Living Word Magazine March 2012

Living Word Magazine

The Son of God loved me and gave Himself for me.

Going Deeper into God’s Word Issue 8 March 2012

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

Bible Studies Online International

www.biblestudiesonline.co.uk JOHN 2:11 HE IS NOT HERE, HE IS RISEN. COME… SEE… GO…. TELL. ©Photos above Marafilm CoverDanilo Ascione photo Back cover Peter Saharov

In this month’s issue: 2.

Greetings from around the World

3.

Rebuilding the Walls

5

The Theology of Pentecost Part Three

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

7.

Did James Teach a Different Gospel?

Ken Legg (Australia AG)

9.

Arousing Men to Pray

11.

The Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that Should Follow Mathew Bartlett (UK)

15.

Post-Resurrection Appearances of Christ

with Isaac Mwagi (Kenya) Arfon Lloyd Thomas (UK)

Edwin & Lillian Harvey (USA)

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

17.

The Runaway Prophet (Jonah)

Derek Williams (UK)

19.

In Depth Study – Revelation Chapter 13

Derek Williams (UK)

21.

Guest Article: God’s Infinite Capacity

Daniel Kolenda (CfaN)

©Photos Above © J. Group. Cover: © Flashon. Back cover© Mcininch. Left © from top: Joyart, Jeff Schulz, Razvanjp, Paul Prescott and Phtoquest

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IN THIS ISSUE

March Reader’s Photos & Articles

Greetings from Around the World

Pastor Elijah (Uganda) Pastor Jeevan Prasad (India)

Pastor Emmanuel Gill (Pakistan)

Pastor Samuel John (India)

Pastor Veeru Paul (India)

Pastor Isaac Mwagi (Kenya) Pastor K. Vijaya Raju (India)

WE ARE SO ENCOURAGED TO SEE YOUR PHOTOS, PLEASE KEEP SENDING THEM! 2

Satan always has been since his fall a tempter of the worst order, and ever since he first beguiled Eve he has gone on to ensnare men’s souls with the same craft, the same cruelty, the same falsehood, the same impiety against the Lord. It will help you if you reflect that you are not alone, the pathway which you follow was trodden by the most honoured of the elect of God. Paul, who won provinces for Christ, nevertheless had messengers of Satan to buffet him, and had to stand against doubts insinuated by the old serpent, even as you must stand.

If you could have examined the celestial victors one by one as they entered within the pearly you would have found them all covered with scars: though now they bear neither spot, nor wrinkle, they had all of them in the day of their flesh to feel the cruel tooth and fang of that infernal serpent; not one of them traversed a clear course and took his throne unchallenged; neither will you conquer without conflict.

For you also if there be no cross there will be no crown; therefore, be not astonished if you are attacked in all ways.

Pastor Isaac Mwagi

REBUILDING THE WALLS NEHEMIAH Chapters 1 & 2

By Arfon Lloyd Thomas (UK) Photo: © Paul Prescott

The Northern territories of Israel had already fallen to the might of the Assyrian army in 746BC. History records for us that there were very turbulent times for Israel and Judah over the next 200 years. Judah’s Kings – Josiah 640BC, Jehoahaz – Jehoikim – Jehoiachin and finally Zedekiah were no match for the onslaught of the new Babylonian army.

In the year 587BC the Commander of the Babylonian army put Jerusalem to the torch and removed all of the top officials and prominent leaders of the country and took them into exile. Along with these people went such as Nehemiah.

The Babylonian rule was comparatively short and soon the Persian army came and they continued to hold the people of

Israel in exile. Here we discover Nehemiah as the cup bearer to the King.

He held a very prominent position of trust and was often in the presence of the King. Whilst in this duty he received the sad and distressing news that the walls of Jerusalem were in a very sorry state.

Now, as you are aware, walls can create a visual image of power or strength. However, they can also give a false sense of security.

Walls can of course aid stability and protection, but their defensive values can often be overestimated. Walls can be made up of brick and mortar and even reinforced with steel. On the other hand walls can also be spiritual blocks of faith and thus need to be reinforced with love 3

and forgiveness. Perhaps the great message of hope that we discover in these opening chapters of Nehemiah is this:No wall that is built for God’s glory is beyond His restoration power.

Whenever we have broken walls, regardless of whose fault it is, this should spur us on to an act of repentance, reconciliation and restoration.

Let us consider these 3 steps in the life of Nehemiah and our own lives.

Although Nehemiah was in a trusted position of influence and power before going to the King, he turned to God for guidance.

In confession he repented for the sins of his nation, he brought their wicked ways before God

and sought mercy. This is what we must also do if we are to rebuild the walls of this Church and make good the wrongs of the Nation.

Nehemiah was willing to sacrifice his position and face imposing odds for the sake of his people. I wonder, are we ready to take such steps of action?

Nehemiah points to God’s work being accomplished through the hands of faithful people. By rebuilding the broken walls of our lives we shall experience a return to order, completeness and assurance.

Thus, the steps of rebuilding commence with the act of repentance. However, it is no good to just stay in that position.

We need to get up and prepare for reconciliation.

Nehemiah prepared for his journey by seeking the King’s agreement and asking for certain items of wood and building materials. We need to humbly ask God for His grace and strength as we step out for Him. Jesus reminds us to ask, seek and knock until we have received that which we require.

We can only achieve reconciliation through the act of forgiveness and thus we need to ask God to bless those who have been instrumental in causing any breakdown. Perhaps today is the

time to look at ourselves, the walls of devotion, the family, the work place, the Church and take a positive action of reconciliation.

Finally, we need to take the step of restoration. Nehemiah, on reaching the City went out at night to survey and to examine the situation. Only when he had accomplished this did he go and call the others and tell of his vision and plan. We read that those who listened were moved by his zeal and compassion and thus spoke out in a positive way.

They replied, “Let building at once.”

us

start

Therefore, the restoration plan began.

I believe this encourages us in the task of spiritual building. We are instructed to pick up those who are broken hearted and those who have been spiritually hurt or offended, also to show those in our community that we have a God of Restoration.

Let us then share the Gospel of Good News and saving grace with all that we meet. And let us, like Nehemiah, commence with prayers of Repentance and take steps of Reconciliation and display God’s power of Restoration.

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"If the king is so inclined and if your servant has found favor in your sight, dispatch me to Judah, to the city with the graves of my ancestors, so that I can rebuild it."

