Living Word Magazine November 2012

Be wise, my son…

Issue 16 November 2012

Living Word Magazine

Going Deeper into God’s Word

(Proverbs 27:11)

F r e e B i b l e St u d i e s f r o m D a n i e l K o l e n d a , D e r e k W i l l i a m s , D a n i e l Ir v i n g, I s a a c Mwa gi , Ma t h e w B a r t l e t t , E d wi n & Li l l i a n H a r ve y & m o r e !

Bible Studies Online International

www.biblestudiesonline.co.uk ISA 11:2 (AV) THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD SHALL REST UPON HIM, THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM ©Photos above Marafilm CoverDanilo Ascione photo Back cover Peter Saharov

In this month’s issue: 2.

You are Unique

3.

Rebuilding the Walls Part 8

5.

Surviving Your Wilderness

7.

For the Asking

8.

The Prophecy of Amos Chapter 7

10.

Reader’s Article: Faith

11.

Times of Refreshing

15.

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

17.

The Message of Mark (2)

19.

The Book of Esther (2)

23.

Take and Use Home Bible Study

24.

In Depth Study – Revelation Chapter 21

Ken Legg (Australia) Arfon Lloyd Thomas (UK) Daniel Kolenda (CfaN) Edwin & Lillian Harvey (USA) Mathew Bartlett (UK) Isaac Mwagi (KENYA) Mathew Bartlett (UK) Daniel Irving (USA) Mathew Bartlett (UK) Derek Williams (UK) Mathew Bartlett (UK) Derek Williams (UK)

©Photos above © Photoquest. Cover: © Roughcollie Left © from top: Robert baye , Alena Root, Paul Prescott, Sebastian Grecu Troy Lilly,. Back Cover: Lori Martin.

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IN THIS ISSUE

You are Unique

By Ken Legg (Grace Roots #82) Image: © Alena Root I am often asked the question. “Do you believe ‘once saved, always saved’?” My reply is, “I prefer to say, ‘once a son, always a son.’”

Christians are born again, and it’s impossible to be unborn. At times I may be a bad son or a rebellious son, but I am still a son.

You are unique. And you are special. In a world of over seven billion people it might be difficult to believe that. But it’s true. God created you as an individual. You may have been unplanned, but you are not an accident. You may even have had an illegitimate birth, but there is nothing random about you.

No human being is a chance happening. Sometimes we can look at human life as being no more than a biological outcome; but that’s not what the Bible teaches.

Every person has a human spirit which God alone can impart. For example, in Zechariah 12:1 we read, “Thus says the LORD, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him...” And in Ecclesiastes 12:7, Solomon says, “The dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” Without God’s involvement you would have no being. You owe your existence to “the Father of spirits” (Heb.12:9).

Furthermore, you were not mass produced. Just as no two snowflakes, or blades of grass, are

alike, so there are no two identical human beings. God doesn’t do carbon copies.

Manifold Grace As it is in creation, so it is in the new creation. We each possess our own individual new creation identity. Whilst all believers are in Christ, yet we have a distinctiveness that underlines our individuality.

When speaking about our particular unique function in the body of Christ, Peter says that the grace of God is upon each one of us in a different way. He puts it this way, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another as good stewards of the manifold gra ce of God” (1 Pet.4:10).

That word ‘manifold’ means manysided, or multi-faceted. The Church is like a diamond in God’s hand.

And each one of us is like shaped facets of that gem which reflects the kaleidoscope fullness of Christ in so many different ways. The Church will sparkle and gleam in all its stunning brilliance and diversity as, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we allow our uniqueness to be manifested.

sausages on a production line. Each of us is individually handcrafted by God. Someone once said, “When God created John Wesley, He destroyed the mold!”

Cults and control freaks insist on sameness. They don’t understand that we can be diverse without being divisive. Therefore, they kill individuality and creativity. But where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty to be the tru e expression of who God has made us to be. Dear friend, don’t be an echo of someone else; be a voice.

Don’t be a clone; be an original.

Don’t be fooled into believing that ‘one size fits all’. Be the unique, special facet to God’s gem that you are.

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There is nothing which stifles the variegated character of the grace of God like the pressure of uniformity. We have not been mass produced; churned out like 2

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SPIRITUAL RENEWAL NEHEMIAH chapter 11:1-4 & 12:27-47

By Arfon Lloyd Thomas Photo Š Paul Prescott

Prayer:Dear Heavenly Father, how wonderful it would be today if all of your people everywhere committed themselves to following and serving you. We humbly pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, Your only begotten Son. Amen.

Because Nehemiah had rebuilt and established the City of Jerusalem under sound Biblical principles it was now possible for an influx of people as they returned from exile.

Of course, there would have been various relational problems that needed attending to. After all, when they went into exile 70 years earlier there had been a North and South divide that would have needed to be healed. Because of the deep commitment to spiritual welfare and renewal the inhabitants worked well together for the glory of God.

We might do well to recall that it was a revolutionary God who created the First Garden, but rebellious man who built the First City. These two have been in conflict ever since. Today there are many man-made cities that do not honour God or glorify His Name.

They are sadly the institutes for promoting promiscuity, pollution and poverty.

To avoid this man-made trap Nehemiah called all the people to present sacrifices to the Lord for the sake of the City. Likewise today we are called to make sacrifices to God for the sake of the Church, the Body of Christ.

We discover that the administration of Judah was built upon a sound spiritual basis. The honour and glory of God being foremost and His justice the measure of all things.

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As the people of Israel dedicated the wall, the music, singing and dancing could be heard from a long way off. This action of worship was a sign of new life to the Nation.

The whole Nation expressed their grateful adoration of praise to God their Redeemer.

I believe that one of the signs of new life for us is when, as newly born again children of God, we cry out with praise and exaltation.

From this wonderful picture of celebration we see that God’s people are meant to be filled with an over-whelming joy right from the commencement of a new life in Him. Furthermore, joy that comes from God is not only external, but eternal. The joy that is of Christ will continue to mature throughout the Christian life.

If we recall the commencement of the New Testament Church the first followers were filled with the

spirit of joy and were accused of being drunk. This over-whelming joy of the Spirit never faded or diminished in any form.

Now that the gates and walls of Jerusalem were in place it was important that the City was inhabited by the people of God. After all, why build a beautiful City if you had no intention of living there?!

One of the practical reasons for living within was to complete the work whilst at the same time being a constant witness to any sceptical onlookers.

Jesus warns us and makes it very clear regarding our spiritual homes in Matthew 12 verse 43. We are told that once we have cleaned and prepared the house then we are to fill it to His glory, for if it is left empty and clean then Satan will soon take up residence in our place.

In other words, God desires to have His house full of living witnesses ready and able for His service. Paul writes in Romans 12:1

“I beseech thee therefore brethren, by the mercies of God to present your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

Thus we must never underestimate the importance of simply being present in the place where God wants you to be. We may not be asked to perform some dramatic ministry, but by being

there we are serving God as we corporately worship Him.

inhabit them and use them for His glory.

I’m sure for many of the people that Nehemiah asked to move and relocate there would have been various problems. However, it’s often when we come out of our comfort zone that God does the greatest work in us. Nehemiah carefully listed all those who were required to live and serve in the City and the Temple. In giving us the list he was acknowledging his sincere gratitude for each individual who assisted in any way.

