Tidings Glad 1448 GladOF THE KINGDOMTidings OF GOD

JourneyJourney ofof aa LifetimeLifetime –– pagepage 33 BibleBible CompanionCompanion –– pagepage 1010 “Be“Be StrongStrong andand ofof GoodGood Courage”Courage” –– pagepage 1414 GladTidings Contents OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD 121st YearA05 1448 Journey of a A monthly magazine published by the Lifetime...... 3 (Brethren in Christ) and available throughout the world.Its objectives are – to encourage study of the as God's inspired message to men; Signs of the Times ...5 to call attention to the Divine offer of forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ; and to warn men and Poem: women that soon Christ will return to Earth as judge Listen to God ...... 7 and ruler of God’s world-wide Kingdom.

Magazine orders to the address nearest you: Jesus Christ – The Promised Saviour..8 United Kingdom – Cilla Palmer (Mrs), “Highlands”, 78 Mildenhall Road, Fordham, Ely, Cambs, England CB7 5NR Tel: (01638) 723959 (24hrs &Fax) Bible [email protected] Companion ...... 10 Australia – K.G.Quixley, 22 Narallah Grove, Box Hill North, Victoria, Australia, 3129 [email protected] Canada – Vivian Thorp (Mrs), 5377 Birdcage Walk, Burlington, Stephen Continues Ontario, Canada, L7L 3K5 his Defence ...... 12 New Zealand – Christadelphian Witness, P.O. Box 15-457, New Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand “Be Strong and of South Africa – A. J. Oosthuizen, P.O.Box 50357, Musgrave Road,Durban 4062, South Africa [email protected] Good Courage”....14 U.S.A. – Pat Hemingray (Mrs), 3079 Kilburn West, Rochester Hills, MI 48306, USA. A Practical Book ...19 Other Countries – Geoff Maycock, 8 Hale End, Bracknell, Berks., England, RG12 9YH [email protected] Acknowledgements Local information is also available from: Photographs: Fiji – Bible Mission, Box 1012, G.P.O., Suva, Indonesia Cover: High in the Solu Khumbu, – Bible Mission, PO Box 61, Solo, Java Nepal John Norcross Philippines – Mr Albert Cruz, PO Box 991, Manila, Pg 7: David Pearce Philippines 1099 Illustrations: Art Today pgs. 3-6,12-17,19; Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Pacific Islands, Singapore, CALS pg 18 Taiwan, Korea – Bible Mission, PO Box 42, Wallacia, NSW 2745, Australia India – T. Galbraith, G.P.O. Box 159, Hyderabad 500001, India Bible Versions Bangladesh – Christadelphian Bible Students, PO Box 9052, The version most used in this issue is Banani, Dhaka 1213 the New King James Version (NKJV). Other versions sometimes used are: Editor: Owen Tecwyn Morgan The New King James Version is 26 The Crescent, Hampton-in-Arden, Solihull, B92 OBP, copyrighted by Thomas Nelson. England, UK ([email protected]) The Revised Standard Version Publisher: The Publishing Association (a registered charity) number 248352 is copyrighted 1946 and 1952 by the Division of Christian Bible Talks, Study Classes, Sunday Schools and Youth Clubs Education of the National Council are held regularly by Christadelphians worldwide. The address of Churches in the USA. of your nearest group can be obtained from either the The New International Version is Distribution Secretaries or from the local agents or copyrighted 1978 by New York information addresses given above. Bible Society JourneyJourney ofof aa LifetimeLifetime

Have you ever had an to sort out things with airlines, hotels, unfulfilled ambition to do lodges, suppliers and with Sherpas. The Sherpas, in turn, had to make their own something extraordinary? arrangements and have had to acquire Perhaps you want to the skills that would be needed when the hang-glide off a volcano, going got tough. cycle across Africa or climb Everest? Mountain Guides Only a fool would venture into dangerous How do you think you would feel when conditions without a trusty guide or guides you were there actually doing it? Imagine and they would need to be reliable or the that you were, at this very climber’s life would be put moment, walking in the at risk. You would want to Solu Khumbu – in the go with someone who had foothills of Mount Everest been there before and who – with that magnificent knew the way; preferably mountain scenery as your with someone who had backdrop, just as on this climbed that path several month’s front cover. times before and in a vari- Walking Together ety of different weather You look up and see yaks conditions. heavily-laden with your It would be vital to know gear, and that of the party when it was safe to pro- you are travelling with, ceed and when you just crossing over a mountain had to turn back. And if you stream. Behind them are were unable, for whatever the Sherpas who are guid- reason, to continue you ing and supporting you. You are struggling would want to be sure there was adequate against altitude sickness, adjusting to the help and support to get you out of there new experience and trying to take it all in. safely. Nobody would want their journey of And all the time the mountain which has a lifetime to end in death. been your aim in life is drawing nearer and Yet that is what happens to many nearer. climbers and not only to the unprepared. If you pause to think about it for a High mountains are dangerous places and moment, this journey has only been made nobody can be sure about changing possible due to a whole range of different weather conditions, or treacherous condi- things. Nobody could set out without a lot tions underfoot. Accidents happen even to of forethought. You had to work some the strongest and seemingly best-pre- things out – which travel company to pared people. It’s part of the challenge, of choose, how you were going to pay for it, course, to push yourself to the limits of whether you were fit enough, and such- human endurance and to learn something like. The company arranging the trip had more about yourself in the process.

