Contents

ASSEMBLY TESTIMONY BIBLE CLASS
by J. Riddle

A DECLARATION OF THOSE THINGS
by D. Williamson

GLIMPSES OF CHRIST
by D. Strahan

MEN WHO KNEW GOD
by J.A. Davidson

GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN 1CORINTHIANS
by K. Wilkins

PROPHECY
by A. Summers

THE VOICE OF MY BELOVED
by S. Kyle

BUT AS THOU WILT
by R. Barton

COMFORT FOR CHRISTIANS IN A CHANGING WORLD
by R. Reynolds

GOOD TIDINGS FROM HEAVEN

QUOTES

A Proverb to Ponder — love and hate — Proverbs 15.17

Knoweth to do good — James 4.17

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Assembly Testimony Bible Class

by J. M. Riddle (England)

THE FIRST BOOK OF PSALMS

No.67: PSALM 37 (Part 3)

In the previous papers, we have suggested that the Psalm can be divided into five parts: The prosperity of the wicked, vv.1-11; The animosity of the wicked, vv.12-15; The brevity of the wicked, vv.16-22; The integrity of the righteous, vv.23-31; The fidelity of the Lord, vv.32-40. We have covered the first, and will consider the remaining four in this paper.

THE ANIMOSITY OF THE WICKED – vv.12-15

These verses are quite self-explanatory, and illustrate Gal.6.7: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” The wicked and their judgment are described twice:

Firstly, “The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for He seeth that his day is coming” vv.12,13. David refers to his enemies in this way in Ps.35.16: “With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.” They did this to Stephen: “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth” Acts 7.54. At the end-time, the entire world will unite against “the Lord, and against His Anointed”, but “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision” Ps.2.1-4. See also Ps.59.8. When God judges men for their wickedness, there “shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” Matt.8.12.

Secondly, “The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken” vv.14,15. The wicked bring righteous judgment on themselves.

THE BREVITY OF THE WICKED – vv.16-22

These verses contrast the impermanence and transience of the wicked with the permanence and assurance of the righteous. It is by this yardstick that the Psalmist reaches the following conclusions:

Little Is Better Than Much – vv.16,17

“A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.” The contrast is clear: it is the “little” of “a righteous man” (singular) versus the “riches” of “many wicked” (plural). Solomon takes up this subject in Proverbs: “Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith” 15.16,17; “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right” 16.8; “It is better to dwell in the corner of a housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house” 21.9. We are told in the New Testament about “men of corrupt mind, and destitute of the truth” who suppose “that gain is godliness … But godliness with contentment is great gain” 1Tim.6.5,6.

The “little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked” in view of the fact that the wicked face Divine judgment: “For the arms of the wicked [with all their riches] shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous [who appear to have very little but in fact have everything!].” The expression “arms of the wicked” signifies their ‘strength, might, power’¹. Harold St. John describes the “arms” as the ‘symbol of misused power’.² Far better to have “little” and be upheld by the Lord than “great riches” and lose everything. Paul describes the position like this: “as having nothing, and yet possessing all things” 2Cor.6.10.

¹ Gesenius, H.F.W. “Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon”. Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

² St. John, H. “The Collected Writings of Harold St. John”. Gospel Tract Publications, Glasgow.

Uprightness Is Better Than Wickedness – vv.18-20

“The Lord knoweth the days of the upright [meaning ‘perfect, complete’]: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.”

The contrast between the preservation of the “upright” and perishing of the “wicked” needs no amplification. According to Dr. A. Cohen, the words “the upright” can be translated ‘them that are wholehearted’ (quoted by J.M. Flanigan³). Every day in the life of “the upright” is known to God and recognised by Him; see Ps.34.15. This is illustrated in Revelation chapters 11,12, where the testimony of the two witnesses in Jerusalem, 11.3, and suffering of the Godly remnant in Israel, 12.6, are numbered in days (1,260). The “days” of “the upright” will be more than compensated by the duration of their inheritance (“for ever”), reminding us that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” Rom.8.18. But “the upright” do not have to wait until the future for Divine blessing: “They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied” Ps.37.19. In New Testament language, they are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” 1Pet.1.5.

While the words “the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs; they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away” v.20, can be rendered “the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the excellency of the pastures: they shall consume; in [or ‘like’] smoke shall they consume away” (R.V.), the end is the same: both pictures emphasise that the wicked are short-lived. (The difference in translation is accounted for by the fact that the words “fat” and “lambs” can be rendered “excellency” and “pastures” respectively).

Giving Is Better Than Borrowing – vv.21,22

“The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. For such as be blessed of Him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of Him shall be cut off.” It has been suggested that the failure of “the wicked” to repay his debts does not necessarily imply dishonesty. “Misfortune dogs his feet, as Prov.3.33 [‘The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked’], and his enterprises all go astray, Deut.15.6.”² Whilst this explanation may not seem convincing at first, the verse may well imply that the former prosperity of the wicked, v.16, has come to an end and that he is obliged to borrow with no prospect of repaying his debt, whereas the “righteous” are in a position to show “mercy”. But to whom? J.M. Flanigan³ suggests that the righteous show mercy to the wicked, but this seems rather untenable, and it is more probable that David is speaking generally here. A good commentary is found in Ps.112.9: “He [‘the upright’ v.4] hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.”

² St. John, H. “The Collected Writings of Harold St. John”. Gospel Tract Publications, Glasgow.

³ Flanigan, J. “What the Bible Teaches – Psalms”. John Ritchie Ltd., Kilmarnock.

The words that follow make best sense if we understand the words “blessed of Him” and “cursed of Him” with reference to the Lord, rather than to “the righteous”: “For such as be blessed of Him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of Him shall be cut off.” This seems to echo the promise made to Abram: “I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee” Gen.12.3.

THE INTEGRITY OF THE RIGHTEOUS – vv.23-31

This section of the Psalm, which is “almost entirely concerned with the great blessings which accompany godliness”³, may be divided into two parts: a statement, vv.23-26, and an exhortation, vv.27-31.

³ Flanigan, J. “What the Bible Teaches – Psalms”. John Ritchie Ltd., Kilmarnock.

A Statement – vv.23-26

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way” v.23. It has been pointed out that whilst the word “good” is lacking in Hebrew, it certainly conveys the right idea! Since his “steps … are ordered by the Lord”, we can expect stability; see v.31. It is possible that the words “he delighteth in his way” refer to the delight of the “good man” in the Lord, but it seems preferable to regard them as referring to the “delight” of the Lord in the way of the “good man”. This is eminently true of the Lord Jesus: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” Matt.3.17, or “This is my beloved Son, in whom I have found My delight” (J.N.D.). Three things are said about the “good man”:

First, He is upheld. “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand” v.24. Paul alludes to this in 2Cor.4.8,9: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed”. As D. Kidner points out, “the kind of fall envisaged in verse 24 is a material calamity rather than a moral plunge, to judge from the context”.⁴ Compare Isa.43.2: “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Job and Joseph would gladly testify here!

⁴ Kidner, D. “Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms 1-72”. Inter-Varsity Press, Leicester.

