Annihilation Divinely Refuted

Annihilation Divinely Refuted

In my devotional reading of the Word of God, I was forcibly struck by a statement made by the Saviour. In reference to the betrayer He spoke these solemn words, "the Son of Man goes indeed as it is written concerning Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is delivered up; [it were] good for that man if he had not been born." Mark 14:21.

The latter part of this verse serves to refute any thought of annihilation for any soul of man. Surely annihilation asserts non-existence. With this in mind it is easy to see that something infinitely worse awaits the unrepentant sinner. The words of the Lord Jesus indicate that there is that which is more terrible for a man than non-existence, for "it were good for that man if he had not been born," i.e. that he had never existed!

Who dare gainsay the words of the Son of God!



Matthew 16:18. "Gates of hell shall not prevail..."

"And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18.

I have this phrase etched upon my mind at this moment in time. Being familiar with our lovely Authorised Version of the Scriptures, which I read every day of my life, you will appreciate that I am not intending to speak ill of it. But this is a mistranslation of some considerable moment. The nature of this error is found in many verses in the A.V. and gives ammunition to the many and various blasphemous teachings of the cults and isms who wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction. 2 Peter 3:16.

The correct translation is: "And on this rock I will build My assembly, and Hades' gates shall not prevail against it." J.N. Darbys' New Translation, which I also read every day!

The Lord Jesus was speaking to His own in this passage concerning "Hades," not" Hell," which  is "Gehenna" [Greek], "the lake of fire, the place of eternal torment. Where these two words are not rightly distinguished problems of interpretation arise. Note especially "death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire" i.e. "Hell." Hell cannot be cast into Hell. Some brethren will speak of the "powers of hell;" I feel disinclined to permit them "poetic licence." Please, let me enquire, Who is in Hell? What is in Hell? I answer unequivocally, no one, and nothing! If any creature terrestrial or infernal were imprisoned in Hell, there is no escape for them to use any such "powers!" No powers of Hell exist, nor any hellish foes! Better expressions are "devilish" or "demonic" power when referring  to the enemies of the souls of men.

While the body of those who have departed this scene lie in the grave, their souls are in Hades. The body tends to corruption, while the soul is imprisoned in Hades. The Psalmist records prophetically the intimate prayer of the suffering Saviour, "For Thou wilt not leave My soul to Sheol, [Gk."Hades" ] neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to see corruption." Psalm 16:10. See its citation and fulfilment in the book of Acts.

Acts 2:27, 31;13:35, 37.

[If able, do look at the footnotes of the various passages of Scripture in J.N.D.]

Seven Words of Wisdom

SEVEN WORDS OF WISDOM

The following "words of wisdom" are not mine, though in many cases I wish that they were my own. I have no idea either, as to the identity of the various Godly saints who are the authors, but I trust many will be blessed by their inclusion on my "Blog."

"Sonship supposes mutuality of delight--God delighting in His people and His people delighting in Him."

"Affection is the Spring of Holiness."

"Holiness in us is the fruit of love enjoyed."

"The secret of holiness lies in love."

"We trust His love, where we cannot trace His hand."

"Faith is the hearts' response to God,

"Service is the lifes' response [to Him]."

"The way to heaven is as free as the way to Hell."



Pioneering

Pioneering

The Apostle Paul writing to the saints in Rome joyously claimed his aim was to "announce the glad tidings, not where Christ has been named, that I might not build upon anothers' foundation;" Romans 15:20.

It is difficult for most of the Lords' people to engage in a "pioneering" service for the Lord Jesus, as we remain each in our native countries. only a relatively few venture to lands not their own, but not necessarily "going before to prepare or clear the way," the meaning of "pioneer."

Yesterday I realised that such an exercise is possible in this sin-benighted nation, and no doubt in every nation upon earth; for the gospel message has been "lost" in many, many areas here in the U.K. and I suspect everywhere else.

I was engaged in tract distribution in an area I had never visited before. It is characterised by obvious poverty, not an area where one feels at ease. But it came forcibly upon my heart that these dear people may never have heard the truth of the love of God in sending His only begotten Son as Saviour of the world. This is not intended to be melodramatic, one needs to be there to grasp what I am saying; and perhaps this is "mirrored" in a multitude of places up and down our favoured land.

That these folk may never have ventured into a "place of worship" gripped my soul as I recall my sweet fellowship with like-minded saints regularly, and in danger of taking for granted such privileges as are mine. It felt like a dark place, (I don't mean demonic,) but the absence of any spiritual light. Please pray that the contents of the magazine distributed there may be used of the Holy Spirit to enlightenment and should it please the Lord, salvation blessing to some, or restoration perhaps to some erring saints.

Finally, it was quite startling to walk up a longish pathway to the door of a large and contrasting residence; for screwed to the door was a narrow brass plate, on which were inscribed the "title," name, and academic qualifications of the occupant. He is a Romanist, I hesitate to use the term "catholic" as wrongly secured by them; Furthermore he blasphemously called himself "father," and is a Jesuit to make things even worse! Tragic to find such a deceiver amidst a place where there is so much spiritual and material need. Please pray for that area beloved brethren. 

