Category Archives: Prophecy

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Capsicum/Bell Pepper Steak

Capsicum/Bell Pepper Steak
This is a family favourite. It has colour, taste, nutrition and is simple to make. Give it a try.
Ingredients
2 green onions
4 T. olive oil
4 T. soy sauce
1 tsp. thyme
Dash of pepper
1/2 lemon, juiced
1.2 pounds or 600 grams flank steak or skirt state (ask your butcher), cut into serving portions
3 large capsicum (bell peppers), preferably different colours. Slice or dice it to suit your taste (we prefer to have it diced so you have colourful bits throughout)
3 garlic cloves
Cooking
The key to this recipe is the marinade and also the quality of the steak.
Combine green onions, soy sauce, olive oil, thyme, pepper and lemon in a bowl and marinate the steak for as long as you can, at least for several hours.
Saute the capsicum/bell peppers, with the garlic in a small amount of oil in a medium skillet.
Add steak, sauté on each side until done.

Serve over hot buttered rice.
Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Wisdom Is the Principal Thing: Why Study the Book of Proverbs

He was no more than 21 years old. Yet the weight of the world was on his shoulders. His father had been a successful, acclaimed king, yet the latter part of his reign was soiled with family scandal and sedition. Now, the new young king wanted to learn from both his father’s successes and failures. How could he navigate through the minefield of leadership and life?
At a high place called Gibeon, the young king had a dream where God offered to give him whatever he wanted. Usually, the normal worldly options include riches, fame/acclaim, and longevity. Yet he asked for none of these. This king wanted to know how to do his job correctly. So he asked this one thing of God: please grant me a wise and understanding heart.
God was so impressed with this request that it was granted on-the-spot. As a bonus, God gave the young king those things he did not ask: riches and fame. If he continued on walking with God, long-life would be granted, too. Some of what God shared with the young king has become a book of the Bible. It is called Proverbs.
Today, in our every-complicated specialised world, it is common for people to pay consultants 100s and 1000s of dollars for advise. Yet, the best consultant of all is found right in the pages of your Bible. For no earthly consultant can hope to match the time-tested, proven, divine wisdom found it Proverbs. It not only promises the very best in this world, including riches, honour and life (Proverbs 3:16) but gives guaranteed hope for the world to come.
Ultimately, we discover that wisdom is not a corpus of knowledge rightly applied. It is a Person named Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 1:30). When you have Him in your life, you win everything (Revelation 21:7 AV).
Proverbs is so invaluable we recommended reading it daily. Since there are 31 chapters in Proverbs, whatever is the date of the month, that’s the chapter of Proverbs you should read. For example, if it is the 5th of the month, read the 5th chapter of Proverbs.
HEBREW NAME
Hebrew: Mishle Shelomoh (Proverbs of Solomon 1:1) and Sepher Hokhmah (Book of Wisdom); the Greek name is Paroimiai Salomontos (Proverbs of Solomon). We get the name ‘Proverbs’ from the Latin:Liber Proverbiorum.
AUTHORS OF THE PROVERBS
Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs (I Kings 4:32) and he is the prime author of Proverbs (1:1; 10:1; 25:1). The men of Hezekiah did some editing (chapters 25-29). Also mentioned are Agur (30) and Lemuel (31).
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the life-giving, favour-filled wisdom of God (8:35). To embrace Jesus is the wisest thing one can do; to reject Him is the ultimate of folly.
THEME OF PROVERBS
The promotion and triumph of wisdom and the perverseness and insanity of folly. Proverbs is more than just being wise in this world; it speaks of wisdom that endures for all eternity. Folly is not merely viewed as an unfortunate inconvenience; it is seen as a serious liability and the downpayment to hell itself.
KEY VERSES IN PROVERBS
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. 9She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. 10Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many — Proverbs 4:5-10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased — Proverbs 9:10-11
SUMMARY OF PROVERBS
Someone once said a proverb is short in words but long on experience. Proverbs contains many pithy, insightful, and divinely wise sayings. Follow its timeless counsel and you will avoid a lot of grief. Furthermore, you will attract much blessing. Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge are to be eagerly sought. Folly, scornful, and simplicity are faults to be avoided.
When the author of Proverbs speaks of ‘my son,’ the initial impression is that it has to be Rehoboam, son and heir of Solomon. Writing at a more mature stage of his reign, Solomon is attempting to influence Rehoboam to walk in the same wisdom that he had. Therefore, the first part of problems is directed to ‘sons’ and ‘young men.’ Those who heed its counsel are promised riches, honour, and long-life. Yet there are many pitfalls to avoid. In Chapter 4, for example, it describes the contrast between the dark, nefarious ‘way of the wicked’ and that of the promising, well-lit ‘path of the just.’ These two paths could not be more different. One leads to every increasing darkness, damage, and death; the other to a bright future. Or there is the detailed account in Proverbs 7 about the foolish young man, void of understanding, who gets into serious strife by caving in to the invitation of the adulterous woman. His lack of discretion is fatal.
The second part of Proverbs addresses issues involving all people, young and old. There are many pithy phrases that make for wisdom in capsule form.
Finally, the last section is more for leaders. It speaks of self-control, sobriety, having a good name and reputation, warnings against taking bribes, and being careful against wine and strong drink.
OUTLINE OF PROVERBS
I.         Wisdom for Young Men (1-10)
II.      Wisdom for All People (11-20)
III.    Wisdom for Leaders (21-31)

