International Tract Distribution Day 4.1

International Tract Distribution Day (4)  

18 April

For the past three years this date has been designated I.T.D.Day, and many around the world have faithfully joined in the simple spiritual exercise of distributing at least one tract/Gospel portion/magazine etc. I remain humbled by every response and give thanks to our great and good God and Father, who has moved so many believing hearts by His blessed Spirit to thus serve His lovely Son in this way.

I realise that to continue this practice again this year D.V. may prove to be very difficult in the present global situation, that the vast majority will feel unable to "seize every good and favourable opportunity" to engage in this ministry. Eph. 5:16; Col.4:5.

I have no intention of trying to persuade my fellow saints to act contrary to their own personal consciences, or their own understanding of the Word of God in this situation. But I would still ask as many as feel free to join with me again this year, with the desperate plight of men everywhere never more apparent, in support of this little enterprise for the Lord Jesus and for His glory, in the salvation of many precious souls, and perhaps the restoration of many saints too, please.

The U.K. is at present is "locked down," but we are permitted one session of exercise outside of our houses; I propose, if the Lord will, to combine the posting of copies of Via Magazine with my "walking exercise" on that day. Perhaps you may think of some other innovative ways to do something similar.

I leave this with you all, fully trusting that you will each consider things in the light of eternity, "provoking unto to love and good works" .... "and by so much the more as ye see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:25. 

Finally, to the many saints who have, and have continued to pray for my son Adam, I thank you with all my heart. He does remain paraplegic as a result of a spinal stroke, and on 19th April D.V. he will have been five years in this paralysed condition. The Lord has been so good to him, and to us, especially in giving Adam back movement down his whole right side, beyond all the ability of even the greatest of men! But on each "anniversary" of the day he was struck down, Adam is weighed down as he cannot help but relive it. We covet and would so value your prayers at that time especially, please. In anticipation, we would thank you in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, yours and ours. 

Tom Wyatt

Gathered to the Name of the Lord Jesus with the saints at Pensford, Bristol,  U.K. 

The Transfiguration

The Transfiguration

(Some simple thoughts)

"And He was transfigured before them."

Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:2.

"And as He prayed the fashion of His countenance became different and His raiment white [and] effulgent."

Luke 9:29.

We notice with interest and instruction, that this resplendent incident upon the "holy mount"* is not recorded in Johns' Gospel account;

The Holy Spirit caused it to be omitted by John, because He had entrusted to John the infinite privilege of presenting the Lord Jesus as very Son of God! *2 Peter 1:18.

Thus, as the all-glorious God He could not be "transfigured!" 

The Incarnation and Transfiguration of the Son of God, are two of the most beautiful truths concerning Himself;

They are preciously contrasting, and yet, at one and the same time, perfectly corresponding.

His incarnation may be expressed thus: His intrinsic glory  veiled beneath a "bondmans' form;" Phil. 2:7.

While at His transfiguration the "bondmans' form" was veiled by the brightness, the outshining, the "effulgence of His glory."

"His glory" spoken of here is a reference to the glory of Godhead, (but without distinction of the Persons), yet expressly exhibited "in [the Person of the] Son." Heb. 1:2,3.

He was truly "God manifest in flesh," and withal Emmanuel, "God with us;" not only as to His presence in our midst, but also as to "blood and flesh," for "He also, in like manner, took part in the same." Hebrews 2:14.

The word metecho" i.e. "took part" does not say how far the taking share went; thereby it commands holy, reverent restraint on the part of the believer; this is holy ground.

While we would unhesitatingly affirm with the poet:

"Verily God, yet become truly human --

Lower than angels to die in our stead:"

E're He was "transfigured" His perfect dependence as the impeccable Man and surrendered Servant is witnessed, "He prayed;" this His uninterrupted practice in this scene;

Whilst transfigured His incomparable transcendence was displayed; infinitely eclipsing both Moses and Elijah; these two no doubt representing the Law and the Prophets; They also perhaps in some measure, pre-figure those who "have fallen asleep through Jesus," and those who are "the living" and "remain" unto His coming. I Thess. 4:14,17.

But with the removal of the cloud no one was to be seen save "Jesus alone."

Just two further thoughts might occupy us for a brief moment.

It was a "bright cloud" that "overshadowed them:" it covered without darkening them; It was "bright"-- "the excellent glory:" (The same word used for the cloud that took possession of the tabernacle and filled it with glory. Exodus 40:34,35.)

Thus it was that the three privileged disciples were enable to be "eyewitnesses* of His majesty;" 2 Peter 1:16.

* "eyewitnesses" admitted into immediate vision of the glory, where they heard, "such a voice being uttered to Him by the excellent glory: This is My beloved Son, in Whom I have found My delight."

"Eyewitnesses," a word used for full initiation into the [N.T.] mysteries; which prerogative has been granted to us, for we have heard His voice, and contemplated His glories; and e'en now "we all, looking on the glory of the Lord, with unveiled face, are transformed (same word as "transfigured") according to the same image from glory to glory, even as by [the] Lord [the] Spirit." 2 Cor. 3:18.