121st Year 3 Life’s Journey David … For my thoughts are not your That’s true of life as well and the way we thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,” ought to live it. We should all want to get says the LORD. For as the heavens are somewhere, make progress in the right higher than the earth, so are my ways direction, and learn something important higher than your ways, and my thoughts about ourselves on the journey. than your thoughts. For as the rain comes But it doesn’t happen of itself, not down, and the snow from heaven … so unless we make it happen. There are peo- shall my word be that goes forth from my ple who seem to be satisfied with mere mouth” (Isaiah 55:1-11). existence and there are others who really Helps along the Way seem to have got somewhere in life. They There is someone who has gone before us “made something of themselves” we along this upward path and he is both sometimes say. Perhaps that means they tried and tested. The Lord advanced materially or aca- Jesus Christ has climbed demically, or just that they the steep and rugged way developed well in one way or that leads to God’s kingdom another. and sits now in heaven Progress Check helping and guiding fellow The journey of life is a chal- travellers. You will find no lenge given us by God. He surer guide in life whatever made us by giving us life and, the conditions might be or at the end, He takes that life- however arduous the jour- force away. We are all given ney might sometimes the chance to find out about seem. He is a burden-bear- Him and the Lord Jesus Christ, er and a guide of supreme for the Lord himself said that quality; he can take you life eternal depended upon safely to your journey’s end. our knowledge of them both and our There are many travel aids too that will understanding of God’s gracious purpose keep you safe and free from danger. Life’s (John 17:2). journey is an everyday affair – it is “the trip In a way the higher you climb in life of a lifetime!” Every day we need guidance along the path of understanding, the clos- and counsel to point us in the right direc- er you get to understanding the way of tion. This issue contains a “Bible Com- God and seeing how you can be a part of panion” set of reading tables which will it. It was the prophet Isaiah who once said help you read through the Bible every day. that God’s ways are high above us and, by Or you can send for a Bible Reading Plan- implication, he urged us to drink of moun- ner, which is advertised on the back cov- tain streams if we are to find true refresh- er, if you prefer something which will ment: introduce you to a journey of discovery in a slightly gentler fashion. In the company “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the of other like-minded people you too can waters; and you who have no money, then embark on the “way of holiness” that come, buy and eat … Incline your ear, leads to everlasting life in God’s perfect and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall world. live; and I will make an everlasting Editor covenant with you – the sure mercies of

4 Glad Tidings SignsSigns ofof thethe TimesTimes

THE BIBLE teaches clearly that wicked shall be no more; indeed, you will God will set up an everlasting look diligently for his place, But it shall be kingdom which will destroy no more. But the meek shall inherit the and replace all others. In a earth, and shall delight themselves in the prophetic vision which abundance of peace” (Psalm 37:9-11). explained to an ancient These prospects link up in Scripture with monarch that his political God’s promises made to Abraham, Isaac, kingdom would be replaced by Jacob and David of a coming descendant other mighty empires, the through whom all the nations of the earth prophet Daniel saw the end of would be blessed. The identity of that this process as follows: descendant was made clear by the angel to Mary, the mother of Jesus, “And in the days of these for she was told: kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom “He will be great, and will be which shall never be called the Son of the High- destroyed; and the king- est; and the Lord God will dom shall not be left to give him the throne of his other people; it shall break father David. And he will in pieces and consume all reign over the house of Jacob these kingdoms, and it forever, and of his kingdom shall stand forever” (Daniel there will be no end” (Luke 2:44). 1:32-33). It is not difficult to see this as the time of which Coming Judgement God’s prophet wrote when Jesus himself taught about he said this: “… when your judgments are his return to the earth as in the earth, the inhabitants of the world Judge and King in several of his parables. will learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9). Here is part of one of them: Earthly Inheritance “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he Notice what the prophet said: “when will sit on the throne of his glory. All the (God’s) judgments are in the earth”. That nations will be gathered before him, and is due to happen when God’s kingdom is he will separate them one from another, established here, and when God’s people as a shepherd divides his sheep from the are rewarded on earth. Thus King David goats. And he will set the sheep on his advised his people to be patient and to right hand, but the goats on the left. Then trust in God, who will set all things right, the King will say to those on his right giving them this assurance: hand, ‘Come, you blessed of my Father, “For evildoers shall be cut off; but those inherit the kingdom prepared for you from who wait on the LORD, they shall inherit the foundation of the world” (Matthew the earth. For yet a little while and the 25:31-34).

