The religious system as described in Revelation 17

Notes from a sermon heard on 13 February 2011

Revelation chapter 17

The book of Revelation is a tremendous book from beginning to end. It is the revelation of Jesus Christ given to John on the isle of Patmos. He is there because of his stand for Jesus Christ. Sometimes our stand for the Lord sets us apart, singles us out. Sometimes we come under criticism and ridicule because of this stand. John took that stand because of the Roman Empire in that day. He was taken to the Isle of Patmos. God uses him immediately to write this book. God can use us in whatever situation we are in. In our weakness we seem to be of no value whatsoever. As we turn to this chapter we might well ask ourselves what is the significance of this to the second coming of Jesus Christ. We look at this woman in Revelation 17, a symbol of a system that the anti-Christ will take his seat. Raised up the great leader who everyone will look up to. By this stage the church of Jesus Christ will have been taken home to glory. Verse 3 John is here carried away in the spirit in the wilderness “I saw a woman sit”. She is mounted upon a beast. That is the image he has – a scarlet woman sitting on a beast. Then he takes up this image of the beast. He is full of names of blasphemy and had 7 heads and 10 horns – verse 12. Here's a woman sitting on a beast with 10 horns. These 10 horns are 10 kings ruling in an empire, ruling in our world today. Soon there will be a confederacy reigning in this world. This woman will come full of ideas and flattery. The 10 kings will give their allegiance to the beast. This kingdom will be run by the power of this woman. She is controlling the 10 king confederacy of the last days. She will only do that for 3½ of the 7 years. Those who have not been washed in the blood of the lamb will be left behind. When Jesus comes will you be left behind? After 3½ years the confederacy will have had enough and one of the kings will set up his own image – verse 16. It is a description of a woman but really it is of a religious system. This will be Satan's superchurch – all beliefs, all nations, all creeds will come under one umbrella of 10 kings confederacy. The roots of it are seen today. Look at your newspapers, your television screens and see where religious denominations are coming together. It might be viewed as a nice thing, great grace being shown on both sides. Seeing here the roots of the superchurch which the anti-Christ will use for his own means in the last days.

In verse 5 John sees this woman's foundation. She is given a name here – “Mystery, Babylon the Great, The Mother of Harlots, and abominations of the earth” I believe she is a religious all sorts. A harlot is one who is unfaithful, who will sell her body for gain or satisfaction. The picture here is of one who is unfaithful to God, an apostate system. It comes from the word “hornet” portraying purity for personal gain. Genesis 10 verse 9 shows the origin of the harlot. A man called Nimrod, a “mighty hunter before the Lord”. In the eyes of God he was not hunting for animals but rather for the souls of men and women. He built a kingdom called Babel in the land of Shinar. They didn't stop just with a city. In Genesis 11 they would build a “tower whose top may reach unto heaven.” (verse 4) They put around the top all sorts of images and stars. That was the beginning of idolatrous system that became the source of pagan worship. “A gateway to God” is what Babel means. He wanted a way back to God for himself – that is what he was trying to do. There are many man made gateways back to God but the Bible says there is only one way back to God and that is through the cross of Calvary. When the Lord sent his son into this world he took the sins of a lost mankind, they were placed on his body on the cross of Calvary. He made perfect atonement. Has he got your sin tonight? Are you born again of the Spirit of God? The foundation of this tower was built upon disobedience and rebellion to God. Desire would become the source of idolatry. The source, the beginning of all man made religions in the world today. The roots are in the world tonight. Drawing in from all parts every creed, nationality drawing them under one umbrella. The Roman Catholic system is wonderful depiction of it all. Nimrod's wife was called Semiramus. Nimrod died and his wife bore a son. She claimed that her son was supernaturally conceived. Not only was the child worshipped but the woman, the Mother was also worshipped as much or more than the son (Jeremiah 51 verse 7) Her son was called Tammuz. She was the origin of a religion of the mother and son. That is where the origin of that worship came from. That is why we see it today in the Roman Catholic church. The cleansing of sins by holy water – that idea came from her. Roots of worship of Mary. Not trying to knock this system of religion but desire to see people saved and won for the kingdom of God. In Jeremiah 44 she became the queen of heaven. Tammuz was killed and later in life apparently resurrected. She took over everything God has given in his word and twisted it around.