Second, He is not forsaken. “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” v.25. This does not imply that the “good man” never has privations and problems, but it does remind us that Paul wrote out of deep experience in saying, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Phil.4.19.

Third, He is merciful. “He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed” v.26. The Revised Version has “All the day long he dealeth graciously, and lendeth”. A “good man” is actively good!

An Exhortation – vv.27-31

“Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore” v.27. There is some ready-made alliteration here: “depart … do … dwell”. Compare Ps.34.14: “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” Every encouragement is given in the following verses: “For the Lord loveth judgment …” vv.28-31.

First, the Lord loves righteousness. “For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not His saints” v.28. The word saint here (chasid) means ‘kind, pious’ (Young’s Concordance). He delights to support those who honour Him in Godly living.

Second, the Lord rewards righteousness. “They are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever” vv.28,29.

A comprehensive description of “the righteous” follows: “The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide” vv.30,31. This involves mouth, heart and feet. The “heart” lies at the centre of the trilogy. It is “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” Matt.12.34. The word “speaketh” (hagah) is actually ‘meditate’ and is rendered in that way, for example, in Ps.1.2 and Josh.1.8. When the heart is right, the mouth and feet are right as well! Compare Josh.1.8: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

The Lord Jesus, in all His perfect righteousness, fulfilled this description perfectly. The “law of His God” was “in His heart” beyond comparison. See Ps.40.7,8: “Then said I, ‘Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me, I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.’” Think of His wisdom! His feet did not “slide”!

THE FIDELITY OF THE LORD – vv.32-40

He is faithful when the wicked plan evil, vv.32-34, and He is faithful when the wicked progress, vv.35-40:

His Faithfulness When the Wicked Plan Evil – vv.32-34

“The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged” vv.32,33. This can be illustrated aptly from the experiences of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, Dan.3.8,28, and Daniel, Dan.6.4,22. It was true of the Lord Jesus. His enemies were constantly watching Him, but He was utterly vindicated in resurrection.

His faithfulness must be accompanied by our obedience: “Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it” v.34. This exhortation can be placed alongside vv.3-7: “Trust in the Lord … Delight thyself also in the Lord … Commit thy way unto the Lord … Rest in the Lord”, and now, “Wait on the Lord”.

J.M. Flanigan points out that the word “wait” signifies to ‘wait eagerly’, to ‘look expectantly’, or to ‘linger for’, and adds: “The beleaguered saint must wait for God’s time, and while he waits he must walk in God’s way.”³ Notice the difference between waiting for God (“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” v.7) and waiting on God (“Wait on the Lord, and keep His way” v.24). Faith and obedience are often linked in Scripture. Paul speaks about the “obedience of faith” Rom.16.26. This was exemplified in the life of Abraham: “By faith Abraham … obeyed” Heb.11.8; “By faith Abraham … offered up Isaac” Heb.11.17. We are told that we “have not because [we] ask not” Jms.4.2, but it is equally true that we do not ask because our faith is just too small. “Lord, increase our faith” Lk.17.5!

³ Flanigan, J. “What the Bible Teaches – Psalms”. John Ritchie Ltd., Kilmarnock.

Like the previous four exhortations, vv.3,4,5,7, there is a promise here as well: “Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.” Compare Lk.18.14: “every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted”. Once again, this is seen perfectly in the experience of the Lord Jesus. He “became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him” and to Him “every knee” will “bow” Phil.2.8-11.

His Faithfulness When the Wicked Progress – vv.35-40

The Lord is not interested in the might and influence of the wicked, but He is deeply interested in the Godly man: “Mark the perfect [meaning ‘upright’] man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace” v.37. “He may indeed be humble and of little significance in the eyes of the world, but there is a future for that man.”³ It is on this note that the Psalm concludes:

³ Flanigan, J. “What the Bible Teaches – Psalms”. John Ritchie Ltd., Kilmarnock.

There is no future for the ungodly.

“But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off” v.38. If men exclude God and His Word from their lives, He will exclude them from His favour.

There is a blessed future for the righteous.

“But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him” vv.39,40. The righteous enjoy God’s salvation (“the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord”), God’s strength (“He is their strength”) and God’s succour (“the Lord shall help them”). They enjoy all three “because they trust in Him”.

To be continued (D.V.)

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“A declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us” Luke 1.1

by Dennis Williamson (N. Ireland)

Paper 21

THE OBJECTS OF DIVINE PURPOSE – Ephesians 2.1-10

Embraced in the ambit of Divine purpose is the salvation of sinners. Sadly, there are those who attempt to advise that if one believes in the doctrine of individual election, then he can neither preach the gospel properly nor believe in individual responsibility. In fact, that is not true at all. So, rather than resorting to the mental gymnastics of men, it is much better by far to turn to the Word of God, not only to study it but to believe it and assimilate it. The rich balance therein is a beauty to behold.

Scripture consistently teaches both Divine election and human responsibility. Once we grasp this, it becomes clear that variations in interpretation arise more from human philosophy than from the actual Word of God. As far as Scripture is concerned these truths do not collide, but complement one another. In other words, they are real friends and do not need reconciling. Of course, it is a masterstroke of Satan to cause friction in this area, as with other spiritual teaching. He is only too happy to see the Lord’s people dividing into opposing ‘camps’ and engaging in heated word-battles. We all need to be aware of the discord his actions have caused, and to have the spiritual wisdom to refrain from adding to such division. It is far better to allow the people of God to enjoy their heritage, and to encourage such enjoyment. A note from the Book of Proverbs is constantly relevant: “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him”, the final one of which is “he that soweth discord among brethren” Prov.6.16-19. Wisdom indeed, to which we all should take heed!

As therefore we approach the solemn truth of this second chapter of Ephesians, let us rejoice in that God has revealed to the objects of His purpose the solemnity, sweetness and simplicity of the terms of their salvation. As in chapter 1, the writer again engages the Godhead as he brings to us the message of God: God’s love, v.4, His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus, v.7, and access by one Spirit unto the Father v.18.

There is no obscurity as to God’s purpose. His plan and the principles of salvation find their source in His wisdom and grace, thus, leaving man to accept the terms and receive the blessing. I know to some this seems a contradiction. One of the reasons for this, I suggest, is that natural reasoning cannot process the profound wisdom of God. Very often in the Word of God we are forced to the conclusion that our God is not obliged to furnish us with all the details of His actions and will. Thus, we are committed to act in faith upon His word alone, acknowledging His flawless character and unerring will, giving Him all the glory for what He has been pleased to reveal to faith.

Ephesians chapter 2 will fall into this category, as we briefly survey some of the details, as God, Who once seemed so distant, comes close to us in mercy and grace, to the practical and personal realisation of our salvation in Christ Jesus, making us the objects of His unfailing purpose. Part of the outworking of that purpose is our acceptance by faith of what He has so graciously provided. No, we are by no means robots in God’s priceless plan, as some would have us think. God has made us a responsible people, enabling us to accept or reject the wonders of His manifestation toward us in our Lord Jesus Christ, Jn.3.36. This precious truth does not, in any way, militate against His infallible wisdom, but is rather an integral part of that wisdom, providing us with a righteous yet meritless standing in the Divine presence. Well might we sing, “To God be the glory, great things He hath done”!