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Wisdom Is the Principal Thing: Why Study the Book of Proverbs

He was no more than 21 years old. Yet the weight of the world was on his shoulders. His father had been a successful, acclaimed king, yet the latter part of his reign was soiled with family scandal and sedition. Now, the new young king wanted to learn from both his father’s successes and failures. How could he navigate through the minefield of leadership and life?
At a high place called Gibeon, the young king had a dream where God offered to give him whatever he wanted. Usually, the normal worldly options include riches, fame/acclaim, and longevity. Yet he asked for none of these. This king wanted to know how to do his job correctly. So he asked this one thing of God: please grant me a wise and understanding heart.
God was so impressed with this request that it was granted on-the-spot. As a bonus, God gave the young king those things he did not ask: riches and fame. If he continued on walking with God, long-life would be granted, too. Some of what God shared with the young king has become a book of the Bible. It is called Proverbs.
Today, in our every-complicated specialised world, it is common for people to pay consultants 100s and 1000s of dollars for advise. Yet, the best consultant of all is found right in the pages of your Bible. For no earthly consultant can hope to match the time-tested, proven, divine wisdom found it Proverbs. It not only promises the very best in this world, including riches, honour and life (Proverbs 3:16) but gives guaranteed hope for the world to come.
Ultimately, we discover that wisdom is not a corpus of knowledge rightly applied. It is a Person named Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 1:30). When you have Him in your life, you win everything (Revelation 21:7 AV).
Proverbs is so invaluable we recommended reading it daily. Since there are 31 chapters in Proverbs, whatever is the date of the month, that’s the chapter of Proverbs you should read. For example, if it is the 5th of the month, read the 5th chapter of Proverbs.
HEBREW NAME
Hebrew: Mishle Shelomoh (Proverbs of Solomon 1:1) and Sepher Hokhmah (Book of Wisdom); the Greek name is Paroimiai Salomontos (Proverbs of Solomon). We get the name ‘Proverbs’ from the Latin:Liber Proverbiorum.
AUTHORS OF THE PROVERBS
Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs (I Kings 4:32) and he is the prime author of Proverbs (1:1; 10:1; 25:1). The men of Hezekiah did some editing (chapters 25-29). Also mentioned are Agur (30) and Lemuel (31).
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the life-giving, favour-filled wisdom of God (8:35). To embrace Jesus is the wisest thing one can do; to reject Him is the ultimate of folly.
THEME OF PROVERBS
The promotion and triumph of wisdom and the perverseness and insanity of folly. Proverbs is more than just being wise in this world; it speaks of wisdom that endures for all eternity. Folly is not merely viewed as an unfortunate inconvenience; it is seen as a serious liability and the downpayment to hell itself.
KEY VERSES IN PROVERBS
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. 9She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. 10Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many — Proverbs 4:5-10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased — Proverbs 9:10-11
SUMMARY OF PROVERBS
Someone once said a proverb is short in words but long on experience. Proverbs contains many pithy, insightful, and divinely wise sayings. Follow its timeless counsel and you will avoid a lot of grief. Furthermore, you will attract much blessing. Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge are to be eagerly sought. Folly, scornful, and simplicity are faults to be avoided.
When the author of Proverbs speaks of ‘my son,’ the initial impression is that it has to be Rehoboam, son and heir of Solomon. Writing at a more mature stage of his reign, Solomon is attempting to influence Rehoboam to walk in the same wisdom that he had. Therefore, the first part of problems is directed to ‘sons’ and ‘young men.’ Those who heed its counsel are promised riches, honour, and long-life. Yet there are many pitfalls to avoid. In Chapter 4, for example, it describes the contrast between the dark, nefarious ‘way of the wicked’ and that of the promising, well-lit ‘path of the just.’ These two paths could not be more different. One leads to every increasing darkness, damage, and death; the other to a bright future. Or there is the detailed account in Proverbs 7 about the foolish young man, void of understanding, who gets into serious strife by caving in to the invitation of the adulterous woman. His lack of discretion is fatal.
The second part of Proverbs addresses issues involving all people, young and old. There are many pithy phrases that make for wisdom in capsule form.
Finally, the last section is more for leaders. It speaks of self-control, sobriety, having a good name and reputation, warnings against taking bribes, and being careful against wine and strong drink.
OUTLINE OF PROVERBS
I.         Wisdom for Young Men (1-10)
II.      Wisdom for All People (11-20)
III.    Wisdom for Leaders (21-31)

