him? He was standing right in front of her proclaiming "God is spirit and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth."

Reader, to know Christ is to know God. He said "I and the father are one; he who has seen me has seen the father."

If you are seeking satisfaction for your soul and spirit, then like this woman from Samaria you will find it only in the Lord Jesus Christ, the satisfier.

John 8 Christ the Saviour To the Woman caught in adultery Christ reveals himself as the Saviour.

She was brought by the religious leaders who had caught her in the act of committing adultery. They did not ask or care about her situation, but were looking for a way in which they might accuse Jesus. And so this incident does not so much as reflect the first century attitude to women or sex as much as it reflects the religious rulers’ attitude to Christ.

Unknown to them when they brought her to Jesus they did her the greatest favor anyone ever did for her, for he is the Savior.

the Savior. If you are telling someone about Jesus, don't give up, for you are doing them the biggest favor you ever could.

Christ knew all about this woman’s sin just as he knows all about the entire sinful condition of the world. This is the reason he came.The angel announced to his mother Mary: You shall call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins.

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. The fact that we are all sinners is illustrated by the woman’s accusers. When Jesus challenged them, the men left convicted of sin by their conscience. How would any of us stand up to the scrutiny of the all seeing eye of the Son of God? With no word to offer in her defense, unable to lie or make an excuse to the One who knew all things, she stood alone in front of Jesus. What a terrible day it will be when every man and woman must stand alone before God to answer for their sins. We will not be able to give Him any excuse then either. The word of God says "Every mouth shall be stopped and the whole world becomes silent before God." But if we are ready to admit our guilt and ask for mercy then we can find forgiveness now. Whoso covers his sins shall not prosper. Whoever confesses and forsakes them finds mercy.

John 20 Christ the Source of Life To Mary Magdalene Christ revealed himself as the Source of life.

Mary Magdalene has been in the headlines recently due to a fictional film depicting her supposed relationship with Jesus. The author imagined her marrying Jesus and having children. It is important to remember that even the author declared his work to be complete fiction.

In reality, Mary found relationship to Jesus that was far more wonderful than marriage as Christ revealed himself to her as the Source of Life It was at Jesus’ empty tomb that Mary Magdalene that Mary Magdalene wept for the missing body of her Lord, only to discover that He was alive!

The fact that Jesus is alive from the dead means that all His work has been accomplished. If Christ had left anything uncompleted that needed to be done in order to take our sins away and give us eternal life, God the Father would not have raise him from the dead. But now we see that heaven’s gate is opened wide to us - for Jesus is alive. He is everything we need.

As the woman owns up to her guilt, Jesus brings to her the word of salvation: “neither do I condemn you.”

How could this be?

Jesus knew the law of God was right the soul that sins shall die, so why did he not carry out the sentence of the law? The answer to that question is found in the cross. Jesus had come to fulfil the law, firstly by keeping it himself and then by laying down his sinless life, to take the death penalty for guilty sinners. Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose again. He is alive and is "able to save completely and forever those who come to God through Him." The woman caught in adultery found forgiveness in Jesus the Saviour. Will you?

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Because he has taken our sins away he has brought us back to God – this is reconciliation.

Because he has paid the price for our sin he has bought us for God – this is redemption.

Because he is alive forever he has made us to be born of God – this is regeneration.

Jesus lived a human life, yet he always fully possessed the divine life. Now that he has been raised from the dead he imparts that eternal, immortal, and spiritual life to us. Whoever receives Jesus the source of life receives eternal and abundant life in Him. Receive him into your heart and he will come to dwell within. The secret of spiritual life is to have Christ in you. But if any does not have the Spirit of Christ then he or she does not belong to God. Mary Magdalene did not receive Jesus as her husband, but she received the risen Lord into her heart. She was born again of God's spirit and Christ lived in her. This is the privilege of every believer. Mary Magdalene was eternally united to Jesus Christ - that is eternal life she received.

Will you receive it too?

A Harvest of Love The Book of Ruth Chapter Four. A brief Bible study by Derek Williams. Photo Š Rtimages

being despised and rejected He suffered outside the gate of Jerusalem (Heb. 13:12).