Nehemiah 2:5

The Theology of Pentecost

By Mathew Bartlett Image: © Photoquest

Part Three: Not for Today Occasionally, we may meet Christians who refuse to believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is still available for God’s children today.

These people are known as cessationists, for they believe that the miraculous ministry of the Holy Spirit within the church ceased after the death of the original twelve apostles.

One might have supposed that the testimony of millions of Pentecostal Christians living godly lives would be sufficient to convince any open minded person that this view is incorrect. Yet we have a greater endorsement of our teaching that that. For God’s Word provides ample witness that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is available for all believers throughout all time.

The Announcement Pentecost

of

On the day of Pentecost, Peter announced to the astonished crowds that the miracle of speaking in tongues was evidence that God had begun to fulfil His promise given through the prophet Joel: “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh” (Joel 2:28). Peter made it clear that the fulfilment of this promise would be for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, since it is for “as many as the

Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:39).

Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:28-32), which begins with the promise of the Holy Spirit, describes the end time judgments of God, and ends with the words “whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”, indicates that the promise of the Spirit runs concurrently with the promise of salvation, until the end of time.

Paul is referring to the time when we shall enter into the perfect knowledge of God when Christ comes again; for only then shall we see Him “face to face" (1 Cor. 13:12) and “we shall we be like Him for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).

Clearly, the intention of God is that the gifts of the Holy Spirit will continue to strengthen and build up the church until the end of time.

Moreover, the words which Peter employs, the promise is for . . . as many as afar off (Acts 2:39), are significant, for they refer to those who are afar off in time as much as to those who are afar off in place.

Hence we who are 2,000 years afar off from the Day of Pentecost qualify to receive the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ, just as those who lived afar off from Jerusalem during the first century.

If the Holy Spirit is no longer miraculously given, then the promise of the Father is no longer being fulfilled and so believers are without a Comforter. Thankfully, such is not the case; for not only does the promise of the Father stand until the end of time, but the fellowship which believers have with the Holy Spirit will continue beyond time. In eternity, the Spirit Himself will continually flow into us from the throne of God (Rev. 22:1). It is only the operation of the gifts that will cease when Christ comes, for we will no longer be in need of their ministry. But the indwelling of the church by the Holy Spirit lasts forever.

That Which is Perfect One scripture which cessationists sometimes use in support of their argument is 1 Corinthians 13:10, where Paul states that the gifts of the Holy Spirit will continue in the church until “that which is perfect has come.” Cessationists allege this means that spiritual gifts would cease once the early church had been established. But in context, 5

In 1 Corinthians, Paul makes clear that spiritual gifts are for the building up of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 14:12). Does Christ still have a body? Does that body still need exhortation, edification and

comfort? If so, then the church still needs the spiritual gifts which come through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The Testimony of Jesus Before leaving His disciples to return to heaven, the Lord Jesus gave them this command: “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). He then added “these signs shall follow them that believe: in my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17-18).

Jesus concluded this great commission with the words “I am with you always, until the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20). There is not the slightest suggestion in the words of Jesus that these signs would cease at any time before the end of the world.

If the baptism of the Holy Spirit is no longer given, and the miraculous evidence of spiritual gifts has ceased, then every Pentecostal believer is either mad or bad! We are neither, of course, and we can point to the Word of God with full confidence to say with Peter, “this (miraculous experience) is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel;” and was also spoken of by the Lord Jesus Himself.

George Jeffries, founder of the Elim movement in Great Britain, once complained of the cessationists in his day. “They are praying for revival” he said, “but this (outpouring of the Spirit) is the revival they are praying for; and they don’t want it.” (George Jeffries, Pentecostal Rays. London. 1933).

In the early church, Peter and his companions were astonished when they witnessed the Holy Spirit being poured out on the Gentiles. Until then, their view of God’s promise had been too narrow; they thought the Holy Spirit was only for believing Jews. In a similar way, many today hold the narrow view that the fulfilment of God’s promise of the Holy Spirit was confined to a single century in a by-gone age.

May God open their eyes to see the wider, Biblical view, that they may join us in receiving the blessed experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit today!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982

by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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New commentary on 1 Corinthians out now!

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Did James Teach A Different Gospel?

By Ken Legg

Image: ©Joyce Geleynse

In the epistle of James we read: “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (Jas:2:24). Understandably, many have been both confused and disturbed by these words because it appears that James is teaching a completely different way of salvation to Paul. The only way a person can be justified before God, according to Paul’s clear and consistent teaching, is through faith in Christ alone. For example: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law” (Rom.3:28), and, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified” (Gal.2:16).

Martin Luther, who’s teaching on ‘justification by faith in Christ alone’ spearheaded the Reformation, wanted to exclude the epistle of James from the Bible, calling it “an epistle of straw”. But we know that all Scripture is God-inspired, and whilst there may be some apparent contradictions, there are no real disagreements between the different parts of the Bible when understood correctly. So we must always seek to harmonize the Scriptures, not exclude those

passages we cannot explain. How do we harmonize James and Paul?

James And Paul Agree On The Gospel First, we know that James was not at variance with Paul on the matter of justification by faith, because both men were an integral part of the Council of Jerusalem when this teaching was under siege by Judaizers who taught that it was necessary for Gentile Christians to be circumcised and keep the law in order to be saved (Acts 15:1&5).

During this Council it was unanimously resolved once and for all that we are not saved through works of the law, but by grace, through faith in Christ alone (e.g.

Acts 15:9-11).

Paul wrote both Romans and Galatians with the express purpose in mind of clarifying God’s way of righteousness. Romans was written to explain the true nature of the gospel, in which the righteousness of God is revealed, i.e. we are justified by believing in Christ alone.

Galatians was written to bring correction on this issue when false teachers were attempting to deceive new Christians into believing that it was also necessary for them to keep the law in order to stay right with God. The purpose of 7

James’ epistle was not to explain the way of justification at all. His concern was that believers show appropriate mercy and care towards their fellow Christians; and in doing so, he said, they would give evidence of the genuineness of their faith. In this way their works would justify, or authenticate, their profession of faith.

Those who teach we are not justified by faith alone, but also by our works, appeal to James’ statement without understanding the background, context and indeed his purpose in writing this epistle. If you wanted to know more about Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and you heard that I had a 12-part exposition on CD on the entire epistle; but you also heard that I happened to mention Ephesians in passing in a message about a totally unrelated topic, which would you obtain to get a better grasp of Ephesians? Well, of course you would be interested in the 12-part series which specifically expounds this epistle. Similarly, if we want to understand the subject of justification we would not seek to do so, on the basis of a few words mentioned by James in passing. We would turn to those epistles which were specifically written to teach the truth about the doctrine of justification. Never make the obscure cancel out the plain teaching of God’s Word on any subject.

