Speak evil of Dignities

Jude 8

I believe there is the necessity for a gentle, but very pertinent rebuke. I hear many saints "speak railingly against dignities;" and I find myself to be guilty of the same, even though the above Word is often brought to my remembrance. I am left inexcusable.

It is easy to speak unwisely or ill of many of the "powers appointed by God," when the fullest exposure of many of their faults, and failings, many so grievous, are in the "public domain." And so often our discernment is correct and it is galling to see the awful consequences of much that is deceitful, corrupt and violent. But dear believing friends it is not our prerogative to speak aloud of these things. We must look to the Lord for His governmental dealings with those who hold such responsible positions. It may be well if we were to be more separated from the media of this world; ignorance of much of this worlds discourses, opinions and exposures would prove a blessing; why defile ourselves with the detritus of a world sin-benighted? 

To engage in "speaking evil of dignities," we identify ourselves with "these dreamers who defile [the] flesh, and despise lordship, and speak railingly against dignities. Jude 8 (New Translation J.N.D).  

"I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings be made for all men; for Kings and all that are in dignity, that we (believers) may lead a quite and tranquil life in all godliness and gravity; for this is good and acceptable before our Saviour God."  1Timothy 2:1-3.

 

"What Manner of Man is This?"

The crossing of the Lake, the "sea of Galilee," Tiberius or Chinnereth, or Lake of Gennesaret, as it is variously referred to, is a familiar incident to the readers of the Word; preserved for us  within the pages of the Holy Scriptures, the "Scriptures of truth." Matthew 8:23-27.                                       

The quotation above is of singular moment, and this is the A.V. translation, while  Darby has: "What sort of Man is this?" Almost word for word the same. But I often use the expression, "Who then is This?" unfortunately at the time I failed to recall where I first read this particular rendering, nevertheless I believing it to be a fine translation. Later I discovered it is in Darby's translation of the account recorded in Mark.                     Mark 4:41.

It is not my design to compare the translations, I am poorly equipped for such a task, neither do I not feel the necessity; I included the different renderings merely because brethren and sisters may be more familiar with one than another due to their own habitual musings upon the Word.

My purpose in writing this simple "post" stems from a pursuit of the expression written upon my heart. Thus I turned to W.K.'s commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. But I did not find it there, but something else grabbed my attention, and exposed once more my deficiency in grasping even the simplest things in the Word. It is not that I read too hurriedly, or without due concentration, but perhaps because something seems unimportant, and I overlook it sadly.

I hope I have caused you enough curiosity to be awaiting my explanation, but equally hope to not disappoint you with it.

Now whenever I have meditated on this lovely scene with its precious typical teaching, I have adjudged that the phrase "What manner of Man is This," to be spoken by the disciples. And, next I wondered why they would ask such a question having companied with the Son of Man daily for a number of years; hearing His voice of wisdom. authority, love, and from time to time, rebuke. They had witnessed His miracles, and individually benefitted from some of those acts of divine loving-kindness. They had even seen glimpses of His deity through the veil of His flesh. And if the expression I have made my own is correct, it is even more incongruous that the disciples would ask such a question: "Who then is This?" 

W.K. it seems almost without thought pens in his exposition these words after the Master had stilled the storm: "And there was a great calm," so that even the very shipmen marvelled saying, "What manner of Man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" Indeed in verse 27 of Matthew's eighth chapter we read, "But the men were astonished, saying, "What sort of man is this?"

I conclude that the "ship" was not the possession of one of His disciples, but a ship that perhaps constantly ferried folk across the lake, and may be for hire with its crew. This seems to me to be the answer to my little dilemma. I trust you will excuse the simplicity.

T.W. 

 

 

A  Divine Directive 

Having received a confirmation that a small parcel awaited me at a local pick-up locker, I decided to act on it quickly. Now having frequently looked to the Lord for help in moving at every bidding of the Holy Spirit, I felt a divine directive to take a number of Via Gospel Magazines with me for distribution upon the way. 

The walk was about a half mile each way, and I counted out 15 copies to take with me; Oh me of little faith! I neared my destination with eight copies left, when I saw a plethora of letter boxes on the outer wall of a building. I placed a copy in each of the first eight boxes, and counted, or rather "miscounted" a further 23!

When I had successfully retrieved my package I set of back home to take further copies to the easily-accessed letter boxes. I thought I needed 26; that is, 23 at that site, and a further three boxes I had spotted across the road from it.

