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'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]

Stephen is hauled before the Jewish Council and accused of speaking blasphemous words against the Law and saying the Temple would be destroyed. His speech (in Acts 7) before the Council is a history lesson!  Why?  What was his purpose?  He reviews all that had happened since the time of Abraham.   Didn’t the members of the Council know their history? 

As we read the chapter we see Stephen is tracing the things God had instigated since he called Abraham from his homeland in Ur.  The lesson is for humans to be awake and aware of God in action, actions which are a response to human faith or lack of it. After Abraham he looks at the work and faith of Joseph.  Then God raised up Moses and when he became really faithful, miracles occurred both in leaving Egypt and in the wilderness when the commandments and the Law was given, also the follies caused by failures of faith and the result..   

Then comes the establishment in the land under Joshua; the days of David and the great Temple built by Solomon.   God’s presence was with them, yet God is far greater than just dwelling in the Temple they had built, God said “Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool” [v.49].  Yet their religious life in Stephen’s time was still built around the Temple! Did they have a relationship with the One God for whom it was built?  No! Stephen portrayed the real lessons for them, the mistakes that their history should teach them – how often their ancestors had not been awake to see God in action but had pursued their own ends.

Stephen suddenly challenges them, “You stiff necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit (God in action) as your father’s did … “ [v.51]    He accuses them – you betrayed and murdered the righteous one, Jesus, … you did just the same as your ancestors did – a folly which they complete my murdering Stephen.  It is evident that Stephen had included in his preaching a warning that the Temple was to be destroyed. And it was, about 35 years later – and their nation as well. 

Our 21st Century will surely see the climax of human history. God will act again but the whole world is blind and unprepared just as the Jews were!  An awesome time is coming to destroy the “temples” of the gods of today.  Do we preach a message that is parallel to Stephen’s?  Are  we prepared? Is our faith strong enough to endure?  How appropriate are the words of Jesus, “Because lawlessness will abound the love of many will grow cold, but those who endure to the end will be saved.” [Matt.14 v.12,13]. We must have the fellowship of fellow believers to help us to endure.

Once again our readings have several lessons we can take and meditate upon and apply to ourselves.  The account of Daniel’s life jumps forward to when the Medes and Persians are in power, as with Jeremiah, the chapters are not in time order. The high esteem in which the mature Daniel is held causes jealousy and when “presidents and satraps” knew that “the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom” [6 v.3] they contemplated how they might act to prevent this, “but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.   Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.” [v.4,5]  Could the same things be said about you or I?

These men “came by agreement to the king” and said that they “are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.”[v.7]   The king agrees. 

 “When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.”[V.10] 

This was Daniel’s habit – how valuable to develop good habits like this, but our world is now developing habits, not all of which are necessarily bad, but they are not good either.  The habits around us influence us – unless we are strong in faith and commitment – as Daniel was. The Apostle Paul told the Romans that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” [8 v.28]  Let us realise that this is for the “good” of God’s purpose, some things might not seem “good” for us – at first.

 The plotters plan succeeds, but Daniel is protected by the power of God from the lions. The plotters suffer!  Now we see how Daniel’s faithfulness  works “for good” in another way for after Darius sees the wonder of the protection the true God can provide he wrote “to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: ‘Peace be multiplied to you.  I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth” [v.25-27] What longer term affect did this have?  We meditate on the account of Queen Esther and influence of the Jews in time of the Medes and Persians. How wonderfully do “all things” work together for the good of God’s purpose.

Finally,  we can visualize similar decrees going forth when our Lord returns and the marvelling of those blessed to be there – let us pray for that day to come soon – praying at least “three times a day”.     

We felt we could have written a ‘book’ of ‘thoughts’ arising from today’s 4 chapters – each will, if read with real feeling, stir our hearts and lift them into meaningful spiritual perceptions.   In Chronicles the events in the life of King Joash contained absorbing lessons. He became king when only 7 under special circumstances, he was guided for most of his life by the faithful high priest Jehoiada and while he was alive Joash acted wisely and the Temple was restored to its former glory and the nation prospered.