121st Year 5 That was the consistent teaching of them all away, so also will the coming of Jesus. So when Pilate, for example, the the Son of Man be. Then two men will be Roman Governor Pilate, asked Jesus if he in the field: one will be taken and the oth- was indeed a king, he replied: er left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other “… You say rightly that I left” (24:37-41). am a king. For this cause I was born, and It took Noah something like for this cause I have 120 years to come into the world, build the ark that I should bear wit- but this practi- ness to the truth. Every- cal and visible one who is of the truth warning of what hears my voice” (John was to come was 18:37). not heeded and was to Pilate understood only too no avail. Only clearly the implications of that Noah and his family were saved statement which might have been from the flood, so the advice Jesus gave is why he was so anxious to get Jesus very important to us all: released. “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son Coming King of Man is coming at an hour when you do WHEN Jesus will return is of tremen- not expect him” (24:44). dous importance to us but it is not pre- cisely stated. Jesus said: “But of that day Signs of the Times and hour no one knows, no, not even the There are many signs given in the Bible to angels of heaven, but my Father only” indicate that the return of Jesus is near (Matthew 24:36). Then he proceeded to but it is well to ponder this lack of expec- give a general sign which indicates that tation, for now, as in the case of Noah’s people will be taken by surprise. He said day, the warnings of coming judgements that they will be carrying on life as if it will seem to be generally ignored. That in itself always be so and then will come a sudden is a sign of the times. Paul wrote to believ- and unexpected interruption to it all. For ers in these terms about the unexpected this is how the Matthew 24 passage con- nature of Jesus’ return to the earth: tinues: “For you yourselves “But as the days of Noah know perfectly that the were, so also will the coming day of the Lord so of the Son of Man be. For as comes as a thief in the in the days before the flood, night. For when they they were eating and say, “Peace and safety!” drinking, marrying and then sudden destruction giving in marriage, until comes upon them, as the day that Noah labour pains upon a entered the ark, and pregnant woman. And did not know until the they shall not escape” flood came and took

6 Glad Tidings (1 Thessalonians 5: 2,3). Peter also in colourful language refers to Listen to God the great changes which are coming in The Scriptures are the Word of God, earth’s affairs when the rule of man will be That holy men of old brought to an end, and he too shows that By inspiration spoke and wrote, it will take people by surprise: As spirit power told. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will God’s Word is able to make wise, pass away with a great noise, and the ele- The one with hearing ears: ments will melt with fervent heat; both the The one who strives to understand, earth and the works that are in it will be Believing what he hears. burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). All preconceived ideas must go, Watch and be Ready! So leave them all behind; The message is always the same. The Imagination’s of the flesh coming of Jesus will catch out the unwary ’Twill only dull the mind. and will come as a surprise to the heed- less and the unbelieving. Thus it was that Trust in the Lord with all your heart, in his final message Jesus said: To heed the Bible pays; In all your ways acknowledge Him, “Remember therefore how you have He’ll guide your paths always. received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come Learn how to pray as did the Lord, upon you as a thief, and you will not know Our need is very great; what hour I will come upon you” (Revela- His wise example shows the way, tion 3:3). Upon it meditate. It can be fairly said that the world does not expect and is in no way making ready Gwen Marley for Jesus’ return. The world is full of its own affairs. How rarely do we meet any- one who even believes that Jesus will Regular readers wil be sorry to hear return, let alone thinks that Jesus will be that Pat Pearce coming back very soon. How few people recently fell asleep there are who tell us that believers have in Jesus. Pat was any hope of a reward in the earth, or that “Glad Tidings” their promised reward depends upon UK Distribution Jesus’ return to the earth. The aspirations Secretary for of the religious are mainly focused on over 30 years some place other than the earth, which is and did a great job. to ignore the authentic and authoritative Only recently she promise of the Lord: handed that responsibility “Blessed are the meek: for they shall on to her daughter Cilla. inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). We send our love to her family and grieve with them. Derrick Banyard She was a treasure.