Paul’s Teaches Justification By Faith Alone. James’ Asks ‘What Is Faith?’

James does not throw into question whether we are justified by faith. He agrees wi th Paul that it is the only way we can be saved. What he seeks to do is put to the test one’s

profession of faith. Is it really faith?

For example, he asks, does the person who says to the cold and hungry, “go in peace, be fed and made warm” really believe that they will? On what grounds? Such a person is saying, “I really believe you will be OK.” He believes empty stomachs can be automatically filled. He believes that naked bodies can be automatically clothed. This kind of faith is groundless; it is empty. If a person has this kind of faith towards their brothers and sisters, what kind of faith did they have when they professed to believe Christ? James asks, “Can such faith save him?” (James 2:14, NIV).

Furthermore, true faith is much more than giving mental assent to something. For example, even the devils believe that God is real. But are they saved? No, genuine faith leads a person to put their trust entirely in the finished work of the Christ on the cross for salvation. The devils don’t do this.

Paul Is Concerned With Justification Before God. James Is Concerned With Justification Before Man This leads us to another important point. Paul is concerned with justification before God. Throughout Paul’s teaching in Romans and Galatians, God is the One who does the justifying. The whole matter of justification is between us and God. He sees those who put their trust in Christ and declares such to be righteous. James, however, is concerned with a person’s profession of faith being justified (or verified) before man as it is evidenced by its outworking. He says, “Show me your faith without

your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18).

It is only when we grasp this that James’ reference to Abraham being justified by works can be understood. Abraham was justified a long time before he offered up Isaac to God; in fact, even before Isaac was born! (See Gen.15: 6). But his obedience faltered many times, leaving us asking, “Did he really believe?” God knew all along that he was a true believer, and justified him the moment he believed. But an onlooker would be left wondering.

Decades passed from the time Abraham was declared righteous until the day he offered Isaac. Then, his faith was demonstrated for all to see. Our actions let others know that our faith is real. But before God, he was already justified. In Genesis 15 he was justified before God. In Genesis 22 he was justified before men.

Works are the effects of righteousness. But emphasizing the effects will never produce the effects. Emphasize the cause and the effects will follow. Emphasize grace and works will result. Grace will always produce good works.

Works will never produce grace.

That’s why grace preachers usually don’t preach a lot about works.

Instead they tend to the roots, knowing that the fruits grow from the roots. Christ is the root of our righteousness a nd our sanctification.

Christian Counsellor’s Companion from Ken Legg.

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Arousing Men to Pray 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

And I sought for a man among them, that should make up hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none (Ezek. 22:30).

To arouse one man or woman to the tremendous power of prayer for others is worth more than the combined activity of a score of average Christians.

What David Brainerd did others may do.

God is no respecter of persons.— A. J. Gordon.

E. M. Bounds left his settled pastorate to stir ministers to the importance of prayer. W. H. Hodge here gives a personal glimpse into this intercessor’s importunity on behalf of himself and others: “I have been among many ministers and slept in the same room with them for several years.

No smoking among them, no secret orders, no jokes, they were beautiful, clean, and good. They prayed, but I was never impressed with any special praying among them until one day a small man with grey hair and an eye like an eagle came along. His stature and little handbag were against him. . . .

“We had a ten-day convention. We had some fine preachers around the home, and he and one of them were assigned to my room. I was surprised

early next morning to see a man bathing and rubbing himself before day and then see him get down and begin to pray.

“I said to myself, ‘He will not disturb us, but will soon finish.’ He kept on softly for hours, interceding and weeping softly, for me and my indifference, and for all the ministers of God. “He spoke the next day on ‘Prayer.’ I became interested, for I was young in the ministry, and had often desired to meet with a man of God that prayed like the saints of the apostolic age. Next morning he was up, praying again, and for ten days he was up early, praying for hours. I became intensely interested and thanked God for sending him. ‘At last,’ I said, ‘I have found a man that really prays. I shall never let him go.’

“He drew me to him with hooks of steel; I entertained him, rose up with him, brought him to New York City at quite a cost of money to have him pray for my people and for me. He was a great admirer of David Brainerd. He would read his diary for hours and try to impress his life on others. “He remained two months with me in sweet fellowship and mighty prevailing prayer.

On the 24th day of October, I took that dear, sweet, wrinkled face in my hands, and kissed him for the last time. That face lit up with the divinity of thought, 9

those eyes gazing and peering into immensity—an eagle man, an intense man—yes, one of God’s eagles. I shall never see him again in this world; nor the like of him, I fear.

“What a vast difference in this man of God and the ministers of today. They know no battles with the powers of darkness; they know no wrestling with the mighty forces of the air; no hours of travail when the crush of battle looks as though Satan would win (Isa. 66:8, Isa. 64:7).

“Many a minister has buried his spirituality in the grave of his activities.

Eight years ago I commenced to pray early. This early rising is no longer an experiment. It is with me a success. “ E. M. Bounds waited fifty years for two men—only two adopted his early praying, one minister and one layman.”

Blessed is the day whose morning is sanctified. Successful is the day whose first victory was won by prayer. Holy is the day whose dawn finds thee on the top of the mount! Health is established in the morning. Wealth is won in the morning.

The light is brightest in the morning. “Wake, psaltery and harp; I myself will awake early.” — Joseph Parker.

NEW! The Pentecostal Bible Commentary Series: 1 Corinthians

faith. The story of Elijah illustrates how this gift of faith works; for Elijah's declaration that it would not rain except by his word may have been based on a similar impartation of divine faith (1 Kings 17:1). Such faith cannot be worked up, but when it is given by God the believer is able to stand firm until His Word is fulfilled. It must be emphasized, as with all the gifts, they are brought into operation for specific situations.

A person with the gift of faith will not be able to believe for everything he wants on all occasions, but only for that which the Spirit enables him to believe for on certain occasions.

The Gifts of Healings

An extract: The Gifts of Demonstration: The Gift of Faith The gift of faith is different to the faith that all believers share, though this also is called the gift of God. A person with the gift of faith will be supernaturally enabled by the Spirit to believe that something which is not yet seen shall certainly be.

