A Gospel Address
Isaiah 55:1-3; 6-9.
Authorised Version
v.1. Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters;
and he that hath no money;
come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.
v. 2. Wherefore do you spend money for that which is not bread?
and your labour for that which satisfieth not? …..
v. 3. Incline your ear, and come unto Me:
hear, and your soul shall live; .….
v.6. Seek ye the Lord while He may be found,
call ye upon Him while He is near. …..
v.7. ….. And He will have mercy …..
…. for He will abundantly pardon.
v.8. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord.
v.9. For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:1-3; 6-9.
New Version J.N.D.
v.1. Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters;
And he that hath no money, come ye, buy, and eat:
Yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price!
v.2. Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which is] not bread?
and your labour for that which satisfieth not?
v.3. Incline your ear, and come unto Me;
Hear, and your soul shall live; ….
v.6. Seek ye Jehovah while He may be found,
call ye upon Him while He is near…..
v.7. ….and He will have mercy….
…. for He will abundantly pardon.
v.8. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith Jehovah.
v.9. For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
Address
v.1. Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters;
And he that hath no money, come ye, buy, and eat:
Yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price!
“Ho,” is a drawn out, a prolonged shout, a loud cry of urgency.
Its intent is to catch the attention of any, and all, who are near enough to hear this message of vital importance.
A message addressed to “everyone that thirsteth,” a reference to the spiritual thirst of every never-dying soul of men.
It is a thirst that may be known or unknown, that may be acknowledged or refused.
But in truth God has “set the infinite, the eternal in their heart,” causing this insatiable "soul-thirst" in the heart of every man.
Ecclesiastes 3:11.
“Come ye to the waters;” is the divine invitation from the Lord to “everyone” without distinction.
And it is simply “come,” come just as you are, there are no qualifications needed, just obedience to the request, acceptance of the invitation.
“to the waters;” "waters;” although plural, refers prophetically and figuratively to the “living water” that only Christ can give.
A little over 7 centuries after Isaiah had penned these lovely words, Jesus sitting beside a “fountain” spoke in wondrous tones of this “living water.” John 4:4-30.
He unfolded the beautiful meaning of this miracle to an immoral and despised Samaritan woman;
He had come to this very place from heaven itself, to encounter this one needy soul, in fulfilment of that determined in eternal counsels.
Just as He is here to meet with any, or many, needy ones, who acknowledge their need.
“He must needs pass through Samaria,” then; but through xxxxxxx this afternoon!
“Water” in the Bible is frequently a symbol of the written Word of God, and of the Spirit of God, the divine Author of that same Word.
The Lord Jesus subsists as the personal Word of God, and is the Giver of the Spirit to every one who believes, immediately "on believing."
Revelation 19:13; John 7:39; 15:26.
The Spirit and the Word are inseparably linked; and it is the Spirit whose ministry it is to take up the Word and apply to hearts:
In the first instance, it is the Glad Tidings, the Gospel of the grace of God; the Word which speaks of the Cross, the Cross of Christ.
And the Spirit and the Son are also linked together with the Father in the Triune-Godhead;
Thus Jesus could “cry, saying, If any one thirst let him come unto Me and drink.” John 7:37.
For He dispenses “living water” from the “wells of salvation;”
As He said to the thirsty Samaritan woman, “Whosoever drinks of the water which I shall give him shall never thirst for ever, but the water which I shall give him shall become in him a fountain of water, springing up into eternal life.” Isaiah 12:3; John 4:14.
Now the next phrases that complete this first verse cannot be understood without the help of the Spirit of God; this is true of the entire Word of God, but most distinctly so here.
Thus, whenever anyone acknowledges soul-thirst the Spirit begins to enlighten the "blinded mind" of that sinner, and to quench his spiritual thirst.
“Come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.”
To the unenlightened heart of man these words are completely illogical; because faith is infinitely above all reasoning.
The divine promise to any who would avail themselves of the “waters,” and of the “wine and milk,” is that it is all absolutely free. Incomprehensible to the unregenerate mind of man.
For the "purchase" of these blessings are received by faith, by believing that the word of the Gospel is true.
By taking God at His word, simply because it is God who said it;
And precisely in connection with the all-atoning sacrifice of Christ upon the shameful cross:
Whereby He fully met the cost, and paid the price to the uttermost as demanded by a holy God, in the stead of the believing sinner.
Acting as his perfect and divinely-approved Substitute; In short, it is Calvary! Free, gratuitous gifts secured for time and eternity:
“Waters” speaking of the sanctifying and cleansing effect of the Word, and of the Holy Spirit taking up His abode in the saved sinner’s heart.