Let us, then, with subdued and humble minds, seek to profit from what God has revealed in this portion of His Word, enjoying the blessings of His mercy, love and grace. Four secure anchors will help us concentrate our minds and hearts:

• Man’s Condition – vv.1-3
• God’s Intervention – vv.4-7
• Believer’s Salvation – vv.8,9
• Master’s Creation – v.10

Undoubtedly, it will be advantageous if we can dispossess our minds of the many man-made theories, both past and present, which have clouded this passage in the understanding of so many. Whilst the tendency is often to slavishly follow systems, we must accept that God, by His very nature, cannot be systematised. Individuals who, in and of themselves, had no cause to be enveloped in God’s plan have discovered the magnanimous quality of God’s grace that has given them just such a place in His purpose and on His terms.

MAN’S CONDITION – vv.1-3

The thoughts of death, departure, dominion, disobedience, desires, deeds, etc. paint a very grim picture of man’s condition by nature and by practice, and it includes all mankind, Rom.3.23. The word “quickened” in v.1 has been inserted there by the translators, doubtless due to its occurrence at the end of v.5, where it is linked with Christ. Being dead in trespasses and sins does not mean that man is not accountable, has no conscience, or is not aware of his physical sphere and surroundings. These things are clear, even though there is no spiritual fellowship with God. It is a condition which indicates an innate absence of spiritual life, with no inner tendency or power to generate such life. This must come from God, hence the need of the new birth before true fellowship with God can be enjoyed. Just as was the case when Adam’s disobedience to God’s revelation at the beginning resulted in distance and death, so now obedience to the gospel revelation brings nearness and life. As we observe from v.1, we were in both “trespasses” and “sins”. “Sin” emphasises the fact of sin, while “trespass” indicates the act itself. Therefore, both nature and practice are included in man’s disobedience and fall. “Wherein … ye walked” focuses on the pathway travelled and what it consisted of: “according to the course of this world [‘age’]”. This is under the control of the one who is its “prince”, the spirit by whom it is regulated. This is the background and behaviour of all humanity without Christ, as seen in v.3.

“Children [‘sons’] of disobedience” is an apt description of our state and position. We fulfilled the desires (‘wills’) of the flesh and of the thoughts, which were stoutly against the will of God. This means we were exposed to the wrath of God. And this wrath abides upon all who wilfully refuse to believe on the Son of God, Jn3.36. From the beginning man was created with a choice given by God. When tested he was responsible for his actions, and he failed by disobedience. In one sense God now calls upon man to reverse that decision and trust His Son. This of course depends upon God’s intervention, which the writer now explains in vv.4-7.

GOD’S INTERVENTION – vv.4-7

“But God”! How sublime! How utterly exclusive and telling! His purpose will now be shown to those who are its subjects. Their spiritual welfare and deliverance are now manifested, so concisely and yet so powerfully. The Divine Persons are spoken of and their qualities and motives are introduced. It delights our hearts to meditate on these, and on His glorious character and ways. Listen again to the Divine highlights: “rich in mercy” (abundance); “His great love wherewith He loved us” (affection); being “dead in sins” (absence of spiritual life); “quickened” (made alive); “together with Christ” (association); “raised … together … made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”. These blessings are to be enjoyed by each child of God who realises his or her position in Him.

Note: “quickened”: impartation of life; “raised”: position of that life in its proper sphere; “manifested”: anticipation of that life displayed. All this is the outworking of Divine purpose, we having been dead in sins. No wonder the apostle finishes with the additional phrase, “by grace ye are [‘have been’] saved”!

BELIEVER’S SALVATION – vv.8,9

In these verses the principles of salvation are now itemised. “By grace [the supply] are ye saved through faith [the simplicity]; and that not of yourselves [the source]: it is the gift of God [the speciality]: not of works, lest any man should boast [the sufficiency].” It would be remiss of me not to say what I believe in relation to “the gift of God” in this passage. There are many who say that faith is the gift referred to in this verse. From a grammatical perspective, and more especially from the contextual angle, the present writer does not agree. Grammatically, the word “that” in the verse is neuter, whereas the word “faith” is feminine, so they do not agree. However, I say more especially contextually, because in the context the subject being discussed is not faith, but rather salvation. This, I feel, confirms that salvation is the gift which is referred to in this verse. This speaks to individual responsibility relative to salvation, which is accepted by faith. The acceptance mentioned does not in any sense indicate merit, but responsibility. It has always been so, right from the time of Adam, who was responsible to believe and obey the word that God had given to him, but chose to disobey it. And when Paul adds “not of works”, he is still speaking of salvation, and not of faith. It is of course also true that faith is not of works, but that is so obvious that it would have been superfluous for Paul to state it. The reference is to the salvation: it is a gift, received on the basis of faith, not works.

MASTER’S CREATION – v.10

“For we are His workmanship.” This word “workmanship” is only used twice in the New Testament: here and in Rom.1.20, where it is translated “the things that are made”. Both these passages speak of creation: here of the spiritual creation and in Romans of the physical. Both stress the attributes and action of God and each has a definite purpose in view. On the one hand, in Romans God’s power manifested in the act of creation is cited. Away with the notion of eternal matter! The marvel of creation owes its existence to Him alone and in it His handiwork is revealed. So also, we are His masterpiece in the spiritual sphere, and with a purpose: “created in Christ Jesus unto good works … that we should walk in them”. How marvellous for us to trace God’s controlling hand, and to respond in our lives for His glory!

To be continued (D.V.)

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GLIMPSES OF CHRIST

by D. Strahan

Paper 14

The Nail

Often the association of nails with the Lord is in relation to His wounds at the cross. It is touching to consider that it was the “Lord of glory” 1Cor.2.8, Who was crucified and that “the nails that pierced His feet were mined in secret places He designed”¹.

They nailed my Lord upon the tree,

And left Him, dying, there;

Through love He suffered there for me;

’Twas love beyond compare.

(Austin Miles)

 

¹ “The Maker of the Universe”, Poem by Frederick William Pitt.

After the Lord’s resurrection Thomas referred to the nail prints when he so boldly claimed, “Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe” Jn.20.25. There is no record that Thomas ever touched the Lord in this manner. In fact, the Scripture suggests otherwise, for it was eight days later, when Thomas saw (not touched) the Lord, that he exclaimed, “My Lord and my God” Jn.20.28. A sight of the risen Lord was enough to dispel his doubt and he believed.

Nails are also associated with His work on the cross. Paul, writing to the Colossians, says, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross” Col.2.14. Paul was not referring to the nails used by the Romans, rather to a nailing that God did at Calvary. The verse assures us that the work of the Saviour on the cross was complete and dealt with our sins finally. The document of indebtedness because of our sins has been cancelled. “Not only was the writing erased, but the document itself was torn up and cast aside.”² It was nailed to His cross and destroyed by His death. The death of Christ has been the complete and final answer to sin.