Wischmeyer regards it as ‘faith to perform some extraordinary work’.

Jesus said, Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him’ (Mark 11:23).

In fact it is only possible to believe in this way by the supernatural gift of

Notice that the gift is not called ‘the gift of healing’. No one (other than Jesus Christ) has ever been given the ability to heal every kind of disease at will. So every separate healing is itself a fresh gift of the Holy Spirit.

Though God can heal without using human instruments, He has decided to distribute these gifts to believers so that they might impart them to others by the laying on of hands.

This is what Peter meant when he said to the lame man such as I have, I give you (Acts 3:6).

When a Christian receives this gift for another believer, then it is being used to minister to the body of Christ; when it is given for the benefit of an unbeliever, its purpose is evangelistic, God giving witness to the living Christ who confirms His Word with signs following – signs which include healing for the sick (Mark 16:17-18).

The Working of Miracles 10

Harold Horton defines miracles as ‘works contrary to nature, accomplishments of the impossible, sudden and unaccountable reversals of the order to which we are accustomed’ and asserts that Miracles have no other explanation than the ‘sovereign power of the Lord’. Jones calls them ‘explosions of almightiness!’ Since healings have been dealt with under a separate heading, we should note that although all healings are miraculous, they are not in view here. Certain conditions may require a miracle cure rather than a healing, as in the case of a child born without certain organs receiving these organs.

In the Old Testament we see God parting the Red Sea, making the sun stand still for a whole day, flattening the walls of Jericho and sending fire from heaven, to name but a few of His miracles. In the New Testament Jesus turned water into wine, walked on the water, calmed the storm and fed the five thousand.

The judgment of God uttered by Paul against Elymas the sorcerer was a miracle, as the man was blinded for certain days; this unusual miracle of judgment led to the conversion of the Roman proconsul (Acts 13:8-12).

The Pentecostal Bible Commentary Series: 1 Corinthians, pbk 316 pages.

Available now for £2.80 at the UK Kindle store or $4.41 in the US Kindle store.

Paperback available from Amazon (worldwide) and from all good bookstores price US$11.60 (£7.50)

The Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that Should Follow.

Psalm 22

by Mathew Bartlett Image © Razvanjp

In Luke’s gospel we read how Jesus explained to two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus that the prophets had foretold “the sufferings of Christ and the glory that would follow”. Nowhere is the truth of this statement more readily seen than in Psalm 22. Although scholars have attempted to identify the person spoken of by David in this Psalm in different ways, anyone familiar with the New Testament should plainly see that the Psalm could not describe anyone other than the Lord Jesus Christ. The Psalmist, thousands of years before Christ was born, describes in greater detail than the writers of the gospels, the sufferings of Christ, before going on to speak of the glory that should follow. Here then is a Psalm of pure prophecy. In it we shall consider:

The Persecution of Christ Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David vividly describes the persecution which Christ suffered at the hands of sinful men. It is Christ who speaks through David and

complains of being despised and insulted by men.

He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Isaiah 53:3 (v6).

The Psalmist describes Christ as being hounded to death by his enemies. In v12 we read of many strong bulls of Bashan surrounding and attacking the son of God. The bulls of the fertile region of Bashan were well known for their size and strength. Humanly speaking, the enemies of Christ were too strong for him. They were fat, in the sense that they enjoyed prominence and the goods of this world. But they were brute beasts with no sense other than to feed their own appetites. Such men do not fear God or regard godly things. It would be a terrible situation for any man to have to face even one raging bull of Bashan. Yet Christ endured greater hostility that this from sinful men.

The writer to the Hebrews says 11

“For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself” Heb. 12:3a The enemies of Christ are described in v13 as hungry lions tearing their prey with wide open mouths.

Spurgeon says, “They could not get the blasphemy out of their mouths fast enough, so they had to open their mouths wider that they might gape on the son of God.” These blasphemers would not be satisfied until they had devoured and destroyed Christ body and soul. No wonder that in v 16 they are also described as dogs. The dogs of the east are not domestic pets, but vicious, unclean animals, roaming in packs to secure their prey. The Hebrew title given to this Psalm will perhaps shed further light on the meaning intended here. It is “the hind of the morning” and the picture being painted is one men beginning early in the morning to hunt down and destroy their innocent and harmless and defenceless prey with packs of bloodthirsty dogs. So now the dogs are surrounding Christ, and whilst

they could only kill the body and not the soul, their words nevertheless caused tremendous distress to the soul of the dying Saviour. Notice in v7-8 the taunts which were made of Jesus as he hung on the cross. It is terrible to laugh at another’s misfortune, but to laugh the dying Son of God is another matter. Yet they arrogantly and fearlessly slander him and touch upon that which was more precious to Christ than anything, his relationship with God. (V7) In the gospels we read ..

Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. "He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, 'I am the Son of God.' " Matt 27:41-43 Then not only do we have set before us in this Psalm the mental sufferings of Christ caused by persecution, but also His physical sufferings. In v16 we see that the same crowd who reviled him also nailed his hands and feet to a wooden cross. Psalm 22 vividly describes the physical sufferings of Christ. v15 Speaks of the dehydration and fever which would have taken hold of the one being crucified as they were exposed to the powerful noontime rays of the Eastern sun. Christ says my strength or my vitality, literally my moisture, is dried up like broken pottery and my tongue swells with dehydration and sticks to the jaws of my parched mouth. All Christ’s bones are put out

of joint in the violence of the crucifixion (v14), the distension of his body making them appear prominent (v17). Christ describes himself as being poured out like water and his heart, having no more physical strength in it, was melted within him. Medical doctors believe that the presence of water in the heart of Christ indicates that He died of a physically broken heart. Other events surrounding the cross of Christ are portrayed too. (v18) The soldiers who crucified him casting lots for his clothing “And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take”. Mark 15:24.

John gives us a remarkable insight into the crucifixion when he says, “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" John 19:28 Then they gave him vinegar to drink in fulfilment of Psalm 69.21.

There is no doubt that the Psalmist’s utterance indicates that Christ would die, as it says in v16, he is brought to the dust of death, or the grave. Some have asked why the spear thrust into Christ’s side is not mentioned here, but this is not a difficulty, because as the prophet is speaking of Christ in the first person, it would not be reasonable to suppose that he would refer to an incident which happened after Christ was already dead and had become insensible.