4:2 Boaz called ten elders to witness what was about to take place. With himself and the close relative this made twelve, the number of the tribes of Israel and of the Lord's disciples. The elders of the community were given the authority to confirm legal transactions and to act as judges.

Redemption Completed 1 - 12.

4:1 At the close of chapter three we saw that God had brought Ruth and Naomi to the place where they had to sit still and trust in Him to complete the work of redemption on their behalf through Boaz the kinsmanredeemer. So we have to put our faith and trust in the completed work of redemption obtained for us by the Lord Jesus Christ through His death and resurrection (Col. 1:14 and Col. 2:10).

Having promised Ruth that he would undertake to redeem her, Boaz wastes no time but goes

immediately to the gate of Bethlehem to set in motion what needed to be done in order to secure Ruth for himself.

The gate of the city was where legal and business transactions took place. Boaz knew that this closer relative would come to the gate to conduct his business and so, he sits and waits for him to come along.

God sent His Son into the world to walk, talk and sit among sinners, to seek and to save that which was lost (Matt. 9:13 and Luke 19:10).

God did not send Christ to speak to kings and princes of our redemption nor did He sit at the gate to settle the legal requirements for redeeming lost souls, but instead, 17

4:3-4 The situation concerning Naomi and Ruth is put to the closer relative and his right to the first choice of buying back the land (which had belonged to Naomi's husband) is explained to him in accordance with the law (Lev. 25:25). Boaz points out that the only two who would be able to redeem the land were this man and himself, but that he, Boaz, being second in line, could only do so if the first relative refused. We know that there was no one else except Jesus Christ who could redeem us for God only had one Son (John 3:18 and Acts 4:12). The initial response of this nearer relative was to jump at the chance of adding to his inheritance, but this was before he had heard all the details.

There are times when we too, like the disciple Peter, act before we thinks thing through. In Luke 14: 28 Jesus illustrates the need to count the cost of our actions before committing ourselves. In that instance in was commitment to follow Him. 4:5-6 On learning that if he wants to redeem the land then he must also marry Ruth the Moabitess, the other relative realizes that the land would not belong to him, but to any son born to himself and Ruth, the reconsiders his position and refuses the opportunity to redeem the land,

citing commitments within his own family. It is likely that he thought having more children would stretch his resources too far. He therefore he foregoes his rights and hands over the opportunity to redeem to Boaz.

4:7 It was the custom in the days of Ruth to seal an agreement made between two parties by the one taking of his sandal and giving it over to the other. This symbolized the surrendering of all rights and of what went with them.

4:8 In handing over his sandal to Boaz, the relative was handing over all his rights, and this is what the Lord requires of us, a complete voluntary surrender of our heart, life and everything. God sees every step that we take to yield more of our life to Him, no matter how small it may be.

4:11-12 The people rejoice with Boaz for what God has brought about for him, and they offer their blessing, praying God to bring him many children through Ruth (as Rachel and Leah did for Jacob) so that he would prosper and become famous in Bethlehem.

When one considers the genealogy of Boaz and Ruth's family and the offspring eventually born to that family, it appears that the blessing came true more abundantly than anyone could have imagined.

Blessings of Redemption 13 - 17.

4:13 “The LORD gave." All this was of God's doing; He had brought Boaz and Ruth together, and it was He who gave them a son.

God takes a hold of the surrendered life and blesses us so that we may realize (as Paul did) that the things we hold on to are worth nothing (Phil. 3:7-8).

In a similar way, it was the Holy Spirit working in our lives who brought us to Jesus Christ, and God who saved us by His grace: 'by grace we are saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast"" (Eph. 2:8-9).

4:9-10 Boaz calls on the elders and the people in the vicinity of the town gate to bear witness to this legal agreement.

4:14-16 The blessings given at the time of their announced betrothal were not only for Ruth and Boaz, but for Naomi too.

We too have witnesses, as we have made confession to our believing and receiving Jesus Christ as our Savior, we have given open testimony to this fact both by word of mouth and by the action of being baptized in water (1 Tim. 6:12).