Prayer: Father God, we are grateful that You call us to do Your will and give us the strength to accomplish it. May we be in Your Church the salt and light that You have called us to be. Thank You for the gift of joy. Help us to witness to our new found life in You. Amen.

Some of our large Churches need a great many helpers to run things smoothly. Tem work helps us all in our spiritual act of worship. From car-parking to door stewards, Sunday school teachers, technicians, and musicians the list is never ending! Is it no wonder that God calls His Church the body with many parts?!

Perhaps one of the things that we learn today from our reading is this – when people of God get right with God then nothing is impossible for God. When we worship, work and witness to the glory of God then nothing else seems to matter. The problem of man-made denominations and traditions just fade away and the Church of Jesus Christ blossoms like a radiant Bride.

As our worship becomes more meaningful to us then we delight in the ministry of others and they, in turn, delight in our ministry to them. Thus it is no good us just building City walls. We need to 4

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

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

Contact the Bible Studies Online International office at: admin@biblestudiesonline.co.uk

Surviving Your Wilderness A Bible Study by Daniel Kolenda (CfaN) Photo: © Sebastian Grecu

Introduction “If you’re going through hell, keep going!” So said Winston Churchill during one of the worst crises in world history.

And these words of wisdom still apply to anyone passing through a trial today. Adversity does not have to become our destination. It can be a pathway to something greater.

Maybe you are passing through a difficult season in your life.

Perhaps you feel spiritually dry and alone. You might feel as though your prayers are not being heard and you wonder if God even knows where you are.

You are not alone. Millions of believers have passed through these troubled waters and experienced the same emotions. King David sang about the “deep sunless valley of the shadow of death.” John of the Cross wrote of the “dark night of the soul.” Even Jesus went through times of suffering when He had to offer “prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able

to save Him from death” (Heb. 5:7). People often refer to such seasons as, The Wilderness.

The wilderness is a hard place.

But it’s as crucial for our lives as it is painful. While a desert season feels terribly wrong, and loneliness and despair may seem to reign, God is with you and He desires to use the wilderness for your eternal good. To reap its benefits, however, you must understand its nature and purpose. That’s the reason for this book. It will look to the Bible as a spiritual “Survival Guide” for the desert – the supreme source of wisdom both for enduring the wilderness, as well as navigating safely through it to God’s promised destination.

But first things first. If you have not been born again into the family of God, then the wisdom that follows cannot apply to you. Before a person receives the mercy of God through faith in Jesus Christ, he or she is lost in a perpetual wilderness that stretches beyond this world and 5

into the next. And there’s no way out – except one: repent and believe the Gospel. Entering God’s Kingdom by making Jesus your Lord and Saviour makes you a child of the most loving, powerful, and wonderful Father.

He knows how to guide and take care of you as you traverse life’s journey, even when it leads you into a wilderness. His wisdom for the wilderness is what I want to explore in this book.

To do that I will adopt six tips survival experts give for those stranded in the wilderness. As you will see, the secrets for surviving a physical wilderness bear striking parallel to those for surviving a spiritual one.

Survival Tip #1 DON"T PANIC Surviving a physical wilderness takes more than the skills to build a shelter, start a fire, and purify water. It requires a certain psychology, a mind-set, a will to live that overcomes the fear and stress associated with crisis. In fact, some people who possessed the skill still died

when stranded in a physical wilderness because they lacked the will. And others who lacked the skill but had the will, found a way to survive.

Upon entering a spiritual wilderness, our tendency is often to let our imagination run wild. “Will I ever make it out?”

“Why is this happening to me?”

“I don’t feel ready for this.”

“Does God not realize what I’m going through?” “Is He angry with me?” “Is He judging me?”

“Is He even real?” Though it’s natural to ask questions like these, obsessing over them depletes our resolve to believe God. And since these questions relate to the very nature of God, their responses must be biblically sound. That’s why our study begins here. In the wilderness, perspective is everything.

So if you find yourself in a wilderness: don’t panic. Take a deep breath. Take a moment to remind yourself who God is, who you are in Christ, and what the Bible says about His faithfulness during troubled times.

Fear makes you susceptible to lies from the enemy. He will lie about God’s faithfulness and love for you.

He’ll even lie about God’s existence, or about how valuable you are to Him. Such lies are meant to sap you of spiritual stamina. But that’s just

when the “will to live” must rise – the will to live in the Spirit while you pass through desert regions.

For God’s children in the wilderness, the “will to live” does not merely refer to a desire to survive. It refers rather to an earnest determination to believe God. During spiritual drought, you must determine – sometimes against all circumstances, emotions, and even the advice of friends – that God is real. He is good. He is faithful, and you will make it through to the other side with Him. Don’t let the enemy or circumstances define who God is for you. Refuse to allow yourself to believe anything but God’s Word. Resolve as David did during a spiritual desert: “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast!” (Psa. 57:7).

One of the most important things you can understand is that even when it seems like everything around you is spinning out of control, if you are a child of God, there is nothing that touches your life that is not ultimately under God’s supervision. Everything in your life is somehow “Father filtered.” He loves you dearly and deeply. He is watching over you, and won’t allow anything to separate you from Him. 6

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:38).

Allow God’s invincible love to cast out all of your fear.

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Daniel Kolenda, Evangelist Article reproduced with the kind permission of Christ for all Nations.

Consider making a donation to CfaN and receiving a FREE copy of Daniel’s new book ‘Surviving Your Wilderness’

You may do so following this link: donate to CfaN

For the Asking An extract from “Kneeling we Triumph” by Edwin & Lillian Harvey

OUT NOW ON KINDLE! Price $4.22 (FREE to Amazon Prime Members!)

Reproduced by kind permission of Harvey Publishers. www.harveycp.com

Photo © Keeweeboy

“Power belongs to God,” but all that belongs to God we can have for the asking. God holds out His full hands and says: “Ask, and it shall be given you... If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matt. 7:7, 11).

The poverty and powerlessness of the average Christian finds its explanation in the words of the apostle James: “Ye have not, because ye ask not” (Jas. 4:2).

“Why is it,” many a Christian is asking, “that I make such poor progress in my Christian life?”

“Neglect of prayer,” God answers.

“You have not, because you ask not.” “Why is it there is so little fruit in my ministry?” asks many a discouraged minister. “Neglect of prayer,” God answers again. “You have not, because you ask not.”

“Why is it,” many, both ministers and laymen, are asking, “that there is so little power in my life and service?” And again God answers: “Neglect of prayer. You have not, because you ask not.” God has provided for a life of power and a work of power on the part of every child of His. He has put His own

infinite power at our disposal, and has proclaimed over and over again, in a great variety of ways in His Word, “Ask, and ye shall receive.”

How little time the average Christian spends in prayer! We are too busy to pray, and so we are too busy to have power. We have a great deal of activity but we accomplish little; many services, but few conversions; much machinery, but few results. The power of God is lacking in our lives and in our work. We have not, because we ask not.

Many professed Christians confessedly do not believe in the power of prayer. It is quite the fashion with some to contemptuously contrast the pray-ers with the do-ers— forgetting that in the history of the Church the real do-ers have been pray-ers, that the men who have made the glorious part of the Church’s history have been without exception men of prayer.—Torrey.