Notice her failure – verse 1 “that sitteth upon many waters.” Verse 15 “The waters which thou sawest where the whore sitteth are peoples, and multitudes and nations and tongues.” This woman influences people around the world. She has a finger in every nation in the world. She has her doctrines in every place tonight in the world. Verse 2 her control reaches into the government of the earth. The kings have given into this system. She is unfaithful and has no morals. You can be part of this system. You can be what you like. The inhabitants of this world have become drunk with the wine of her fornication. People don't mind religion as long as can be what they like, live whatever way they want to. This system has no morals or standards as long as we join this system. Jesus preached of 2 ways – a narrow way that leads to heaven which only a few enter in and a broad road that leads to destruction and damnation. Many go into this second way. Why is it created? Because we can do and live as we please. Revelation 17 shows there are no morals, no standards. This system beckons all to come, to live whatever way you wish. The Holy Spirit comes into your heart and life, dictates what way you should live. For many they see it as too narrow. It means disassociating myself with this or that, giving up so many things but this other system allows you to hold onto everything.

Her falsehood – verse 4. She is “arrayed in purple and scarlet colour and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand” Gold speaks in the word of God of divine action. God's activity. Here's a woman who looks as if doing a service of God. Looks good when you look into the system. Look at your television screen and you will see there a man walking up the aisle, people crowd around him, they have crosses held high and are decked in necklaces around their necks. They have robes that hang to their feet, coloured regalia and hats. They work with incense at the altar, smoke is going up. It looks good – as if it is of God yet far away from God as any system could be. At the last visit of the Pope there was an interview with a Protestant Church leader. He was asked on 3 occasions if he thought the Pope was a Christian and 3 times he didn't want to answer the question. The interviewer pushed him again by asking “is he not a Christian then?” The Protestant church leader turned around and said “it is not for me to judge.” The Pope, when he takes office says he is “the vicar of Christ on earth”. What does this mean? When Christ is not on the earth the Pope is his representative. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit is Christ's representative on earth so how could the Pope take on this title for himself? Revelation 18 verse 4 – God is saying of these last days “don't get involved with this system of religion.” Paul to the Corinthian church said in 2 Corinthians 6 verse 17 “Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord ...” The roots of this system are working in our day. The cup in this woman's hand is beautiful to look at but it is “full of abominations”. This system is infiltrating the Protestant churches today. We need to be ready to take our stand – to do as Paul said “come out from among them and be separate”.
Her ferocity. She is attired in the splendour of the world system. Verse 6 here's a woman that has been made drunk. Where are those who have joined her? We can see today members of the government and even members of the Royal family who have joined this religious system. She takes them in with a welcome but when someone stands against her they suffer greatly – just read Foxe's book of Martyrs and stories of the Spanish Inquisition. You will read of people butchered, burned at the stake, stoned. Why? All because they were against this system of religion.

Her fate. Verse 16 – this woman at this stage is sitting on the beast controlling these 10 heads. She is organising governments through this religious system of all sorts of creeds, nationalities and peoples. At some point after 3½ years these 10 kings will turn against this system. It will be put down – verse 17 “For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will and to agree and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.” It is God's sovereign plan, right down to the very days of the great tribulation. This woman is in control and then God steps in and brings her down. We can see the roots of this woman in our society today. John depicts her as woman but it is really a religious system. A deceptive, dangerous, disruptive system. Striving at great lengths to bring everyone under her banner. Be careful tonight if you are a child of God. Be not deceived by this system because God will judge this system. May God help us. The purpose of these meetings are to see men and women saved, to see you born again of the spirit of God.

The trial of our faith

Notes from a sermon heard on Sunday 13 February 2011 ...