² Lightfoot, J.B. “Saint Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon”. Zondervan Publishing House, 1959.

The contemplation of these nails that draw us to Calvary is very precious. However, in the Prophecy of Zechariah there is a beautiful reference to the Lord as the actual nail Himself. “Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail” Zech.10.4. “Out of him” clearly refers to “the house of Judah”, which is referenced in the immediately preceding verse, Zech.10.3. And so out of Judah there came the nail, pointing forward to the Lord Jesus, for the writer to the Hebrews states, “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda” Heb.7.14.

HIS SUPREMACY

Nails in Scripture sometimes refer to tent pegs, driven into the ground to hold a tent fast when being assailed by the wind. Perhaps the most memorable reference to a tent peg is found in Judges: “Then Jael Heber’s wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him [Sisera], and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died” Judg.4.21.

However, other references to nails are those, not in the earth, but fastened in an elevated place, upon which all manner of things hang. This is the thought in Isaiah: “I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place” Isa.22.23, for in the following verse it says, “they shall hang upon him …” Isa.22.24. From the context of Isaiah chapter 22 it is clear that this is a reference to the faithful steward Eliakim. However, the “nail in a sure place” undoubtedly also foreshadows the Lord Jesus: not the nail in the earth but One Who in resurrection is elevated and seated “on the right hand of the Majesty on high” Heb.1.3.

HIS STABILITY

There is nothing shaky or uncertain about the anchorage of the nail. It is fastened “in a sure place”. It is reliable. The Lord is all-powerful, immoveable, “upholding all things by the word of His power” Heb.1.3. Our position in Christ is absolutely and eternally secure.

He’s fastened there as God,

As Shepherd, Priest, and King,

My Lord, my Life, my Head,

From Whom all blessings spring;

As all I need, as all I have,

While here, and when beyond the grave.

(William Gadsby)

HIS SUPPORT

The nail is put to use, for “they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house” Isa.22.24. “Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac” Gen.25.5, which foreshadows a greater Father Who has entrusted His Son with all things. “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand” Jn.3.35. John earlier recorded: “we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father” Jn.1.14. Zechariah says of Him, “He shall bear the glory” Zech.6.13. The full weight of Divine and eternal glory shall rest upon Him and He is both worthy of it and well able to bear it!

HIS STRENGTH

This Nail is able to bear the weight of all that rests upon Him. Zechariah notes that it is “out of” Judah that the nail comes, Zech.10.3,4. Judah is often associated with strength. The last words of Jacob concerning his sons, recorded in Genesis chapter 49, provide a prophetic foretelling of the tribe which would spring from Judah. “Judah is a lion’s whelp” Gen.49.9. In that majestic scene in Revelation when no man “in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth” is found worthy “to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon” Rev.5.3, the tears of John are dried when one of the elders proclaims, “Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof” Rev.5.5. The strength of Christ is unassailable. He is able to carry every load entrusted to Him whether it be the cares of His people, the weight of universal government or the future programme of God for the world.

HIS SCOPE

Isaiah says that upon the nail there hangs “the offspring” (a masculine noun) and “the issue” (a feminine noun), Isa.22.24. By application we rejoice in the truth that every brother and every sister depends on Him. He is their steadfast anchor. Even though many believers carry heavy burdens they depend upon One on Whom they can lean their whole weight.

His care and support extend to the least, for upon the nail there also hung “all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons” Isa.22.24. There is none that is deemed too insignificant to be overseen by His care. Each believer in his or her weakness leans and draws upon the strength of the One Who is steadfast: the “nail in a sure place”.

O Lord! Thou now art seated,

Above the heavens, on high,

(The gracious work completed,

For which Thou cam’st to die);

To Thee our hearts are lifted,

While pilgrims wandering here,

For Thou alone art gifted

Our every weight to bear.

(James G. Deck)

To be continued (D.V.)

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MEN WHO KNEW GOD

by J. Alan Davidson (N. Ireland)

Paper 8

Joseph (Part 1)

“The arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob” Genesis 49.24

Joseph is a beautiful type of the Lord Jesus in suffering.

Joseph said, “Think on [‘remember’] me when it shall be well with thee” Gen.40.14. The Lord Jesus Christ said, “This do in remembrance of Me” 1Cor.11.24.

Joseph was the son of his father’s love, Gen.37.3. The coat of many colours, the tunic with sleeves, was the privilege of the heir, born of the beloved Rachel. “He [God] sent a man before them, even Joseph” Ps.105.17. “The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” 1Jn.4.14.

Joseph was rejected by his brethren, reminding us of the rejection of the Son of God. “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not” Jn.1.11. “This is the heir; come, let us kill Him” Matt.21.38. Joseph’s brethren hated him: “they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him” Gen.37.4. Of the Lord Jesus it was written prophetically: “They that hate Me without a cause are more than the hairs of Mine head … I am become a stranger unto My brethren, and an alien unto My mother’s children” Ps.69.4,8.

Joseph reported their evil: “Joseph brought unto his father their evil report” Gen.37.2. The Lord said of the world: “Me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil” Jn.7.7. Joseph’s father “sent him out of the vale of Hebron” Gen.37.14. “Hebron” means ‘fellowship, communion’. Christ left heaven, where He and the Father had ever enjoyed communion: “Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person” Heb.1.3. Joseph went to Shechem, Gen.37.13, which means ‘shoulder’, denoting the strength of service. Having found the sheep, the Good Shepherd “layeth it on His shoulders” Lk.15.5. “The government shall be upon His shoulder” Isa.9.6. Joseph “found them [his brothers] in Dothan” Gen.37.17, which some consider as representing the ‘law; custom’. The Lord came to a people in bondage, “to preach deliverance to the captives” Lk.4.18.

“They stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours” Gen.37.23. Hence they repudiated his sonship, as did the Lord’s own nation, when they cried concerning Him, “Away with this” Lk.23.18. Prophetically He said, “They part My garments among them” Ps.22.18. Joseph was cast into a pit by Jewish hands. He was abandoned in a pit to hold water, Gen.37.24, a cistern, which would have had a stone to block its narrow entrance. Compare the words, “Thou hast laid Me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon Me, and Thou hast afflicted Me with all Thy waves” Ps.88.6,7.

They sold Joseph “for twenty pieces of silver” Gen.37.28. Judas “brought again the thirty pieces of silver … he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple … ‘the price of Him that was valued’” Matt.27.3,5,9. Joseph was delivered into Gentile hands, Gen.37.36. In rejecting the Lord the leaders of Israel said, “We have no king but Caesar” Jn.19.15.

Joseph’s master “put him into the prison” Gen.39.20. The Lord “was numbered with the transgressors” Isa.53.12. There were two prisoners in “the place where Joseph was bound” Gen.40.3. Concerning our Lord we read that “when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left” Lk.23.33. Pharaoh dreamed and the prisoners dreamed: “They dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night … at the end of two full years … Pharaoh dreamed” Gen.40.5; 41.1. Pilate’s wife said, “I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him” Matt.27.19. Pharaoh the king “was troubled” and hoped for an interpretation, Gen.41.8. Herod the king “hoped to have seen some miracle done by Him” Lk.23.8. One of the prisoners with Joseph was forgiven, Gen.40.21, as was the malefactor at Calvary: “To day shalt thou be with Me in paradise” Lk.23.43. The other was hanged upon a tree, Gen.40.19.