I have been in that old church in New England where Jonathan Edwards preached his great sermon, “Sinners in the hands of an angry God.” He had a little manuscript which he held up so close to his face that they could not see his countenance. But as he went on and on, the people in the crowded church were 7

tremendously moved. One man sprang to his feet, rushed down the aisles, and cried: “Mr. Edwards, have mercy!” Other men caught hold of the backs of the pews lest they should slip into perdition. I have seen the old pillars around which they threw their arms, when they thought the Day of Judgment had dawned upon them. The power of that sermon is still felt in the United States today.

But there is a bit of history behind it. For three days Edwards had not eaten a mouthful of food; for three nights he had not closed his eyes in sleep. Over and over again, he had been saying to God: “Give me New England! Give me New England!”

And when he rose from his knees, and made his way into the pulpit they say that he looked as if he had been gazing straight into the face of God. They say that before he opened his lips to speak, conviction fell upon his audience.—J. Wilbur Chapman.

To aim aright at the liberty of the children of God requires a continual acting of faith—of a naked faith in a naked promise or declaration. By a naked faith in a naked promise I do not mean a bare assent that God is faithful, and that such a promise in the Book of God may be fulfilled in me, but rather a bold, hearty, steady, venturing of my soul, body, and spirit upon the truth of the promise with an appropriating ACT!—John Fletcher.

The Prophecy of Amos – A Warning for Today

crop was to be harvested - after fodder had been cut for the king’s animals.

2,3. When they had finished eating the grass of the land, I said, "O Lord GOD, forgive, I beg you! How can Jacob stand? He is so small!"

The LORD relented concerning this; "It shall not be," said the LORD.

Another extract from our best- selling book.

Amos 7:1 - 17. Intercession and Opposition.

Intercession for Israel. v1 - 9.

At the beginning of the chapter, Amos sees a series of three visions about God’s judgment on the land of Israel. Each of the first two visions prompt Amos to pray to God on behalf of the nation. God relents as a result of the intercessory prayer of the prophet.

The Vision of Locusts.

1. This is what the Lord GOD showed me: he was forming locusts at the time the latter growth began to sprout (it was the latter growth after the king's mowings).

In the first vision, the Lord had determined to send swarms of locusts at the time when the food

The locusts ate every green thing, leaving no food for men or animals. Amos begs God to forgive the nation, for due to its weakness and small size it could not bear such a disaster. Such an event would utterly ruin the nation. In reply, the Lord relents. “It shall not be,” He says.

The Vision of a Destroying Fire.

4. This is what the Lord GOD showed me: the Lord GOD was calling for a shower of fire, and it devoured the great deep and was eating up the land.

In the second vision, fire was sent out of heaven from God which burned up the sea and land. This would have devoured every living thing and Amos cries out for God to relent.

5,6. Then I said, "O Lord GOD, cease, I beg you! How can Jacob stand? He is so small!" The LORD relented concerning this; "This also shall not be," said the Lord GOD. Again, through the intervention of the prophet, God relents and declares that this judgment also, “shall not be.”

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The Vision of the Plumb Line.

7,8. This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the LORD said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said, "See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel; I will never again pass them by; The vision suggests that although the wall had been built straight according to the plumb line, it was no longer straight. The builder would need to pull it down and start again.

God had made Israel a nation when He brought them out of Egypt, and had given them His own laws to live by. Rather than in the indiscriminate way described in the first two visions, God would judge them according to their privilege.

The fact that they had received through the law the revelation of God made them more responsible than they otherwise would have been. Since they had broken His law and not repented they could no longer be spared. They were no longer upright. God’s standard, however, represented by the plumb line, had not changed, and His judgment, like His standard, would be right and fair.

9. The high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword."

Israel’s pagan shrines would be destroyed and the worshippers slaughtered. Since it was Jeroboam the First who had introduced idolatry to the nation, all those who worshipped idols were considered his spiritual children ("the house of Jeroboam") and would share in his judgment.

of the Assyrians. Amaziah correctly recounts details of Amos’ prophecy concerning the captivity of Israel.

Such a message, predicting defeat at the hands of their enemies, would not have been popular, and Amos was accused of stirring up civil unrest among the people “the land is not able to bear all his words.”

place that God had ordained - for that was in Jerusalem- nor was it God who was worshipped at Bethel, but an image of God, which was outlawed by the second commandment. (Exodus 20:4 - 5).

Amos knew that Amaziah was claiming for the king an authority that he did not have, just as Peter told the Sanhedrin. (Acts 4:19).

Opposition to the Word of God. Amaziah was a priest at Bethel where one of the golden calves was worshipped. As such, he was not a Levite appointed by God, but was appointed according to the command of Jeroboam the First.

He had no right to the office of teaching God’s people and was unable to lead them in God’s ways.

He raised a persecution against Amos simply because he was preaching the truth. It is because people love darkness rather than light that they react violently when they hear the truth.

10,11. Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent to King Jeroboam of Israel, saying, "Amos has conspired against you in the very center of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said, 'Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from his land.'"

Amaziah wrote to the king, accusing Amos of treason because he had prophesied of the king’s death. This accusation was false, because Amos had not referred to Jeroboam personally, but to his household, for as far as we know, Jeroboam did not die at the hands

Amos Threatened.

12. And Amaziah said to Amos, "O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; Amaziah tries to intimidate Amos by telling him to run for his life before the king gets his letter. He advises him to go to Judah, where he could make a better living from prophesying.

In saying this, Amaziah not only charges Amos with being a false prophet, but with having a wrong motive, that he only prophesies for financial gain. It should be remembered that Israel was at war with Judah at this time, (2 Kings 14:28) and Amaziah may have regarded Amos as an impostor hired by the king of Judah.

13. But never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom."

Although the priest threatened Amos with the authority of the king, Amos was sent by a greater authority than any king. It was true to say that Bethel is where the king worshipped, but it was not the 9

Amos Defends His Ministry.

14,15. Then Amos answered Amaziah, "I am no prophet, nor a prophet's son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to My people Israel.'

Amos, like Paul many years later, gives his own testimony in support for his preaching. He had not been brought up or trained as a prophet in some religious institution. He had been a farmer. It was not man but God who had revealed Himself to Amos and had sent him to preach to Israel.

This is similar to the claim made by Paul in Galatians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead).” (NKJV™). The lack of a college or seminary training should never hold back the man or woman of God from fulfilling their Divine calling. It is the Lord Himself who sends His messengers forth with the Gospel. (Romans 10:15 ; Acts 13:1 - 4).

We are all able to bear witness to the Lord. He has chosen and sent us to do this important work. As with Amos, our faithful witness to the Lord Jesus Christ may bring us persecution, perhaps from high quarters. But like Amos, we are enabled to stand for the truth, since like him we have been called and have a living experience of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:11 - 12).

It was as Amos was working as a herdsman, finding fodder for his cattle, that God called him. This is so often the case - it has been in our own experience. God breaks into lives and calls people when they are about the normal, daily business of living. (see the call of Matthew in Luke 5:27 - 28 ; of Peter, James and John in Mark 1:16 - 18 ; and of Saul in his destructive business Acts 9:1 - 5).

It was in school as a boy that a friend witnessed to me about Jesus Christ. This is the usual way that someone is reached for Christ - in the ordinary pattern of life. That is why we must be where the Lord wants us, and be ready to “give an answer to anyone who asks us for the reason of the hope that we have.” (1 Peter 3:15 NKJV™).