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The Prayer of Christ The prayer of Christ begins with his cry from the cross v1. In spite of all his sufferings at the hands of men, the greatest suffering of Christ was that which he endured in being separated from God as he took on Himself the sin of the world. At that time, when Christ apparently needed God’s deliverance more than ever before, none was forthcoming. Yet the power of the Holy Spirit within Him enabled Him to endure even these sufferings, for the cup which the Father had given him had to be drunk. So, through the power of the Holy Spirit, He endured the awful agony alone.

God remained aloof even when Christ was reduced to wordless, incoherent cries of agony and distress, the roaring of v1. His prayer was shut out from God whilst he became sin for us. v2. Yet even in that extremity of experience he continued to trust in God. He continued to hope on the basis of God’s past dealings with the nation of Israel and with Himself personally. In v3, He Israel’s God, is holy. When the Ancestors of the Jews had trusted in God, he delivered them. They cried out to God and he answered them and they were not put to shame. (v5).

Yet Christ’s experience of God’s provision and protection could be traced back to before his birth. v9.

Indeed even as a tiny baby, God had delivered his Son from the plots of Herod when all the baby boys in Bethlehem were killed. With this confidence He prays in v11,

“ Be not far from Me, For trouble is near; For there is none to help,” and v19 -21, “ But You, O LORD, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me! Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog. Save Me from the lion's mouth And from the horns of the wild oxen!”

to Glory. With his glory Christ has obtained:

The Spoil of Redemption.

Christ’s prayer seemingly remained unanswered as men were allowed to vent their sinful hate and fury on the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet once death had spent its fury on him, it was then that his prayer was answered and that Christ was fully vindicated

by God in his resurrection.

The Purpose of Christ Of course, the purpose behind Christ's death was that he might make atonement for the people and take away the sin of the world.

Christ died for every man. He died for our sins. The punishment that men deserved was death and eternal separation from God. But Christ has borne that curse and punishment for us, that we might be saved and redeemed from the curse and penalty of sin. His purpose was to taste death for every man so that he might “bring many sons to glory”.

When he died Christ cried It is finished. The work of redemption had been done. In other words, on the basis of Christ’s once and for all sacrifice for sin, God is able to forgive and justify men and women who are sinners and to give them eternal life, thereby saving them forever, about which the writer to the Hebrews goes into much greater detail.

Image © Philcold

The Glory of Christ The pause between which occurs in v21 covers the three days between the “It is finished!” of Christ and the “Amen” of God when Christ rose from the dead. After illustrating the sufferings of Christ the Psalm abruptly changes in v22 to a song of victory. This song heralds the glory to come after Christ’s sufferings and resurrection. What glory it is!

In Philippians 2 Paul writes that because of his obedience to death, Christ has now been raised from death and exalted to the right hand of God. He has been given the name above every name and that every knee shall bow to him and every tongue confess him as Lord.

Let is briefly examine the things which accompany Christ’s exaltation 13

Spoil is what a victor takes as a result of his victory. Christ's spoil is that he is able to give everlasting life to all who believe in Him. v26. By his death he has redeemed men and women and purchased them for God with his own blood. It was for this joy which was set before him that he endured the cross. Isaiah says that he shall see the result of the travail of his soul and be satisfied. We are the spoil of redemption, and we belong to Christ. In heaven we shall realise the extent of these spoils, for we shall see countless millions, saved and washed in the blood of Christ standing perfect before the throne of God, worshipping and serving him without fear forever. When Christ died, he alone was the son of God. But because of his death, we too are called the sons of God; Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers (v22), for we too have been made holy through him. The death and resurrection Christ have made it possible for men and women to be born again - born of God- that they might become children of God. (v30).

The Song of Redemption. v22b-25. In Revelation we read of those in heaven that “ they sang a new song,” Around the throne of God the countless millions will never forget the great cost which bought them pardon and life everlasting.

What is the new song which they sing?

“You are worthy, for you were slain and have redeemed us to God by your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth." Rev 5:9-10.

It’s a song which even angels can never sing. It’s the song of the redeemed. We were sinners condemned, unclean and on our way to hell, but Christ has saved and cleansed us.

The Scope of Redemption.

The redemption which Christ has purchased for man is available to the whole world. In v 27 it says, All the ends of the world Shall remember and turn to the LORD, And all the families of the nations Shall worship before You. In Isaiah it says, “Indeed He says, 'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.' " Isaiah 49:6 When Christ died he died for every man. Today the gospel is being preached worldwide so that, as we read in Revelation, men from every tribe and nation and kindred and tongue will be among his heavenly retinue when he returns to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Throughout all nations, the redemption of Christ is all embracing. Whoever will call on the

name of the Lord shall be saved.

That is the scope of redemption.

The Span of Redemption.

“And He shall reign forever and ever...” Rev 11:15.

Christ has purchased for us a life that shall never end. He is the founder of an everlasting Kingdom, over which he shall reign throughout all eternity. There shall never be a time when the redeemed of the Lord shall cease to praise and serve him. Psalm 145.13 says, (c) 1Ben Bore Rhys

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.”

Not only has Christ been exalted to the highest place, he shall remain there unparalleled and unrivalled for ever. Before him every knee shall bow. He is king of Kings and Lord of Lords forever.

March 1st is Saint David’s Day in Wales, in memory of our patron saint. David’s banner is the yellow cross on the black background.

St. David himself was a 6th century Welsh bishop of Welsh lineage and is credited with doing much to establish monasteries and promote the Christian faith in Wales.

For those of us who are Christians in Wales, Saint David’s Day is a time to pledge ourselves afresh to the task of spreading the gospel as David did, until everyone has had the opportunity to believe and be saved.

Conclusion How grateful we are for the sufferings of Christ which have obtained so much for us, and how worthy he is of the glory that should follow. We too will share in the glory which shall be revealed. Yet there is an eternal glory which is and ever shall be his alone. As the apostle Paul says.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Tim 1:17 14

Not only in Wales, but around the world, the Lord Jesus commands:

‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

So from us here in Wales, to all our readers on six continents:

Happy Saint David’s Day! Hapus Dydd Gŵyl Dewi!

Post – Resurrection Appearances of Christ In the order they occurred

By Mathew Bartlett. Image © Jgroup

Last Easter we received an email from an atheist challenging us to reconcile the statements made in the synoptic gospels and John and by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 concerning the order in which the post resurrection appearances of Christ took place. Of course, we only have SOME of Christ’s appearances, for he appeared to them over 40 days speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Yet, for those of which we have record, it may be useful to list them in order, and so gain a better picture of what happened on that resurrection Sunday and in the days subsequent to it.