There are four periods in Joseph’s life that we should consider, under the following headings: sonship, stewardship, suffering and sovereign.

SONSHIP

John’s Gospel stresses the preeminence of the Son. In John chapter 4, to the woman at the well, He is revealed as the seventh Man, vv.18,25,26. This incident occurred “near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph” v.5.

Joseph said, “Ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt” Gen.45.13. The Lord Jesus said, “Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory” Jn.17.24.

STEWARDSHIP

Mark’s Gospel tells us about the purity of the Servant. As a teenager, Joseph was tested at home. His grandfather was blind and died about the time that Joseph was sold into Egypt. His father was a cripple. His mother was dead. Three times in Genesis chapter 37 we read that his brethren “hated him” vv.4.5.8. The more he loved and served them the more they hated him. They treated him with malice, envy, cruelty, robbery, lies and plotting his murder. “Who was sold for a servant” Ps.105.17.

In his twenties he was tested as to his purity. Sold for the second time, he was in the house of Potiphar: “he served him” Gen.39.4. All of Joseph’s masters trusted him. There is no record of complaint, no anger, and no revenge. The temptation by the wicked seducer was prolonged: she “cast her eyes upon Joseph … day by day” Gen.39.7,10. The perfect Servant “was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan” Mk.1.13. He could say, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me” Jn.14.30. The key verse in Mark’s Gospel is 10.45: “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister [‘serve’], and to give His life a ransom for many”.

SUFFERING

Luke’s Gospel is the Gospel of the Son of man, the Man of sorrows. We read of Joseph in prison, in fetters, “whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron” Ps.105.18. “The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him” Gen.49.23. His brothers acknowledged, “We saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear” Gen.42.21.

Joseph is associated with four houses. He was faithful in every house he entered. Luke records fourteen houses that the Lord entered. The Lord never encountered a need that He did not meet. The Gospels tell of the roads He walked, the villages He visited, the houses He entered into, the tables where He sat. An early journey was into Egypt. “I … called My Son out of Egypt” Hos.11.1. When Joseph came seeking the welfare of his brethren, they sat down to eat the food that he brought for them while he starved in a pit. They denied his birthright; they rejoiced at his bondage as they sold him as a slave into Egypt. The pit and Potiphar’s house were followed by the prison, where he was forgotten. Perhaps it was there that the iron entered into his soul (see Newberry margin of Ps.105.18). In these experiences he typifies the Saviour, Who “was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” Isa.53.3.

SOVEREIGN

Matthew’s Gospel is the Gospel of the Sovereign, “the Son of David” Matt.1.1. “Where is He that is born King of the Jews?” Matt.2.2. It is interesting that the wise men said, “We have seen His star in the east”. The early words of Joseph declared, “Behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me” Gen.37.9.

Stephen said, “The patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, and delivered him out of his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house” Acts 7.9,10.

To be continued (D.V.)

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GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN 1CORINTHIANS CHAPTERS 12 TO 14

by Ken Wilkins (England)

Paper 8

1CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 12 (continued)

Having now considered each one of the spectacular sign gifts listed in 1Cor.12.8-10 in detail, let us now continue from v.11:

Verse 11: The giving of these gifts was by the Holy Spirit, and only the Holy Spirit: the “one and the selfsame Spirit”, and it is He Who divided these gifts “to every man severally as He will”. Thus the view of the ‘Charismatic Movement’ that evidence of the so-called ‘baptism of the Spirit experience’ is that people speak in tongues can in no way be supported by this verse, nor by the early verses of Acts chapter 2, nor by any other Scripture, because, as we shall see when we consider v.13, the true Church as a whole was included on the Day of Pentecost, when the baptism with the Holy Spirit took place, but the gift of tongues was never given to everyone in the Church, because the Holy Spirit divides all the gifts severally, that is, different gifts are divided off and given to different believers, so how then can the gift of tongues be the evidence of that baptism? Clearly that cannot be the case. So v.11 shows that the Holy Spirit operated as to the list of those temporary gifts to those in the early days of the Church, and that is also the case for permanent gifts which He gives to the Church today, because that is necessary for the function of every local church, as pictured in the following verses by the illustrations of functions of members of the human body.

Verse 12: This verse and those that follow present each local church as a local representation of the Church as a body, and the function of members of a human body will be used to illustrate this. In the words “so also is Christ” at the end of the verse, please note that the “is” is in italics. This is not physically Christ, but it can be translated “so alsothe Christ”, which, though it may sound a strange expression, is really a lovely thought because it speaks of the oneness of Christ and His Church as “one body”. That is how close to the Lord Jesus His Church really is: we are the object of His Divine love. How precious!

Verse 13: Sadly, regardless of the Scriptural conclusion we come to in v.11, today we are told by ‘charismatics’ that when people speak in tongues it means that they have received ‘the experience’, so-called, of the ‘baptism of the Spirit’. What spirit is that? We must search and see if this spirit passes the test of Scripture. Let us do that now by looking at:

THE SEVEN FEASTS OF JEHOVAH IN LEVITICUS CHAPTER 23

Leviticus chapter 23 concerns when God gave to Moses laws as to the seven feasts of Jehovah that the nation of Israel was commanded to celebrate every year. Five of these were one-day feasts and relate to events in time that were fulfilled in one day and are never repeated. Two of them were seven-day feasts, which signify that which is ongoing. When they were given, four feasts were then future, as far as the fulfilment of their significance is concerned, but are now historic, having been fulfilled. Three feasts are still to be fulfilled as to their significance.

Here, then, are listed below the seven feasts from Leviticus chapter 23, with their verse references within the chapter, and their spiritual significance for us today:

Historic feasts (that is, those which have already been fulfilled)

These were to be celebrated by Israel in the Spring:

1	Passover	v.5	1 day	Death of Christ at Calvary
2	Unleavened Bread	vv.6-8	7 days	Daily dealing with sin in our lives so as to maintain fellowship with the Lord
3	Firstfruits	vv.9-14	1 day	Resurrection of Christ
4	Pentecost	vv.15-21	1 day	Descent of, and baptism in, the Holy Spirit

There is a significant fifty-day gap between Firstfruits and Pentecost (see v.16). “Pentecost” means ‘the fiftieth’.

Passover was a one-day feast, speaking of the death of Christ at Calvary. Pentecost was a one-day feast, speaking of the descent of, and baptism in, the Holy Spirit. There will never be another Pentecost, because there will never be another Calvary.