Amos Stands for the Truth.

16. Now therefore hear the Word of the LORD. You say, 'Do not prophesy against Israel, and do not preach against the house of Isaac.'

In direct contradiction to God’s command, Amaziah tells Amos NOT to prophesy. This is what the

Sanhedrin told Peter and John in Acts 4:18 - 20. But like the apostles, Amos stood firmly for the truth.

As he had said in chapter three,

“A lion has roared!

Who will not fear?

The Lord GOD has spoken! Who can but prophesy?”

(Amos 3:8) Amaziah’s Punishment.

17. Therefore thus says the LORD: 'Your wife shall become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword, and your land shall be parcelled out by line; you yourself shall die in an unclean land, and Israel shall surely go into exile away from its land.'

There is no evading punishment for those who despise the Word of the Lord. Because of his opposition to the Word of God, Amaziah was to bring judgment on himself. He would be taken as a prisoner and exiled with Israel to Assyria, where he would die. His wife would be used as a prostitute, which may imply either that she would be raped by the invading soldiers, or that after Amaziah’s exile, she would turn to prostitution as the only means of keeping herself alive. His children would all die at the hands of the invaders.

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Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamore tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Just think about this verse. The verse means we can do all things by faith. Why then does it appears that we have faith and at times nothing is happening?

Answer! We should be sure and know that whatever we have for shall be so.

Think of a mustard seed.

I have never seen it personally but I did a research and found that this is a very small seed.

But when planted it brings up a mustard tree which has very deep roots and all spread down.

If we keep that faith in the Lord it shall result into big and strong results. When we seem to be waiting on something, our roots in salvation are growing deep down and strong to help us stand strong during the seasons of the storm.

Isaac Mwagi, All Nations Pefa Church, Kenya.

Times of Refreshing Photo Š Robert Bayer Opposite: Catalin Stefan

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, (Act 3:19) 11

Not “a time” but “times of refreshing.” Again and again we receive these times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The word refreshing denotes a recovering of breath, or a reviving or revival. Our text clearly shows that we need the breath of God:

breathe his new nature into our hearts. “And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins.” “Repent and be converted... times of refreshing.” New life begins when you receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

To bring us from spiritual death to life in Christ

To satisfy our spiritual hunger & thirst

This is the meaning in context - to breathe life into. Ezekiel was given a vision of a valley of dry bones.

The millions who lay there were not only dead - their very bones were dry. Yet as Ezekiel gazed at the scene before him he heard the voice of the Lord say “prophesy.

Come O breath; breathe upon these slain that they may live”.

They rose and came to life, a mighty army. For those outside Jesus Christ, the gospel reveals the truth that they are dead in trespasses and sins; nothing less than a new life is needed to bring them into a relationship with God. Jesus said to one puzzled seeker, “You must be born again”. Jesus explained that this was the work of the Holy Spirit, to bring new birth to whoever believed in Him. In the Garden of Eden God breathed the breath of life into man; but man sinned and sin brought death and separation from God. Without Christ you have no spiritual life in you, you need to receive Christ into your heart to receive life. After his resurrection, Jesus breathed on the disciples saying “receive the Holy Spirit” or literally receive the in working of the Holy Spirit, and they were born again. In the same way we must let the living Christ

The scripture clearly teaches that God refreshes the thirsty. "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. (Isa 55:1) Jesus said “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.”

David knew what it was to thirst for God. O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. (Psa. 63:1) David had experienced the thirst of being on the run in the desert. On one occasion, in 2 Samuel 23, David longed for some water from the well at Bethlehem to quench his great thirst, and three of his mighty men risked their lives to get it. The Lord Jesus Christ hung on the cross to open a fountain that would quench every man’s spiritual thirst and satisfy his spiritual hunger eternally. And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. (John 6:35) 12

The river of the water of life is pictured in Revelation as proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb, a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Having ascended to heaven, Christ received the Holy Spirit whom he know pours out abundantly on those who seek and obey him. (Tit 3:5-6) "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." (John 7:37) For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring; (Isa 44:3) What a shower to refresh the weary, thirsty land! God says The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; (Isa 35:1) For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water; (Isa 35:6-7) Here is a picture of how God the Holy Spirit brings fruitfulness and life from what was once barrenness and death. The thirst of the desert itself is quenched and so can He satisfy the longing and thirsting of our hearts for what is real and eternal. The simple fact is that if you want more of God, He is ready to give it you. There is never a lack of supply, but too often there is lack of demand. Just how much do we hunger and thirst

after God? Those who are anorexic do not lack food - there may be plenty of food. It is their lack of desire for food that causes the dangerous loss of weight, and the lack of spiritual desire will cause a dangerous deterioration in our spiritual lives. We need times of refreshing to renew our desire in God. To strengthen our spiritual Life (when we are weak) After the burning of Ziklag, David captured an Egyptian man who was a servant to the Amelekite raiders (1 Samuel 30). The man had fainted and was near to death, but they revived him with water and some softened food. There are times in our Christian walk and experience when we become faint.

They battle has been hot and the way difficult. When the Egyptian become faint his master had abandoned him, but our master never abandons us. He said I will never leave you nor forsake you. If we find it difficult to praise God or maintain a positive outlook but only see the worse of things, we are fainting. How blessed are the times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Again and again we have been too faint to continue, but Christ has revived and strengthened us within our innermost being.

Paul had such an experience which he recounts in 2 Corinthians 1: For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired

even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, (2Co 1:8-10) When King David was overcome with fatigue and about to be overcome by the enemy, he called out for help, and to his aid came Abishai, to smite the enemy and give him time to recover. The name Abishai means “gift of the father” and it is the father’s gift – the Holy Spirit - who delivers and revives us in the battle too.

Then also when Jonathan fought the Philistines and became faint, he found wild honey oozing from a tree. Putting some to his lips he said, "Look now, how my countenance has brightened because I tasted a little of this honey." (1Sa 14:29-30) Honey in the Bible is a picture of the word of God: How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psa. 119:103) If we need the reviving which causes us to run in the ways God with renewed strength and zeal, then we need the food of the word and the help and fullness of the Holy Spirit.

To refresh us in old age We all need refreshing daily, but especially so as we get older. The truth is we are all getting older.

When a garment is old, it needs refreshing, and this is no less true for you and me. We’ve been 13

reading a wonderful book titled “Toward Sunrise”, daily readings meant for those who are approaching the latter end of their lives - note it is not “toward sunset” but sunrise. And the word of God is full of precious promises for those who are growing old in years, such as Psalm 92:14 ‘They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.’

To be fresh means to be green and fertile. An old tree cannot produce fruit once its wood has become dead and dry. It needs the invigorating sap to fill it with life before it can produce fruit. And here is a promise especially for older believers - you will be invigorated in time of old age, revived and renewed by God the Holy Spirit.

Paul said Even though our outward man is perishing, the inward man is being renewed day by day. (2Co 4:16) God said, “I will be like the dew to Israel;” (Hos. 14:5) It is the dew that refreshes the grass in the dry eastern climate and speaks of the precious dew of the Holy Spirit that continually, gently, almost unfelt by us renews and refreshes.

