In Jesus’ earthly days He anointed His disciples to minister only to the Jews, and “the lost sheep of the House of Israel”. But at the end of Matthews’ gospel the Lord commissioned His apostles to travel the then-known world and preach the Gospel to every creature. (Matt.10:5-6, 28:19-20)  Paul then showed the necessity of taking the Gospel “to the Jew first” for reasons that were clear enough. But the Gospel based on the precious blood of Christ was to know no boundaries, and this truth was gradually imparted and recognized during the Acts period. [Read more…]

Genesis 2:21.  And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.

 

The Hebrew word for “rib” is TSELA. Architecturally, it is used in the O.T. of a (especially floor or ceiling) timber or plank (single or collective, i.e. a flooring):—beam, board, chamber, corner, leaf, plank, rib, side (chamber). [Read more…]

43. “DIVINE COMPASSION”

 

A Poem by John Greenleaf Whittier (1807 -1892)

The New England Quaker Poet,

(Author of the hymn “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”. ) [Read more…]

 

I was pondering the words, “they overcame him [the Devil] by their word of testimony”, (Revelation 12:11) and a couple of snatches from more recent utterances came back to me. “When you stand up to give my word, it will be firsthand experience from start to finish, that you will give no second-hand experience, no second-hand theology. You will tell nothing but that which you have proved from me yourselves.”  (1968)  And “Have you an answer to give when I call for you, and when you stand before me? It must be your own answer, but it must flow from the divine mind.” (1976) [Read more…]

The deep thoughts of Professor C. S. Lewis, expressed in many of his writings, are worthy of our closest attention. He opens up realms of theology that probably most of us have never faced or resolved. But although being one of the highest ranking intellectuals of his era, (1898 – 1963) he had the humility to present his knowledge in language that most of us ordinary folk would be able to understand. Two of the best loved of his writings are “Mere Christianity” and “The Problem of Pain.” [Read more…]

Yesterday we saw examples of divine intervention in the lives of four men. In each case it was totally unexpected, judgmentally affecting incorrigibly wicked men, bringing them to repentance. The riches of God’s grace hereby teach us a lesson. First of all, there is a pattern, clearly discerned. [Read more…]

Some have doubted the veracity of Fred Lemon’s testimony. Others have gone so far as to say that Jesus would never appear to anyone until He comes for His saints. But if anyone were to listen to Fred tell his tale, as has been my privilege, they would think otherwise. Furthermore, the world is replete with examples of Moslems having visions and dreams of Jesus, by which they have received Him into their hearts, no matter the cost to themselves. Shall we put false limits on the Lord’s ability to reach the lost? [Read more…]

Fred Lemon was sleeping the fitful sleep of a man who has spent a day without exercise or satisfying work. Since his last unappetising meal, the evening had stretched endlessly. The light from the gas-lamp was too dim to read by, and bed had been the only alternative. Fred stirred slightly and turned on his prison bunk. It was the night of 10^th August 1950, alone in his cell, that he woke to find three men standing quietly at the foot of his bed,  ordinary men in ordinary suits. [Read more…]

37. THE TAMING OF MAN

I would like to thank all those who kindly replied to my Wellspring 36, “Lions eating Grass.” The responses divided into two groups, those who were pleased to recognise the Scriptural figures of speech, and those who wished to correct my assertion by saying that carnivorous animals will be restored to the Edenic standard, where all animals were graminivorous. I felt that the volume of responses required a few more words on my part, hence this posting.

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Continuing with our theme of what it will be like in the Millennial Kingdom, we find the following in Isaiah 65:25. “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw [hay?] like the ox, and dust shall [still] be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” says the LORD.”

 Many have puzzled over lions eating hay. It is well known that their abdominal tracts are designed for carnivorous food. And so it is with all created beasts, fish,  and birds. They all have their own specific dietary requirements. The lion’s mouth and teeth are designed for the consumption of flesh. A vegetarian lion could hardly be considered a lion any more. So what was the Lord conveying when he caused Isaiah to write these lines? [Read more…]