1 Peter 1 verses 1 – 12

In the life of every one of us there are times when things get difficult. It doesn't matter who we are, no matter what line of business we are in, how advanced in our Christian lives we are, there are times when we go through tremendously difficult times. We have been looking at fishermen who left their nets at the Sea of Galilee because God's call came to them. They left everything they had at the shore and followed after Jesus. Their ambition was to be soul winners. Peter the uneducated, the ignorant fisherman, trained in the universe of life. It is to Peter that we seek his word, his advice as we become discouraged in life. We don't go to philosophers or professors of universities. They could give reasonable educational answers for all the dark times we go through in life. Peter gives just one explanation for it all “it is the trial of your faith” (verse 7). Peter no doubt is a character who has experience in the fields of life. One day he was with Jesus when he met Moses and Elijah on top of a mountain. What a day that was for him. Tremendous for his spiritual experience. He looked to the Lord and said “it is good for us to have been here.” Sure there were times when we have felt the same way. Peter also knew what it was like to plummet to the depths of sorrow. Remember the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew what it was like to falter. He knew what it was to hold up his hands and say to the Lord “we have left all to follow you”. Is it any wonder we turn to him this morning for advice as we go through dark times. What does Peter say about his faith today? He talks about faith being tested – not about works but rather faith.

The centre of your faith. The faith Peter speaks of here is of a transforming faith. Our faith is placed on what today? Is is on someone? But they could never save us. The moment we are born into this world we are lost and on our way to a lost eternity. God has given to you and I eternal life and an inheritance in heaven through the death of his son on Calvary's cross – he died for our sins so that we might know his forgiveness today. Judas walked with the Lord, preached with the Lord, did many miracles with the Lord yet his faith came short at the end. The devil too has faith, he knows there is a God and he fears and trembles at the very name of God but he will not allow us to be saved. Faith should be centred on the finished work of Calvary, grounded in the Lord Jesus Christ. Your faith will be tested to draw you away from that saving faith. The devil will do all in his power to drag you away from Jesus today. That is his plan and ploy, make no mistake about it. Verses 2 and 3 God's plan of salvation began in his heart. That is what salvation is. It begins not in the mind of man. Man is hopeless, lost today but God in his grace and mercy took his son, sent him into this world, sent him to die on Calvary that we might be saved. Then Peter takes up the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes up the word of God which you have heard and opens it up, shows you your need of saving faith. That is the centre of faith. God's work was applied to our hearts through faith. Is that our faith today? Not faith in a church or a minister or a creed but faith in the finished work of Calvary. If so we have an inheritance in heaven waiting for us.

The course of our faith. Our faith can come up against many obstructions, many barriers. Peter moves on to the product of our faith. Thought of persecution and suffering. Some 12 times in the epistle Peter mentions these trials, temptations and testings. Sometimes as a Christian we can ask “why am I going through this ordeal?” Jesus spoke to Peter on one occasion and told him “Peter Satan hath desired to have you.” That was the ambition of Satan. Jesus said “remember Peter the day Andrew came and told you about me, how you came and listened to me and I talked with you and you trusted in me as Saviour?”, then “remember when I came to the shores of Galilee and told you to follow me? Well the devil has come and asked that he might tempt you but I have prayed for you.” Whenever we come to that T junction, that crossroads in the way there is a decision to be made. The devil is out to ruin and destroy you Peter. Caleb in the Old Testament saw the land God was giving his people as ready to be taken. However the people listened to the evil report received. The peoples hearts melted before them. Caleb stood up in the midst and took a stand saying “we can do this, if God has given us this land we should go in and possess it.” There might be something that comes up in life and you know it is wrong and you will have to take your stand. Caleb took a stand. He knew what the people were saying was wrong. Is there a move in your life today? Something in your life and you have come to this place, a decision to be made. It is good to strengthen the brethren. That is what Caleb did. The Bible tells us one of the things the Lord hates is a man or woman who sows discord amongst the brethren. Peter told these people that their faith was being tested – verse 6. Something that is very precious – your faith. We often read of Job, think of that man in the Old Testament. He got up every day before everyone else and prayed for his family. He made sacrifices for his family. There was only one thing of concern to him – that they might bring harm to anyone around them. One day he did this as usual but before that day was over everything was taken from him. What did Job say “he knoweth the way that I take, when he hath tried me I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23 verse 10) In other words God knows all about it. God takes us sometimes into the dark places to try our faith. The course has changed for us.