Do you recall the verse “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." It is a well-known quote from Joshua 24. But did you realize that Joshua made this statement at the age of 110, just a short time before he died. He had said to the elders in the previous chapter “this day I am going the way of all the earth.” Yet in ch24 he says this, till

the very end, I will serve the Lord, and he was enabled to do so by the renewing power of the Holy Spirit.

A simple reading of the New Testament will reveal that the majority of it was written by old men. Think for example of such references as to “John the elder”, “Peter the elder” and “Paul the aged”. These men of God could remain fruitful in old age because they experienced “times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord!”

Naomi knew times of refreshing in her old age. Obed was not biologically her grandson, but was counted so because of her relationship to Ruth, his mother.

When he was born it was said to her, “And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-inlaw, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him." (Ruth 4:15) The word ‘restore’ means to start again, and Obed brought newness into bereaved Naomi’s life, “a nourisher” who would feed and provide for her you old age.

Renew us to Immortal Life In the context, Peter makes clear that these times of refreshing will culminate with the coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will restore all things. The quickening we receive now is just a foretaste of future glory.

When Christ comes, he “will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by

which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” (Philip. 3:21) Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1Co 15:51-52) What a time of refreshing when we see him as he is and are changed perfectly into his likeness! This will be the restoration of all things.

Creation will be restored. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God: “the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God”. (Rom 8:19-21) Even creation waits with longing for the day when, as the sons of God are manifested, the curse will be removed and creation released from its bondage. We cannot imagine how glorious it will be when creation itself is restored to its former glory.

Relation will be restored: “If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus”.

(1Thes. 4:14) Our relationship with our loved ones who have died will be gloriously and fully restored, for God will bring them with come with Jesus when he comes. “Those who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him”. Sleep of course in the Bible is a reference to death. It is 14

not the soul that sleeps, but the body that rests in the earth. But a day is coming when that body will be awakened and reunited with the spirit at Christ’s coming, and then will come the day of reunion.

There is going to be a meeting in the air. What a shouting there will be -when each other’s face we’ll see - we’ll be there, praise the lord we’ll all be there!

As the hymn writer says,

Friends shall be there I have loved long ago, Joy like a river around me will flow; Yet, just a smile from my Saviour, I know, Will through the ages be glory for me.

(C H Gabriel)

Jurisdiction will be restored. At his coming, Christ will reign as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Over all the earth for 1,000 years, the lion will lie down with the lamb and eat straw like the ox. It will be a wonderful time, a season of perpetual refreshing and restoration. Then through the ages of eternity in a new heaven and earth, he will reign and we will reign with him. Jesus is the highest name not only in this age but in the age to come.

Conclusion So in the present need or the future life, what we need are times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Lord, let them fall on me, as the dew of Israel, let the showers of blessing fall.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit An extract from THE LAMP-STAND (Read Full Article Here) By Daniel Irving Photo © Troy Lilly

It is possible to be baptized in the Spirit before we are baptized in water. This is demonstrated in the experience in the house of Cornelius, during which Peter said: Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? Acts 10:47 However, this does not operate in reverse. We do not have the spiritual-proxy to initiate the Spirit’s baptism by means of waterbaptism. Neither do we have the spiritual-proxy to initiate Spirit baptism by any other means than to petition God in the name of Jesus Christ. This is a function that belongs to Jesus Christ alone as the spiritual “head” of mankind. This is why John the Baptist was very clear to differentiate between his act relating to water, and Christ’s act relating to the Spirit, saying: I indeed have baptized you with water: but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. Mark 1:8

The gospel of Christ tells us to receive water-baptism upon a profession of faith in Christ, but this is not a formula for receiving the Holy Spirit. Again, we receive the Holy Spirit by making request to God in the name of Jesus Christ.

By our seeking of God and asking Him for His Spirit, this principle is upheld, and the proper basis is established that attends anything we receive from God, i.e. prayer and petition. Therefore we are told by the Lord: If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Luke 11:13 Some will point out what appears to be an exception to this rule; “Wasn’t the Holy Spirit also conferred upon the laying-on of hands by the apostles?” This did occur, but by no means contradicts the important principles just expressed. Let’s consider those accounts.

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The first account is when the apostles went to Samaria, a place notorious for its idolatry as evident by the Lord’s discussion with the Samaritan woman at the well outside the town of Sychar. Recall that Philip had visited the region and God was doing miracles through him. At the same time there was a magician by the name “Simon” who was performing signs as well as Philip and who was claiming to be someone great. In fact the people were referring to him as; “the Great Power of God”.

Therefore, when Peter and John visited the region as well, there was a particular danger posed by these false manifestations.

Therefore it was necessary that the apostles be particularly identified as the true ministers of the gospel.

While Philip was doing miracles, the people had not received the Holy Spirit under His preaching.

Therefore Peter and John were called upon to visit Samaria.

Consider what was said: Now when

the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter & John, who came down prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit Acts 8:14-15 It was not until after the apostles made specific request in prayer on behalf of these Samaritans that: Then they began laying their hands on them, & they were receiving the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:17 Therefore this account is entirely consistent with the principles discussed previously! We should not misunderstand and suppose that the apostles had any proxy in themselves to confer the Holy Spirit upon anyone! Rather they asked God on the behalf of others.

If we misunderstand what occurred, then we share the likeperspective with Simon the magician. For he misunderstood as well, and presumed that the apostles had a power to confer the Holy Spirit; this was a power he coveted, and for which he nearly fell under the judgment of God. The second occasion for receiving the Spirit through the laying on of hands was when Ananias laid hands on Saul (later, “Paul”).

However, Ananias had no such proxy in himself; rather he was sent by Jesus Christ on a specific commission.

Finally, we have the incident at Ephesus, wherein Paul came across some disciples that had never heard of the Holy Spirit. We read: And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came

on them; they spoke with tongues, & prophesied. Acts 19:6 Some might argue this to be a circumstance wherein an apostle exercised a proxy to baptize in the Holy Spirit. However, that would be an assumption as we have no information as to whether Paul laid hands and prayed a petition for the baptism in the Spirit, or whether he did this in an autonomous manner.

If he did this autonomously, it would be the only example of such an act in Scripture. Therefore it seems more likely that he laid hands on them in petition to God that they would receive the Spirit, and his prayer was answered by Christ baptizing them.

We do not baptize ourselves into the body of Christ.

We do not have the proxy of Christ to induce the Spirit’s baptism. This is the exclusive office of Jesus Christ whose own blood has established God’s covenant.

Neither is the baptism of the Holy Spirit a “releasing of the Holy Spirit” within oneself. That the Holy Spirit does not come from a place within to baptize is clear from the language of Scripture: But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you Acts 1:8 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all of them Acts 10:44 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them which heard the word & they spake with tongues, & prophesied. Acts 19:6 16

Christmas Living Word

(c) 1Martine De Graaf

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The Message of Mark

An Introduction to St. Mark’s Gospel

the word which is Christ, is offered to everyone. Individuals choose whether to accept or reject the gospel message.

Chapter Two: The Power of Christ (Mark 3:7-6:6)

Every seed has life in itself, and will produce life if received into good soil. So the word of Christ will bring salvation if it is readily received into a man’s heart. The good fruit such seed produces is a life filled with Christ and lived for Christ.