While the “wine” symbolises the joy, the “gladness” the “merriment” of “the heart of man.”
Psalm 104:15; Ecclesiastes 10:19.
The “milk” can be an expression of the simplicity of some scriptures; but nevertheless if our capacity is insufficient to “feed” upon the “meat” of God’s word, sweet simplicity may well be accompanied by artless sincerity.
1 Peter 2:2.
v. 2. Wherefore do you spend money for that which is not bread?
and your labour for that which satisfieth not? …..
Here we have the stark contrast between those who enjoy “every good bestowal and every perfect giving coming down from the Father of lights with Whom there is no variableness or shadow caused by turning.”
James 1:17.
Appreciating both the "gifts" and "bestowals" are completely free, from One Who remains faithful, and never changes His mind, as to our preservation, provision and protection.
While those who refuse to take of the "waters of life," spend vast fortunes for that which can never sustain them;
And expend countless hours of laborious effort upon that which can never satisfy them.
v. 3. Incline your ear, and come unto Me:
hear, and your soul shall live; .….
This message that has its eternal source in the heart of God, and echoes from the heart of Jesus as the seeking Saviour here in time.
Listen to His accents of grace, love and compassion; for “faith cometh by hearing a report,” the Gospel message from heaven.
Do not just ”incline your ear,” but hear, and trust, for that is what “faith” is:
As we repeat it is taking God at His word, believing the witness He has borne to His Son, essentially in His atoning death for you;
It is taking God at His word, because He said it!
And exercising that faith, in hearing Him, “come to Him” Who alone is “the fountain of living waters.” Jeremiah 17:13.
v.6. Seek ye the Lord while He may be found,
call ye upon Him while He is near…..
Our earliest thought was that of urgency, and here that thought is repeated emphatically.
I have no doubt that the Lord is here in the gathering so He is “near” at hand; and I am equally assured that He is here seeking the lost.
He is to be “found” by you, for immediately you seek for Him, He will find you!
At the first inkling of faith He will hasten to meet you in your need.
Did Jesus not say twice over, “Seek and ye shall find.”
Matthew 7:7.; Luke 11:9.
Yes, we must seek, but we will not need to search!
v.7. ….and He will have mercy….…. for He will abundantly pardon.
If we have any appreciation at all of our wickedness, our sinnership, then we must know we are in desperate need of mercy;
Divine mercy.
And the deeper our realisation of our iniquities, transgressions, sins and offences, the greater we will long for mercy.
But at the cross “mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Psalm 85:10.
So that casting oneself upon the finished work of Christ there at Golgotha, God is able to righteously forgive us.
Indeed He is able to move out toward us with “abundant pardon.”
For "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." Romans 5:20.
No sin, or sins, are too great for “abundant pardon” from a holy God;
For the perfect sacrifice that the Saviour accomplished in His death on the cross, and His exhaustion of all the judgement of God there, is sufficient, efficient, and efficacious, for now and all eternity.
And “if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.
Notice that God is “just” towards Christ, in forgiving our sins.
v.8. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord.
v.9. For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
Here we have man’s ignorance of God’s thoughts and ways.
It is precious to understand that He does not think or act as we do; When we observe the callousness, cruelty, and brutality of man;
We are surrounded by his depravity, his mercilessness, his thanklessness, and the absence of any natural affection.
Thus in all His “thoughts” and “ways” God’s mind and heart is infinitely above the wisest and kindest of men.
And this is why we cannot comprehend the gratuitous, and free character of all His gifts and bestowals; and how it is we can “buy and eat, without money or price.” v.1.
But it is simply because God gave to us, and for us, the “unspeakable gift of His Son.” Have you thanked personally Him for Jesus? Have you appropriated the "gift unspeakable" for yourself? Have you made Him your own? 2 Corinthians 9:15.
A Meditation (1)
"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth?' Romans 8.33.
Mountain Scenes
There are many incidents
recorded in the word of God which took place on the tops of mountains. Often,
we speak of ‘mountain-top experiences’ as characteristic of something that
thrilled us or gave us joy. But a number of decidedly sombre happenings took
place upon summits and elevated places. Aaron died upon Mount Hor; later, Moses
having viewed Canaan’s promised land from the heights of Pisgah, was to expire
on Mount Nebo, which together with Pisgah formed the mountain range of Abarim.
Neither Aaron nor Moses was
permitted to enter Canaan because of their unbelief at the waters of Meribah;
there Moses struck the Rock with the rod of priesthood, instead of
speaking to it as Jehovah had commanded, Num.20.13. He had used the rod
of judgment in striking ‘the Rock’ in Horeb, Exod. 17.5,6. As a type of
Christ ‘the Rock’ must be smitten only once,‘ knowing that Christ being raised
from among the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him’, Rom. 6.9.