Prophetic Feasts (that is, those which are still to be fulfilled)

These were to be celebrated by Israel in the Autumn:

5	Blowing of Trumpets	vv.23-25	1 day	Israel’s future national re-gathering
6	Day of Atonement	vv.26-32	1 day	Israel’s national repentance and salvation
7	Tabernacles	vv.33-36	7 days	Millennial reign of Christ

We know that as Israel killed the Passover lamb each year, it not only commemorated their deliverance and redemption from their slavery in Egypt by the blood of the lamb, but also that it actually pointed forward to the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus in shedding of His blood, when He suffered and died on the cross. Similarly, Israel’s Feast of Firstfruits pointed forward to His resurrection from the dead: the first Man to rise from the dead never to die again. Now we need to focus on what took place in the fifty days between Christ’s resurrection and Pentecost. Within the first forty of those days was when “He shewed himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days” Acts 1.3. 1Cor.15.5-7 gives details of who saw Him alive during those forty days. Acts 1.4 speaks of the day of Christ’s ascension, when He commanded His disciples to wait at Jerusalem, and wait for the promise He had already given them from the Father in Jn.15.26, which was the promise of the coming of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. Then, in Acts 1.5 the Lord Jesus speaks of, and distinguishes between, two baptisms, namely, John’s baptism (immersion) in water and the baptism (immersion) in the Holy Spirit. Baptism is always immersion; in fact, the Greek word baptisma means ‘the process of immersion’ and it is the Greek word from which we derive our English word “baptism”. Here in v.5 the Lord Jesus stated to His disciples, “… ye shall be baptized with [or ‘in’] the Holy Ghost not many days hence”. Then we read on and find that in Acts 1.9-11 the Lord Jesus ascended: He was “taken up” into heaven. By simple calculation we find that because forty days had passed since His resurrection, there were only ten more days to go until Pentecost (the fiftieth day). So it is to that short period which the Lord Jesus referred when He said to His disciples, “… not many days hence”.

In our next paper we will continue our consideration of the ‘baptism with the Holy Spirit’, from Acts 2.1-3.

To be continued (D.V.)

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PROPHECY

by Alan Summers (Scotland)

Paper 4

PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE WORLD

We live in an age that is preoccupied with the end of the world. Films abound that show the world invaded by aliens, inundated by floods, bombarded with asteroids, paralysed by deadly viruses and so on. The Bible has much to say about the end of the world. But it also contains prophecies about the world that have already been fulfilled. In particular it contains prophecies about nations such as Assyria, the Babylonians, the Medes and Persians, the Greeks and the Romans. Here are some examples of fulfilled prophecies.

Tyre

The destruction of Tyre is prophesied in a number of Scriptures. Tyre was a city state to the north of Israel often mentioned in connection with a neighbouring city called Sidon. The city stood on an island off the shore. The modern city of Tyre is situated on the mainland in modern-day Lebanon.

The prophet Ezekiel prophesied concerning Tyre: “And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first day of the month, that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, … “Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up. And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock” Ezek.26.1-4.

This prophecy was written in 586 BC. Ezekiel prophesied that the Babylonians would attack Tyre, Ezek.26.7. Nebuchadrezzar is a variant name for the more famous Nebuchadnezzar. He attacked Tyre. He laid siege to the city in 585 BC, a year later. The Babylonians did not completely destroy Tyre. It was damaged but then rebuilt. But in succeeding years other armies attacked Tyre and destroyed her.

For those interested, Wikipedia has an account of the sieges and partial destructions in the years that followed 556 BC. The most famous siege was that by Alexander the Great, in 332 BC. He besieged Tyre and built a causeway with the rubble of the part of the city on the mainland to get out to the island. The webpage then chronicles the ebbs and flows in its fortunes until it faded into obscurity in the thirteenth century AD. The sceptics point out that there is still a Tyre today. What they omit to notice is that, while the city bears the same name, it is on the mainland, whereas the Tyre of Ezekiel’s day was on the island of Tyre. It is a different city, in a different location, bearing the same name.

Babylon

Babylon was the capital city of an empire that at one point covered large parts of the Middle East. The following is an extract from Isaiah; see also Jer.50.23,39,40: “Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them … And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there” Isa.13.17-20.

It is thought that Isaiah made this prediction in about 701 BC¹, when Judah’s king Hezekiah was contemplating an alliance with Babylon. The prophecy was fulfilled in two phases. Cyrus, the king of the Medes and Persians, ended the political power of Babylon when he overthrew it in 539 BC, 160 years or so after Isaiah’s prophecy, Daniel chapter 5. “Darius the Mede” took over Babylon, in fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy, Dan.5.31; 9.1; 11.1.

¹ About forty years after he had heard God’s call “in the year that King Uzziah died” Isa. 6.1 (about 740 BC).

The fulfilment of Isa.13.20 (“it shall never be inhabited”) is a little more controversial since it fell into gradual decline until its eventual collapse into obscurity in the centuries that followed 539 BC. There are some that think that this prophecy points on to end times, when Babylon will be rebuilt, consistent with the prophecies of Revelation chapters 17 and 18.

Egypt and Assyria²

² The ancient land of Assyria is now divided between present-day Iraq, Turkey, Iran and Syria.

Some of the Bible’s prophecies about other nations are still to be fulfilled. Not all predict death and destruction. The principal prophecies of Scripture regarding Egypt are Isaiah chapter 19; Jer.43.8-13; 44.30; chapter 46; Ezekiel chapters 29-32. In this section we will look at an unfulfilled prophecy in connection with Egypt and Assyria, from Isaiah chapter 19:

“In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan … In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the Lord. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors, and He shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them. And the Lord shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the Lord, and perform it. And the Lord shall smite Egypt: He shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the Lord, and He shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them. In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel Mine inheritance” Isa.19.18-25.

Since Israel regained her independence, Iraq and Egypt have been Israel’s sworn enemies. This passage, however, predicts peace among these three nations. This will come about because, among other things, these nations will unite under the Messiah. Presently Israel is a secular state dominated by Judaism and Egypt and Iraq are Islamic states. The prophecy also indicates closer linguistic, economic and religious ties between Egypt and Israel and also a clear indication that these nations will be treated as Israel’s equal in the Millennium. Some commentators think this prophecy shows that Isaiah made a mistake!³ But the phrase “in that day” in Scripture usually refers to events in the Millennium. That, no doubt, is when this will be fulfilled.

³ “The prophecy is a spectacular example of one that never came true.” John Goldingay, “Isaiah” in “Understanding the Bible Commentary Series”. Baker Books, page 121.

The Four Great Empires of Ancient History

In Daniel’s Prophecy four great empires hold the stage: the Babylonian Empire, the Medo-Persian Empire, the Greek Empire and the Roman Empire. When Daniel wrote, the Babylonians held sway. But towards the end of his life they were conquered by the Persians. The Greek and Roman Empires had not emerged by the time of Daniel’s death. History records that after the collapse of the Babylonian Empire (605 BC to 539 BC: 66 years) the Medo-Persian Empire emerged (539 BC to 331 BC: 208 years). It was succeeded by the Greek Empire, built by Alexander the Great (331 BC to 146 BC: 185 years). Then it was superseded by the Roman Empire. Its duration is more difficult to discern, since it split into two. The Eastern and Western Empires divided in 395 AD. The Western Empire remained until 476 AD and the Eastern Empire until 1453 AD. The division of the Roman Empire into two parts is anticipated by Dan.2.41.