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Culture War Part 04

It is very much part of our society today – and its not getting any calmer. The election of Donald Trump pointed a big spot-light on this half-century phenomena. We called it the culture war.
Remember, the two sides vying for the heart of society are the left-learning secular progressives (SP) versus the right-leaning traditional values conservatives (TVC).
SP, which sees the world through material and economic lenses, represents a utopian vision of society involving big government, regulations, political correctness, and revamping of traditional moral principles.
TVC’s worldview is wholistic, and focuses on all aspects of existence, including the spiritual, moral, and ethical. They prefer limited government, a free economy, strong military, family and moral values.
In this part, we will look more closely at traditional values conservatives
Morality
When it comes to Biblical standards, TVC sees these precepts as fixed and unchangeable: sexual morality, truthfulness, sanctity of life, Biblical integrity, marriage, family, and precepts of the Ten Commandments. Since these things are viewed as permanently good, they are embraced with both hands tightly.
TVC are consistently ‘pro-life’ when it comes to the abortion and/or euthanasia, assisted suicide debate; ‘pro-marriage/pro-family’ when it comes to the optimal societal arrangements; and they are ‘pro-Biblical morality’ when it comes to personal conduct.
Limited Government
With this in mind, TVC believe in limited government: that government exists to provide infrastructure, protect its citizens domestically and internationally, and take care of functions not covered by the private sector. Government does not create human rights, but is there to affirm and protect them. TVC believes in individual freedom with corresponding responsibility, constitutional government, democratic parliaments, and free-market economics, as well as the above-mentioned moral and spiritual values. Christians who are TVC believe it is God, not the government, to Whom we should look for meeting all their needs: economic, emotional, physical, mental, temporal, spiritual, and eternal. Most of these needs are beyond the reach of government but God is able and willing to take are of them all. God, also, is the source of our human rights.
Equality
Unlike progressivism, which believes in ‘equality of outcomes,’ TCV believe in ‘equality of opportunity’ – everyone should get a chance – but concede that some will reap 30, others 60, and others 100-fold. The hyper-equality bandwagon of SP is rejected: to take something that was rightfully earned by a productive person and give it to an unproductive person is considered a great injustice. While a vast governmental welfare system is viewed as inefficient, futile, and corrupt, TVC do strongly believe in private charities and family-community support which are much more effective of meeting the needs of the needy.
Government
TVC believe that man, made in the image of God, can be corrupted by too much power. That’s why they advocate ‘separation of powers’ and ‘balance of power,’ so that no branch of government has too much power, thus providing for better governance. TVC want to maintain these things, arguing that the large government of the SP will distort or destroy the checks and balances, trample on human rights, and run the economy into the red until it hits the brick wall.
Are We Bit Of Both?
Though many will readily identify with either SP or TVC, there is an argument to say there is a bit of both in most of us. There are those on the SP Left (not many, but they exist) who believe in being moral in the traditional sense. And there are TVC who believe in some of the better known government entitlements programs.
For example, the US aged-pension, known as Social Security, is a ‘sacred cow’ to most Americans, regardless of political persuasion. If you want to raise the ire of the grey power brigade, just hint at touching Social Security, even with the most minimal and modest of reforms. Many people in Australia, America, and Britain, like the notion of a government benefits and safety net – but ignore the price such a net brings.
Yet, in short, if you believe in a big government who endeavours to take care of all your needs, but could end up telling you what to think, believe, or say, you are strongly leaning to the SP side. If you believe in individual initiative, freedom, responsibility, hard work, family values and traditional morality, you are on the TVC side.


Next time, we will contrast SP with TVC side-by-side
Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Culture War Part 04