The Lord had not left her desolate but had provided her with a redeemer, a "restorer" (Ps. 23: 3); that is, one who had given back her life (just as God has given us eternal life through Jesus Christ John 1:4, Rom. 5:21 and 1 John 5:12).

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A "nourisher� or sustainer is one who will maintain, provide, hold up, protect, support and defend.

Who better fits this description than our Lord and Savior!

4:17 It was not unusual for neighbors to give names to other people’s children and so they called this one Obed, which means Servant, and so the Lord Jesus Christ became a servant first in order to become our Redeemer and Restorer (Phil. 2:7).

4:18-22. Having given the narrative up to the time of the birth of Obed, the remainder of the chapter tells us the family line of King David, from whom the Messiah-Redeemer would come (Math. 1:5-16). From foreigner, heathen and outcast, Ruth had become a member of the commonwealth of Israel, and her greatest significance was found in her being an ancestor in the family tree of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our In Depth Study.

Revelation 12.

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.

Israel, Jesus Christ and Satan. v1 - 6.

In Rev. 13:1 the beast is described in the same way except that he has ten crowns on his horns, one for each horn, rather than seven crowns on each of his seven heads.

1-2 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labour and in pain to give birth."

4-5 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And Chapter twelve is the start of a new the dragon stood before the woman who section of Revelation, the beginning of a was ready to give birth, to devour her new series of visions. In the first of these Child as soon as it was born. She bore a John sees portrayed events which have male Child who was to rule all nations been, events which are to lead to "The with a rod of iron. And her Child was Great Tribulation" or the time of Jacob's caught up to God and His throne. trouble in the future (Jer. 30:7; Matt.

24:15 - 22).

John saw the Devil in rebellion against God, dragging down one third of the The first sign or wonder that appeared to angels, the stars of heaven, to the earth him is of a woman clothed with glory, her (Jude 1:6). It is likely that this happened feet standing on the moon and her head before the creation of man. On earth, adorned with a crown of twelve stars. This Satan stood before the woman waiting for vision represents the nation of Israel who her to give birth to her child so that he were chosen by God as His own peculiar might destroy it (Matt. 2:13 & 16). people for the purpose of fulfilling His plan of redemption (Deut. 14:2).John saw She gave birth to a male child destined to her pregnant and about to give birth to shepherd (proper meaning of rule), all her child. nations with might and power (Ps. 2:7 - 9; Rev. 19:15), which is Jesus Christ. The 3. "And another sign appeared in heaven: vision glances over Christ's years of behold, a great, fiery red dragon having ministry, His crucifixion or resurrection seven heads and ten horns, and seven and focuses immediately on His diadems on his heads." triumphant entry into heaven having defeated death and hell and having Even before the birth takes place John sees another sign in heaven, a great fiery bruised Satan's head (Gen. 3:15). The dragon, which is the Devil (Rev. 12: 9). He vision illustrates that the Devil failed in his purpose to destroy Christ and that Christ is described as having seven heads had in fact defeated Satan. (expressing complete wickedness), each having a diadem (crown) and ten horns, representing worldwide rule. (Satan is called the god of this world 2 Cor. 4:10).

6. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place

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prepared by God, that they should feed her there 1,266 days.

The events of this verse do not immediately follow the ascension of Christ but refer to the time in the future when a defeated Devil, knowing his time is short, seeks to destroy the faithful in Israel.

They flee from him to a place that God has prepared for them, where they are kept safe and provided for, for three and a half years (see verses 13 - 17). Some have taken this verse to refer to Mary and Joseph fleeing with Jesus into Egypt, but it is clear from verse five that the events depicted in verse six happen only after Christ's ascension. It should be noted that Jews, as well as Christians, have been persecuted at the instigation of Satan to this present day.

Satan Cast out of Heaven. v 7 - 9.

