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I will start this final study by thanking those who contacted me to thank me for the previous studies in Matthew 24 under the title of ‘The Beginning of Sorrows.’

These studies arose out my own consideration of the verse 8 and the fact that the Saviour indicated that the ‘Christian Era’ would be one of sorrow for the believer. It is not that the gospel brings grief to those who embrace it, for nothing could be further from the truth. What was said of Samaria upon the entrance of the gospel, may be said of individuals, communities and nations which embrace God’s truth as did Samaria. “And there was great joy in that city,” Acts 8:8.

But not all cities acted so. Things were different on at least one occasion in Ephesus. “And the whole city was filled with confusion,”Acts 19:29. That word ‘confusion’ refers to a riotous situation, not brought on by the gospel but brought about by the enemies of the gospel who sought by riot to stop it being preached.

So it has been over the last 2000 years.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS, Final Part

“All these are the beginning of sorrows,” Matthew 24:8.

Thoughts arising from my reading of this chapter as part of my daily reading and which form the final section of a brief study of Mathew 24:1-31.

There have been very few periods over the last 2000 years when sorrow did not feature darkly amongst the ranks of the godly. Even in times of revival blessing, those who served the Lord and preached His Word were treated shamefully. The histories of men such as the Waldenses, the Protestant Reformers, the Covenanters, George Whitefield and John Wesley testify to this fact.

This world has never had the wit to realise the greatness of the eternal good that it could enjoy if only it were to receive the message of Christ. Instead, it has treated the messengers with the ‘good news’ of salvation most abominably. In all too many instances they “had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth,” Hebrews 11:36-38.

Yes, sorrow has followed the gospel like a dark shadow but Christian, remember the words of Paul.

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body,” Romans 8:18-23.

I ended our last study by indicating that we will consider the final and glorious sequence of events that will signal the return of the Saviour and our gathering unto Him. (more…)

I received from a family member in Australia this morning the link to this article in ‘The Guardian’ newspaper of Wednesday 17th August.

I know that you will be interested in the news and rejoice that there are those who seek to oppose the dreadful apostasy of the Anglican Churches.

I think it fair to comment that while it is most welcome to see the stand against this sin that is taken by these folk, there seems to be no evidence of any real understanding of the Bible’s teaching on the latter-day apostasy.

Here are two examples of what the Bible says of the last days.

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained,” 1 Timothy 4:1-6.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away,” 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Was this truth understood and the departure of mainstream Anglicanism seen in this context, then there would be no question of it ever repenting and returning back to the truth of God, as Rev Peter Palmer would seemingly hold out some hope of. He is reported as saying: “If the leadership would repent and turn back to the teachings of the bible, we wouldn’t need the Diocese of Southern Cross. I’d shut it down and come back.”

There is no repentance or reformation for apostasy; it is ‘given up of God’. (more…)