The continuance of our faith – verse 5. Although going through this difficult time Peter says “through faith”. Keeping power of of God. He has his hand on you at this moment in time. He will bring you through. We are kept by the power of God. The word “kept” speaks of a city surrounded by a garrison of troops. They are well trained to keep the city from harm. God says your life and my life are kept by the power of God. That is how you are kept today. Just like the garrison of soldiers around the city when we get saved God engulfs our lives and he keeps us as we keep looking to him. The Psalmist said “the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ear is open to their cry.” “even as the hills around Jerusalem so is the Lord around his own.” “The Lord encampeth around about those who love him.” Remember David as a shepherd watching his flock on the hillside. He came face to face with the lion and the Lord brought that lion down into his hands. That is what the Lord does. John 17 “Father I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am that they may behold my glory , which thou hast given me.” (John 17 verse 24)

The crowning of our faith. That will be ours. Paul said “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.” (2 Timothy 4 verses 7 and 8) That crown is waiting for everyone of us in heaven. The devil is trying to bring us down today. John said “greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.”

Focused on the call of God

Notes from a sermon heard on Sunday 6 February 2011 ...

Mark 1 verses 21 – 34

Following from looking at these fishermen and the call of God on their lives ...

We see men who were apt to give their all to the Lord and his cross. They were called to be soul winners, to be followers of Jesus Christ. Men who were venturing out into the unknown. When they left their nets and obeyed the call of God to follow him they were stepping out into the unknown. God promises to be our helper. Will we consider keeping our eyes on Jesus in this new year? We will be facing many trials and testings and perhaps many a tear. Need to get our eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ. For these men they were going out to follow the Lord. There would be battles and blessings. Every child of God – men, women, boy or girl can lay hold of the claims of salvation but they will come under attack. For these fishermen before long the people of Jerusalem were talking about them. What were they saying of these poor uneducated fishermen? “They have turned the world upside down.” They filled Jerusalem with their doctrine. These men were unlearned, ignorant but were giving their all to Jesus. Here was a group of men going out into the work and the very foundations of hell would shake when they preached.

Notice how quickly they focused on their call – verse 21. “and straightway on the Sabbath Day he entered into the synagogue and taught.” Jesus led them into the synagogue and he began to teach them. Mark uses this word “straightway” often in his gospels. It places an emphasis on the speed and urgency of actions. These men were focused on the ministry they were called to do. Souls were gathering in the synagogue and they were there from all walks of life. They were there to hear the word of God. Not a moment to lose. A time to be active. They had a passion for souls. When God called them they realised they were going out to see men and women saved from a Christless eternity. They had a passion for souls. They focused on that passion. They wanted to see that work carried out. That calling comes to you and I today. Do we see our calling as children of God? Do we hear the voice of the master saying “follow me”? In Acts 3 we notice how these fishermen were urgent in the place of prayer. These men were on their way to prayer. We need to be urgent in prayer if we want to be a soul winner. Time set aside for prayer. They were coming to the temple to meet and seek with God. Praying for Gods will. Men who had filled Jerusalem with their doctrine. Men who had shook the place upside down were setting aside time for prayer. If you want to see hour families and loved ones saved you need to be a prayer seeker. When they came to the temple they found a man sitting at the gates with a little bowl in his hand begging. The big fisherman Peter comes to him and says “silver and gold have I none but such as I have give I unto you in the name of Jesus Christ rise up and walk.” That man got up and walked that day. In Acts 8 we see Philip the Evangelist, a man mighty in preaching the word of God had come down to Samaria. He had seen many precious souls saved. He was focused on what he was doing. Philip is called by the Spirit of God to a man who is sitting in his chariot reading the word of God. He was beginning to realise his need of salvation. Only God can do that today – open up the hearts of men and women. In verse 8 we read that Philip “ran” to the chariot. He was focused on what God would have him to do. An urgency about his action that day. When the fishermen went down to Capernaum they realised there were souls to be saved so went into the synagogue. They were focused on what they were doing.