Did Thy God e'en then forsake Thee,

Hide His face from Thy deep need?

 In Thy face once marred and smitten,

All His glory now we read.

Gazing on It we adore Thee,

Blessed, precious holy Lord;

Thou the Lamb, alone art worthy;

This be earths' and heavens' accord.

Cenita Thompson 1822-1909.

T.W.

Luke 21:26

I felt it incumbent to append a short paragraph referring to the above Biblical reference, as being forcefully pertinent at this time. A brother in Christ penned this at the beginning of 1974.

He writes: 

"As year succeeds year it is obvious to every seriously minded person that things in this world are becoming more and more insecure and sinister. The words of the Lord Jesus in Luke 21:26, referring as they do to a future era, yet have most surely a moral significance at the present time — "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." This world, the scene of man's rebellion against God, where His beloved Son has been cast out and crucified, is doomed. Neither man's occupation with himself and his achievements, nor yet his rejection of God and His claims, can avert the impending judgment."

The literal version of J.N.D. reads thus: "men ready to die through fear and expectation of what is coming on the habitable world..." 

While the A.V. has:

"Mens' hearts failing them for [from] fear, and looking after those things which are coming on the earth."  

My contention is simple: by taking pre-emptive measures which may well prove to be uncalled for, in closing our "doors," our local testimonies to Him and His salvation,  we are failing the fearful hearts of men!

Further measures re. COVID-19

I an just updating the information I have to hand at this present moment. One after the other Assemblies in the U.K. have closed their doors, and effectively their public witness. I have heard most of the arguments put forward in defence of this action. But none are convincing to me, even if some have a little more merit than others.

I would like to clarify one point: there is only ADVICE not legislation in the U.K. to self-isolate, and I really believe such action should be determined intelligently. And as it is simply advice Romans 13 is not applicable.Where an Assembly has no members manifesting any symptoms and in general do not mix with the world where is the problem in gathering at least to "call to mind" the Saviour every Lords' Day? You cannot infect another person if you are not ill with the virus; one cannot infect a citizen in the district who is in their own home fifty or so metres from the Gospel Hall, even if one was infected or "carrying" the infection.

Furthermore I am baffled as to how believers are suddenly able to foresee the future! Until this virus broke the saints would constantly be saying, "take no anxious thought for the morrow," "sufficient for the day is the evil thereof," "boast not thyself of tomorrow..." "I know Who holds the future," and so on!

I addition, even where legislation is laid down I still would seek to discern the Lords' mind as to whether there is the need to determine if this is a case of "obeying God rather than man."

And finally, it is quite sad that believers seem to "pick and choose" which laws they are prepared to obey. Just ask yourselves and one another something as simple as this, "do you always adhere to the speed limit?" I have heard brethren boasting of their ability to travel from A to B in an impossible time if such speeds were heeded. Ah, you say, this is not significant! But I say, if you knock down and injure, maim or far be the thought, kill someone, you leave yourself "without excuse."

I said finally, but you know what "speakers" are like! Please act circumspectly and avoid unnecessary  contact  with others, and self-isolate if you have even the slightest suspicion that you are exhibiting any symptoms; and of course DO NOT GO TO THE GATHERINGS!

May the Lord Jesus hedge us all about and provide opportunity for our worship and service of, to and for Him, for His delight and glory.

Coronavirus: Are Stringent Measures Necessary?

Coronavirus: Are Stringent Measures Necessary?

I hope no one thinks I am acting unwisely or appearing blase regarding the present pandemic. The heading is necessarily truncated, I would like to have asked rather, "Are such measures really necessary for the gatherings?"

To act prudently and heed advice is to be intelligent in the circumstances I readily admit. But the advice I have seen, in respect of the actions suggested, seem to be disproportionate and lacking in faith may I humbly suggest.

Already Assemblies are cancelling meetings without a single believer in the company exhibiting any symptoms of the virus! Measures have also been suggested that seem to undermine, if not obliterate the practical truths concerning the Lords' Supper!

I repeat most vehemently, I am not blase about this truly horrible virus and would act as wisely as is possible. But I feel a pressing, nay, an urgent need to exhort every believer to look to the Lord to overrule and undertake for His own; and not to engage too much in anticipation of what MIGHT happen.

Just as an aside: we need to remember before this age of "multi-media" with its frightening impact on peoples views and manner of life, this outbreak would have run its course without the hype and scaremongering we experience now. Furthermore, in recent years viruses have been far more widespread and have caused more fatalities than COVID-19. Again, this is not to belittle the dangers, but to simply point out that if the general public around the world had been in receipt of as much information on those previous occasions we would have seen a like response.

I and my wife, and two of our children are in the vulnerable category, so this is not false or bravado, but soul-concern for the gatherings of the Lords' people that He might receive His "portion" from us, His own, and that we might hold fast His Word.