The symbolism of the two witnesses in Revelation 11represents the apostolic preaching of Jesus Christ as the true Messiah. The apostles were called to pronounce judgment upon Jerusalem and upon all the people who had wilfully rejected their Messiah. The first Christians faced enormous hostility, but the enemies of the gospel could not suppress Christ’s truth, even by killing the preachers.

The anti-Christian forces rejoicing over the death of the two witnesses as recorded in Revelation 11, would be very shortlived. Jerusalem and the Temple would fall. The disciples of Christ will be vindicated, and not least the valiant band of murdered gospel preachers. The once holy city and its Temple will be utterly obliterated, but the true spiritual temple and the true Israel will rise up in its place - the assembly of those, both Jew and Gentile, who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We have in the first two verses of the Book of Proverbs the purpose of Solomon in writing it. Solomon of course prophetically foreshadows the Lord Jesus Christ, so we in fact have here a statement about the great wisdom of Him who is infinitely greater than Solomon, namely the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul tells us that "in Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3).

Yet, tragically, Christ's words are rejected by many, including those who are influential and held in high esteem in society, for they follow this world’s wisdom, which is foolishness with God. The wise words of Christ are recorded for us throughout Scripture, for all the Bible is inspired by His Spirit. We thus have in Scripture a glorious depository of all the wisdom which God will ever require of mankind to know. We should therefore be longing to know more and more of Christ’s words. Every word of the Bible is Christ speaking to the world, and in Him alone will men ever discover true wisdom.

This passage in Jeremiah chapter 7 describes the nation of Judah’s love affair with false religion. The people were “walking after other gods to their hurt” (verse 7). The very nation in all the world which had received so much direct revelation from the one true God came to embrace the false gods of the surrounding nations as well, but all false religion is actually satanic in origin. This is why attempts to fuse together the different faiths of the world must be rejected. False religion actually brings down God’s anger upon a nation, for He will share His glory with none other.

The contemporary creed of ‘embracing diversity’ demands that all religions be treated as equally valid and beneficial, but God’s word tells us concerning the need to follow the Lord Jesus Christ alone, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

What is the heart of Christian message? In a nutshell, what is the gospel all about? Are most people basically good people? What is the nature of man really like? Pastor Peter Simpson answers these questions as he preaches the gospel in Slough High Street in May 2024.

4 vital gospel principles are set forth here as the Lord gives to Ezekiel the blueprint for the Temple which must be built upon the people’s return from captivity in Babylon.

1 : What a privilege for the sinner to enter into God’s presence.

2 : However, the way into God’s presence is guarded. Certain conditions must be met - repentance from sin and faith in the Saviour who shed His blood.

3 : Having been saved and brought into God’s presence, the believer has great potential to be fruitful and flourishing in holiness and service.

4 : How central to the Christian gospel is the shedding of Christ’s blood. We must tell all around us today that if they if they will ever into God’s presence it can only be through Christ’s shed blood whereby those who believe in Him are cleansed from the guilt of their sins.

Pastor Peter Simpson preaching the gospel in the centre of Uxbridge, West London, in April 2024.

Psalm 106:23 “Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath”.

We see in these words the essence of the Christian Gospel. God in His mercy provides a remedy for man’s rebellion in the person of a Mediator, He who is foreshadowed by Moses, the Lord Jesus Christ.

“(GOD) will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:4–6).

“If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).

Christ is the true Moses who stands in the breach to intercede for sinners, if only they will repent and come to Him. He is the only One who can turn away God’s wrath. Non-believers must cease from hardening their hearts. They must turn from their sin and come to Christ, God’s appointed Mediator, without further delay.

Just before His crucifixion the Lord tells 11 of the 12 apostles (the other being a traitor) how they must abandon all thoughts of worldly exaltation and honour, and concentrate instaad on costly humble service. Then they will reap their reward. Our Lord Himself had to humble himself in conformity to His Father’s will, even to the point of laying down His life, before He was exalted. Likewise, the Christian’s calling is persevering sacrificial obedience in a world which hates Biblical truth and which is always seeking to oppose it. Those who thus persevere, and not just in fits and starts, will be gloriously rewarded. The Christian’s calling, therefore, is separation from this world and its praise, and instead costly service and perseverance in that service. After that will come a glorious reward. In other words, we are called to take up our cross and suffer with Christ, that we might subsequently receive an eternal crown. May the Lord give each one of us the grace so to do, persevering to the very end that we might obtain the heavenly reward.

Paul exhorts the believers to stand fast in the Lord. The Christian should be labouring with the saints for the advancement of Christ's kingdom : he should be a true yoke-bearer and true yoke-fellow. He rejoices in God's providential care of him and he continues steadfastly in prayer, for prayer leads to peace of mind. He endeavours to moderate and control his conduct to the glory of God. He must persevere in faith and service to the very end, by rejoicing in God's providential care, by showing to the world his Spirit-filled restraint and moderation of conduct, and by continuing steadfast in prayer. May God help us each one of us to stand fast in the Lord by practical holiness, persevering service, continual rejoicing, and steadfast prayer. So let us take away 4 words from these verses : HOLINESS, PERSEVERANCE, REJOICING, PRAYER, and may we practise all of these right up to the very end.

The Old Testament Temple was the place of mediation between man and God, and as such it foreshadows the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Mediator between the holy God and sinners. So Christ is the true temple - God dwelling with men, which is the meaning of His name Emmanuel (see Matthew 1:23). When the Israelites turned towards the Temple to pray, it was towards the one place where atonement for sin could be made. Likewise, when we pray today, it must be through Christ alone, who shed His blood to atone for sin.

The Temple was also the place where the Israelites came before God for arbitration and final judgement. Likewise the Lord Jesus Christ is the supreme Judge of all. He alone alone knows the hearts of men. As the apostle Paul tell us, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

The great privilege of those who turn from sin and trust in Christ is to have God dwelling within them by the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Christ. As the Lord Jesus told His disciples, “I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you … Ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you” (John 14:18,20).