They were faced with the enemy. verse 21 “and taught”. Jesus entered into the house of God and no doubt the leaders handed over the scripture to him. When the people couldn't get to the temple in Jerusalem to worship in various outlying towns they would have opened up synagogues. It took 10 Jewish families to open up such a place. They would have appointed a leader or rabbi. His task was to have a teacher or preacher there for the various services. The rabbi led the meeting and then handed over to the preacher. Verse 22 “and they were astonished at his doctrine for he taught them as one that had authority and not as the scribes.” This was not the same as before, something different had happened. Here was the Son of God and the Spirit of God was on him. The Lord Jesus Christ was centred on the atonement of sin. Verses 23 and 24 “unclean spirit” means a demon. The devils kingdom was being annoyed because of such preaching. Satan was being disturbed because of the effect of this ministry. Opposition began to be shown against the power of God. The devil was not going to give up without a fight. The opposition came so very quickly. The people were astonished at this preacher. They realised he was different from the scribes. We never read of any other disturbance when a scribe preached. Satan and hell would have been happier any other day than this one. When you take your stand for Christ you will always get a reaction. When you get serious in winning souls for Christ you will get a reaction. It came from a most unexpected source – right within the synagogue itself. That is what sometimes happens. There was not only spiritual opposition but sickness in the family. Mary and Martha loved the Lord with all their hearts, worked for the Lord yet Lazarus took ill. They took it to the Lord saying “the one whom thou lovest is sick” They thought he would rush to their side but the Lord waited. Lazarus was raised to life again but Jesus said it would be in his death that he would be glorified. Paul had a thorn in his flesh yet he didn't allow that to deter him.

How quickly their fruit appeared – verse 25. Jesus rebuked the enemy. They were seeing fruit already. “greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.” Peter's mother in law was sick and they told Jesus about it. Have you told the Lord what is happening in your home today? About those not saved in your home? They told the Lord about her sickness. Have we prayed and left it with the Lord? The Lord took care of the opposition and the sick. Whatever you are going through today focus on the ministry God is calling you to. You will be faced with the power of the enemy but keep focused on the Lord and there will be fruit in your life.

Fishers of Men

Notes from a sermon heard on Sunday 30 January 2011 ...

Mark 1 verses 16 - 28

Along the shores of Galilee Jesus came across these 2 men. He issued a call to them - verse 17 “come ye after me and I will make you to become fishers of men.” The Lord had a plan for their lives. Not just to cast their nets into the sea but that they might be used to bring men and women to a knowledge of Christ as Saviour and Lord of their lives. They were going to seek men and women in the highways and byways, and in the market places. To take the gospel to places never been before. God has a plan and purpose for your life today. Look at these mere men, they have seen the mind of Christ in what he wanted them to do. Let us see the minds of the fishermen and how they respond to the call of God on their lives. That could be you or I today as God comes to you today, as he begins to show you that which he would have you to do today. Have we proved what God desires of us? Verse 17 “come ye after me.” Through this phrase their lives were completely turned upside down. Their lives would never be the same again. Jesus had stepped in and he had taken them around a corner.

The decision that we find in this word “come”. When these men were gazing into the water they heard the word “come”. There had to be a decision to be made on this day on the shores of Galilee. They were not being challenged about the issues of salvation as they had already settled that. When Andrew beheld John the Baptist saying “behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world” he told Peter who wanted to come and see for himself. They both settled the question of Jesus in their own lives, took him at his word for themselves. Was there a moment in your life when you settled the question for yourself? When you laid your sin at the feet of Jesus, repented of your sin, accepted his forgiveness and offer of eternal life? An important place to come to today. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved”(Acts 16 verses 31) Jesus tells us. This call came to Peter and Andrew at their work place. They had to make a leaving - in their hearts and minds. All of a sudden Jesus appears asking them to surrender their lives completely. A call to service. Jesus wanted every part of them. Now had to make a decision - was their love for personal lives far greater than their love for Jesus Christ? They had found the Saviour and had now settled down in their lives. A natural thing - the call of God came to them in their natural daily routine. Sometimes we will only hear that call if we are in the word of God so we cut ourselves off. Set everything aside, get into quiet place and seek God on our own. God breaks through in the every day routine and speaks to us and says “follow after me”. Maybe sometimes that is what happens to us. We can look back to a day when saved, takes us back maybe months or years. Somehow get settled in our lives. God somehow comes and stirs us up. In Deuteronomy 32 verse 11 we see the picture of mother eagle stirring up her young, helping them out of the nest but doesn’t leave them there - bears them out onto the air, flies with them. God wants to do that with us. Sometimes we are settled in our Christian routine but God comes and stirs us up, shows us a plan and purpose that he has for our lives. Elijah was a great man of God doing great exploits for God. Where does God find him? Sitting in a cave. “What doest thou here?” God had to ask him. God didn’t take him in there. He wasn’t serving the God of heaven or the people Israel, Sitting down in a cave. What about you today? Are we in danger of sitting back just being content in our spiritual life or are we going on? “I press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3 verse 14) Paul said.