It is very much part of our society today – and its not getting any calmer. The election of Donald Trump pointed a big spot-light on this half-century phenomena. We called it the culture war.
Remember, the two sides vying for the heart of society are the left-learning secular progressives (SP) versus the right-leaning traditional values conservatives (TVC).
SP, which sees the world through material and economic lenses, represents a utopian vision of society involving big government, regulations, political correctness, and revamping of traditional moral principles.
TVC’s worldview is wholistic, and focuses on all aspects of existence, including the spiritual, moral, and ethical. They prefer limited government, a free economy, strong military, family and moral values.
In this part, we will look more closely at traditional values conservatives
Morality
When it comes to Biblical standards, TVC sees these precepts as fixed and unchangeable: sexual morality, truthfulness, sanctity of life, Biblical integrity, marriage, family, and precepts of the Ten Commandments. Since these things are viewed as permanently good, they are embraced with both hands tightly.
TVC are consistently ‘pro-life’ when it comes to the abortion and/or euthanasia, assisted suicide debate; ‘pro-marriage/pro-family’ when it comes to the optimal societal arrangements; and they are ‘pro-Biblical morality’ when it comes to personal conduct.
Limited Government
With this in mind, TVC believe in limited government: that government exists to provide infrastructure, protect its citizens domestically and internationally, and take care of functions not covered by the private sector. Government does not create human rights, but is there to affirm and protect them. TVC believes in individual freedom with corresponding responsibility, constitutional government, democratic parliaments, and free-market economics, as well as the above-mentioned moral and spiritual values. Christians who are TVC believe it is God, not the government, to Whom we should look for meeting all their needs: economic, emotional, physical, mental, temporal, spiritual, and eternal. Most of these needs are beyond the reach of government but God is able and willing to take are of them all. God, also, is the source of our human rights.
Equality
Unlike progressivism, which believes in ‘equality of outcomes,’ TCV believe in ‘equality of opportunity’ – everyone should get a chance – but concede that some will reap 30, others 60, and others 100-fold. The hyper-equality bandwagon of SP is rejected: to take something that was rightfully earned by a productive person and give it to an unproductive person is considered a great injustice. While a vast governmental welfare system is viewed as inefficient, futile, and corrupt, TVC do strongly believe in private charities and family-community support which are much more effective of meeting the needs of the needy.
Government
TVC believe that man, made in the image of God, can be corrupted by too much power. That’s why they advocate ‘separation of powers’ and ‘balance of power,’ so that no branch of government has too much power, thus providing for better governance. TVC want to maintain these things, arguing that the large government of the SP will distort or destroy the checks and balances, trample on human rights, and run the economy into the red until it hits the brick wall.
Are We Bit Of Both?
Though many will readily identify with either SP or TVC, there is an argument to say there is a bit of both in most of us. There are those on the SP Left (not many, but they exist) who believe in being moral in the traditional sense. And there are TVC who believe in some of the better known government entitlements programs.
For example, the US aged-pension, known as Social Security, is a ‘sacred cow’ to most Americans, regardless of political persuasion. If you want to raise the ire of the grey power brigade, just hint at touching Social Security, even with the most minimal and modest of reforms. Many people in Australia, America, and Britain, like the notion of a government benefits and safety net – but ignore the price such a net brings.
Yet, in short, if you believe in a big government who endeavours to take care of all your needs, but could end up telling you what to think, believe, or say, you are strongly leaning to the SP side. If you believe in individual initiative, freedom, responsibility, hard work, family values and traditional morality, you are on the TVC side.


Next time, we will contrast SP with TVC side-by-side
Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

What Is the Church Part 02

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God — Matthew 16:16
‘What is the church?’ ‘How does it work?’ Most importantly, ‘why does it make a difference in our world?’
In our first part, we attempted to answer these questions by focusing on the founder of the church, Jesus Christ Himself. While the world has debated Jesus’ identity for the last 2,000 years, it can be neatly summarised in Peter’s declaration above. Jesus is the Christ/Messiah, the Son of David who will sit on his throne. He is also declared as the Son of God.
While ancient Israel had anointed prophets, priests, and kings, the anointing of Jesus is unique. He is ‘the anointed of the anointed:’ Anointed
1.      A Prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15);
2.      A Priest like Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:11, 15, 17, 21); and
3.      A King: like David (Psalm 18:50; 89:20; Luke 4:18; Acts 4:27; 10:38; Hebrews 1:9).
Only Jesus of Nazareth fits this description and Peter affirmed it in his confession. It is on this confession that the church is built. Jesus, doing a play on words regarding Peter’s name, calls him petros meaning a detached or boulder stone, or ‘little stone,’ that can be cast down. But on this confession, called petra,[1] an unmovable ‘mass of rock’ that is used for a sure foundation to build the church.
In other words, Jesus calls Peter a detachable, throwable stone, but on this unmoveable foundational rock Christ will build His church. It is the confession of Jesus’ identity as Christ, Son of David, Son of God, not the person of Peter himself, which is the foundation stone for the church.[2]
God purchased the church with the shed blood of His Son (Acts 20:28). Jesus Christ is head of the church (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18). Christ loves, nourishes, and cherishes the church (Ephesians 5:25), which He will present blameless in glory on day (v. 27). Christ prime responsibility is to build His church (Matthew 16:18), and one of His methods is by spiritual gifts (Ephesians 4:12).
Defining ‘The Church’
Now that Jesus’ true and complete identity is revealed to Peter and the disciples by the Heavenly Father (Matthew 16:17), it is time to ‘talk church.’ First, note that this is first out of 77 times that the word is used, all in the New Testament. So what does the word actually mean?
‘Church’ comes from the Greek word is ekklesia (Greek: ἐκκλησία). It means those who are ‘called out’ from their normal dwelling and/or the world into a special assembly. In its most basic sense, ekklesia, (from where we get the word ‘ecclesiastical),’ means an an organised assembly of citizens in some public place. From the spiritual view, it is a gathering of Christians for the purpose of worship and service.
Yet it does not stop there. Ekklesia/church is every person, redeemed by faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, from the day of Pentecost until the second coming of the Lord. Even those who have died in faith are very much part of the church and may very well constitute the ‘great cloud of witnesses’ spoken of in Hebrews 12:1. This is the universal church. Church also is referred to as Christ’s body (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18), of which He is the head.
As one person aptly put it, the church in the Old Testament was concealed, but in the New Testament revealed.
Summary
In summary, the church of the New Testament is built on the confession of Jesus being the Christ, Son of David who will sit on his throne forever. He is also Son of God (Matthew 16:18). Those that believe this confession are grafted into the church. We note that:
1.      Christ is building His church;
2.      This church-building program uses people. God’s method is a person, not a program;
3.      Anyone can join the church through repentance from dead works, faith, and confession towards Christ, Son of God, Saviour, Lord of all;
4.      The New Testament church built on the confession that Jesus is Christ, Son of God (Matt. 16:18). As Bob Gass says, Christ had to be God to save us and man to die for us.
In our next instalment, we will learn what does the church do.