In this section Mark reveals that Christ’s power is at work in the lives of those who believe. Against a background of Christ’s miraculous ministry (3:8-12) and His calling the twelve apostles to Himself, to prepare them for ministry, (3:13-19) Mark shows how Christ encountered opposition, not only from religious leaders who claimed that Christ was in league with the devil (3 2230), but also from His family, who thought he’d gone mad (3:20-21 and 3:31-35).

There is a clear distinction between those who received Christ and those who did not. With this in mind, Christ sets out 4 parables dealing with the subject of receiving the kingdom of God (synonymous with receiving Christ). These parables show how the power of Christ works in the lives of believers.

Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 4:20 that the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. In other words it is not the power of persuasion that makes a person a Christian. It is the power of God’s Holy Spirit at work in their lives.

The Sower (4:1-20) In the parable of the sower, Christ not only brings the gospel - He is the gospel. The word of Christ, or 17

The Lamp (4:21-25) Those who receive Christ produce evidence of their conversion, just as a lamp gives light to all in the house. Not only by word, but with their lives Christians are to be witnesses to Christ’s saving power.

A holy, separated life of obedience to the Lord is the greatest witness we could ever give. Just as the seed should not be strangled, else it will produce no fruit, so the light should not be hidden else it will give no light. Christ wants our lives to be a witness for Him. The message itself must not be hidden, and we should not be ashamed of sharing it, for it has the power to save others, and will do just that as we make it known.

The Seed Growing (4:26-29) Why doesn’t a farmer stay up all night watching to see if his seed is growing? It is because he knows that, if the conditions are right, the seed will grow, for God makes it grow. Whilst there are some things we can do to alter the conditions (e.g. watering during a dry spell), there really is nothing we can do to make the seed grow. So it is with the gospel. The gospel is God’s

power at work, not man’s ability at work. Men experience salvation not by their own efforts but as they believe the gospel of Christ (1 Cor. 1:18).

It is not the ability of the preacher (1 Cor. 2:1).

It is not the power of superior intellect (1 Cor. 2:2).

It is not the gimmick of the evangelist, but the crucified Christ who draws men to Himself (John 12:32).

Paul claimed no glory over the conversion of the Corinthians.

Though he had preached the gospel to them, it was “God who gave the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6).

The Mustard Seed (4:30-34) The mustard seed is so small as to be almost invisible to the human eye.

Yet it is very effective, producing a tree large enough for birds to nest in.

The seed of the kingdom of God is truly invisible, yet the reality of it is demonstrated in the effects it produces. Jesus said “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going” (John 3:8). You cannot see the wind, but you know it is there by its effects. You cannot control the wind but you may experience its benefits. So it is with the Holy Spirit. You cannot see that a person has been born again. But over time you will begin to see that their lives have truly changed. You will see that Christ lives in their

hearts, not because you can see Him, but because you see the effect he has had in their lives.

Christ has tremendous power to change our lives, but for His power to be at work in us we must be willing to receive it. To receive Christ’s power means to receive Christ Himself, by faith, into our hearts as Saviour & Lord Let us consider how great Christ’s power is: In the stilling of the storm (4:3541) and Christ’s Walking on Water (6:45-52) we see Christ's power over nature.

In the driving out of the Legion (5:1-20) we see Christ's power over the devil.

the greatest miracle of all- the miracle of salvation- we must choose to believe and receive Christ as Saviour.

Though Christ's opponents, including his family, and his own town (6:1-6) refused to receive his power, those who did experienced its effects. Some who rejected Jesus claimed that Satan was behind his power. The truth was that Satan's power was behind their blindness (2 Cor. 4:4).

Though Christ’s family did not understand at this time, later they realised who Jesus was and why he came. Having a choice, they chose to change their minds and believe on Jesus (Acts 1:14)

In the Healing the Sick Woman (5:25-34) we see Christ's power over sickness.

In the Raising of Jairus’ daughter (5:21-43) we see Christ's power over death.

Of all the miracles Christ performs, the greatest is when he cleanses and forgives sinners and makes them children of God. By this miracle of salvation Christ lifts us from spiritual death and gives us eternal life. The power by which He does this is the same power which raised Him from the dead and exalted him to the highest place in the universe (Eph. 1:19-20).

There is, of course, a difference between this miracle and the others that Mark records the sea, the devil, sickness and death had no choice but to obey. To receive 18

The Message of Mark is an easy to follow Bible guide, introducing the gospel of Mark.

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The Book of Esther

Chapter Two: A brief Bible study by Derek Williams.

Photo: © Dreamstime Agency. Right: Zoom-zoom

2.1. When these things had been accomplished and the rage of King Ahasuerus had diminished, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decided against her.

After the law had been signed sealed and delivered the King’s anger abated and he began to have misgivings about what he had done. But it was too late there was nothing he could do to alter the law. Just as Judas Iscariot was filled with remorse after he had betrayed the Lord Jesus Christ there was nothing he could do to alter his decision (Matthew 27: 3 5). Also like Esau after he had sold his birthright (Hebrews 12: 16 17). Hebrews tells us that it is impossible for those who once knew Jesus Christ and had received

the Holy Spirit who turn away from God, become apostates, for them to repent (Hebrews 6: 4 - 6).

2.2.

The king's servants who attended him said, "Let a search be conducted in the king's behalf for attractive young women.

The king’s personal assistants suggested to him that a search should be made throughout the king’s realm for beautiful young for the king to choose a new queen to replace Vashti.

2.3. And let the king appoint officers throughout all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the attractive young women to Susa the citadel, to the harem under the authority of Hegai, the king's eunuch who oversees the 19

women, and let him provide whatever cosmetics they desire.

They further suggested that men who best knew where these beautiful young women were in there provinces should be appointed to gather them to the palace in Susa. That they should be placed in the harem under the authority Hegai the king’s eunuch in charge of the women. He can make certain that they are provided with whatever they need to enhance their beauty.

2.4. Let the young woman whom the king finds most attractive become queen in place of Vashti."

This seemed like a good idea to the king, so he acted accordingly.

Afterwards the young woman were to be brought before the king for

him to choose whichever he found most pleasing and make her his queen instead of Vashti. This advice appealed to the king and so it was carried out accordingly.

2.5. Now there happened to be a Jewish man in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai. He was the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjaminite, At that time there was a Jew living in Susa whose name was Mordecai a descendant of Kish a Benjaminite (not king Saul’s father but another man). This Mordecai had gone with Zerubabel from Babylon to Jerusalem and returned with him to Persia (Ezra 2:2).

2.6. who had been taken into exile from Jerusalem with the captives who had been carried into exile with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken into exile.

Mordecai’s great grand father Kish had been taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar when he took King Jeconiah of Judah to Babylon.

2.7. Now he was acting as the guardian of Hadassah (that is, Esther), the daughter of his uncle, for neither her father nor her mother was alive. This young woman was very attractive and had a beautiful figure. When her father and mother died, Mordecai had raised her as if she were his own daughter.

Mordecai had brought up his cousin Hadassah (Esther is the Persian name for Hadassah) as his

own daughter after her mother and father had died. She was a very beautiful and attractive young woman.

2.8. It so happened that when the king's edict and his law became known many young women were taken to Susa the citadel to be placed under the authority of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the royal palace to be under the authority of Hegai, who was overseeing the women.

As a result of the king’s decree many young women were taken to the palace of Susa and put under the authority of Hegai the chief eunuch. Esther was among these.