A direction they had to follow. God comes and points out a direction for them. Are we in the right direction today? Sometimes God’s directions are difficult to understand. These fishermen might have been excused for thinking “who are we to take on such a task?. There are men who could debate the scriptures and teach people better than me.” Isn’t that what we sometimes would think too? Someone who is more able to take up that position. We promote someone else and sit back ourselves. All the time God is looking for us. A decision to take, a direction that would change their lives. God is starting to point you to something that could change you today. Maybe God has been closing a door on the past. God was doing that for these 2 men, closing a door on their lives. One day Peter said “I go fishing” Peter tried to open the door again. When God closes a door lets not be guilty of trying to keep it open. There was a brand new door opening up for these men. Sure they were full of doubts. Certainly God leads us down ways sometimes we find it hard to understand. Things happen in our lives that we don’t understand. The message is simple. We are to follow. They may have had doubts and fears but were prepared to follow him. The children of Israel on their way to Canaan, in their own minds had a plan, how knew it was shorter by far than the way God was taking them but God had a plan in mind. They wanted to turn back to Egypt so he took them a different way. Maybe our lives are going in direction we don’t understand. Gods way is perfect.

A discipline that must be acknowledged. They would have to keep the Lord clearly in view. That is something we need to learn - to keep the Lord closely in view. These men were not to run before the Lord nor to drag behind the Lord. No doubt there would be challenges to conflict with human nature. We know God has a task he wants us to do to the best of our ability but sometimes it conflicts with human nature. It will take discipline in those times. There are things we have to discipline our lives in. Disciples did that. When confronted with the multitudes who were tired and hungry the disciples had to deal with this situation. They told the Lord to send them away that they might get food for their bodies but the Lord said “no you get them food”. That is against human nature. The Lord told them to bring him what they had. God is asking you to do that - bring your time, compassion and tithes. Bring them to him and allow him to use them. When the Lord took the towel and started to wash his disciples feet he was teaching them about humility and service. He told the disciples they would have to do likewise. They would be going into villages where they would be hated, they would be going into synagogues where they would be cast out, they would be going into places where they would be rejected and spat on. Had to learn about humility and service. “What I do thou knowest not.” No explanation necessary, discipline in knowing God’s way is perfect.

The devotion that is also required. It is our love for the Lord Jesus Christ that dictates our Christian lives. If they didn’t love the Lord how could they come? Illustration in the Old Testament scriptures of the hired servant. Time would come when he could walk out free. If he had a family they could go out free with him too. If he had acquired that family during his time of service only he could go out. If his servant says in his heart “I love my master, I love my family, I will not go free.” He wanted to stay because of his devotion. Isn’t that a wonderful testimony to have - I love the one who died for me because he shed his precious blood for my sins on Calvary.

A promise from the Lord - he will hold us by our right hand!

ISAIAH 41 verses 10 - 20

Verse 13 “For the Lord thy God will hold they right hand saying unto thee fear not, I will help thee.”

In this little verse we have a promise from God to us, to our homes, to our families, to our communities and neighbourhoods as we go into a new year. We know not what a day will bring to us but there is one in the glory who knows the end from the beginning. God is stating his relationship with the people of Israel but he is also stating his relationship with us. Think of this verse in 2 parts - the first of a living relationship and secondly of a working relationship.

A living relationship. Israel was a forgetful nation. God had to draw alongside them and remind them of their relationship with him. Someone once said “it is possible to be diligent in a religion yet distant in our relationship.” We can be distant in our relationship - oh yes we might be in the house of God every Sunday morning and evening and that is diligence yet we are distant in our personal relationship with God. That was the problem with Israel. Israel had not only forgotten but forsaken God too. This nation of Israel has now repented and were brought back into the land of Canaan for a second time. Yes they had been captive for 70 years in Babylon because they had forsaken God. Israel remembered very well the time when they were delivered out of Egypt the first time. Do you remember the day when you realised you had sinned against the God of heaven? You may remember that day well but sadly you are not in that place of knowing God personally today. The Psalmist said “bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits.” (verse 2) Maybe we need to be reminded of that relationship today. We were bought with the blood of Jesus Christ purchased on Calvary, given as a free gift and all we have to do is come, take it, apply it to our lives. It costs us nothing but God everything. When God brought them out of Egypt and across the wilderness he gave them the assurance of his presence. That was the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of cloud by night. God gives us assurance too when we accept him as Lord and Saviour - the Holy Spirit. Moses warned them “beware lest thou forget the Lord which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 6 verse 12)