7. "And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought," It is difficult to determine the time of the events of verses 7 -9. We must refer to other Scriptures in order to get a right perspective. According to Isaiah 14:12 - 15 Satan was cast down from Heaven when he attempted to take the throne of God, which must have happened before the Creation of man, for Satan was present in the Garden of Eden. Jesus Christ said that He had seen Satan fall from Heaven (Luke 10: 18). This would have been before He came from Heaven. In verse ten the Devil is referred to as the accuser of the saints who accuses them before God day and night. Job 1:9 -11 tells us that Satan came

before God to accuse Job and in Zech. 3:1 he is seen standing by the Angel of the Lord to accuse Joshua the High Priest. We can conclude that Satan was cast of Heaven when he rebelled before the creation of man and it is no longer his dwelling place. He came down to earth when he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1). He is called the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2, Eph. 3:10) which suggests that he is in the heavens, not Heaven itself. Yet up until the time of Christ's ascension he was still able to come before the presence of God. The JFB commentary states that "when Christ ascended into heaven and became an advocate, Satan, the accusing adversary, could no longer appear before God against us, but was cast out judicially." (Col. 2:13 - 15, John 12:31).

His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down."

Christ has once and for all defeated Satan at the cross of Calvary. Now comes a shout of victory as heaven rejoices that the time had come for God's salvation to be manifested by His power that His Christ might begin to reign on earth. The first step in this was that the enemy who continually made accusations against God's people had been cast down and confined for now to the earth.

the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent."

God miraculously aids the Jews in escaping from Satan and takes them to a secure place in the wilderness where He provides for them for three and a half years. Note: "two wings of a great eagle" denote the intervention of God Himself. In Exodus 19:4 the LORD declares concerning His deliverance of Israel from the Egyptians 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself.'

11-12 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.

15-16. So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.

13. "Now when the dragon saw that he In the Name of the Lord, Michael defeated had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Satan and his forces. (Jude 1:9) Child."

The Devil for all time is cast down from the heavenly realms. He is defeated as the When the Devil realizes that he has been thrown down from the heavenlies and "prince and power of the air" and his confined to the earth he will try to destroy angels with him. Hence to maintain his power over men it must be manifested on all the faithful Jews. He cannot defeat Christ, but would seek his revenge against earth in a new and frightening way. the nation who brought Christ forth. This is the time of great tribulation which Jesus The Shout of Victory. v10 - 12. referred to in Matt. 24:15 - 22.

10. "Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and 14. "But the woman was given two wings the kingdom of our God, and the power of of a great eagle, that she might fly into 20

17. "And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

The war breaking out in heaven could be understood to refer not to the time before creation when Satan was cast out of God's immediate presence, but to a war yet to be finally fought in the heavens, the air, where the Devil and his angels, the principalities and powers are at present. The archangel Michael leads his angelic host in this fight against the Devil and his angels. This war has special significance for Israel since Michael is referred to as the angel who protects Israel (Dan. 12:1). This war would then be seen as the immediate prelude to the Great Tribulation.

8-9 But they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

As Pharaoh pursued the Israelites, so the Devil pursues these faithful Jews. In Christ's people overcame the Devil by Moses' time the Israelites were stopped virtue of the blood of Jesus Christ and the by the Red Sea until God parted it for word of their testimony (1 John 2:14). them to pass over. On this occasion the They did not love their own lives but gave Devil causes a mighty river to flood so that them up for Christ's sake. Because Satan it would drown these Jews, but God has been cast down from the heavenlies causes an earthquake to open the ground and is confined to the earth, to the human and swallow up the river, thus ensuring sphere all that are in heaven whether their escape. Note: Some commentators saints or angels are exhorted to rejoice. suppose that this incident alludes to a But for those who live on the earth and nation or nations coming to rescue Israel the sea, misery and suffering is about to from its enemies. This does not bear up to begin for the Devil, infuriated by his scrutiny, for although there are nations defeat and the prospect of his impending who are Israel's allies at the present time, doom will vent his great anger on at the time of Great Tribulation all nations mankind. will be under the control of Anti-Christ. At that time, only God will protect Israel, The Great Tribulation. v13 - 17. according to His promise.

Since Satan cannot get to these faithful Jews who have escaped he becomes even more enraged with Israel and now turns his attention on those who did not flee.

Who are these Jews who flee from the Devil and those who remain? We are not sure, but since they are faithful to God's Word and have the witness of Jesus we suggest that they belong to the 144,000 sealed by God in Rev. 7:4.

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

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” Revelation 3:20 Some unusual things in this verse made me take a closer look at it.