And so we have the call of Esther even though she had no choice in the matter.

In the parable of the wedding feast after the invited guests had refused to come the king sent his servants out into the highways and byways to invite everyone they could find whether good or bad to come to the feast (Matthew 22: 9 10). At the conclusion of this parable He said “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). Many are called to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour but few choose to call upon Him and be saved (Acts 2:21).

Prepared 2.9. This young woman pleased him, and she found favor with him.

He quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her rations; he also provided her with the seven specially chosen young women who were from the palace. He then 20

transferred her and her young women to the best quarters in the harem.

Hegai was very impressed with Esther and he valued her more than any of the others. He began he beauty treatments straight away. He gave her plenty of the best food and seven special maids from the palace to attend her and moved her and her maids to the best rooms in the harem. The preparation for Esther to be fit to be presented before the king had commenced.

2.10. Now Esther had not disclosed her people or her lineage, for Mordecai had instructed her not to do so.

On Mordecai’s instructions Esther had not made know to anyone that she was a Jewess. She would have been born in Susa and would have most probable thought to have been Persian. If it had been known that she was born of those who had been brought into captivity from one of the conquered lands she may not have been shown such favour.

2.11. And day after day Mordecai used to walk back and forth in front of the court of the harem in order to learn how Esther was doing and what might happen to her.

Mordecai did not abandon her after she had been taken into the palace but everyday he took a walked near the courtyard of the harem. This was so that he could learn how Esther was getting on.

2.12. At the end of the twelve months that were required for the women, when the turn of each young woman arrived to go to King Ahasuerus — for in this way they had to fulfill their time of cosmetic treatment: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfume and various ointments used by women — This preparation treatment took place over a period of twelve months after which every young woman in turn to go to King Ahasuerus. Every day for six months their skins were rubbed with oil of myrrh to it smooth and soft Gill says. Then six months with special perfumes and ointments to remove any impurities.

2.13. the woman would go to the king in the following way: Whatever she asked for would be provided for her to take with her from the harem to the royal palace.

When the time came for her to go before the king every woman was given a choice of what jewellery or clothing she wanted to wear etc.

2.14. In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to a separate part of the harem, to the authority of Shaashgaz the king's eunuch who was overseeing the concubines. She would not go back to the king unless the king was pleased with her and she was requested by name.

She went to the king’s private apartment in the evening and remained with him until the morning. She returned to a second part of the harem which was under

the authority of Shaashgaz the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the king’s wives. Only the ones the king wanted and asked for by name would ever go back to him.

2.15. When it became the turn of Esther daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai (who had raised her as if she were his own daughter ) to go to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai the king's eunuch, who was overseer of the women, had recommended. Yet Esther met with the approval of all who saw her.

When it was Esther’s turn who was the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai to go to the king. She accepted the advice of Hegai the king’s eunuch. She ask for nothing except what he suggested and was admired by all who saw her.

Esther had to be prepared to meet the king so all that are born again who are saved, who belong to Jesus Christ are prepared to meet Him in heaven and to be presented before God the Father (Ephesians 5: 26 - 27). It is the Holy Spirit that does the work of regeneration in the believer (Tit 3:5). God has determined beforehand that believer should become like His Son the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).

Chosen 2.16. Then Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus at his royal residence in the tenth month (that is, the month of Tebeth) in the seventh year of his reign.

21

When she was made ready Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus in his royal palace in the tenth month, that is Tebeth, corresponding to part of our December and January.

This was in the seventh year of his reign this is four years after Vashti had been removed.

2.17. And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she met with his loving approval more than all the other young women. So he placed the royal high turban on her head and appointed her queen in place of Vashti.

The king fell in love with Esther and she pleased him more than any other of his women or wives. She increased in grace and favour in his eyes so he placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

2.18. Then the king prepared a large banquet for all his officials and his servants — it was actually Esther's banquet. He also set aside a holiday for the provinces, and he provided for offerings at the king's expense.

Then the king gave a great banquet in honour of Esther to which he invited all his officials and servants.

He also proclaimed an holiday right throughout his dominions and gave expensive gifts to everyone.

Out of all the young women who had be brought before the king Esther was chosen and crowned queen.

In Matthew 12: 18 Jesus is called the Chosen servant of God His

Beloved in whom He is well pleased (1 Peter 2:4). Every believer is chosen to became a part of God’s family, to make them His own special people (Titus 2:14).

Chosen to be a royal priesthood, a holy nation to proclaim the praises of Him who has called them out of darkness into His marvellous light ( 1 Peter 2:9).

A Plot Discovered 2.19. Now when the young women were being gathered again, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate.

At a time when the young women were being gathered again we are not told why and it is of no importance the point being that Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. It is generally accepted that because Mordecai was sat in this place he had been promoted to be an official of the palace through Esther’s influence.

2.20. Esther was still not divulging her lineage or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed her.

Esther continued to do whatever Mordecai said, just as she had done when he was raising her.

Esther had still not made known that she was a Jewess just had Mordecai had told her not to. She still did what her cousin advised her to do just the same as when he was bringing her up. The position that he was now in enabled him to do this much easier.

king's eunuchs who protected the entrance, became angry and plotted to assassinate King Ahasuerus.

One day while Mordecai was sat at the king’s gate he overheard two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh who were guards at the doors of the king’s private apartments plotting to assassinate the king. For some reason or other they had become angry with the king.

2.22. When Mordecai learned of the conspiracy, he informed Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in Mordecai's behalf.

On hearing of their conspiracy Mordecai immediately contacted Queen Esther and told her about it.

She went to the king and warned him about the plot on Mordecai’s behalf.

2.23. The king then had the matter investigated and, finding it to be so, had the two conspirators hanged on a gallows. It was then recorded in the daily chronicles in the king's presence.

Our Bible study guide ‘The Message of Mark’ is accompanied (on website) by a series of Home Group Bible study notes These notes have been tried and tested in church, home and youth groups for the last decade. They are a great way to introduce yourself or your group to the message of Mark’s gospel – that Jesus Christ is the only Lord and Savior of humankind!

If you like these notes, look for more at our website:

MARK HOME STUDIES

The king had the matter investigated and finding that it was true had the two conspirators hanged. This was written down in the record book in the sight of the king.

This event plays a very important part in what subsequently happens.

For Kindle click here.

2.21. In those days while Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the

For paperback click here 22

Read Mark Chapter 3 v 7 to Chapter 6 v 6 – The Power

. This section reveals Christ’s power at work in the lives of those who receive Him as Saviour. Christ experiences a lot of

opposition to his miraculous ministry from those who refuse to receive him. So in chapter 4 a clear distinction is made between those who receive Christ and those who do not. Christ gives 4 parables on the subject of receiving the kingdom of God (synonymous with receiving Christ).