[1] “G4073 – petra – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (KJV).” Blue Letter Bible. Accessed 22 Dec, 2017. https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4073&t=KJV
[2] “G4073 – petra – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (KJV).” Blue Letter Bible. Accessed 22 Dec, 2017. https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4073&t=KJV
Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

What Is the Church Part 02

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God — Matthew 16:16
‘What is the church?’ ‘How does it work?’ Most importantly, ‘why does it make a difference in our world?’
In our first part, we attempted to answer these questions by focusing on the founder of the church, Jesus Christ Himself. While the world has debated Jesus’ identity for the last 2,000 years, it can be neatly summarised in Peter’s declaration above. Jesus is the Christ/Messiah, the Son of David who will sit on his throne. He is also declared as the Son of God.
While ancient Israel had anointed prophets, priests, and kings, the anointing of Jesus is unique. He is ‘the anointed of the anointed:’ Anointed
1.      A Prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15);
2.      A Priest like Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:11, 15, 17, 21); and
3.      A King: like David (Psalm 18:50; 89:20; Luke 4:18; Acts 4:27; 10:38; Hebrews 1:9).
Only Jesus of Nazareth fits this description and Peter affirmed it in his confession. It is on this confession that the church is built. Jesus, doing a play on words regarding Peter’s name, calls him petros meaning a detached or boulder stone, or ‘little stone,’ that can be cast down. But on this confession, called petra,[1] an unmovable ‘mass of rock’ that is used for a sure foundation to build the church.
In other words, Jesus calls Peter a detachable, throwable stone, but on this unmoveable foundational rock Christ will build His church. It is the confession of Jesus’ identity as Christ, Son of David, Son of God, not the person of Peter himself, which is the foundation stone for the church.[2]
God purchased the church with the shed blood of His Son (Acts 20:28). Jesus Christ is head of the church (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18). Christ loves, nourishes, and cherishes the church (Ephesians 5:25), which He will present blameless in glory on day (v. 27). Christ prime responsibility is to build His church (Matthew 16:18), and one of His methods is by spiritual gifts (Ephesians 4:12).
Defining ‘The Church’
Now that Jesus’ true and complete identity is revealed to Peter and the disciples by the Heavenly Father (Matthew 16:17), it is time to ‘talk church.’ First, note that this is first out of 77 times that the word is used, all in the New Testament. So what does the word actually mean?
‘Church’ comes from the Greek word is ekklesia (Greek: ἐκκλησία). It means those who are ‘called out’ from their normal dwelling and/or the world into a special assembly. In its most basic sense, ekklesia, (from where we get the word ‘ecclesiastical),’ means an an organised assembly of citizens in some public place. From the spiritual view, it is a gathering of Christians for the purpose of worship and service.
Yet it does not stop there. Ekklesia/church is every person, redeemed by faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, from the day of Pentecost until the second coming of the Lord. Even those who have died in faith are very much part of the church and may very well constitute the ‘great cloud of witnesses’ spoken of in Hebrews 12:1. This is the universal church. Church also is referred to as Christ’s body (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18), of which He is the head.
As one person aptly put it, the church in the Old Testament was concealed, but in the New Testament revealed.
Summary
In summary, the church of the New Testament is built on the confession of Jesus being the Christ, Son of David who will sit on his throne forever. He is also Son of God (Matthew 16:18). Those that believe this confession are grafted into the church. We note that:
1.      Christ is building His church;
2.      This church-building program uses people. God’s method is a person, not a program;
3.      Anyone can join the church through repentance from dead works, faith, and confession towards Christ, Son of God, Saviour, Lord of all;
4.      The New Testament church built on the confession that Jesus is Christ, Son of God (Matt. 16:18). As Bob Gass says, Christ had to be God to save us and man to die for us.
In our next instalment, we will learn what does the church do.


[1] “G4073 – petra – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (KJV).” Blue Letter Bible. Accessed 22 Dec, 2017. https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4073&t=KJV
[2] “G4073 – petra – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (KJV).” Blue Letter Bible. Accessed 22 Dec, 2017. https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4073&t=KJV
Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Britain’s Contribution to the World Part 02