I counted out thirty copies of Via, miniscule faith this time! Retracing the steps of my earlier journey I reached the wall of letter boxes. I had miscalculated, there were actually 11 less than I thought. So with 15 copies to hand I looked for alternative opportunities, and readily found them, nearby and accessible. I completed my little task and made my way home, feeling a tiny sense of achievement, but only, I trust as a mere instrument in the hands of the Spirit of God.

I believe I had "cast my bread upon the waters," notice it is "waters" plural, a type of the restless turmoil of this world, the "bread" typical of the Word of God. Ecclesiastes 11:1.

It is my earnest longing that the Gospel truths contained in these magazines will be read, and believed, and will lead many in the goodness of God to repentance, and thus to the salvation of precious souls, for His own glory, and that of the Son of His love.

T.W. 

Report: International Tract Distribution Day (10)

Memories

As you will observe today is the tenth anniversary of a humble spiritual exercise I had whilst tracting alone. Feeling that it would be amazing if all over the world saints would be engaged in distributing the Word of God in printed form: at the same time! I conceived this thought and followed it through to designate that same day as the International Tract Distribution Day ,and invite all who are able, to distribute at least one gospel missive on that particular day; all of course if it is the Lord's will.

I never realised I would be still excited by the idea, ten years later! Although I admit, if the Lord has not yet come, and I am still "in the body," I am not sure that I will be able to participate so enthusastically.  

I set out in the early afternoon, between my appointment for a Coved vaccination and my annual eye test. The joys of old age! It proved to be a lovely afternoon, pleasantly warm with just a gentle breeze. it could not have been more conducive for the task in hand. I am persuaded it was of the Lord's goodness and grace.

Apart from the fact that I found three houses I never knew existed, there is not much to recount. I delivered "Via Magazines" to flats located in two high rise buildings, and an adjoining road. To complete my task I went to three places where I was able to place Via in multiple letter boxes. I was unable to use the 200 I took with me, my usual allocation for I.T.D.D. but I managed to use 134 copies. I am so thankful to the Lord that my mobility is very good as I approach my eightieth birthday. What loving-kindness, what mercy. 

Please pray that the Lord will bless His distributed Word wherever and whenever it is pleasing to Him. It is a delight to be in fellowship with all the Lord's beloved people. who know the constraining power of His love to make Him known.

May the Lord Jesus Himself bless everyone who read this brief report, for His glory.

Tom Wyatt Gathered unto the name of the Lord Jesus with the saints at Coleford Gospel Hall Corsham Wiltshire U.K. 

tomwyatt887@gmail.com

     

"And an angel appeared to Him from heaven strengthening Him."

Luke 22:43. 

In the Scriptures there are numerous brief phrases and statements we may easily overlook. So many of them are couched in words of divine simplicity, on account of which we my read them with minimal concentration and meditation. But I am equally sure by the grace of God, apprehended by them, and caused to to muse upon them, thus we find surprising benefit for our soul. I suggest that the above quotation from the Word of God is a perfect example.

I must stress rigorously that I am very conscious of how easy it is to intrude into things concerning the Person of the Son that belong exclusively to the Father; all such is profane curiosity! May the Lord keep me, and all His own loved ones from such an independent spirit, from such a horrible affront to God. Pure speculation and unbridled imagination go beyond the constraints of divine revelation.

"And an angel appeared to Him from heaven strengthening Him." This is recorded as taking place in Gethsemane, that garden on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. Even the suggestion of help from "without" at Golgotha is totally impossible; there in "the place" the Lord Jesus suffered, bled and died atoningly ALONE! How then do we understand this astonishing revelation that took place where He was wont to frequent?

Firstly, what did the angel do? Nothing apart from "appearing," as far as I understand it. The "clue," (if I am permitted to use such a word), lies in the phrase "from heaven" for it surely indicates that heaven had not been "shut up" to Him, which was the awful reality during those three hours of impenetrable darkness at Golgotha. How the appearance of one from His native sphere would have "strengthened Him."

"Here again, however, observe that the suffering (in the garden of Gethsemane) differs essentially from atonement. For not only does He speak out of the full consciousness of His relationship with the Father, but He has also the angelic help which would have been wholly out of season when forsaken of God because of sin-bearing. All was most real."                                          Exposition of the Gospel of Luke.  W.K.

Another has written: "But how could this angelic creature strengthen the incarnate Creator? The angel "appeared" we are told. That was all. He did not do anything. he came as an ambassador of heaven and by simply standing there, he showed that all his felloes stood undaunted with the Son of God." G.T.B.

I feel that my thoughts on this amazing incident are in their simplicity correct, and welcome such confirmation from two who were mighty in the Scriptures. T.W.

