The Bible Standard - Re-Discover the Truth.

 People promise to say the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth in a court of law!   The fullness of that wording is interesting as it tries to counter the common human tendency to bend the truth, this is done sometimes to the extent that it really becomes an outright lie. It has been said that “half-truths” are more dangerous than lies. When a human being declares to others, “Be it known to you …” certain ‘facts’ – it is always as they want to see the facts. We have examples of this in both our Old and New Testament readings today. In Ezra we are reading of the struggles of the first contingency of Jews who returned from captivity to Jerusalem with the purpose of rebuilding the temple.  Nebuchadnezzar, in destroying it, was so thorough that even the foundations were wrecked.  The non-Jews who, were transported to the area from Assyria, (Ezra 4 v.20) take offence when the Jews decline their offer of involvement in the work.  The result is they try to stop the work. When a new King comes on the Persian throne they write a letter to him saying, “Be it known to the king that the Jews … are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city … if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished they will not pay tribute, custom or toll and the royal revenue will be impaired …” [v.12,13] This was a total distortion of the facts, really a lie.  It is astonishing how often money is made an issue – it was a most important factor in human decision making then and now. Now in the New Testament we read that after Paul’s arrest by the Romans in a riot that the Jews provoked, they allege before the Roman Governor  that Paul is “one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world … he even tried to profane the Temple, but we seized him.” [Acts 24 v.5,6]   Testimonies as to the true cause of a situation are so often distorted through prejudice. Paul refuted these claims (v.12,13) and says, “I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man” [v.16].     Do we “always take pains” to have a clear conscience?  God knows whether we bend the truth, even slightly! Do we have a clear conscience in the way we teach what God’s word says?  Paul tells Timothy, in the last letter he wrote, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” [2 Tim. 2 v15] The most dangerous thing of all for people to do is to bend God’s “word of truth.”https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-from-the-christadelphian-bible-readings/

Today we read of how Paul returned to Jerusalem and it is obvious from the text that Luke, the author of Acts, is with him and this is a firsthand account from his personal experience of these events.  He writes, “When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.  On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.  After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.” [21 v.17-19]  Imagine the conversation – from what we have read in the last few days.  How pleased they were to learn this news, for information travelled very slowly in those days and was largely by word of mouth.  We read, “And when they heard it, they glorified God.” [v.20]Let us imagine the reaction among these elders, the foundation members of the ecclesia in Jerusalem, among them would be those who remembered the final words of instruction of their Lord before he ascended to heaven to “be my witnesses … to the end of the earth.” [1 v.8]  Did it inspire some of them to travel?  It is possible Peter went to Babylon – 1 Pet. 5 v.13  and John ended up on “the isle of Patmos,” [Rev. 1 v.9]How does our reaction compare to those in Jerusalem? To what extent can it be said we have “glorified God” with wonder and appreciation in knowing the way the original truth of the gospel has now spread into so much of the world since the end of the last world war?  Look at the list of countries now shown in the CALS Diary!  Do we read of events in those countries with wonder and appreciation realizing how the final ingathering is taking place before our Lord appears?  How eager we should be to be part of that wider ingathering if we can possibly make or take the opportunity.  Have we genuinely “glorified God” in being able to know this work for the Lord in these final days

We are now reading, in Acts 20,  the climax to Paul’s travels.  He is heading towards his destiny in Jerusalem.  He arrives at Miletus and “sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.” [v.17]  Among the things he said to them was his declaration (v.25) that none of them would see his face again, adding the challenging comment, to them and to us, “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all,  for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” [v.26,27]This creates for us food for thought and meditation.  How much have you and I “declared” at least a fundamental message to our neighbours, friends and work associates that there is a God who made everything and who will soon punish the world because it has become so totally godless.   And then, to that message we can add that after this punishment, which is pictured in his word as being very severe, there will be a wonderful transformation far beyond our comprehension.It will greatly exceed the transformation that took place in Judah and Jerusalem in the time of Ezra which we will start reading about tomorrow.  Today, in the last chapter of 2nd Chronicles, we read of the utter desolation of God’s nation because “all the officers of the priests and the people likewise were exceedingly unfaithful” [v.14].  It is the same today compared to when the Bible was first available for all to read.Most of us are familiar with Isaiah’s prophecy  of what ‘shall come to pass in the latter days” .  Wonderfully “many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house(Temple) of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.  He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples” [ch. 2 v.2-4]  And in Zion they will worship at the new glorious temple, which Jesus said would be “a house of prayer for all the nations” [Mark 11 v.17]Let us witness to the wonder of our faith in this hope so that we can say, “I am innocent” of the fate of my workmates, neighbours and others of the world I have contact with because I have not failed to testify to what I believe. Remember the comment Paul made to the Corinthians, “I believed, and so I spoke” [2 Cor. 4 v.13]  Let us do likewise.