In our first part, we looked at the unique and powerful contribution Great Britain has made on civilisation. Areas of parliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchy, and even technology, were cited.
One article is not enough, thus we continue to explore this important topic.
Cause of Freedom: Britain has made 2 major contributions to the cause of freedom. First was the abolition of the slave trade by committed Christian William Wilberforce. Through immense perseverance, Wilberforce was able to turn the tide on this lucrative but iniquitous practice. Yet there is more – twice in the 20th century Britain played a key role in the defeat of euro-fascism, during the first and second world wars. History would have been greatly altered had they lost!
The Commonwealth of Nations: This 52 nation association, mostly from former British colonies, cooperates in trade, defence and fraternity. The Queen is the symbolic head and the Secretary-General has executive power. The commonwealth is a unique concept in post-colonial history.
Economic contributions: These include free-trade, free-market, mercantilism, capitalism London was and still is a great global financial hub. The British Empire in the 19th Century started the process we now know as globalisation, or more accurately, ‘Anglo-globalisation,’ which sought the free movement of goods, services, capital, people, and ideas worldwide. Britain’s contribution to the luxury car market include Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Jaguar, developed by British engineers.
Sport: Yes, the British gave the world cricket, bridge, and snooker. Yet it can also be argued that many of the sports involving kicking a ball around the field also came out of Britain. It helped to standardised the structure and rules of many famous sports, like with football, rugby, and tennis, giving it an oversized role in modern sport. It is fascinating how former British colonies, now independent nation-states, are addicted to British-derived sports like cricket.
Newton’s laws: Sir Isaac Newton was a famous British mathematician and physicist. In the field of physics, he documented and outlined 3 important laws of motion: Law One: A ‘resting’ inanimate object remains so unless provoked or prompted by an external force; likewise, an object in motion will remain so unless interfered by an external object. Law Two: An applied force on a given object equals the rate of change at its momentum. Law Three: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. He also documented the phenomena of universal gravitation. Newton is arguably one of the greatest scientists in history, along with Albert Einstein.
The English language: This is one of the greatest of exports of Britain. Though it is the mother tongue of 450 million, it is spoken fluently by over 2 billion worldwide. English is the true modern-day lingua franca, the international language, as Greek was in the ancient world.
English literature: Along with English language is world-shaping English literature. The most famous, of course, is William Shakespeare, but don’t forget Britons Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, John Milton.Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte, Agatha Christie, Geoffrey Chaucer, John Donne, Samuel Johnson, Joseph Conrad, Christopher Marlowe, Jonathan Swift, and John Keats. This is only a partial list.
In this department, it needs to be said that the single-greatest contribution to English language and literature is not the Oxford English Dictionary, valuable as it is. It is the King James Bible, which, more than any other literary piece, has helped to shape the English language as we know it. KJV is replete with idioms that we used on a regular basis. Here is a partial list

•   A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush;
•   A drop in the bucket;
•   A fly in the ointment
•   A house divided against itself cannot stand
•   A leopard cannot change its spots
•   A man after his own heart;
•   A multitude of sins;
•   A sign of the times
•   A two-edged sword;
•   A voice crying in the wilderness;
•   A wolf in sheep’s clothing;
•   All things must pass;
•   All things to all men
•   Am I my brother’s keeper?
•   An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth;
•   As old as Methuselah;
•   As old as the hills;
•   As white as snow;
•   As you sow so shall you reap;
•   Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
•   At his wits end;
•   Baptism of fire;
•   Beat swords into ploughshares;
•   Bite the dust;
•   Blessed are the peacemakers;
•   Born again;
•   Breath of Life;
•   By the skin of your teeth;
•   Can a leopard change his spots;
•   Cast the first stone;

Even famous atheists sing high praises of the King James Bible and its role in forming modern English. One commented that ‘Not to know the King James Bible is to be, in some small way, barbarian.’
Though there are at least two dozen other English translations in the modern vernacular, two-thirds of all Americans who own a Bible (89%) have a King James. In addition, of those who actually read their Bibles, a whooping 82% read KJV. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/religion/2011-04-21-king-james-bible.htm#
In the developing world, especially those which were part of the British Empire, KJV is the beloved version of choice. It’s role in literature and church life has been incalculable.
Protestant Christianity and Mission
Being initially a reluctant leader of the reformation, Britain gave the world Anglicanism, Methodism, and Scottish Presbyterianism. It hosted the world-impacting Welsh Revival in 1904. Men and women of God from Britain include Charles Spurgeon, Rees Howell, George Mueller, Thomas Beckett, John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, John Wesley, Charles Wesley, William Wilberforce, Florence Nightingale, Elizabeth Fry, JRR Tolkein, CS Lewis, Eric Liddell, John Stott, famous British missionaries Hudson Taylor, William Carey, Dr. David Livingstone, Jackie Pullinger, and Gladys Aylward. All these, and more, have left a God-size legacy to the nation and the world.