If you would like to correspond with me, please note my new email address: tomwyatt887@gmail.com

 

 

 

International Tract Distribution Day

If the Lord will, the International Tract Distribution Day 2026 (I.T.D.D.) will take place on Saturday 18th April. This would be the tenth consecutive year, an amazing answer to prayer; "He is faithful."

Just in case you are not familiar with this lowly service for the Master, I will briefly explain. Our longing is that for at least this one day annually, every able believer will distribute at least one tract, magazine, booklet, etc containing Glad Tidings in written form. There is no "upper limit" as to the number of missives any individual saint feels exercised; but at least one. The initial thought was  that a nominated day each year would be set aside to flood the whole world with the Gospel message; 24 hours of Gospel saturation.

The method of distribution is entirely left with the Lord's people who are able and willing to participate. Please share in this simple task for the glory of our soon-coming Saviour, in the salvation and restoration of many, many precious souls.

Tom Wyatt

Gathered unto the Name of the Lord Jesus alone, with the saints at Corsham G.H. Corsham wilts U.K.

Please note my new email address: tomwyatt887@gmail.com

My old email address has been defunct for months and leaves me totally bewildered. So if any one reading this "Post," contacted me over the last 6 months, I sincerely apologise for not replying, but I would not have received your relevant email.

A Frightening Statistic

As you would expect from the heading to this Post there should be some statistical information here, but when I attempted to retrieve it I was inundated with similar stats and wallowed helplessly in the ever-swelling ocean of the increases in the Romanist System. Here in the U.K. Romanists out-number Anglicans! In the U.S.A. I believe there has been an increase of 0.9%, which may seem of little consequence, except when the Americas have far and away the most Romanists in the entire world. Increases appear to be everywhere, without exception. A terrifying prospect.

Although the statistical information was to be confined to the U.K. I have now every reason to suggest it is mirrored all over the earth. We are in the "last hour," ( i.e. a period characterised by one thing,) and "antichrists" abound, just as the Apostle John was divinely caused to record in his First Epistle. 

One of the most powerful organisations on earth is Romanism, erroneously titled "Roman Catholicism," the term itself is a contradiction etymologically, in that "catholic" means "universal." Tragically it does have a worldwide adherence, recently estimated to be about 1.406 to 1.410 billion "baptised" followers. This figure represents about 17.7% of the global population.

The Roman religion is the most blasphemous of all religions as it claims to be Christianity, where others refuse any tenets of the true Christian Faith. Romanism is not only blasphemous but idolatrous, superstitious, ritualistic, and enforced by a spiritually corrupt priest-craft, the individual priests terrorising their dupes with fear and superstition; while the Pope lays claim to personal infallibility, and the superiority of the Roman "churches' " teachings over the very Word of God. The Pope is himself an, (not "the"}, antichrist. 

But perhaps what perplexes me most is that some, perhaps many, of my fellow believers assure me there are true believers within its abominable system. I am absolutely certain this is a dreadful error. 

If I may just draw attention to an Old Testament incident that destroys any possibility of a true child of God being found in the ranks of Romanism. You will recall the wonderful conversion of Naaman. I am sure I do not have to remind you of all the details, but if need be turn to the Scripture itself:             2 Kings 5:1-27. I owe my discernment as to this grave matter to another whose explanation I read many years ago. But I would like to quote him verbatim as his ability to express this truth far excels my own.

The verses in question: "In this thing Jehovah pardon thy servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to bow down there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon- when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, Jehovah pardon thy servant, I pray thee, in this thing. And he (Elisha) said to him, Go in peace."

Our well instructed brother answers the query, did the Prophet give his sanction to Naaman to continue in idolatry: my words. But the words of wisdom begin thus. "We consider it wholly untenable. He did not tell him to go, for this would be to sanction idolatry. He did not tell him not to go, for this would be placing him under a yoke of legality. He simply said, "Go in peace," which was casting him back upon the grace which he had already experienced, and the exercise of an ENLIGHTENED CONSCIENCE. There were three things Naaman received in connection with his cleansing, namely, an ENLARGED HEART, an ENLIGHTENED UNDERSTANDING and an EXERCISED CONSCIENCE." Our dear late brother continues to elaborate on these things, but surely this is sufficient for all of us when we received the Holy Spirits' indwelling  "upon believing?" Even a newly "born from above" believer if he did return to a Romish mass, would immediately withdraw from such a scene in holy horror and never return.

As much as the grace of God would help me I love every Roman Catholic, and long for their salvation. But I abhor with all my being the dreadful Romish System.  

The capital letters in the text are my own, as feeling they are so significant. T.W.

The biblical teacher of such wise instruction is C.H.M.