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(Matt. 28:1-2; Mark 16:1-4). Just before sunrise, Mary Magdalene and Mary (Mother of James Mark 16:1) and Salome (whose name w Matthew omits) went to anoint Jesus’ body with spices. They witnessed an angel rolling away the stone from the tomb. This same angel tells them that Jesus is alive, but in response: ‘Then they went out and ran from the tomb, for terror and bewilderment had seized them. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.’ (Mar 16:8). At this time they did not wish to share the information directly with the disciples. It is possible that they brought other women with them to verify the story first, for later other women including Joanna arrive in the garden (Luke 24:10).

It seems that Mary Magdalene came back to the garden before the others, still somewhat shaken and unbelieving. (John 20:11-16). There she met the risen Christ, whom at first she supposed to be the gardener. She was not yet allowed to touch Jesus; it is as if he has paused for a moment before briefly ascending to heaven, and then returning to earth.

Soon afterwards, the other women rejoin Mary and enter the tomb that they see an angel (perhaps the same one) who tells them again that Jesus is alive and that they should tell his disciples that he is risen. (Mat. 28:5-6; Mark 16:6-7 Mark adds Peter's name separately). Luke records that they saw no body in the tomb (Luke 24:3). Until that time, Only Mary Magdalene had seen Jesus, but as the women were about to leave, Jesus himself met them, and this time permitted them to touch him. (28:9).

The women now went to tell the apostles, who refused to believe them (Luke 24:11). However, Peter and John ran to investigate. Both saw the empty tomb, which John describes special detail, but they did not at this time see the Lord and only John was prepared to believe He was risen (John 20:8).So these disciples (Peter & John) went back to their homes. John 20:10.

If Paul (1 Cor. 15:5) intends that Peter saw Christ before the other eleven (as Luke 24:34 implies) then this must have occurred privately between his return home and the evening meal.

Luke 24:34 also implies that the other apostles (except Thomas) believed the word of Peter (though not the women) BEFORE they saw Christ for themselves. Whether Peter returned to the garden to try to figure out the truth or whether Christ met him where he was we have no record.

Later that day Jesus appeared to two of them on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13). They did not realize who he was until evening when they ran back to Jerusalem, where all present in the upper room meet the risen Christ (Luke 24:36). Thom was absent (John 20:24).

Eight days later Thomas was with the other disciples when Jesus again appeared to them (John 20:26).

We are not given details of all the 40 days of appearances, but we know that when the disciples returned to Galilee as Christ commanded, they met the risen Christ for the third time collectively whilst they were fishing and it was at this time that Peter had his personal interview with Christ.

The disciples had travelled to Galilee at a prearranged meeting place, where over 500 saw him at once and were given the great commission (Matthew 28:16; 1 Cor. 15:6).

At some point during these 40 days, Jesus appeared to his oldest brother James and to all the 'apostles', which may be a reference to EVEN MORE disciples further to the 500 who ALSO received the great commission. So the risen Christ must have been seen by MANY HUNDREDS. Then Jesus led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. Now during the blessing he departed and was taken up into heaven (Luke 24:50-51). This Ascension Day was 40 days after Easter Sunday. At this time Jesus told them to remain in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 1).

There was to be one more appearance, not in vision, but in the same form seen by Peter and the eleven; this was to Paul on the Damascus road.

Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 15:8 imply that this particular level of revelation will not be repeated,

UNTIL WE ALL SEE HIM FACE TO FACE. 16

The Runaway Prophet The Book of Jonah Chapter One A brief Bible study by Derek Williams.

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

The wickedness of this city had become so terrible that God's time of longsuffering was running out for them. Yet because He is a God of love and mercy He gives them another opportunity by commissioning Jonah to go and tell them that God saw their evil ways and was concerned about them and to warn them of the judgment that would come if they did not repent.

Jonah's Call and Disobedience 1 - 3.

Introduction.

Jonah lived in a village called Gath Hepher that was about three miles from Nazareth within the border of Zebulin (2 Kings 14: 25).

He prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II and Joash, kings of Israel, and just before the prophet Amos.

It was during the time that the Assyrian power and control over the nations had become weak. He was the only prophet who was sent to preach to the Gentiles.

His name means "Dove" or "Pigeon which is the symbol of peace. Jesus refers to Jonah as a sign to the Ninevites and that the sign of Jonah would be the only one given to the people to prove that He was who He claimed to be (Luke 11: 29 - 30).

V1.

"The word" that is the allpowerful creative word of "the LORD" that is Yahweh/Jehovah, the "I am that I am". It is the word that goes forth and accomplishes what God has purposed, it will not return to Him empty (Isaiah 55: 11).

V2. It was this "word" that God entrusted Jonah with to preach to the people of Nineveh which was one of the largest cities of Assyria.

It was known as "the Robber City" because it overran and robbed other countries to enrich itself. At the time of receiving this word Jonah must have been in a period of inactivity for God has to "stir him up" to bring him into action.

"Arise" is the same word that the Psalmist uses when calling upon God (Ps. 68:1) and to the sinner who is dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 5: 14) and to those who are redeemed ("awake" Rom. 13: 11).

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V3. Nineveh was the last place on earth Jonah wanted to go.

They were the enemy of his people and he hated them (Math. 5: 43 - 44) - it was a heathen city, they were idolaters!

So Jonah decides that the Lord is asking too much of him becomes disobedient and runs away in the opposite direction to Nineveh.

Jonah foolishly believed that by going out of Israel to another place he could escape the convicting presence of God and His call! Although a prophet he seemed to know very little about the God whom he professed to serve. The Lord places more importance on obedience than on sacrifice (1 Sam. 15: 22) and there is no place to hide from Him (Ps. 139: 7- 12).

Note: God spoke to Jonah direct He did not use a third party and He later confirmed it. Jonah recognized God's voice. God still speaks to His own directly and may confirm it by the scriptures and the Holy Spirit. We need to know and be certain that it is God that is speaking (John 10:3, 27).

Jonah's first lesson from God 4 13.

V4. Here we have the second of three "but's" in these verses (see V3 but Jonah); two belong to Jonah and one to God. "But the Lord". Jonah had made his plans and had put them into operation without reckoning on God. God had already made His plans before Jonah for He knew what reaction Jonah would have. God is in control of all things the wind obeys Him (Mark 4: 39), even if His own do not. The Lord sends a tempestuous wind to teach Jonah his first lesson - he cannot run away or hide from God. By sending the wind He shows that He knows where Jonah is. By almost breaking the ship in pieces - He is prepared to break down every barrier raised and take away the things he holds on to for security.