The Sower (4: 1-20) What is the seed? ________________________________________ What does the seed produce when it is honestly received? __________________________________________________________________ The Lamp (4:21-25) How do you know when there is a lamp on in the room? __________________________________________________________________ How can you tell when someone has genuinely received Christ? __________________________________________________________________ What might the parable mean in terms of our witnessing for Christ? __________________________________________________________________ The Seed Growing (4:26-29) What does this parable tell us about the work of salvation? __________________________________________________________________ The Mustard Seed (4:30-34) The mustard seed is so small as to be almost invisible to the human eye. Yet it is very effective, producing a tree large enough for birds to nest in. A tremendous change has happened to the mustard seed. How does this parable relate to those who receive Christ? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Christ has tremendous power to change our lives, but for His power to be at work in us we must be willing to receive it. To receive Christ’s power means to receive Christ Himself, by faith, into our hearts as Saviour & Lord How great is Christ’s power? Briefly describe Christ’s power in each of the following incidents: c4 v 35-41. _________________________________________________________________ c5 v 1-20 ___________________________________________________________________ c5 v 25-34.___________________________________________________________________ c 5 v 21-43.___________________________________________________________________ Of all the miracles Christ performs, the greatest is when he cleanses and forgives sinners and makes them children of God. By this miracle of salvation Christ lifts us from spiritual death and gives us eternal life. There is a difference between this miracle and the others that Mark records. The sea, the devil, sickness and death had no choice but to obey. To receive the greatest miracle of all- the miracle of salvation- we must choose to believe and receive Christ as Saviour.

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Our In Depth Study.

Revelation 21.

By Derek R. Williams. Photo © Godfer Scripture taken from the New King James Version®.

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by The New Heavens and New permission. All rights reserved.

Earth.

All Things Made New. v1 - 8.

The final vision John has is of the eternal day.

1. “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.

Also there was no more sea.”

The first thing that John saw in his vision was a new heaven and a new earth without any sea.

There are only three other Scriptures where this is mentioned (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22 and 2 Peter 3:13). Paul writing in Romans 8:21 - 22 states that the whole creation groans as it awaits to be set free from the curse in that day. That eternal “day” will come after the Great White Throne judgement, an event immediately precluded by the existing heavens and the earth being destroyed by fire (2 Pet. 3:10). God will create a new heaven and a new earth which shall remain eternally, since they will not be marred by sin.

2. “Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

John then sees descending out of heaven and from God, but not

alighting on the new earth, what he describes as the “new Jerusalem”. He defines it as being the bride or the Church of Christ which has been arrayed

by Him and for Him (Isaiah 61:10). Clearly this is not intended to represent a literal city.

3. “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.”

As John looked in his vision a loud voice announced from the throne that the dwelling place of God is with men and that He will live with them forever. They will be His people and He will be their God. 4. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

In this state of eternal bliss the past tears and the cause of them shall be forgotten, their memory being blotted out by God. There will be no more death (1 Cor. 15:26), sorrow or mourning.

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There will be no more pain for the old conditions and order of things have passed away.

5. “Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

The Lord Jesus Christ declares from the throne that He is making everything new and that John is to record it, for His words are true, trustworthy and will come to pass.

6. “And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.”

Here Christ, the Beginning and End, declares that in His eyes they have already come to pass.

He promises to freely give the water of life to whoever sets his heart on eternal things.

7. "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.”

Those who are victorious (by faith in Jesus Christ REF) will inherit all things and He will be their God and they shall be His sons.

8. "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Having stated in general terms who will enter eternal bliss, Christ makes clear who will not.

First in the list are the cowardly or timid, those who through fear of men never fully commit themselves to God or turn back from following Christ. They stand in contrast to those who “overcome”.

The “unbelieving” those who do not receive Christ as Saviour.

The abominable, are those who practise detestable sins: murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers i.e..

Occultism, idolaters, those who give supreme devotion to anyone or anything other than God. Finally “all liars” are to be excluded from heaven. Paul writing to Timothy says that in the last times there will be those who depart from the faith and speak lies (1 Tim. 4:1 - 2). Their allotted place is the lake of fire, the second death - referring to everlasting conscious punishment, "where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched." (Mark 9:48).

The angel who had shown John, Babylon the harlot, now by way of contrast shows him the new Jerusalem, the Bride of Christ, the Church (Rev. 17:1).

10. “And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.”

The angel lifted John to the top of a very large and high mountain where nothing could obscure his vision of the city descending from heaven. Note again that he does not say that it descended to earth.

11. “having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.”

It is filled with all the splendour and radiance of the glory of God for He dwells in the midst of it.

The light of it is likened to the precious jasper stone, a crystalline brightness.

12-14. “Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”

The Bride of Christ. v9 - 21.

9. “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife.”

The city is surrounded by massive walls, a symbol of its eternal security. There are twelve gates; three each side of the compass; with twelve angels 25

guarding them being another emblem of security.

The fact that there are gates indicate freedom (to come and go). The gates are named after the twelve tribes of Israel. The wall of the city has twelve foundations and on them are the twelve names of the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:20). The significance of the names of the gates and foundations is the spiritual unity of believing Jews (from the Old Testament patriarchs to the 144,000 who were sealed and all other Jews who have accepted Christ as their Saviour) together with all Gentile believers (Eph. 2:14). “The names of the apostles on the foundations show that this city is (entirely) built on the saving work of Christ” (John Wesley).

15-17. “And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.”

The angel measured the city with a gold measuring stick. It was found to be as wide as it was long and as high as it was wide; that is, about 1500 miles; in the form of a cube. The measurements of the city are symbolic of its vastness and perfection (John 14:2). The

measurement of the wall was about 72 yards, it is not clear whether this is the height or width.

Church, being wrought in us by His Spirit through His word as faithfully passed on by His apostles.

been converted, will bring their glory and lay it down at the feet of their God and Lord - and so shall we all.

The Glory of the Bride . v18 - 27.

21. “The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.”

25. “It’s gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).”

18. “The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.”

In describing this city as being made of precious gems and pure, crystal clear gold, John is trying to describe a glory and beauty that excels all human imagination (1 Cor. 2:9). “He attempts to describe realities for which there are no human words” (John Wesley). The city is surrounded by the majestic bearing of jasper and its purity and holiness can only be likened

by John to pure gold (Eph. 5:27).

19-20. “The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.”

The twelve foundations of the wall (see verse 14) are described as being made of twelve types of precious gems. Of the twelve only three are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament, jasper, emerald and amethyst.

These different stones, with their different qualities and colours, depict the different attributes of Christ which are manifest in His

The gates were made of pearl.

Jesus on two occasions used pearls to describe the Word of God (Matt. 7:6) and of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt.

13:45). The street was made of pure gold the same as the city.

22. “But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.”

There was no place of worship, or temple, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ fill every part of it and His people’s communion is instant, continual and directly with Him. 23. “The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.”

There is no need of sun or moon for the glory of God illuminates it and the Lord Jesus Christ is the Light of it.

24. “And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into it.”

The redeemed from all nations shall walk in the light of it, which is the light of Christ. Those who once ruled on earth, having 26

The gates will always be open, implying that while this will be the eternal dwelling place of saints they are not prisoners but enjoy the freedom of the sons of God. “They will be permitted to go forth and visit every world, and survey the works of God in all parts of His dominions” (Barnes). There will be no need to shut the gates anyway as the devil, his demons and all unbelievers will already be confined to the lake of fire.

26. “And they shall bring the glory and the honour of the nations into it.”

The glory and honour of the nations, the redeemed of all the nations shall be brought into it.

27. “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.”

On no account, for it will be impossible, shall anything unholy, sinful, or anyone who is immoral or dishonest, enter heaven. It is only for those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

An excerpt taken from The Revelation of Jesus Christ by Derek Williams (paperback £6.99) Buy now for Kindle!

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