The Lord is asking us to give Him an invitation when normally He does the inviting or at least that is what we might expect.

But before anything else, the message sets a condition: “If anyone hears.” The passage from which this verse is taken closes with a reminder of that condition: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Verse 22).

The offer is open to "anyone" and that means you or me. The Lord is waiting for us to invite Him in; the only precondition is that we have to hear him knocking … and let Him in.

In this particular case the Lord is addressing believers; people in the church at Laodicea, not outsiders. It seems to indicate that there are two brands of Christians, those who leave Christ

Jesus and those who don't. We don’t like to think of a two-class Christianity, but there is a real difference between those who

out and those who welcome Him in. Those who don't open the door when He knocks are the kind of Christians Christ calls "lukewarm."

He warns that He will spit some of them out of his mouth (Verse 16).

Preachers often toss out the example of early believers for us to emulate, but Christ thought of the Laodiceans as inedible.

I began wondering why the Lord said, “I will eat with him, and he with me.” Was eating with the Lord the same as the Lord eating with us? If so, why put it like that?

It seems to me that an exchange of roles is assumed; in the first instance, we are the hosts and He is the guest and in the second He is the host and we are the guests; two different sittings at two different tables.

The Lord is Our Guest Let's look at the first scenario: we serve Him as the host and He is our guest. A very literal example of this can be found in Genesis 18 where Abraham invites the Lord in for a meal. The account begins like this: The Lord appeared to Abraham. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby.

He bowed low to the ground and

said, “Lord, do not pass your servant by.” (Genesis 18:1-3).

If I may digress for a moment, this appearance of God was very strange: Abraham addressed the three men as if they were a single person. Then he asked them to wait while he prepared a feast. In true eastern style, it would take hours, but that wouldn't worry them. Abraham butchered and cooked the fattest calf and Sarah ground some corn and baked some bread while her husband went to fetch milk and curds. It took some time but the Lord is a patient God! The meal was served, but Abraham did not eat with them.

The three men were his guests and he showed them the greatest respect, calling them Lord. They showed their greatness by rewarding him with the promise of a son.

Prepare Meals for Strangers?

Another man to prepare a meal for a passing stranger was Manoah, the father of Samson (Judges 13). One day a "very awesome" being turned up at his home with information about the son that was to be born to Manoah and his wife. In a gesture of true hospitality, Manoah

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slaughtered a young goat to prepare a suitable meal and it became a burnt offering to God. Like Abraham and Sarah, who had given up hope of having any children, the "angel" promised Manoah and his wife a son, Samson.

Sacrifices made on the altars of Israel were described as "the food of God": “Priests must be holy to their God … because they present the offerings made to the Lord by fire, the food of their God.” (Leviticus 21:6).

True, God did not eat their offerings, but He accepted them when they were worthy of Him, as we see in the story of Manoah and his wife. When these food offerings became a mere religious rite offered up by men with hardly a scrap of moral decency about them, God was nauseated. He said, “If I were hungry I would not tell you for the world is mine, and all that is in it. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?”

(Psalm 50:12-13).

lambs and goats. … Stop bringing meaningless offerings!

Your incense is detestable to me. …

Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. I will hide my eyes from you. Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. … If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land.” Jeremiah 14:12 also warns Israel (and us!): “Though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with famine.”

Unless we bring something to God that He can stomach, we shall experience emptiness; spiritual famine.

Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke is principally known for his Great Gospel Crusades throughout the Continent of Africa. He is the Founder of the International ministry Christ for all Nations, reaching out with the gospel to millions of people worldwide.

Let Us Reason Together The Lord turns what is offered to Him into something for us. In Old Testament times the people brought their tithes of grain and cattle to the temple and then ate their tithes before the Lord.

(c) Stephaniemohrphotography

Jesus is knocking to give us an invitation to dine with Him, but are we listening and responding to His invitation?

Enjoy this month’s featured Bible study – Divine Dining by Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke.

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

This is echoed in Isaiah 1:11-19: “The multitude of your sacrifices, what are they to me?” says the Lord. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and

This article reproduced with the kind permission of Christ for all Nations.

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