A Simple Answer to Prayer

A Simple Answer to Prayer

We (believers) are blessed by a God who not only hears, but answers prayer. How infrequently we fail to realise blessings, or appreciating them, fail to give thanks to Him. He is interested in the, dare I say, things perhaps the world sees as "trivial," as well as those things we understand to be infinitely beyond the abilities of men to resolve.

Yesterday my wife and I took our disabled son Adam, and his youngest sister, with another friend to visit a centre for the preservation of birds of prey. It was a beautiful day and a lovely experience. Adam travelled with Esther, his sister, and their friend, in one car, my wife and me in our car. I felt the Lord had heard my supplication to Him for a day of safety and legitimate enjoyment, indeed He had.

But making our way home Bernice and I became increasingly aware that we were fast running out of petrol! There was no Service Station anywhere nearer that we could reach before we arrived home. The gauge dropped ever more quickly, and more than ten miles from the nearest services it read "0!"

Prayer had been made for some time before this eventuality and we "held on" in feeble faith. We travelled for those last ten miles or so with the gauge reading zero! A simple experience in the ways of Gods' faithfulness, perhaps. But significant to us; breaking down on the Motorway is very ill-advised!

"Having cast ALL your care upon Him, for He cares about you!" 1 Peter 5:7; Indeed, nothing is too trivial for Him, and certainly nothing is "too hard (wonderful) for the Lord!" The Law and the Prophets assert this is so, and the New Testament concurs: Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17,27; Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 18:27.



A Strange Phrase

A Strange Phrase

Last Lords' Day evening I was engaged in conversation with a fellow believer, seeking his help regarding an exercise I had for a needy Assembly. I felt quite early on that I had perhaps made a mistake in approaching him in connection with this delicate matter. He seemed to be "speaking down" to me and was a little forceful as the conversation proceeded. But what I have been unable to dismiss from my mind was his constant use of the phrase "sanctified common sense." I had heard it used before, but not as often is so short a space of time.

Troubled by it I pondered it thoughtfully and I trust prayerfully in regard to it. I have concluded that it is fallacious in the extreme. The "flesh" cannot be sanctified for it means separation to God; separation from evil things and ways, and further truth of this nature. Common sense is the reasoning of men, not faith! Faith infinitely surpasses all the mind of man.

This strange phrase is used in connection for questions arising in the believers pathway for which there is no absolute definitive statement in Scripture. If I may give an example or two: Is it right to use stimulants as alcohol and tobacco? Should we "vote" in political elections? Is it acceptable to play cards, frequent night clubs etc. Are we able to become members of clubs, institutions, organisations? The phrase "sanctified common sense" has been given full rein here by many believers.

What then is the spiritual alternative? Where no absolute definitive word in Scripture exists there ever remains general principles and the clear tenor of the Scriptures. Without replying to the questions I have raised, and no doubt many others too, I state categorically that there is no such thing as "sanctified common sense," and to suggest such is dangerous, allowing a loophole through which to bolster ideas without any support from the Word of God.

If this seems harsh, please believe me I intend no offence to ANY of my beloved brethren and sisters in Christ.  

Love For The Holy Spirit

Love For The Holy Spirit

It is difficult to convey my thoughts regarding the above "title" to this "post." It is not a "typo," it is not supposed to read "of the Holy Spirit." Of late I have come to appreciate more and more the precious ministry of the Holy Spirit afforded to me personally. I am overawed at the subject place He has been willing to take here in this scene, even as did the Son, although in a much more profound way, I mean in incarnation. But the lowly place the Holy Spirit has taken here below is very precious too, for His pre-eminent design is to exalt Christ, to magnify Gods' Son. And so He recedes as it were into the background in beautiful humility so as not to obscure the wondrous person of the Lord Jesus.

                                                               Just as the Lord Jesus never divested Himself of one iota of Godhead character, essence and attributes, neither has the Holy Spirit! His faithfulness to me personally has overwhelmed my heart; taking my stammering, feeble expressions of worship of Gods' Son and making them intelligible, and acceptable to the Father, clothing them in the language of heaven, and the fragrance of Christ Himself.

                               I have constantly known the Spirits' enlightening, enabling and empowering in my simple ministry for the Master. Always cast upon God for help in these weighty responsibilities, the Holy Spirit has never ever filed me. Why it should be so I understand, it is divine love; why to me I cannot understand! 

                                                                                                                     But this experience of the Spirits' help and undertaking has caused me to learn to love Him. A new lesson in my pathway here. We never address Him, nor sing praises to Him, but that does not prevent us from telling the Father of our love for Him; as a Person of the Triune Godhead is He not worthy of our love and our thanksgiving? Is He not our Paraclete, Comforter and Instructor in things eternal?

                                                                                           May the increasing awareness of our debt to Him call forth love and affection for the Holy Spirit of God. All for the glory of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.