TO BE CONTINUED:
Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Britain’s Contribution to the World Part 02

In our first part, we looked at the unique and powerful contribution Great Britain has made on civilisation. Areas of parliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchy, and even technology, were cited.
One article is not enough, thus we continue to explore this important topic.
Cause of Freedom: Britain has made 2 major contributions to the cause of freedom. First was the abolition of the slave trade by committed Christian William Wilberforce. Through immense perseverance, Wilberforce was able to turn the tide on this lucrative but iniquitous practice. Yet there is more – twice in the 20th century Britain played a key role in the defeat of euro-fascism, during the first and second world wars. History would have been greatly altered had they lost!
The Commonwealth of Nations: This 52 nation association, mostly from former British colonies, cooperates in trade, defence and fraternity. The Queen is the symbolic head and the Secretary-General has executive power. The commonwealth is a unique concept in post-colonial history.
Economic contributions: These include free-trade, free-market, mercantilism, capitalism London was and still is a great global financial hub. The British Empire in the 19th Century started the process we now know as globalisation, or more accurately, ‘Anglo-globalisation,’ which sought the free movement of goods, services, capital, people, and ideas worldwide. Britain’s contribution to the luxury car market include Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Jaguar, developed by British engineers.
Sport: Yes, the British gave the world cricket, bridge, and snooker. Yet it can also be argued that many of the sports involving kicking a ball around the field also came out of Britain. It helped to standardised the structure and rules of many famous sports, like with football, rugby, and tennis, giving it an oversized role in modern sport. It is fascinating how former British colonies, now independent nation-states, are addicted to British-derived sports like cricket.
Newton’s laws: Sir Isaac Newton was a famous British mathematician and physicist. In the field of physics, he documented and outlined 3 important laws of motion: Law One: A ‘resting’ inanimate object remains so unless provoked or prompted by an external force; likewise, an object in motion will remain so unless interfered by an external object. Law Two: An applied force on a given object equals the rate of change at its momentum. Law Three: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. He also documented the phenomena of universal gravitation. Newton is arguably one of the greatest scientists in history, along with Albert Einstein.
The English language: This is one of the greatest of exports of Britain. Though it is the mother tongue of 450 million, it is spoken fluently by over 2 billion worldwide. English is the true modern-day lingua franca, the international language, as Greek was in the ancient world.
English literature: Along with English language is world-shaping English literature. The most famous, of course, is William Shakespeare, but don’t forget Britons Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, John Milton.Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte, Agatha Christie, Geoffrey Chaucer, John Donne, Samuel Johnson, Joseph Conrad, Christopher Marlowe, Jonathan Swift, and John Keats. This is only a partial list.
In this department, it needs to be said that the single-greatest contribution to English language and literature is not the Oxford English Dictionary, valuable as it is. It is the King James Bible, which, more than any other literary piece, has helped to shape the English language as we know it. KJV is replete with idioms that we used on a regular basis. Here is a partial list

•   A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush;
•   A drop in the bucket;
•   A fly in the ointment
•   A house divided against itself cannot stand
•   A leopard cannot change its spots
•   A man after his own heart;
•   A multitude of sins;
•   A sign of the times
•   A two-edged sword;
•   A voice crying in the wilderness;
•   A wolf in sheep’s clothing;
•   All things must pass;
•   All things to all men
•   Am I my brother’s keeper?
•   An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth;
•   As old as Methuselah;
•   As old as the hills;
•   As white as snow;
•   As you sow so shall you reap;
•   Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
•   At his wits end;
•   Baptism of fire;
•   Beat swords into ploughshares;
•   Bite the dust;
•   Blessed are the peacemakers;
•   Born again;
•   Breath of Life;
•   By the skin of your teeth;
•   Can a leopard change his spots;
•   Cast the first stone;

Even famous atheists sing high praises of the King James Bible and its role in forming modern English. One commented that ‘Not to know the King James Bible is to be, in some small way, barbarian.’
Though there are at least two dozen other English translations in the modern vernacular, two-thirds of all Americans who own a Bible (89%) have a King James. In addition, of those who actually read their Bibles, a whooping 82% read KJV. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/religion/2011-04-21-king-james-bible.htm#
In the developing world, especially those which were part of the British Empire, KJV is the beloved version of choice. It’s role in literature and church life has been incalculable.
Protestant Christianity and Mission
Being initially a reluctant leader of the reformation, Britain gave the world Anglicanism, Methodism, and Scottish Presbyterianism. It hosted the world-impacting Welsh Revival in 1904. Men and women of God from Britain include Charles Spurgeon, Rees Howell, George Mueller, Thomas Beckett, John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, John Wesley, Charles Wesley, William Wilberforce, Florence Nightingale, Elizabeth Fry, JRR Tolkein, CS Lewis, Eric Liddell, John Stott, famous British missionaries Hudson Taylor, William Carey, Dr. David Livingstone, Jackie Pullinger, and Gladys Aylward. All these, and more, have left a God-size legacy to the nation and the world.

TO BE CONTINUED:
Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Fire & Fury: What Are We To Make of the Latest Book on Donald Trump?