There is no doubt that we are living in “the latter days” and there are many scriptures that give warnings about those days.  We read in Daniel how he told the King,  “there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days” [2 v.28].  There are many Scriptures that give warning about this time,  we also read how Daniel was told of ” a time of trouble, such as never has been … But at that time your people shall be delivered” [12 v.2], as we read 3 days ago.We have another remarkable prophecy today, it is in Hosea ch. 3; after being told by the LORD that “the children of Israel shall dwell many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or pillar, without ephod” [v.4] – and how true this has been since the Temple was destroyed and the Jews scattered, we read in the next verse; “Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the LORD and to his goodness in the latter days.”  That ‘seeking’ will find its completion when David is raised to life again (see his expectation expressed in Psalm 17 v.15). At that time those counted as righteous (through their faith) will see both him and Jesus, “the son of David”.What a wonderfully succinct prophecy Hosea brings to us – and we await its wonderful fulfilment.  Let us make sure we are already seeking the Lord – and finding him – as we will recall that yesterday, we read  Paul was telling the Athenians to do.   And let us not become too self-confident in doing so, noting the lesson in today’s 2 Chronicles reading in ch.35 about the later folly of good king Josiah who had inspired the people with a great Passover gathering, indeed we read in v.18 that “No Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as was kept by Josiah … ”   Then he became over confident – and was killed in a battle in which Israel did not need to get involved. (v. 20 onwards)The Scriptures are so full of lessons for us – let us read them every day – and heed those lessons so that we can live (or be raised) to see the completion of “his goodness in the latter days” in which we surely live. 

Some people, and today it seems many people, prefer to remain ignorant of what matters most – that is, ignorant of the meaning of life, of its’ cause and destiny: they live for the day, the month, and at most the next year or two.  We read today of the challenge that resulted when Paul explores the way of life and attitudes in Athens: the people worshipped many gods, all of them the result of human imagination.  He challengingly told them about the one real God who was “unknown” to them.  He proclaimed to them, “ The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,  nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.   And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,  that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.” [Acts 17 v.23-27] Getting to KNOW the one and only real God is a process; in the ultimate, it is a lifelong process!  It is not to be compared to going to a college or University to learn the things needed for a career. We must realize that being intellectually aware of God is only a foundation!  “Knowing” God is an experience developed in the way we live our lives in serving him. Paul tells the Athenians “for in him we live and move and have our being” [v.28].  We are “God’s offspring” [v.29] as God’s word shows and as his Son taught, “from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.” [Mark 10 v.6]So Paul challenged the people of Athens – and the original gospel has challenged the world ever since!  The people of Athens failed the challenge, no ecclesia was formed there. The world is failing the challenge today, especially those parts which see themselves as ‘educated’ and knowing all the answers; it is “the times of ignorance” [v.30] all over again. Paul told them “God overlooked this ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” [v.30]  We all need to be fully conscious in our minds that, as Paul told the Athenians, God “has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed” [v.31]  It is becoming clear that that “day” is getting very close. Are you ready for it? How well do you and I “know” God?

Today we read how the missionary work of the dramatically converted Paul began in earnest.  Many of the Jews however, are jealous of his popularity and this blinds their minds to the message he is preaching.  He warns them, “Beware, therefore lest what is said in the prophets should come about, ‘Look you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.” [Acts 13 v40,41, he is quoting from Hab.1 v.5] It is exactly the same today, but with different motivations.  People are scoffers – but when Christ comes and divine power is clearly evident, they will “be astounded and perish.”    And how thought challenging is what we read in the last chapter of Daniel today!  The prophet is told to “shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall increase.” [v.4] It is remarkable how knowledge has dramatically increased in the last century or two – and now – almost yearly! It is the same with travel, the running to and fro!  Sixty five years ago travel. (by ship) from the U.K. to Australia, took 30 days! Today you can fly in less than 30 hours! It took 5 days to fly 65 years, ago, staying in hotels overnight – and cost a small fortune! Daniel’s prophecy ends in him being told he is to “rest” until you “stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”  Jesus tells us this in Rev. 14 v.13,  “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord … that they may rest from their labours…” At the beginning of the chapter Daniel is told, “… there shall be a time of trouble such as never has been .. at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book”  This is “the end of the days” of human rule. At that time, which seems so near, we may feel inclined to say “look you scoffers” to the many disbelievers; but it is far more important to look to God’s word and be faithful to the Lord ourselves so that we can “stand in (our) allotted place at the end of the days.”   Many of us today, can expect, by the grace of our Lord, to be “changed” (see 1 Cor.15 v.51-54) after being “astounded” at events and witnessing the “scoffers” perishing as we start to “shine like the brightness of the sky above” [v.3]  The reality of this is far beyond present comprehension, how earnestly we must pray.