Gethsemane’s garden was
situated on the slopes of Mount Olivet, ever calling to mind the awful anguish
and exceeding sorrow of the Lord Jesus, as Golgotha’s tree cast its dread
shadow over His holy soul; Gabbatha’s judgment seat in Jerusalem was literally
an ‘elevated place’ where sinful man condemned to death the sinless Son of
God. Golgotha is not said to be a hill, but it too was certainly elevated,
affording a clear view for all who ‘passed by’. While the scene of the
unparalleled hatred of man, and the unmitigated sufferings of Christ, it is
where the unconditional love of God for man was manifested in absolute
perfection. There, Christ died for our sins, 1 Cor. 15.3. His was obedience ‘even
unto death, and that the death of the cross’. Phil. 2.8.
In conclusion, we retrace
our steps to the top of Mount Pisgah. From here the Midianite false prophet,
Balaam, attempted to curse the people of God at the inducement of Balak, the
king of Moab. Looking down they saw "only the extremity of them," But the Lord ‘put
a word in his mouth’, turning the intended curse into blessing, ‘He hath not
beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath He seen wrong in Israel’, Num. 23.21.
How can God affirm what is
so obviously contrary to the facts? Verse 23 states ‘according to this
time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought ?’All
the while the people were heaping up sins in the wilderness, God was accomplishing
the work necessary to make them fit to enter the land, providing the
sacrifices, the priesthood. and the serpent of brass, all types of the work of
Christ. Thus, in contemplating His people, He sees His work! He has
constantly before His eyes the finished work of His Son, and He would not be ‘faithful
and just’ towards this perfect Saviour if He still imputed the least fault to
those whom He has cleansed by His blood, 1 John 1.19.
T.W.
Two Different Responses
But Deborah said to me, "dad you still have that tract distribution ministry, why not continue with that work? I felt that she was right, and not accepting that my "other" ministry was at a close yet, I could "occupy until He come" in this way.
And so yesterday (Monday) I managed to deliver a good number of Via magazines with the message of the Glad Tidings clearly presented within its pages. What was quite exciting I distributed them to a place I had never reached before.
Today, still feeling an exercise to continue my efforts to reach others with the Gospel my wife drove me to a cluster of buildings comprised of high-rise flats. There were four such buildings I hoped to gain access to, but it can be tricky. Sometimes there is a "trade button" that will grant access as long as it is before midday. Some buildings however do not have this facility. As is my wont I always ask the Lord to open the doors.
A the first building as I arrived at the entrance a resident was leaving and held the door for me to enter. Lovely start! I completed that block and moved on to the next. The trade button was accommodating, and I was able to get inside immediately. Finishing that block, on to the next.
Here I stood outside perplexed; no trade button and no one in sight. I tried a number of buttons that belonged to tenants, but to no avail. I waited prayerfully for a while and then decided to see if there were any further entrances. It transpired there was a further two, but no joy. The Lord did not open the door! I was crestfallen but I had another building to access so as to distribute some more magazines, rather than just give up.
I was able to use the trade button there and began my delivery. I generally like to start on the top floor and work my way down. As I started my delivery on the second floor from the top, I believe that was the case, I had to pass an open door where a young man was standing on its threshold. My thought was he will likely refuse the Via, trusting that it would not be more like a rebuttal. We smiled at each other, and I asked him if he would care to take the magazine, handing it to him as I spoke. He looked at briefly, and thanked me for it. I was elated.
On the same floor as I approached another flat, I could see even from a little way away, that a huge bunch of keys had been inadvertently left in the keyhole, a very dangerous situation in this day and age. So instead of pushing the magazine through the letterbox I rang the bell. A rather attractive young lady answered the door. She looked at me quizzically and I pointed to the keys. She was overjoyed that I had drawn her attention to them and quickly retrieved them. I then asked her if she would like a magazine, but on learning it was "religious" she declined politely and graciously, wishing me a nice day.
I thought she was bound to accept the Via magazine; how easily we make presumptions and are apt to be swayed by first impressions. perhaps I will learn from this experience.
I remain confused by the "closed door," but I don't believe it was a coincidence for one moment; and furthermore I don't believe it will remain permanently closed. Many possibilities may suggest themselves including perhaps it was dangerous for me to enter at that time. but leaving it with the Lord, if it please Him I will try again.
T.W.
If you wish to contact me, in the will of the Lord, please note that I have a new email address: tomwyatt887@gmail.com
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)
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."
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.
Sir David Attenborough: A Personal Critique