V5. Although heathen sailors, in their fear they at least turned to their gods first for help and then they did what they could by throwing overboard the excess baggage. A lesson for us? (Heb. 12: 1). The third "but" is Jonah’s - he was fast asleep down in the lower parts of the ship, indifferent and unconcerned (this is Jonah's third down, see V3, once he started on the downward trend he continued).

pleaded with him to give them answers to five questions. 1. Tell them the reason for the trouble they are in. 2. What do you do? 3.

Where did you come from?

4.

What is your country? 5. What is your nationality?

V9 - 10. Jonah's answers to these questions told them all they wanted to know. He was a Hebrew - that was enough to tell them that he served the true and only God who had done mighty things for His chosen people. "I fear the Lord" not really, or he would not be disobeying Him. The God who made the "sea" that was causing them all the trouble, and "dry land", which they longed to be on at this time, the creator and ruler of all things. The cause of the trouble was

V6 - 7. The Lord uses the captain of the ship to "stir Jonah up" to call him to pray. What does he think he's doing sleeping while lives are in danger - start praying so that God will have mercy and save them.

They seem to realize that the situation they were in was divine punishment and so cast lots to find out who was the cause of it (see Acts 1: 26), it correctly fell on Jonah.

V8.

Notice they did not get all worked up or angry with him but 18

that he had sought to run away from the presence of God but God had uncovered him!

V11 - 12. If Jonah was the cause of the trouble then as far as the sailors were concerned he also had the answer for the way out of it! He did - throw him overboard, he had to be the sacrifice in order to save their lives.

V13.

Although Jonah was right these heathen sailors were not in the habit of throwing people overboard and so they make an allout effort to reach land but to no avail. Of course their efforts were pointless for they were working against the plan God. God had not yet finished teaching Jonah a few more lessons!

Our In Depth Study.

Revelation 13.

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.

The Rise of Anti-Christ The Beast from the Sea. 1-10.

"Then I stood on the sand of the sea.

And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name."

John stands on the shore of the island of Patmos as he receives this vision of a beast coming up out of the sea. The key to the symbolic meaning of "the sea" here is given in Rev. 17:1 and verse 15 where the word "waters" is used instead. The Beast rises out of the turbulent nations. This suggests that the Beast originates from a Gentile nation. This Beast differs from the one in Rev. 12:3 as he wears diadems on his horns, whereas Satan wears them on his heads (Rev. 12:3). The ten crowned horns are representative of a confederation of ten kingdoms and the seven heads are seven regents appointed and controlled by the Beast. The very nature of this Beast is the embodiment of all blasphemy.

2. "Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority."

The creature dominantly resembled a panther, that is with the grace, slyness and swiftness of that animal.

His feet are like a bear's, powerful and deadly, for unlike a cat, bears are unable to retract their claws and so are always ready to attack. The lion's mouth depicts the cruelty of the creature and the way it tears its prey apart with its teeth. It is to this Beast, who is his offspring, that the Devil gives all his power, his throne and great authority, he is Satan in human form, the Anti-Christ.

3. "And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast."

The Anti-Christ is apparently killed and raised from death in a mocking parody of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of this the whole world follows him with amazement and admiration.

4. "So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"

The world worships the Devil because he gave his authority to Anti- Christ. They also praised and worshipped the Anti-Christ as God, announcing that there was no one as powerful who was able to overcome him. How wrong they were.

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5-6. "And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven."

This man is given the eloquence to propound (in a surprisingly impressive, stunning or overwhelming way) astounding and blasphemous things. He was given the freedom to exercise his authority for three and a half years. The Beast continually blasphemes God, speaking against His person, His dwelling place and all who dwell in heaven.

7. "It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation."

The Anti-Christ is given power by the Devil to make war against the faithful Jewish remnant (144,000 -the Great Tribulation) and to overcome them. Power is also given him to rule over all nations and language groups throughout the world.

8-9. "All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not

been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If anyone has an ear, let him hear."

Every inhabitant of the earth will pay homage to him "bow down, in voluntary, inward veneration of soul, to him as their god" (Tatford).

Except those who have been sealed

by God (Rev. 7:4) and whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. A warning is given at this point for all who have heard these words to understand the serious implication of them.

10. "He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints."

Here is a reminder that vengeance belongs to God (Deut. 32:35; Rom. 12:19). Whoever takes people into captivity will themselves be taken.

Whoever kills with the sword will be killed with the sword. As God's sealed people are persecuted by the Beast they are called to exercise faith and endurance. They are not to take up arms against him.

The Beast from the Land. 11-18.

11. "Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon."

John saw another beast coming out of the earth. The first beast came from outside Israel but this one arises from within that nation. He had a different pretentious appearance to the first.

He pretends to be as gentle as a lamb, being plausible, smooth tongued, not exhibiting the vicious ferocity of the first beast. The words that he speaks, however, are the same as those spoken by the first beast and are uttered with authority of the Devil.

12-13. "And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.�

He exerts all the power and authority of the Anti-Christ in his presence. In so doing he makes all the inhabitants of the world to revere (to regard with great awe and devotion) and worship the AntiChrist who had apparently died and had risen again.

This second beast (the false prophet) also performs great miracles even to making fire come from the sky to the earth in the sight of the people (2 Thess. 2:9 - 10) 14. "And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived."

Satan gives this beast the power to perform such miracles in the presence of the Anti-Christ in order to deceive the people of the world.

He commands them to make a statue in the likeness of the AntiChrist.

15. "He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed."

So great was the power given to the false prophet by Satan that he is able to impart life to the image so that it could speak. This will not be effected by trickery, robotics, or televised media, but by an appalling manifestation of Satanic power, 20

imparting demonic life to the statue of the beast. Those who refused to bow down and worship the statue he caused to be put to death.

16-17. "He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, And that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."

The false prophet compels everyone, irrespective of their station in life, to receive a mark engraved on either their right hands or in their foreheads. This does not necessarily mean that the mark will be visibly seen. Without this mark, either the name or number of the beast, no one could work or buy and sell. They would be outcast from the world and doomed to starvation.

18. "Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: his number is 666."