121st Year 7 12. Books of the Bible JesusJesus ChristChrist –– TheThe PromisedPromised SaviourSaviour In this series Dudley Fifield has traced the message of the Bible through its 66 books, and has shown that although they were written over a period of about 1000 years they have one message, because they are books from God. Now he shows that the message of this wonderful collection centres upon the Lord Jesus Christ.

A Man Apart nature and achievements of the Lord Jesus, in his struggle against It was not only the birth sin: of the Lord Jesus that set him apart from the “Inasmuch then as the children rest of mankind. That have partaken of flesh and blood, was remarkable in itself he himself likewise shared in the – that he was born of same, that through death he the Holy Spirit to the vir- might destroy him who had the gin Mary. What also set power of death, that is, the devil, him apart was his abili- and release those who through ty to combat sin in all fear of death were all their life- its various guises. The time subject to bondage … in all gospels record the things he had to be made like his manner in which the brethren, that he might be a mer- Lord Jesus was tempted ciful and faithful High Priest in for forty days (Matthew things pertaining to God, to make 4:1-11, Mark 1:12, 13 propitiation for the sins of the Jesus was tempted to change and Luke 4:1-13). people. For in that he himself has stones into bread – but refused In this dramatic way, suffered, being tempted, he is when he underwent severe mental and able to aid those who are tempted” physical trial but was wholly successful in (Hebrews 2:14-18). resisting the temptation to misuse his Saviour from Sin God-given powers, the truth was empha- sised that the Lord Jesus was susceptible In fulfilment of the prophe- to temptation in the same way that we are cies that had been made, God provided a subject to it. In every sense he was seen saviour from sin and death in the Lord to be a man who shared our experiences Jesus Christ and all four gospel records and emotions; in that sense he was ‘one describe the manner of his death by cru- of us’, except that never once did he fail. cifixion. The fact that he shared our nature Triumphantly the Scripture can say of is important. He was ‘one of us’; thus he him that he was “without sin”. This is how could represent all human-kind upon the the writer to the Hebrews describes the cross. There he publicly displayed how

8 Glad Tidings God regards sin and acknowledged that Thus it was that forty days after his res- God was righteous. In the words of Paul:- urrection, the Lord Jesus ascended into heaven to sit on his Father’s right hand. “He (God) made him (Jesus) who knew no For his work to be brought to a conclusion sin to be sin for us (Revised Version: “on he must return to the earth. So it was our behalf”), that we might become the that, as the disciples watched him ascend righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthi- into heaven, angelic ans 5:21). voices proclaimed the This is the predomi- message: nant message of the ; that “Men of Galilee, why do the Lord Jesus “died for you stand gazing up into us”; yet here was a heaven? This same man, the only man ever, Jesus, who was taken up who did not deserve to from you into heaven, die. For never once did will so come in like man- the Lord Jesus sin. So, ner as you saw him go says the apostle Peter, it into heaven” (Acts was not possible for the 1:11). grave to hold him (Acts The message was 2:24). repeated by the apostle On the third day God Peter preaching to the raised him from the Jews, when he said that dead and Christ, tri- God will: umphant over all oppo- “send Jesus Christ, who was preached to sition, had conquered sin and death and you before, whom heaven must receive had opened the way for those who until the times of restoration of all things, acknowledge his sacrifice and recognise which God has spoken by the mouth of all their need to share his victory by their own his holy prophets since the world began” resurrection from the dead. That was (Acts 3:20,21). exactly what Jesus had promised when he earlier declared: There are over two hundred such refer- ences to the Second Coming of the Lord “I am the resurrection and the life. He Jesus in the New Testament, for his com- who believes in me, though he may die, ing to earth is vitally important he shall live” (John 11:25). Dudley Fifield Ruler Over All By demonstrating that he was able to destroy sin in himself – that he could rule all the natural desires that others suc- cumb to – the Lord Jesus showed that he is able and qualified to rule the world Bible Line when, as the seed of Abraham and the Telephone message for son of David (Matthew 1:1), he will sit on David’s throne in Jerusalem exercising UK readers world-wide dominion on God’s behalf. Ring 08457-660668

121st Year 9 BibleBible RReadineadin Old Testament Once – New Testament twice each year – Rea

10 Glad Tidings ngg TTablesables ad God’s Word every day and prosper

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121st Year 11 The Growth of the Gospel 8 StephenStephen ContinuesContinues hishis DefenceDefence Defending himself against the charge of blasphemy, the apostle Stephen offered a devastating analysis of how Israel had gone badly wrong in the past by refusing the saviour Moses that God had sent them. The inference was only too clear. In the first century many Jews were in danger of refusing to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their God-given saviour and Messiah. Now John Hellawell traces the final part of Stephen’s defence, which turned out to be his famous last words.

