A Precious and Pertinent Admonition 

A very well-loved and highly respected teacher among "Brethren" has left to us a legacy of great spiritual worth in his written ministry. One short paragraph took hold upon my heart as being very instructive in connection with the present distress. He wrote as follows: "Man (including believers,) has no right to tamper with a divine institution; he has no authority to alter a single jot or tittle connected with the Lord's Supper than Israel had to interfere with the order of the Passover." Bracketed words are mine. I simply leave this with you for your thoughtful consideration. 

The Provision of His Presence..." all the days"  Matthew 28:20.

For the past 44 weeks, by the grace of God, my wife and I have been privileged to gather (only) to the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; and on each and every occasion we have "broken bread" together in fond memory of Him as He lovingly and longing requested us so to do. Many of my dear brethren and sisters would be aghast no doubt, but none are able to prove from the N.T. Scriptures that this is contrary to the mind of the Lord. 

On every occasion, we have claimed His presence in the midst, and known, felt, and realised His answer to our prayer; furthermore, we have experienced the precious help of the Holy Spirit in graciously composing the worship of our redeemed hearts. 

The Lord Jesus has known the end from the beginning, and in anticipation of the awful state of the collective testimony, even now in tatters, He compassionately made provision for the "twos and threes" who would gather unto His Name. He said unequivocally and unconditionally that He would be "in the midst of them." (When I say "unconditionally" I mean of course where there is the absence of gross immorality and false doctrine; we need ever to "examine ourselves" in the light of His Word, "and so eat.") 

Now is such a time for us to take possession of His ineffable provision and ask Him to grace our little companies with His sweet and delightsome presence. I am fully persuaded that this promise is for such a time as is being experienced throughout the earth. Matthew 18:20 could never be more relevant than now!

So much for divine provision for the twos and threes. It does not finish there for Christ has made provision for the individual believer as well and this in an age of Laodicean character; for in the Revelation we find the Lord in the outside place, (I mean of the heart,) and seeking an entrance into the believer's heart. He cries thus, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hear My voice and open the door, I will come in unto him and sup with him, and he with Me."3:20. In his footnote J.N.D. adds, "meaning, "I have placed Myself there and am standing." He is there in heart-longing to enjoy the fellowship of those He has redeemed at infinite cost and in infinite love.

Dear brethren and sisters in Christ, we have robbed Him of His rightful portion for almost a whole year. Bowing to misleading and incorrect "science;" having capitulated to the strong submissions of a few continental brethren who have mishandled the Word of God, by determining what we should do and how we should meet and worship and "fitting" the scriptures to suit their preconceived decisions. They have surrendered to an ever-changing "science," and chosen to obey man rather than God. Advancing the plea that we are to obey those in secular authority over us, (which is our bounden duty,) even in that which pertains to the Assembly, the Body of Christ. But do we not understand that this is not their province or prerogative? We need to obey implicitly the Word of God; I mean just simply obey.

This has not been written in the bitterness of my spirit, but in my utter dejection, as we continue in our abject state of being scattered abroad and that without an end in sight. It cannot be wondered at that the lovely and loving Saviour should thus determine in eternal counsels that we should have provision for every eventuality here in this vale of tears. And a provision for the smallest company of believers and even the individual saint. Praise Him for His unspeakable care in protecting, preserving, and yea, providing for His own in every dispensation.

    

"A Time to be "Cut-off"

I have just read a "Post" on a highly regarded "Forum" that has left me totally perplexed. It is an invitation to hear the Gospel of Gods' grace concerning His Son. (My wording.) I wish to quote verbatim one line from the invitation to "hear.". It is of course a "virtual" meeting.

"Starting sharp on the hour, (and) the moderator is no longer able to admit folks after the start!"  (My underlining and exclamation mark.)

I ask in all simplicity, "Is this not fatal nonsense? If an unbeliever desired to hear the Glad Tidings and was late, he or she would not be permitted. Now if this person was not completely stumbled thereby and purposed to listen a day or two later, and far be the thought perished in their sins, where would that leave us, brethren? It is too frightful to contemplate. I am sorry but such action is way far beyond my ability to grasp.

May I ask, "do we turn away folk from a "physical" meeting? I think not! Do we "tarry one for another," as fellow saints when the need arises? I trust that we do!"

If the problem is one of technology, then we need to give up the technology!

I trust this has not been written in a spirit of bitterness, but rather in that of absolute incredulity and disbelief that such a situation should ever arise.