Daniel chapter 2 relates a vision setting out the progression of these empires. The metals of the image representing the various empires decrease in value from gold down to iron. This cannot symbolise a decrease in the size, duration or power of the empires, since the largest, longest and most powerful of the empires was the Roman Empire. The diminishing value may therefore speak of the increasing sinfulness and corruption of the successive empires. There is a phase in the last empire in which the metal symbolising the empire, iron, is mixed with another substance, clay. Many see this as representing a new phase of the Roman Empire which is yet future and in which the ten toes correspond to the ten horns that grow out of the beast in Dan.7.7,24. It is clear that this last empire is in power when Christ returns as the “stone … cut out without hands” Dan.2.34, and a new, enduring Empire is brought into existence. The Romans were in charge when Christ was born. Many believe that before He returns in glory it will revive and He will bring it to an end. Since the decline and fall of the Roman Empire there have been other empires, for example, the British Empire. But prophecy does not mention it, or any of the other empires.

To be continued (D.V.)

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“The Voice of my Beloved”

A Few Considerations from the Song of Solomon

by Samuel Kyle (N. Ireland)

When reading this lovely Song of Songs, the heart is moved with appreciation of what we can see of Christ. As the bride tells us about His loveliness, beauty, glory and perfection, we bow with her and confess, “He is altogether lovely” 5.16. Her eyes are enraptured with sights of Himself.

When reading the book, though, I was interested to notice three times when it is not what she sees but what she hears that stirs her heart. Not so much a vision of her beloved, but His voice. Sometimes Christ seems far from view, obscured by the mists of daily life, our eyes distracted by present difficulties. Yet how blessed it is when we catch just a little sound of the voice of Him from Whom “gracious words” so often come, Lk.4.22.

• The delight of His voice, 2.8
• The desire of His voice, 5.2
• The demands of His voice, 8.13

We will look at these few verses in the following order:

THE DEMANDS OF HIS VOICE – 8.13

A vineyard scene is before us. So much could be said about Solomon’s vineyard, but what truly makes it unique? It is this: “the companions hearken to thy voice” 8.13. We know from Scripture that the vineyard is a place of labour (the Lord’s parables), a place of love, Isaiah chapter 5, and a place of loyalty, 1Kings chapter 21. All these are features of the local assembly, described by Paul as “God’s husbandry” 1Cor.3.9. How precious the assembly is; the voice and traditions of men have no place, only “the commandments of the Lord” 1Cor.14.37. How sweet to be called by His voice to gather alone to His incomparable name, to continue steadfastly “in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” Acts 2.42. What a glorious place! As Jacob said of Beth-el, “This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven” Gen.28.17. The only governing voice is His. Truly, we had rather be doorkeepers in His house than to dwell in the tents of wickedness, Ps.84.10. The lowest place in the assembly is an Everest compared to any lofty positions in the systems of men.

THE DESIRE OF HIS VOICE – 5.2

The bride sleeps, but her heart wakens; the bridegroom’s voice has called her attention again. How often we feel like her, occupied with other things, too busy to spend time with Him. We can even be taken up with what we would like to do for Him, but then His voice comes: “Open to Me”. How humbling, that the Lord of glory, the Prince of life, God’s eternal Son, should ever desire to come in and spend time with us. And yet, it is really not surprising, when we think of His Calvary love, which led Him to go out to the cross of shame, bear my sins, and shed His blood that I may be forever with Him. How can I be cold to Him? And yet even when my heart is cold, He ever stands and desires to draw me close.

Much could be said about the passage, but what is it that reignited the flame of love in the heart of this Shulamite, 6.13? It was as she dwelt on her beloved, told again of the unsearchable treasures of beauty that she saw in him, gazed from his head to his feet, and, having exhausted all known language, stated that she found in him “the concentration of loveliness” 5.16 (Spurrell). If this was so of her love for Solomon, how much more is it so of our love for Christ! Hallelujah, what a Saviour! He thrills the soul with wonder; He fills the heart with worship. How blessed to be “looking unto Jesus” Heb.12.2, and finding that One so great desires time spent with one so worthless as myself.

I cannot gaze enough on Thee,

Thou Fairest of the fair!

My heart is filled with ecstasy,

As in Thy face of radiancy

I see such beauty there.

(William Spencer Walton)

THE DELIGHT OF HIS VOICE – 2.8

Again her thoughts are lifted as she hears his voice. Here is blest anticipation: “Behold, he cometh”. She knows that “the winter is past, the rain is over and gone” 2.11. Earth’s cold winter, the rains of sadness and disappointment, all will be dispelled when we hear His voice: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away” 2.10. We can hardly wait for it; only the plight of the lost around us would create any desire for delay. But how wonderful it will be when we shall rise, “to meet the Lord in the air” 1Thess.4.13-17. To see the loved ones who have gone before; a tremendous multitude: the dead raised, the living changed. To enter into the splendour and eternal rest of heaven, but so much more: to see Him for the first time. What a delight! We “can almost hear His footfall on the threshold of the door” (S. Trevor Francis). “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” Rev.22.20.

I know these thoughts are so simple, but how precious it is when we hear something of “the voice of my Beloved”.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,

I in my Saviour am happy and blest;

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

(Fanny J. Crosby)

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“But as Thou wilt” Matthew 26.39

by Roderick Barton (England)

We must never think that what Christ experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane was just a moment of inward fear. Far from it; the Lord Jesus knew exactly what lay ahead of Him. He said, “For I am come down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me” Jn.6.38. Before leaving heaven He fully knew the consequences of what He would suffer for the sin of all mankind.

We cannot, nor must we, think we can enter into the intensity of the sufferings of Christ at Calvary. These are only known to Divine Persons. Gethsemane was the last place He would be together with His disciples before Calvary. It is very precious to learn that the Lord of glory was pleased to have mortal men, some fisherman, another a tax collector, with Him as the prospect of the cross was now so near. The time in Gethsemane presents the Lord Jesus facing all that He knows He will experience very soon. He is fully aware there is a band of armed men coming through the darkness to take Him to false accusation, merciless cruelty and an appalling death.

The Lord Jesus knows that He is about to tread a unique pathway, for the eternal blessing of His creature man. He is to be the centre of the greatest demonstration of Divine love and grace ever witnessed by man. False accusation by the lying lips of unregenerate men awaits Him, followed by savage treatment from the hands of violent military, with His garments stripped from Him, and finally to be nailed as a common criminal to a wooden cross before a jeering mob.

He Who showed submission to His Father was “made a little lower than the angels” and had to “taste death for every man” Heb.2.9. Angels cannot die; mortality is necessary for death. So Christ came in a body prepared for Him, born of a virgin.

He, the perfect Man, knows what is before Him and is fully prepared to face Divine wrath as the great Sin Bearer. He knows that His supreme sacrifice will bring to a close the age of slaughtering and sacrificing animals. The renting of the veil in the Temple will show that His supreme sacrifice has brought that system to a close and that redeemed mortals will now have access into the sanctuary of God, in heaven. The power of sin, death and all the forces of evil are all to be totally defeated eternally.