There are many speculations about the number of the beast. Note that it is not six, six, six; but six hundred and sixty six. John says that it requires the wisdom of God to interpret its meaning. It will require a deep, thorough knowledge of figures to compute the number of the beast. The number is said to be the number of a certain man (Strong's Dictionary: "of a man" = a certain human being) and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.

Tatford says, "whatever the interpretation of the symbol, identification of the individual referred to will doubtless be impossible until the particular period in which he lives".

From The Revelation of Jesus Christ by Derek Williams (paperback ÂŁ6.99)

There was a time in my life (not so long ago) that I was quite a faithful little 'gym rat.' Every morning I would show up and put in my time sweating, heaving and grunting until I had exhausted an entire day’s worth of energy before the sun had even come out. The bench press was my favourite exercise, and that’s where I could really shine.

I would lie down on the bench, and my workout partner would put a couple of weight plates onto the barbell. I would press it once and ask for more. At my request he would slide another 44-pound disc onto each side and then I would press it again.

“Give me a couple more,” I would say, and he would add more still. I would keep adding weight until my arms and chest felt like jelly. At the peak weight, I would say, “Stop…I can’t lift any more.” Believe it or not, my record was 300 pounds! There were a couple of times, however, when I weakened and ended up under a load that was simply too heavy. I can remember once when this happened - it was a pretty helpless feeling. I watched in horror as the weight was slowly sinking down to my chest as though it was happening in slow motion. I was pushing with every

ounce of strength I could muster, but there was absolutely nothing I could do. Finally the bar came to rest somewhere between my chest and my neck.

I’m not sure whether I was more concerned about potentially suffocating or just looking completely ridiculous while doing so. My lower half was flopping around while my jellified arms were trying desperately to keep the bar off my neck just long enough for me to grunt a pathetic distress signal of some sort. I think the other guys in the gym were debating over whether to help me or just laugh.

I was quite happy with my 300 pound record, but it seems pretty puny when compared to Ryan Kennelly (pictured above) who holds the world record in bench-press for lifting 1,075 pounds…an unthinkable amount of weight for any half-way normal person.

But as remarkable as it is, even the mightiest person in the world has limitations. At some point we all will cry out, “Stop…I can’t bear any more.”

At some point even Ryan Kennelly could be crushed under a load too heavy for any man 21

God’s Bench Press Consider however the infinite burden that Christ lifted at Calvary. He was beaten, whipped, and tortured before they nailed His mutilated body to the cross like a mangled piece of meat. But it wasn’t only physical pain that He endured.

He bore the betrayal by Judas, the denial by Peter and abandonment by the rest of His closest friends. He bore slander and false accusations of His enemies. He bore the knowledge that he had been completely misunderstood by the angry mob full of people who He loved and had to endure the sight of his grief stricken mother as she was forced to watch His torment.

“Enough!” you can hear her say, “That’s my son…He’s done nothing wrong. Leave Him alone…this is one hundred times more than any man can bear.”

But He seems to look up to His Father through the blood and thorns and ribbons of lacerated flesh and say, “Don’t stop…give me more…lay it all on Me. Give Me the sins of the entire Jewish nation. Give Me the sins of all the Gentile heathen. After that lay on Me the iniquities and

wickedness of every person who has ever lived since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden.

world seems to bend and creak as it’s laid upon His bloody shoulders.

All the murder, the genocide, the rape, the wars, the human sacrifices, and the idolatry…the burden of all of history…drop it on Me.”

“No more!” you cry. “Lord you’ve already done enough.

This is a million times more than any man can bear.” “Not yet,” you hear Him say, “I’m not finished…not until I’ve taken every sickness. Lay on Me the obscurity of all the blind. Lay on Me the brokenness of every cripple. Lay on Me the rottenness of every leper. Lay on Me the isolation of every deaf mute. Give Me the grief of the AIDS victim and the sorrow of the barren woman. Give Me the hurt of every child with cancer.

Give Me the convulsions of every epileptic. Give Me the pain of every sick and suffering man and woman boy and girl: every affliction, every fever, every spasm, every injury, every pang, every wound and every illness.

And give Me the very sting of death itself…I will bear it all”.

“Stop,” the Angels cry as they shield their faces, “That is enough…He is the darling Prince of Heaven. Don’t torment Him… this is one thousand times more than any man can bear.” “No, don’t stop,” you hear Him say through blood-stained teeth, clinched in unwavering resolve.

“Give Me more. Give Me the burdens of every person who has not yet been born. Lay on Me the sins of every future generation for the next 2,000 years: the burden of the prostitute, the drug addict, the adulterer, and the thief. Lay on My back the stripes of every slave, the chains of every prisoner, the darkness of every madman the bondage of every demoniac. Lay on Me all the anguish of hell’s most agonising torment.”

God the Father turns His back on the unbearable sight of His Son. The sky turns dark as though the very door of heaven itself were slammed shut. He is utterly alone and completely forsaken

by God and man. Never before has a human being experienced such emotions…emptied of all but love. Thunder peels in the distance the earth splits and the temple veil rips. The whole

Finally, the weight of the world with its mountains of putrefying sin, sickness and bondage had been placed squarely on His shoulders. Not one burden remained that He had not lifted.

It was a billion times more than any person could bear. “That’s enough,” He cried. “I have it all… ’IT IS FINISHED!’” This is why Isaiah said that He “bore our sins and carried our sorrows.” This is freedom to the fullest. This is abundant life. This is joy unspeakable and full of glory.

“Burdens are lifted at Calvary; Jesus is very near.”

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How can we respond?

Mathew, as myself and Evangelist Bonnke travel and run the Great Gospel Campaigns we consistently see this awesome grace at work. There is nothing which can separate any of us from this love (Romans 8:38).

Take a moment to reflect on that truth, nothing can separate you from His love... Do you have prayer need in your life right now? Jesus bore your sin, your sickness, your disease, so that you can come to the Father of Lights, from whom come all good things. We would be honoured to pray for you. Jesus knows your situation, he has already born the weight for you!

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.

Easter Gospel Tract Sale

With Easter on its way, you may wish to stock up on our low cost Easter Gospel tracts (English language). These are now only £2 pounds per 100 while stocks last.

Post free in United Kingdom. Rest of world, contact for shipping price. We make no profit on our tracts, we just ask you to cover the cost of printing. Request samples. www.biblestudiesonline.co.uk/Gospel-Tracts.html

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:

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Mon to Fri with answerphone.

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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

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