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Reasons why today Christians should be much in prayer for ensuing generations of believers!

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved,” Matthew 24:6-13.

These are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ as he answers the important questions of His disciples. “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world (Greek – ‘age’)?” Matthew 24:3.

This age will end amidst the greatest rebellion and defiance of God that mankind has ever engaged in since the fall of Adam, some six thousand years ago (Ussher’s Chronology). But for the restraining power of God, mankind would have engaged in such wicked mutiny against God’s authority and rule long go. The Lord has held back men and shackled them, oftentimes cutting them off before they could really get started on their insubordination.

I. THE LORD HAS A TIMETABLE AND MAN AND DEVILS ARE CONSTRAINED BY IT

That is what happened at the flood in Noah’s day. Man was intent in overthrowing God’s rule on earth. “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 . . .  The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth,” Genesis 6:5, 11-12.

All upon the face of the earth with the exception of those in the Ark, perished under God’s judgment.

“And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered. And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days” Genesis 7:17-24.

Wicked persistence

The universal manifestation of God’s wrath and power was very great at that time but it did not deter mankind from rebellion. Within 100 years we have that generation which sprang from the sons of Noah, who were tasked with repopulating the earth, united in another attempt to defy God and His purpose amongst men. (more…)

Two chapters that need no explanation from a man and which should speak loudly to us all here in Ulster today!

This article is only comprised of God’s Word from two chapters which were part of my Bible reading yesterday.

I make no comment on the divine words for they need no human explanation.

Instead of comment, I will follow the example of W P Nicholson that I read of from some 100 years ago. He tells of how a wealthy Christian bought air time on a radio station in California and asked W P to simply read from the Bible and make no comment.

But that faithful old Ulsterman sought to emphasise some verses he read. Since he could make no comment, what he did was to read twice those verses he wished to have listeners particularly note!

I will do something similar. I will underline and put in bold type those verses I would have my readers particularly note.

The controversy within the Free Presbyterian Church is not of my making, despite what some may say.

Rather, it is as the prophet said: “Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD’S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people,” Micah 6:2.

I will let Him therefore have His direct say on matters here in our land amongst His professing people.

May the Lord add His comments by His Holy Spirit as you read these passages.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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Judges Chapter Two

“And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.

And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? (more…)

“Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD,” Joshua 24:14.

(Bible reading for July 17th)

To the end of his days Joshua laboured to strengthen the obedience and dedication of  Israel to the Lord their God.

Equally tenacious was the spirit of disobedience found amongst many in the ranks of that nation.

Note how in the verse above Joshua says, “Put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.” Incredible as it would seem, there were still those Israelites who, despite all that they had seen and witnessed of God’s kindness and saving power toward them and His hatred of idolatry, worshipped idols.

Joshua faithfully warned of the consequences of disobedience.

“If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good,” verse 20.

He felt it necessary to repeat his call to reject idolatry.

“Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel,” verse 23.

This exchange took place just before the great man died.

“And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old,” verse 29.

But we must note the ominous assertion in verse 31.

“And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel.”

The clear implication is that their obedience and their adherence to the covenant they made at Joshua’s insistence would not last long. (more…)