We can see comparisons with the restoration of the knowledge of God’s word when printing was invented and the Bible became available everywhere and respect for its’ divine message spread through the world. Jehoiada found wives for the king and obviously mentored him.  Sadly after the death of Jehoiada, “the king listened to … the princes of Judah” [24 v.17] – other members of the royal family – who, not appreciating the spiritual values Jehoiada had put in place, “they abandoned the temple of the LORD” [v.18].  As a result “wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem”.   When “the son of Jehoiada” challenged them,  “they conspired against him, and by command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the LORD” [v.21].  After his death “God sent prophets among them to bring them back to the LORD…  These testified … but they would not pay attention.” [v.19]

God judged the king and the nation and “at the end of the year, the army of the Syrians came against Joash.” [v.23] and he died as a result of his wounds.   We see the comparison with today – and the impending judgements of God on a world that has turned away from belief in its’ Creator and sustainer, despite God’s word being so readily available, but “they will not pay attention.”

Our chapter 5 in Daniel describes events leading to the end of the Babylonian kingdom that Nebuchadnezzar set up, despite how he finally found and wrote praises  and “blessed the Most High” as we read yesterday; his descendent (grandson?) Belshazzar, was blind to these blessings. The message the aged Daniel brought to him was “God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end … you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting.” [v.26,27] And God has surely nearly completed ‘weighing’ our richly blessed world and found it seriously “wanting” that is, totally lacking, in any effort to “pay attention” to him.  But the final question is surely to us personally, how effectively do we “pay attention“? 

A @Christadelphians Video: Description: Jews currently suffer worldwide castigation and condemnation. It is a historical fact that similar excoriation turned to mass murder in Nazi Germany but from that atrocity the “Kinderstransport” saved the lives of thousands of Jewish children. This presentation outlines some Christadelphian involvement in the Kindertransport to show that “doctrine impacts actions”. Christ’s teachings must have an effect on our lives too. [Provable Bible Truth - What question does this video answer, and why watch it?]This video answers why Christadelphians took part in the Kindertransport, and why that proves Bible truth matters. We watch because it shows doctrine impacts actions. Our belief in God’s promises to Abraham, that true Christians love Jews because Jesus was a Jew, and that we should do good unto all men, moved us to rescue. Christadelphians sponsored about 250 of 10,000 children—the greatest proportion of any group. Featured survivor Ursula Mayer’s testimony shows how faith, courage and Scripture-based love saved lives. It asks us: how do our doctrines impact our actions today?

Audio Book: The Path of Prayer – by John H. Morris

Read by Paul Cresswell | Freely Available to Listen

Have you ever wondered how prayer can bring you closer to God, strengthen your faith, and help you face life's challenges with greater confidence and peace? Prayer is far more than simply asking for help. It is a wonderful privilege, an opportunity to draw near to our Heavenly Father, share our deepest concerns, express our gratitude, and seek His guidance in every aspect of our lives.

In The Path of Prayer, Christadelphian author John H. Morris takes us on an inspiring journey through the Scriptures, exploring the beauty, purpose and power of prayer. With thoughtful Biblical insights and practical encouragement, this book invites us to examine our own approach to prayer and discover how a more meaningful prayer life can strengthen our relationship with God.

Warmly narrated by Paul Cresswell, this freely available audiobook is an invitation to pause, reflect and rediscover the wonderful privilege of speaking to our Heavenly Father. Whether you are new to the Bible or have been walking in faith for many years, The Path of Prayer offers valuable encouragement for everyone seeking a closer relationship with God.

Why not take some time to listen? This uplifting audiobook is completely free and could help transform the way you think about prayer.

What is it to receive God’s word?   Countless millions have read God’s word.  Go back into ancient history; the world before Noah, his wife and family, turned right away from God.  Soon the descendants of Noah were turning away again, resulting in God confounding human languages at Babel, a word which is significantly translated into Greek as Babylon. 

