Dangers Threatening Brethren Assemblies

Dangers Threatening Assemblies

At this present time many of Gods' people are being deceived by the "wisdom of this age." Worldliness has taken hold upon them in a surreptitious way. I do NOT mean gross immorality, drunkenness, gluttony or merriment  with the world. But rather with the pernicious leaven of its principles and course.

Many dabble in politics, thinking to aid God in appointing the "powers that be;" taking part in demonstrations and drawing up petitions or signing them. Grasping every item of news that appears to be "good" because it mentions some "Christian" cause or persons, when often "Christian" is used in stark contrast to the teaching of Scripture. The item refers to Romanism or anyone who is not a Muslim or connected with any other religion. Prayers are made for "persecuted Christians," who are nothing of the kind. I say this with real conviction and regret any offence; but discernment is vital.

Many believers devour the newspaper of their choice daily, and some are much more familiar with the worlds' news than with the contents of the Word of God. Some believers even watch television or "go on line" before setting out for the Breaking of Bread meeting! Their minds must be filled with those things as they gather for worship, it would be only natural, would it not?

But another danger is lurking and is perhaps more sinister having a "form of godliness," and an appearance of being in conformity with the N.T. Scriptures. I am referring to Judaism!  I would reiterate something I said a long time ago, there is the attempt to either teach a Judiastic Christianity or a Christianised Judaism; both are FALSE! Beware of titles such as Hebrew Christian, Messianic Jew, Jewish Christian, even if something else is intended, these are misnomers! There exists in the eyes of the Lord only Jews, Gentiles and the Church of God!

This particular threat to the truth held by the Assemblies of the Lords' people was heightened by an incident but a few days ago. 

An invitation was given to brethren and sisters to attend a Passover! I was horrified to know that some were disposed to seriously consider it! Any rebuke was received with apparent ignorance of the gravity of this matter and presumably had no effect, though I would not dare to read hearts, so pray I am unduly worried.

I would just add that I sincerely love Israel, I mean its' people, and regularly pray for their salvation. 

Global Warming

Global Warming

The sequel to "Evolution, a Fairy Tale for Adults."

Here in the U.K. this subject has taken on an extraordinary significance, bolstered by so-called "experts." These experts are accepted as such either simply because they say they are, or a number of people afford them some kind of credence based on gullibility. A great exponent of this new theory is Sir David Attenborough, on whose words whom a great many hang with amazing tenacity. He is of course one of the "foremost" stalwarts of the silly "Theory of Evolution." With his total rejection of the divine Creator, he is fiercely opposed to the Word of God, and to any well-taught believer ,with whom he will not engage in discussion. Thus we have "the blind leading the blind into the ditch." Matthew 15:14; Luke 6:40.

God has never rescinded His promise to mankind when He said, "Henceforth, all the days of the earth, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, shall NOT cease!" Genesis 8:22. 

Furthermore, there awaits the Millennial Reign of Christ to run its course; obviously a duration of 1000 years! While men suggest a virtual extinction of the human race!

God has His own "calendar," and He will determine when "the heavens will pass away with a rushing noise, and the elements, burning with heat, shall be dissolved, and the earth and the works in it shall be burnt up. All these things then being to be dissolved...the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements burning with heat shall melt. 2 Peter 3:11&12.

And it is God who will bring "time" to a close, ushering in the eternal state, when He will judge all who died in their sins.

It is a wise course to cease from, and ignore "scare-mongering," which is becoming evermore characteristic of this Nation and the world at large. It is also sagacious to reflect upon this: "Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?"

1 Corinthians 1:20, and has it ever been more apparent? 



Eternal Sonship of the Lord Jesus Christ

Eternal Sonship of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I have been privileged to read through the entire book titled, "The Son of His Love," written by W.J. Hocking. I have no intention of attempting a synopsis of it, or any significant remarks. Suffice to say that it is the definitive defence of the intrinsic, inherent deity of the Lord Jesus, and is the most robust vindication of the truth of His personal Eternal Sonship that I have ever read.

I commend it most heartily and indeed unconditionally to every one who loves the Saviour in sincerity; Careful contemplation of this dual truth as set out so clearly here, will reward you and do your soul immeasurable good.

Letter Regarding the "Morning Meeting"

A Letter Regarding the "Morning Meeting."

I trust you will forgive me for my use of the expression "Morning Meeting," but it is used in this book and also by many "Brethren commonly so called" in general conversation.

I am presently re-reading the little book  entitled "The Brethren;" (commonly so called) written by Andrew Miller near the close up of the nineteenth century. It includes a letter from the same period, apparently November 1891, written by a brother styling himself "C.H.H." (Perhaps Charles H. Hall?) The book having been edited with some revisions and omissions by G.C. Willis in 1963.

It is a beautiful insight into the manner in which the "Breaking of Bread" meeting was conducted. It thrilled me as answering to my own souls' appreciation of this precious portion divinely made available to the Lords' people still. Its simplicity and reverence, its profundity and rapture, shine through in clearest light and with a sense of the redolence of the fragrance of the Lords' presence in the midst of His own. The letter gave me afforded me a confirmation of that which I hold dear in connection with these halcyon moments in this scene overshadowed by the absence of the Lord Jesus having be despised and rejected by men at large, those He came in infinite love to seek and save.

A further section is entitled "The Effect of Separation From the World," and must cause the reader some intense exercise as to this scriptural principle. The sacrificial giving manifest early in this "movement" mirrors that of the early church as recorded in Acts 4:32-37. I suppose such a path would be considered untenable or impossible today, but one wonders why!

The little book is not without its failure; the discussion of the Christ-dishonouring "division" that shattered the unity of the believers at that time, appears to me to be convoluted and ambiguous in the extreme, and to increase the difficulty of making any clear judgement. The authors' argument is in places both irrational and beclouded. His conclusions are biased and will not withstand any real counter to them.

I feel so sad to express myself in this way about a brother dearly beloved, who has rendered such spiritual bounty for Gods' people in his other writings. His lovely commentary on the "Song of Songs" is exquisite, the most Christ-centred I have ever had the joy to read. 

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."