Frequently these days I receive papers, or read articles, which fight shy of accepting the thousand-year reign of Christ, as stated in Revelation 20. It is as though a new consensus of opinion is gaining ground amongst evangelicals and charismatics, whereby it is now in vogue to spiritualise the words of Rev.20, so that the “thousand years” can mean any length of time, as long as it’s not 1,000 years. In this article I wish to give my reasons for maintaining a belief in a literal Millennium. [Read more…]
97. The Hallelujah Chorus
“Until He come whose right it is.”
Ezek.21:27
Years ago in Cincinnati,Handel’s “Messiah” was rendered by perhaps the greatest chorus on earth: Patti, then in her prime, was the leading soprano; Whitney, the bass; Theodore Toedt, the tenor; Carey, the alto; and this quartet was supported by more than four thousand voices. [Read more…]
59. “Before”
Matthew 21:28-31. Jesus said, “What do you think of this? A man had two sons. He approached the first and said, ‘Go today and work in the vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I go Sir,’ but went not. And approaching the second he said likewise, and he answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but later repented and went. Which of the two did the will of the father?” They said, ‘The latter.’ Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and harlots are going into the Kingdom of God before you .” [Read more…]
44. The Second Coming
C.S.Lewis (and George MacDonald before him) have been a great help in clearing away from our minds inferior thought patterns, and crystallise those we find difficult to vocalise. God imparted to these men the power of mental clarity that few possess. As a result, to read any of their works is cathartic. One comes away feeling cleansed, bright, and more cheerful. The following quote from Lewis is timely, simply because of the spiritual anxiety generated by those who insist on finding dates for our Lord’s return. [Read more…]
41. The Coming of the Christ
The Church it prayed and prayed again, (As only churches can),
Until the sweat ran down the brow of the “premillennarian“;
And God who hears and listens well (as only God can hear),
Whispered a comforting word of hope, which fell upon the ear.Dazed and bewildered, thunderstruck, that God should speak at all,
The Church took time to regain its poise before it could recall –
“Prepare yourselves for the midnight hour and the coming of the Christ,
And if anyone utters a contrary word, let no one be enticed.
23. “I am coming tomorrow!”
The words kept ringing in her ears. She had been watching the Gentle Healer for some days as He performed miracles in and around Capernaum. She had seen how caring He was of the sick and suffering, and she was strangely drawn to Him. And yet she always kept her distance, just far enough not to attract His attention, but near enough to hear His words. [Read more…]
22. The coming of the Lord
Surely it is a good thing to be amongst those who “love His appearing.” (2 Tim.4:8) How many dear souls have yearned for Him in later life, saying, “How long, O Lord, is Thy chariot in coming?” But now, at the end of the year, the decade, the century, and the millennium, we seem to be living in an atmosphere electrically charged, and bristling with anticipation. What shall we say to this? The following points may be of comfort, and yet also of instruction at this season. [Read more…]
14. Evangelism and the second advent
The following article was written, many years ago, by Bishop J.C.Ryle, (1816 – 1900) the first Bishop of Liverpool, for the Daily Telegraph’s Saturday Religious Comment column. It was entitled Evangelism and thesecond advent. [Read more…]
7. Talking Trees
Trees that speak
“Let the floods clap their hands – -.” Psalm 98:8
“All the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12
Poetic language, no doubt, but to some who live in Nagaland, on the border of Burma and India, one might excuse their enthusiasm for taking things more literally! [Read more…]
88. The Enthronement
THE WELCOME CEREMONY. If the testimony of many hymns and choruses is to be believed, then Jesus is due to receive a warm welcome on His return. In American terminology, He will be given a “ticker-tape parade”. In Britain He will be received as on a day of Royal Coronation, with flag-waving, and cheering, as He descends from the clouds with thousands of angels in His train. [Read more…]