Then God saw in the man Abraham, a man of true faith.  God had many dealings with him and we read 2 days ago in 2 Chron 20 the prayer of King Jehoshaphat as he stood before the assembly and made an impassioned prayer to the LORD saying they were “the descendents of Abraham your friend.” [v.7]  But the quite common Hebrew word here is almost always translated elsewhere as love and loves!  In God’s message through Isaiah he is addressed “the offspring of Abraham, my friend” [41 v.8], it is the same Hebrew word. 

In a few days we will read Daniel’s desperate “prayer and pleas for mercy … O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him …” [Ch.9 v.3,4]  “Love” is the same Hebrew word!

As we read John’s Gospel earlier this month we saw Jesus’ response to those who proudly said, “Abraham is our father” – meriting the response, “If you were Abraham’s children you would be doing what Abraham did’ ” [8 v.39]   It maybe that some of these were hearing Peter’s speech which we read today in Acts 2.  The effect of the Spirit inspired preaching of Peter caused many to be “cut to the heart” [v.37] and “with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them saying, ‘Save yourselves from this crooked generation’ so those who received his word were baptised” [v.40-41]  What a crooked generation it is today!

Back to our opening question; “What is it to RECEIVE God’s word?” It is one thing to hear (or to read), it is something else to “receive.”  The ‘receiving’ means that God’s word becomes part of your thinking – and therefore of your doing.  And “those who received his word and were baptised and “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” [v.42]. Before Christ returns may more receive God’s word and do this.

A @Christadelphians Video: Video Summary Description: Nowhere does the Bible teach gender as a choice, but something you are born with. Men are not better than women, nor women better than men. Men and women have equal value in God’s eyes. This address is a strong motivation to read the Bible for yourself instead of relying on other people’s interpretation.In this *thought-provoking* and *insightful* presentation, Bible scholar Stephen Palmer delivers an *outstanding* and *revealing* exposition on what Scripture truly teaches about gender, sex, and the divine purpose for men and women. We explore how the Bible has been *falsely accused* of justifying oppression, when in reality it provides a *wonderful foundation* for marriage, family, and mutual respect.Starting from the creation account in Genesis, we discover that God's plan from the very beginning was to create *male and female in His image**—both equally bearing His likeness. The Bible reveals that men and women are **biologically binary* and designed for complementary roles that reflect profound spiritual truths.This presentation powerfully addresses contemporary cultural debates while remaining firmly grounded in *Scriptural authority**. We examine how Jesus Himself elevated the status of women, rejecting the chauvinism of His day, and how the Apostle Paul teaches that **in Christ there is neither male nor female* when it comes to salvation.The *beautiful truth* emerges that marriage itself is a "great mystery" pointing to the relationship between Christ and His church. Far from being a relic of patriarchal oppression, the Bible's teaching on gender offers a *liberating vision* of equality, dignity, and purpose for all humanity.

In Daniel today we have the account of the faithfulness of Daniel’s 3 companions, those we read about in ch.1 who, together with him, refused to eat the king’s rich food and wine. Now we read how these 3 refused to bow down to the king’s tall golden image.  The king warns,” if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” [3 v.15]  They refuse, saying, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.  If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.  But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” [v.17,18]

This is an example of commitment to God, come what may!  A dramatic deliverance follows: there is no other incident like it in the Bible!  Well, there are no more kings who had “a burning fiery furnace” – but there are many accounts of deliverance occurring to those who faithfully follow their God.  We will read of several in the book of Acts which we started reading today.   

Are their deliverances today?  We have heard of answered prayers this year – and previous years – but there is an ultimate act of deliverance promised when Jesus, in returning, “will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect …” [Matt.24 v.31]   The elect will be saved out from a time of trouble. 

 We are going to read in Daniel of a  “time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.” [12 v.1]  Clearly this is “the book of life”! Paul refers to it in Phil. 4 v.3, praising those “who have laboured side by side with me in the gospel …  whose names are in the book of life”  May we labour together in spreading the true gospel so that, by the grace of our saviour, our names will be in the book too; indeed, are already there. It is the most important “book” in the world.  The extent to which there will be a “fire” at this ‘time of the end’ is not clear, we rather think that some Scriptures, such as 2 Peter 3 v.10-12 are symbolic, but we cannot be sure, but we long for the time Peter describes in the next verse,  “according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”