We continue our reading in 2nd Chronicles of the great reforms that King Hezekiah instituted to bring back true worship throughout the land.  It could not be accomplished in a moment, it took time, it took organisation.  The abundance of evil that existed had to be disposed of – and this was the first thing they did, breaking in pieces the objects of evil living, the things people ‘worshipped’ as the first verse of ch. 31 tells us.We ponder the work of the saints at the start of Christ’s kingdom to destroy all the ‘fleshly’ things that have multiplied around us and the vile places of ‘worship’ that exist – a widespread cleansing will happen as Christ’s kingdom begins to operate. Surely a really great cleansing is going to be necessary in many countries.  Then “Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and of the Levites, division by division, according to his service … in the gates of the camp of the LORD and to give thanks and praise.”   This will surely happen as Christ’s kingdom begins operation, a great sharing out of various responsibilities in bringing “righteousness and peace” into all the world.Psalm 85 is a wonderful prayer and vision of this when “righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.” [v.13] and “steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other” [v.10]   Hezekiah organises and praises the whole family of Levites for their priestly duties. Verse 18 tells us “They were enrolled with all their little children, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, the whole assembly, for they were faithful in keeping themselves holy.” We can, to some extent paraphrase the work of Hezekiah as the work of Christ, for “he did what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God” [v.20].  In the same way Christ  “must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet” [1 Cor. 15 v.25]  What wonders of experience and challenges of responsibility are in store for those who are faithful to the end – and how close are we to the end of the kingdoms of men!?  Let us strive ever more diligently to do “what is good and right  and faithful in keeping” ourselves “holy.

We read in 2 Chron. 30 of how Hezekiah organised a great Passover celebration in the Temple he had restored for worship. Invitations were sent to all the tribes.  It was necessary to hold it a month later than normal (30 v.2) but that was permissible in the circumstances.  Hezekiah’s “proclamation throughout all Israel” [v.5] includes all the northern tribes.  He says, “….   if you return to the LORD, your brothers and your children will find compassion … For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful…” [v.9] and “The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart…” [v.12]Our thoughts go forward to the far greater assembly in the future Temple that will be, said Jesus, “a house of prayer for all the nations” [Mark 11 v.7] when God’s kingdom covers the earth (Isa. 2 v.2,3).  The start of the spread of the gospel news to all nations was illustrated for us in today’s ch. 10 in Acts.  Peter receives a vision (v.9-17) that “perplexed” him, but then learns that it means he is to preach to a Roman Centurion – and “his relations and close friends.” [v.24]  Cornelius has learnt there is one true God and tells Peter about the vision he has experienced, and then says, “Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” [v.33]  We need to ponder carefully that phrase ’’we are all here in the presence of God“  recognizing that whenever we meet to read and discuss God’s word we are “in the presence of God.”   Peter concludes his preaching  by saying Jesus “is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” What is recorded is obviously only a very brief summary. Peter is astonished when the Holy Spirit comes upon them and declares, “Can anyone withhold water for baptising these people who have received the Holy Spirit as we have?” [v.47}  The practice of baptism was the climax to the preaching of the essential message of God’s word – and it is so today – although today it is also important to make sure that those being baptised ‘unlearn’ false teachings, if they have been exposed to them, such as the belief they will go to heaven when they die.  True believers live “in the presence of God” because they have been “bought with a price” The “Holy Spirit” possesses them, they are no longer their own. Read 1 Cor. 6 v.19,20. This means they constantly live “in the presence of God” – for, as Paul told the Athenians, “In him we live and move and have our being.” [Acts 17 v.28]

'Signs of Christ's Return' by Harry Tennant

We recall how, in the Gospels, Jesus often went through Samaria in travelling from Jerusalem to Galilee and back. On several occasions he had encounters with the Samaritans.     On occasions Jesus spent time with the Samaritans.  We read earlier this month of an occasion when he heeded their request to stay and teach them and, as a result, some said, “we know that this is indeed the saviour of the world.” [John 4 v.42]  So we can see that the Samarians were ready for the Gospel harvest. Jesus commissioned his disciples as he was about to ascend to heaven that they were to “be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” [Acts 1 v.8]    They were at first slow to carry out his commission. Preaching was concentrated on Jerusalem until Stephen was killed, but, as we read today in Acts 8, after “his execution … they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” [v.1]  Philip made a particular effort to preach in Samaria (v.5) “and the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said … and saw the signs that he did … so there was much joy … “ [v.6,8] “When they believed Philip as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God, they were baptised … now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God they sent to them Peter and John” [v.12,14].  And for us,  only in our generation, has the message really reached “the end of the earth”This is a key word – receive, received, that we will encounter in the book of Acts and apostolic writings.  Ch. 11 starts, “Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.” [v.1].When they believed what Philip preached, “they were baptised, both men and women.”   The point that we must realise is; it is one thing to read and to hear about the message of the Kingdom and that Christ’s is to return to establish it – but the vital thing is whether that message is received into the heart and mind.  To find God’s word interesting is a major stepping stone in these godless days – but the journey to conviction has to be completed, and then your journey into the kingdom is assured, reading God’s word daily to maintain and build up your conviction is essential “because the days are evil.” [Eph 5 v.16]