It was an instant best-seller. The January 5, 2018 release of Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House by Michael Wolff became an instant best-seller. US President Donald Trump tried vigorously to stop the release of the book, which no doubt make it even more attractive, especially for the ‘anti-Trump’ and ‘never-Trump’ crowd.
What are we to make of this book which is highly unflattering to the President? There are issues that are bigger than any one book, even if it is a runaway bestseller.
Let’s remember a important issues.
Freedom of Speech
We should be solidly behind the notion of free speech, even though it means people can be offensive and obnoxious. Without this freedom, all other freedoms will be at risk, including freedom of religion, conscience, and association.
Remember, however, in a free society there are justifiable limits to absolute free speech, like laws against liable, defamation, and perjury under oath. However, we face serious erosion of free speech through the twin threats of political correctness and hate speech laws.
So regarding Fire and Fury, Mr. Wolff has every right to publish a book and say what he wants … within reason. This also means that if he’s ‘got it wrong,’ he can take the flack that goes with inaccuracy and untruth.
Factual and accurate
Whether you are a journalist or scholar, professional and personal integrity demands that you ‘get it right.’ We need to use reliable, primary sources. Second hand sources are to be used sparingly if necessary and unreliable sources should not be used at all. Part of reason we have so much inaccurate and deceptive information in the public square is that people are more dedicated to ‘the narrative’ than they are to the truth. Where else can you explain the proliferation of ‘fake news,’ which is spreading deception, denial, and distortion. This should not be, especially for Spirit-led, Bible-believing Christians as well as all people of integrity.
Regarding Fire and Fury, there are legitimate serious questions about truth and accuracy. For example, in an interview, Mr. Wolff was asked to produce the evidence of his book. His reply: ‘My evidence is the book, read the book. …if it strikes a cord, if it rings true, it is true.’ By his own admission, Wolff said that some of his sources lied while other contradicted each other – yet he used ‘journalistic judgement’ that helped him arrive at a version he ‘believed to be true.’ Add to this mix the fact that at least 8 high profile people who were quoted in the book denied making such statements. Truth has a measuring rod and it is verified by credible external witnesses; it is not determined by perception, prejudice, or feelings.
Donald Trump has denounced the book in a tweet, saying it was ‘full of lies, misrepresentations and sources that don’t exist.’ White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the book was ‘complete fantasy and just full of tabloid gossip.’ In the end, the reader will need to decide it is is true or not, or even whether the book is worth reading.
Five star? Be very careful
Within 8 days on Amazon, the book amassed a whopping 2,459 readers’ reviews who gave it 4.5 stars out of 5. This is a highly favourable. Does it mean the book is accurate? Does it mean it is worthwhile?
Nancy DeMoss, in her excellent teaching series ‘Deception and Discernment,’ spoke about an unnamed best-selling ‘Christian book’ that was getting rave reviews, some even saying it was the next best book to the Bible itself. Yet, even lay Christian noted that there were serious Biblical and theological errors in the book. Amazingly, despite the clear omissions and distortions, people were prepared to overlook these deadly deficiencies because the book touched a chord in their hearts.
The moral of the story: just because a book is ‘Christian,’ popular, a best-seller, gets excited reviews, and, for that matter, published by a Christian publisher and sold in the Christian bookstore, does not mean it is right, correct, or true. A lack of discernment can be deadly.
If true, so what?
Let’s say that the book Fire and Fury is completely 100% true: that Donald Trump did not want to win the Presidency, that Melania Trump cried on election night, that key people said the President is an ‘idiot’ behind his back, that Ivanka wants to be the first female President … the question should be asked: So what? On the scale of White House and Washington gossip, it is mild.
Motivation should always be considered. Was the book written to bring better governance, fire-up the economy, put people to work, or bring peace on earth? Is it an honest attempt to bring light and accountability to the White House, or point out a scandal that threatens the national interest? Or is it a muck-racking, liable-filled, money-spinner?
This writer remembers an author who wrote best-selling, unauthorised biographies of very famous people. This person would conduct 1,000 interviews and, like a master jigsaw puzzler player, they pieced together a portrait that was detailed and, by all accounts, accurate. While there was indignation from the spokespersons of those famous individuals, the credibility of the book was not questioned. Having read two of this author’s books, I have to say they were very well-sourced and believable, though they were also thoroughly unflattering biographies.
Yet I ask the question: even if it is true, why tell it? What good will it do for society? No public figure is paid enough to put up with the bad publicity, criticism, scrutiny, and books written, intrusion of privacy, needless spotlight on family? If the book is well-researched and seeks to point out a serious scandal or injustice, then that’s a good thing. If it is merely to demean and embarrass a public servant, that’s another story.
Honour Leadership
Political leaders definitely need to be accountable and their actions and policies can be scrutinised and criticised. This is fair enough, especially in a democracy. However, Biblically-speaking, we are to be careful how we speak.
I Peter 2:17says ‘Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.’
Exodus 22:28 commands that we don’t curse the ruler of thy people.’
Paul, referring to this verse, says in Acts 23:5f … for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.’
We are to honour political leadership, even if we don’t particularly like them or did not vote for them. People, especially Christians, need to be scrupulous in this area. Donald Trump is not the only polarising US President in modern history … Bill Clinton and George W. Bush … received hysterical opposition. Yet no one has experience the level of flack, from so many areas, even before taking the oath of office, as Donald Trump.

Whether you are ‘pro-Trump,’ ‘anti-Trump,’ or ‘never-Trump,’ God’s word is clear: You are commanded to pray for kings and all who are in authority (I Timothy 2:1-4). That includes the President of the United States. Let’s remember: that to be critical and disrespectful is part of the problem; that to pray, honour and be honourable is to be part of the solution.