The Lord Jesus is to purchase, by the shedding of His precious blood, a people for Himself, who will one day be immortal, like Him, and, amazingly, will reign with Him, but who will not be Divine, as only He is. As the Bridegroom He will be there with His Bride, the Church, the whole company of sinners saved by grace alone, at “the marriage supper of the Lamb” Rev.19.9.

There in the physical darkness of Gethsemane the Lord Jesus knew the vast immeasurable significance of His personal sacrifice, His work that He would do alone, and His unchallengeable commitment to carry it out.

Truly the words “But as Thou wilt” form a landmark statement highlighting the whole purpose of why the Lord Jesus came into the world. This complete commitment brings before us something of the boundless depth of the Divine relationship between the Father and the Son. It emphasises the majestic character of the approval of the Son by the Father expressed from heaven in Matt.3.17; Mk.1.11 and Lk.3.22.

Mankind has never, nor ever will, witness such a desire to carry out the Divine will, in such circumstances, without a single murmur or any hesitation. Yet what is the response of man? Some twenty centuries or so of rejection and rebellion; but what of heaven’s response? Peter tells us that the Lord “is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” 2Pet.3.9. What a message of compassion to men, especially when viewed in light of those words of the Lord Jesus, “But as Thou wilt”! How these words speak of a complete commitment to go forward in obedience to the will of His Father!

All who have been saved, through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, have set before them, here in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Divine standard of commitment to the will of God. This goes to stress the seriousness of service for Christ, in obedience and commitment, on the basis of the infallible and unalterable Word of God. God’s standards are not framed by men; they are there in the Scriptures. This is the pathway for every believer to take upon his or her life of service, a way by which there is blessing and the assurance of the abiding presence of the One Who has promised to never leave us nor forsake us, Heb.13.5, whatever the circumstances.

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Comfort for Christians in a Changing World

by Roy Reynolds (N. Ireland)

“Through His poverty” 2Corinthians 8.9

“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” Ps.24.1. “For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills” Ps.50.10. However, “He became poor” 2Cor.8.9. He was born, and laid in a lowly manger, in the little town of Bethlehem, raised in the despised Nazareth by His humble mother, Mary, and her husband, Joseph. He Himself said, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head” Matt.8.20. Oftentimes when the disciples returned at the end of the day to their own homes, He spent the night upon the windswept mountaintop.

He said on one occasion, “Shew me a penny” Lk.20.24, and yet, on the cross, He paid the mighty debt we owed, in full. The soldiers parted His garments among them and gambled for His seamless coat but He has clothed us “with the garments of salvation” Isa.61.10, and by His lonely death upon the shameful tree has enriched all who trust Him beyond our wildest imagination. We adore Him “as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things” 2Cor.6.10.

We saw Thee not when Thou didst come to this poor world of sin and death,

Nor e’er beheld Thy cottage home in that despisèd Nazareth;

But we believe Thy footsteps trod its streets and plains, Thou Son of God.

“I AM that I AM” Exodus 3.14

Changeless, constant and consistent; what a comfort to every child of God that their Father is not fickle but faithful, “through eternal years the same”! His promises are unfailing because His Person is unchanging. He never exaggerates, but rather His Word is utterly dependable at all times.

We lives in scenes which are characterised by perpetual change and uncertainty but He is “the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” Jms.1.17. “God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” Num.23.19.

The passing of time does not take its toll on “Him which is, and which was, and which is to come” Rev.1.4. His immutability is one of the most comforting aspects of His Person and reminds us of One Who is wholly reliable and continually faithful and trustworthy. We change in many ways and often feel we are not the caring friends we used to be, and friends to whom we turned so often for comfort have been taken from us, “but Thou remainest …” Heb.1.11; “but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail” Heb.1.12.

Before the hills in order stood, or earth received her frame,

From everlasting Thou art God, to endless years the same.

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Good Tidings from Heaven

Doors Closing…

Anyone using elevators will on various occasions have heard the announcements “Doors Opening” – – “Doors Closing”. The second announcement generally indicates that you can no longer change your mind and you are heading to your chosen destination. You may then hear another announcement: “Lift going up” or “Lift going down”.

It reminds me that the great gospel door of opportunity, which has been wide open for almost twenty centuries, is about to close; it will, in an instant, at the coming again of the Lord Jesus. Those who have been privileged to hear the gospel but have never responded to the gracious invitation of the Saviour will discover that their opportunity to trust Him has been suddenly and unexpectedly withdrawn forever. How dreadful that day will be, when the possibility of being saved eternally will be gone, never to be presented again! Consider seriously these solemn words: “Strive to enter in at the strait [narrow] gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying ‘Lord, Lord, open unto us;’ and He shall answer and say unto you, ‘I know you not whence ye are’” Luke 13.24,25. How dreadful to stand at the door of a place where you really want to be inside and discover that the door is locked and you cannot gain entry!

Perhaps the most alarming fact (unlike the door of the elevator) is that no prior warning will be given as to when the door will shut; no announcement will be made by a sober-faced newsreader on radio or television, no startling announcement will appear in the tabloids, no emergency alarm will sound on your mobile phone that this momentous event is about to happen. In Genesis chapter 7, which records the details of the Flood, God said to Noah, “For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights …” v.4; but no such warning will sound from Heaven when God determines to close the door of opportunity and send His Son to summon every saved person, worldwide, to meet Him in the air. All will continue as normal for the most of people, busy with their daily routines, when suddenly, unexpectedly, quietly, millions will be caught up in a moment “to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” 1Thessalonians 4.17.

In view of the nearness of that great event, there are two other doors I wish you to consider: in John 10.9 there is a door that must be entered; the Lord Jesus said, “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved …” and in Revelation 3.20 there is a door that must be opened: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” My friend, you will enter the door when you trust the Saviour and you will open the door when you cease to rebel and respond to the gracious entreaties of the gospel by receiving Christ as your personal Saviour. Please understand the urgency of this all-important matter: “Doors Closing”!

Too late, they’ll find the door will shut, which now stands open wide;

Too late, they’ll have to meet their God, with no place then to hide.

O, sinner, pause, ‘ere yet too late; now is the day of grace,

Now Jesus calls – O, do obey His pleading, loving voice.

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QUOTES

A Proverb to Ponder

“Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith” Proverbs 15.17

Given the choice, most people would prefer a tasty, tender beef steak to a dish of vegetables. Also, a family that habitually feasts on meat would usually be wealthier than one whose typical fare lacks it. Solomon is not here decrying wealth per se; nor is he making a virtue of poverty. However, he is teaching that affluence does not guarantee the presence of love, and is no substitute for it. We must take great care not to attach undue importance to the extent of our earthly possessions. Rather, let us all see to it that our homes are characterised by love: that they are places where the love of God is appreciated, where it is in evidence and where it is worked out practically, in every relationship: between spouses, between parents and children, towards the wider family, to the Lord’s people, and to all who come within our sphere of influence. This is true wealth.

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“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” Jms.4.17

 

It is not only that sin consists in doing evil, but in not doing the good that we know.

 

Harry Ironside