At the Burning Bush The one they had rejected was the ruler and deliverer appointed by God; It was to be another forty years (Acts 7:30), Stephen said to the assembled His redemption of the people was company, before Moses was called by God accompanied by signs and wonders to make a second attempt to release his (as was that of the Lord Jesus); people from slavery and lead them to the Return to Egypt Land of Promise. His audience would have Even though Moses had worked wonders been fully aware of Moses’ reluctance; in the plagues both before and during the quite understandable given Exodus, and although the his past experience, and people had witnessed the also the difficulty which he majestic power of God asso- would encounter before his ciated with the giving of the people finally accepted Law, it was not long before deliverance. they decided that they pre- Relating Moses’ experi- ferred to return to Egypt and, ence at the Burning Bush, in particular, to the worship Stephen provides further of Egyptian and other hea- key points in his defence: then gods. For centuries, The appearance of the with a few exceptions, God’s angel at the bush was people persisted in turning to in Mt Sinai, not idolatry. Jerusalem; Stephen summarises the Moses had to remove position by means of a quo- his shoes because the tation from the prophet Amos, which he ground in the wilderness was holy, modifies as he quotes it. The quotation is not intrinsically, but because the from Amos 5:25 -27 of which the last line angel of God had appeared there; reads: Moses’ commission was directly from “Therefore I will send you into captivity God (as was that of the Lord Jesus); beyond Damascus” says the Lord, whose name is the God of hosts.

12 Glad Tidings Stephen amends the phrase “beyond the glory depart from the temple as an Damascus” to “beyond Babylon”! In this auspicious sign that God had disowned way he reminds his audience that this was his people (Ezekiel 10:18). their actual final destination when they In reality, no building could be an ade- went into captivity. In other words, after all quate dwelling place for God and, in sup- that God had done for his people, their port of this, Stephen cites a passage from repeated apostasy had brought them back Isaiah to the very place from which Abraham had Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, set out. Abraham had come in faith; they and earth is my footstool. Where is the would be cast out of the land into captivi- house that you will build me? And where ty because of their unbelief. is the place of my rest? For all those God’s True Dwelling-Place things my hand has made, and all those Having dealt with the first part of his things exist,” says the Lord (Isaiah defence – that Israel had failed to comply 66:1,2). with the laws which God gave them and to Although he does not actually quote it, accept his servants – Stephen now turns the latter part of verse 2 provides him with to the second accusation. This was that an extremely powerful argument, for it he had spoken blasphemy with respect to reads: their “holy place”, that is, the Temple. “But on this man will I look: on him who is He begins by pointing out that the orig- poor and of a contrite spirit, and who inal place of worship was a mobile tent, trembles at my word”. that is the Tabernacle; constructed according to the pattern revealed to Stephen’s Final Accusation Moses at Sinai. This continued to be used Stephen now ends his defence and begins when the people arrived at the Promised to accuse his accusers! They were no bet- Land and was only superseded when ter than their fathers who had always Solomon built the first Temple that was resisted God’s Holy Spirit. Their entire his- destroyed by the Babylonians when they tory had been a catalogue went into the captivity to of rejected and often which Stephen had murdered prophets. The already alluded. Lord Jesus had already Another Temple made the same point to The replacement Temple, them: still not quite completed, “Woe to you! For you was built by Herod the build the tombs of the Great, an Idumean not an prophets, and your Israelite! Furthermore the fathers killed them. In Most Holy Place within fact, you bear witness that temple no longer con- that you approve the tained the Ark of the deeds of your fathers; for Covenant, the symbol of they indeed killed them, God’s presence with his and you build their people. At the time of the tombs. Therefore the wis- Babylonian captivity, the dom of God also said, I prophet Ezekiel had seen will send them prophets