Israel was a forgiven people. God assures them of his presence. When we read the book of Judges we see this cycle clearly. The people are blessed of God, then because of that blessing they get careless, they begin to follow after gods of the land in which they were living, then the enemy comes down and because they are not in a relationship with God they cannot stand against the enemy. They go into bondage and they cry out to God who brings them a deliverer. The cycle begins again. This is a forgiven people. God had heard their cries in Babylon and allowed them to be taken captive for 70 years. Now 70 years later he is beginning to bring his people home again. Maybe that is what God is going to do in this year. The Psalmist could say with clarity in chapter 103 verse 9 “he will not always chide neither will he keep his anger for ever.” How important not to merely take for granted this last year and get into this year. “I have set the Lord before me because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” Confidence in the God of heaven. I have given him the place and control, set him as my security. Where is God in your life today? Today he can be in no other place because he doesn’t want to be in any other place. If he is not king of your life he is not king at all. We need to be sure. The psalmist made a definite assertion, a deliberate assertion “I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” (Psalm 16 verse 8)

Not only forgiven and forgetful nation but Israel was a fearful nation. We need to be careful because our hearts could be gripped with fear. When we hear and see the news today we could be fearful. This was a nation who had so many fears and barriers. Remember the spies going out into the land of Canaan. Ten of them saw all the barriers and obstacles facing them. We are like those spies, fearful of what lies ahead. God had to deal with fears. Sometimes we think of fearfuless as a failure but it is only what we do with our fears that brings failure. As the children of Israel stood at the Red Sea, Pharoah has had second thoughts and followed them there. The fear of the Lord was on the people. The pillar of cloud went around them and came to the back of them. It cast a darkness to the people of Egypt and a light to the people of Israel. God said to Moses "hold up the rod" and as he did so the sea divided and people went across onto dry land. Egyptians did go after them but the sea returned and destroyed them all that day. God is fighting for you today and wants to see great things accomplished.

They were a favoured nation. Remember Mary, despised of the world yet highly favoured of the Lord. Joseph at 17 years of age was working in Potiphar’s house. He had been despised by his brothers yet favoured by God. He was put into a prison cell wrongly. The Lord was with him and took him into the very palace of Pharoah who said of him “there is none greater in this house than thee.” If only we would open up our lives to God today and ask him to take up his position of our right hand and don’t ever leave it. To place it all on the altar today, to ask God to fill us, cleanse us, to be totally surrendered to God. God is looking for a living relationship with you and I today.

The peace of God

Isaiah 26 verses 1 - 12
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” verse 3

A promise from God - not a feel good verse but from the heart of God to you personally. It is the mind that is the subject of our verse.

The mind is polluted. Matthew Henry the Bible commentator said “the mind is the acting ruling part of us.” Proverbs 4 verse 23 “keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.” When was the mind polluted? “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6 verse 5 “From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it.” Isaiah 1 verse 6 In the middle of the summer if you look at a lovely crystal flowing stream it is beautiful. Flowing down through the mountains giving life, sustaining life to so many creatures but if some way in the distance a chemical leak got into that stream it would not be long until it was polluted. That is what happened in Genesis 3. There was no flaw in the creation of God when man was created. Perhaps Satan was reminded of what he once was before he tried to exhalt himself. Satan tricked Eve into taking of the fruit then tricked her husband into also eating too. Evil and wickedness entered into this world. Man fell from the peace God had given him. Man no longer had fellowship with God. He was not contaminated with sin. Romans 8 verse 7 “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Man is a pleasure profit seeking thing, bears no thought for God at all, separated from God for all eternity. Romans 1 verse 21 “Because that when they knew God they glorified him not as God neither were thankful but became vain in their imagination and their foolish heart was darkened …Wherefore God also gave them up.” Paul writing to Titus said of the human race “even their mind and conscience is defiled.” (chapter 1 vese 15). Our minds are polluted.