121st Year 13 and apostles, and some of them they will Son of Man standing at the right hand of kill and persecute” (Luke 11:47-49”. God” (Acts 7:56). Their worst crime of all was to put to The Council could not bear to listen to death the very One of whom Moses spoke what they regarded as blasphemy, and the other prophets foretold. God had although, of course, it was not. So they given them His law through an angelic dragged him out and stoned him. Those ministry and they had failed to keep it. directly involved in the execution laid their Stephen is Murdered outer garments at the feet of a young man who was to play a significant part in God’s It is possible that Stephen had much purpose but who thought at the time that more to say by way of indictment but was he was doing God’s will. He was Saul of prevented from saying it by the anger of Tarsus, who became Paul the Apostle. his accusers. The message had struck Stephen died calling upon the Lord to right to their hearts and yet the Council receive his spirit and, following his Lord’s members were about to do the very thing example, pleaded that his executioners for which their forefathers had been con- might be forgiven. Then he “fell asleep”; a demned! very apt expression for the death of those Stephen was privileged to be granted a who die in Christ. One day, and that prob- vision of God’s glory and the Lord Jesus ably quite soon, he will awake in the res- standing at the right hand of God, which urrection when the Lord Jesus returns. he shared with his accusers: “Look, I see the heavens opened and the John Hellawell “Be“Be StrongStrong andand ofof GoodGood Courage”Courage” We are living in uncertain times and as we move into a New Year we need confi- dence that there is some plan and purpose behind the things that are happening. There have, of course, been dangerous and troubling times before, including some of the times when the Bible was being written and Ken Quixley now shows the way in which faithful people in those times were given the encouragement and confidence we too need, if we are to look ahead in faith. Take Heart! could say: “Be strong and of good In the chapters of the Bible we encounter courage”. He was appealing to these some surprisingly faint-hearted men. For believers to be faithful, so that they would reasons of His own, God preferred to resolve to do His will. They responded in a appoint leaders who were like that from most wonderful way and thus became role others who might have been naturally self- models for us, living in later and some- confident and self-aware. Thus it was that times more difficult times. to people like Moses or Joshua that God This resolution to be strong in the Lord

14 Glad Tidings and to act accordingly – becoming God- their work and looking after their chil- reliant and God-dependent in the process dren; – is to be found in all the great men of Wives might be concerned about God. The Lord Jesus bade his disciples family problems, and both partners “Lift up your heads” (Luke 21:28); and might well be concerned about the the apostle Paul’s pastoral advice to Tim- children, their education, their othy was: friends, their faith or lack of it and “You therefore, my son, be strong in the the influence the present evil age grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the might have upon them; things that you have heard from me The older we get, the more there is a among many witnesses, commit fear of increasing ill-health and for these to faithful men who will be some of the pain and suffering, trials able to teach others also” (2 and loneliness, or loss of independ- Timothy 2:1,2). ence that might come. God, who knows our weaknesses, Faithful men and women of gives us reassurance if we align our lives all times are thus encouraged with His and seek to do His to be strong, to hold fast, will, instead of our own. He not be afraid regardless of says that he will never what faces us, to overcome leave us or forsake us. In their natural fears, and to many different ways in do the right thing by God. Scripture, believers are giv- Frightening Things en the assurance, in so We all have times when we many words: “Don’t be are afraid. It is a fact of afraid, be strong and of a human experience, and we good courage, hold fast are not to be ashamed when it in the faith and in that occurs, because we all have fears, wor- strength of God behave well”. ries, concerns, which change as we pass World Events through life. Some are “secret”; there just Jesus was once asked by his disciples to for us, and some are evident for all to see. forecast the events that would lead up to As children we might fear the dark; the Second Coming and the end of the being left alone by our parents; not age. He foretold precisely what has hap- being liked by other children; and a pened in the intervening years: a medley multitude of other small problems of wars, famines, earthquakes and illness- which loom very large in a child’s es, which would increase as things got mind. progressively worse. Ultimately Jesus said As we grow up there is the typical people would be terrified for the future. fear of not succeeding at school, and of having ‘to stand up and be count- “And there will be signs in the sun, in the ed” when we are resolved to stand moon, and in the stars; and on the earth against the permissiveness and evil distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea of our present world. and the waves roaring; men’s hearts fail- Husbands have their particular wor- ing them from fear and the expectation of ries concerning making a success of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be