The mind is blinded. 2 Corinthians 4 verse 4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.” Satan got man to fall from grace, to look away from God. If that was not bad enough what else does he do? Blinds our minds to the things of God. The devil doesn’t want the message or light of the gospel to shine in you that you might be saved. The glorious light of the gospel cannot shine in our hearts. Why? Because the devil is there to block it. Remember the parable of the sower. The sower scattered the seed onto the ground. The fowls of the air came down and took the seed away. If you have been saved what a tremendous responsibility we have to our family, friends, neighbours and community. Jesus came down to seek and to save that which was lost. The devil tries to take the word of God we hear in Sunday School, in youth meetings, in the Sunday morning services. Blinds us to the fact that Jesus died for us, that we can be saved if we trust him. Look at the people God saved in the Bible including Saul of Tarsus.

The mind is also hardened. Remember in Daniel chapter 5 there was a young prince called Belshazzar. He decided to hold a great feast and invited 1000 of his lords. Just as they were enjoying themselves there came the writing on the wall of a man’s hand. Daniel was brought in. He rebuked the young man for not learning the lessons from his father. Have we learned any lessons in our lifetime? God brings us certain ways to teach us things. Nebuchadnezzar had been spoken to by Daniel. At the end of his life he looked around and thought he had gained his kingdom by his own power. When his heart was lifted up his mind was hardened. This young prince was making the same mistakes - everything he had was given to him by God alone. God who gave him the ability and power now hardened his heart and mind with pride. Our minds can be hardened. Everything you have today is from God - our food, clothes, home and health all is from him.

That mind can be changed. It can be renewed. What is required? We must present ourselves to the working of the Holy Spirit. We cannot do anything of ourselves. “And that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4 verse 24 The new man is presented to us but we have got to put him on too. Is there something in our hearts and minds missing - the blessing of God? It is a blockage - doesn’t allow the peace of God to flow into your heart. When the mind is changed we can centre it on God, can enjoy the peace God has for us.

The mind needs protection. Ephesians 6 verse 17 “the helmet of salvation.” Before the soldier went out had on the helmet to protect him. The helmet protects from all evil thoughts. Have we got the peace that passeth all understanding? God has promised to give us that - were our minds are stayed on him. Are we concerned today? Faithful today? Bring it to the Lord of heaven and ask him to give us peace that passeth all understanding. It is in your power to come and give your life to Christ, to surrender your all to him.

KNOWING THE WAY TO HEAVEN

Notes from John 14 verses 1 - 7

A way that is sought after …
A way that is simple …
A way that is sure …

This passage was addressed primarily to Jesus’ disciples. He knew what was ahead of him but they didn’t. What spoke to me here was the fact that God knows the way we should take before we do ourselves. He has our lives planned out for us but sometimes it is difficult to really put this in perspective. Like Thomas we ask repeatedly “Lord we know not whither thou goest, and how can we know the way?” (verse 5) We are like little children in this respect - I know this from personal experience - if you tell a child once where we are going I can be sure I will have to repeat it up to a dozen times and even then they will not realise it fully. Like my daughter said to me when we arrived at a place “Oh this is where you meant!”

The way to heaven is something every person on this earth is seeking after. Yet Jesus in his word has told us “I am the way, the truth and the life.” So many people believe that when they die they will go immediately into God’s presence and heaven itself. They reckon that because God is love he will let them in to heaven - it is that easy they think. Jesus has told us “You shall find me whenever you seek me for me with all your heart”. Sadly too many don’t want the hard work of searching and finding this treasure for themselves. Think again of the rich man who came to Jesus and asked him “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” When Jesus told him he went away very sad because he just couldn’t give up all his riches - he had a realisation of the truth but deep down it was too hard to take in. Then there is the other side of the coin - remember the Philippian jailer in Acts 16. He asked the same question and when Paul told him to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” his reaction was simple - he dropped to his knees! Too often the problem is we have too much to give up in order to receive God’s free gift of salvation.

Jesus has made that way to heaven very simple - he did it all for me when he died on the cross of Calvary for my sin. His word, the Bible tells me “I am the door by me if any man enter in he shall be saved.” What is preventing anyone opening that door?

There is also the surety of the promise - “I am the door by me if any man enter in he shall be saved.” We can all know with assurance the way to heaven if only we will trust Christ here and now.

This passage was expounded by my local Pastor on 4 July 2010 and really spoke volumes to me on the assurance of my personal salvation.