121st Year 15 shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man you. He will not leave you nor forsake coming in a cloud with power and great you.” Then Moses called Joshua and said glory. Now when these things begin to to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong happen, look up and lift up your heads, and of good courage, for you must go with because your redemption draws near” this people to the land which the LORD (Luke 21:25-28). has sworn to their fathers to give them, Notice how two things are brought and you shall cause them to inherit it. And together. When people in general are dis- the LORD, he is the one who goes before tressed by the things that are coming: you. He will be with you, he will not leave when they are saying among themselves you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be “Whatever next?” – the believer need dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:6-8). have no fear for the future. For the believ- There were two key points for Joshua to er who has prepared his or her life for bear in mind. First, Joshua was to be what is coming next – the return of the strong and of good courage – he needed Lord Jesus to earth – to have faith and confi- knows that Christ is com- dence in God. Second, ing to redeem and rescue that God would always those who are his. No be with him if he did wonder Jesus bids them: that. If he was strong for “look up and lift up your God, God would be heads, because your strong for him! redemption draws near”. Joshua might not have Handover to Joshua been very confident in himself and it was cer- Every time God calls on tain that Moses was one of His servants to “Be going to be a hard act to not afraid”, He gives a follow. For this advice is positive message to us as repeated several times in well to be firm and resolute in His service. the closing chapters of Deuteronomy and This was a message given several times the opening of the Book of Joshua. We towards the end of the Book of Deuteron- even find the people repeating this advice omy as Moses was handing over the lead- to their new leader and trying, in the ership of the nation of Israel to his process, to get both him and themselves divinely-appointed successor Joshua. focused on the important things of life: Sadly, because of his sin at Kadesh, Moses was not allowed to enter the “They answered Joshua, saying, “All that Promised Land. So, after leading Israel for you command us we will do, and wherev- forty years through great trials and tribula- er you send us we will go. Just as we tion, and by now an old man, Moses was heeded Moses in all things, so we will debarred. But he meekly accepted God’s heed you. Only the LORD your God be with will, and at His command directed Joshua you, as he was with Moses. Whoever to be Israel’s new leader. And he passed rebels against your command and does on this critical piece of leadership advice: not heed your words, in all that you com- mand him, shall be put to death. Only be “Be strong and of good courage, do not strong and of good courage” (Joshua fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD 1:16-18). your God, he is the One who goes with

16 Glad Tidings Huge Task Ahead Spiritual Warriors Joshua needed that encouragement The apostle Paul was a valiant soldier for because he was about to take the nation Christ and he had a clear view of the war across the Jordan into the Promised Land that had to be waged, perhaps because and that was not going to be easy. he spent much of his later life in the com- Humanly speaking it was an impossible pany of soldiers, and sometimes chained task, as the ten spies had said nearly forty to one of them. He often wrote about the years before. There were giants in the land spiritual warfare in which a believer must to which they were going and very strong engage for Christ. We think of Paul as a nations already in possession, and there courageous and valiant man, but there would be grave disap- were times when he pointments along the was apprehensive and way as Israel failed God afraid, just like us. time after time. What, the strong apos- So the call to be tle Paul? courageous was not He wasn’t afraid for because of Joshua’s himself; his was a dif- failures in courage, for ferent kind of fear. In he was valiant. He lis- the evil world of tened, he obeyed, he Corinth, for example, a inspired God’s people, decadent place full of and strengthened by evil, God sent Paul this God’s promise of help message of encourage- which he then ment: received, he performed “The Lord spoke to his task, built the Paul in the night by a nation and made vision, “Do not be strong the people. afraid, but speak, and Men like Moses and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and Joshua were great men, valiant and true no one will attack you to hurt you; for I believers. They tower above us in spiritual have many people in this city” (Acts terms, but they needed to be strength- 18:9,10). ened to do the right thing. We too have a journey to fulfil – our life’s journey. We are Even in this decadent and evil place, pilgrims in this world who want to find our where the apostle needed to be encour- permanent dwelling place in the Kingdom aged to speak up and proclaim the gospel of God. of salvation, God knew there were people So there is a huge task in front of us too who would respond and become believ- and we need to be diligent and careful ers, and he did so. The inspired record ourselves as we battle against sin in all its says: “he continued there a year and six forms. So when we are timid and con- months, teaching the word of God among cerned about what people will say or think them” (18:11) and the result was the about us, or even what some people will establishment of a lively and Spirit-filled do or try to do, our courage also needs ecclesia, or congregation, of believers in strengthening. We need to be strong to that city. Some time later Paul wrote to fight the battles of life. the believers and told them how he had felt when he first came to their city:

121st Year 17 “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did once said that “Perfect love casts out not come with excellence of speech or of fear” (1 John 4:18) and the Psalmist wisdom declaring to you the testimony of offers a concluding thought. King David God. For I determined not to know any- was once in dire trouble when he had fall- thing among you except Jesus Christ and en into Philistine hands in one of their Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, main cities – Gath. Things looked bad for in fear, and in much trembling. And my him, until he lifted up his head to pray to speech and my preaching were not with God, and took courage. This is how he persuasive words of human wisdom, but summed up that experience: in demonstration of the Spirit and of pow- “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. er, that your faith should not be in the wis- In God (I will praise his word), in God I dom of men but in the power of God” (1 have put my trust; I will not fear. What can Corinthians 2:1-5). flesh do to me? All day they twist my Live by Faith words; all their thoughts are against me for evil. They gather together, they hide, In applying all these lessons to ourselves, they mark my steps, when they lie in wait we have to learn to face our fears and not for my life … When I cry out to you, then allow them to degenerate into nagging my enemies will turn back; this I know, worries. Like true men and women of God, because God is for me. In God (I will we are to be brave for God. There is a say- praise his word), in the LORD (I will praise ing which is so very true, that: ‘Worry is a His word), in God I have put my trust; I will thin trickle of fear passing through the not be afraid. What can man do to me?” mind into which all other thoughts are (Psalm 56:3-11). drained”. We all have fears and worries at differ- ent stages of life, even the most spiritual Ken G Quixley man or woman is affected this way, and it includes all the great men of God. Jesus

BibleBible CompanionCompanion The Bible Reading Tables on pages 10 and 11 are in daily use by Christadelphians all over the world, and have been for many years – since they were first compiled by Robert Roberts in about 1853. Read the speci- fied chapters every day and you will have read the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice during the course of this coming year. There is nothing more profitable and beneficial than exercising your mind in the Word of God. It will be a blessing to you every day and it will help you to “be strong and of good courage” in all that you do.

18 Glad Tidings AA PracticalPractical BookBook It was a lecture on Russia and the meeting had been thrown open for general discussion on the subject. There followed the familiar dead silence, charged with expectancy: the chairman no doubt was eager for a contribution which would help to make the gathering a success; the audience already interested wanted to hear more, and the speaker would have waited with mixed feelings.

When the silence had er or professor, who adopted a vastly reached the painful stage, a different attitude towards the Scrip- middle-aged man rose and tures. asked a question: The man was the prophet Daniel. “Does the speaker consider Read carefully through the 9th chapter that the present threatening of Daniel’s prophecy and you will find conduct of Russia is foretold by there a model prayer of a man Old Testament prophets?” described in the same chapters as ‘greatly beloved’. The speaker, a university lecturer by the way, dis- A Praying Prophet missed the question very quickly. He Daniel had been reading the writings of was a Christian, he said, and a Sunday the prophet Jeremiah and had noted School teacher as well, but he could that the prophet decreed seventy years never agree to using the Scriptures as as the period of Jerusalem’s desola- helps in the study of politics. Then he tions: added with a smile that he would be glad to deal with prophecy in his Sun- “I, Daniel, understood by the books the day-School class. But no Bible and pol- number of the years specified by the itics, please. No, no; that would never word of the LORD, given through Jere- do. miah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desola- A Book Apart tions of Jerusalem. Then I set my face Such is the common attitude: to sepa- toward the Lord God to make request by rate the Bible from practical issues; to prayer and supplications, with fasting, divorce it, in other words, from everyday sackcloth, and ashes...” (Daniel 9:2,3). affairs, as though it has nothing to say Daniel realised that those 70 years about it. That way we divide our lives were come or were coming to their into departments and keep religion with close, and now he prayed earnestly for its Bible study very separate and promised intervention. A little knowl- removed from the hurly-burly of daily edge of history will show how right he work and household chores and espe- was. And isn’t It significant that it is in cially from any survey of world problems. this context of using the Scriptures as a Is such an attitude a proper one? practical Book from God that Daniel is A Bible incident gives us another, called “greatly beloved’? quite different, view. It illustrates some- one far wiser than any university lectur- Harry Whittaker

121st Year 19 Two Free Offers Bible Reading Planner GladTidings Read one chapter of the OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD Bible every day; it’s a If you are not yet marvellous habit to receiving the Glad acquire. This Planner Tidings magazine gives you six steps and would like it along the way so that delivered FREE for in the course of one 6 months – write year you will get a your name and good overall view of address here and the Bible message. send it to one of Brief notes on all the the addresses below. day’s readings are included and an introduction Your Name (BLOCK CAPITALS please) to each of the six steps. ______Address ______To obtain a FREE copy of the above ______booklet fill in the coupon below and ______send it to one of the Free offers addresses. ______Post Code______Country ______Your Name (BLOCK CAPITALS please) ______Addresses for the Free Offers: Address______In the UK write to: Glad Tidings Magazine, Freepost NAT7259, Ely CB7 5BR ______In other countries, to: Cilla Palmer (Mrs) ______“Highlands”, 78 Mildenhall Road, Fordham, Ely, ______Post Code______Cambs, CB7 5NR, England (Please check the inside front cover Country ______for an address near you)

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