The gospel ‘vaccine’

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool,” Isaiah 1:18.

Last night, my sleep was disturbed as I thought over the last article I sent out – UK ‘absolutely’ preparing for second Covid-19 peak and may not see back of virus for ‘several years’.

Time and again I found myself developing the subject further, with scripture after scripture flooding into my mind.

Now, as I try to put down those thoughts, I trust the Lord will bring back to my mind the scriptures that came to me in the night!

In the last article, mentioned above, I more or less dealt with the issue of the Government lifting the lockdown restrictions from a simple factual, human point of view. If ‘social distancing’ has brought the spread of the Covid-19 virus down, what will the lifting of those regulations do, only increase the spread of the virus since it has not been utterly removed from society nor has a vaccine been produced!

This the Government acknowledges to be so because it is preparing for an increase in the numbers infected after it relaxes the restrictions upon social distancing. Read more…

UK ‘absolutely’ preparing for second Covid-19 peak and may not see back of virus for ‘several years’

I have already shared this news article link with one sister in Canada who was asking about the lifting of ‘Lockdown’ in the UK. As I was getting ready to reply I saw this article on the ITV news site and shared it with her.

I added this comment: “They thus know that ending ’social distancing’ is going to cause a rise in the number infected! It is not the beating of the virus that is the main aim of the government (just like Trump) but getting the wheels of the money-making machine moving again!”

Further to this comment, it surely must be clear that the government knows that ‘social distancing’ has brought down the number of people infected with Covid-19. The fact that they are lifting the ‘social distancing’ restrictions and are also expecting and planning for a rise in the Covid-19 infections indicate that they know those two things go together! Lifting ‘social distancing’ MEANS a rise in Covid-19 infections.

That being so, why is the Government easing ‘social distancing’ restrictions, despite the Government’s repeated ‘mantra’ that controlling the virus remains the Government’s ‘top priority’?

I have just listened again to Priti Patel MP, the Home Secretary, repeating that assurance on the ‘Channel Four’, 7.00 pm news broadcast.

What is it that the Government is seeking to do and why is it willing to risk a second pandemic breaking out? It wants to get business up and running again and satisfy the complaining multitudes who are missing their parties, boozing companionship and general carousing.

There has to be a heavy price paid for such folly and it will be the young, the weak, the sickly and the old who most likely will pay that price!

I feel distressed for those who may share my concern but whose living accommodation does not enable them to easily maintain a degree of ‘social distancing’, which is after all, the Bible’s response to contagious diseases!

Like the thinking in the future empire of the Antichrist, PROFIT comes before PEOPLE!

Surely a temporary lowering of our living standard is preferable to an adding to the 35,000 + DEATHS which have already occurred!!

Londonderry was key to victory in longest-running campaign of WWII

Seventy-five years after the surrender of the U-boat fleet, GORDON LUCY explains NI’s strategic importance in the Battle of the Atlantic

The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest running campaign of the Second World War.

It began with the sinking of the Athenia, a transatlantic passenger liner, on September 3 1939 within hours of the British declaration of war, and only ended with the defeat of Germany in May 1945.

Churchill claimed: ‘The only thing that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril.’ It caused him even greater anxiety than the Battle of Britain in 1940.

The UK’s heavy dependence on imported food stuffs and raw materials made the nation extremely vulnerable. Read more…

Impoverishment – A Judgment from the Lord

“If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land,” 2 Chronicles 7:13-14.

There has been much considering of the significance of the impact of the Covid-19 virus upon the nations by thoughtful and reflective Christians. The fact that here in Northern Ireland there have been at least 501 people, young, middle-aged and elderly, who have succumbed to this disease to date, is enough to cause any to ponder the circumstances which have overtaken us. In truth, when the final figure is revealed it is likely to be nearly double that of today’s total of 501, indeed, even more!

Even as I was writing this, an email arrived from “The Belfast Newsletter” which stated: “We have some terribly sad news to bring you today. The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) has identified 61 additional COVID-19 related deaths as having occurred between May 9 to May 20 – this takes the death-toll to 664.” Read more…

Sovereign Grace Advent testimony May monthly meeting.

Because of the Covid 19 ‘lockdown’ and the restriction on public gatherings, the service was broadcast on the internet. The preacher was Dr John Douglas. His subject was “The Prophecy of Nathan.” It may be watched here.

Again, the wicked are favoured by our legal system

United Kingdom supreme court quash Gerry Adams’ convictions for trying to escape from jail during internment in the 1970s

The reason given by the five law ‘Lords and Lady’ for such a decision was that since the internment paperwork had not been handled by the correct government minister in the mid-1970s, his imprisonment was invalid – and therefore he could not be guilty of trying to escape “lawful custody”.

The judgment does not decree upon the ‘rightness’ of the internment of those engaged in terrorism, just the handling of the ‘paperwork’ that brought it about!!
The judges who made yesterday’s ruling were Lord Kerr (who was Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland from 2004 to 2009) sitting alongside Lady Black, Lord Lloyd-Jones, Lord Kitchin and Lord Burnett.

At least two of these judges have Roman Catholic backgrounds. Lord Kerr was educated at St Colman’s College in Newry. In 2004 he was appointed Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, only the second Roman Catholic to hold the position. Read more…

The zeal of the Lord of Hosts

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this,” Isaiah 9:6-7.

I read the above verses in my Bible reading yesterday morning, as might well many of you. They come at the end of one of the sections designated for reading, if one follows Robert Murray McCheyne’s Bible Reading Calendar.

These words immediately seized upon my heart and I was made to consider how that the Lord ZEALOUSLY engages in the accomplishing of His eternal purpose in mercy and grace toward His people.

God’s people, at times, have been deceived to foolishly think that God has grown careless and indifferent toward them and His cause. Christians have often been heard to say, like Martha of old, “Lord, dost thou not care . . . ” Luke 10:40. How wrong… Read more…

Another faithful soldier called home

Dr Stephen Scott-Pearson, Who went to be with the Lord, Wednesday 6th May, 2020.

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens,” 2 Corinthians 5:1.

I had a phone call on Wednesday evening from Mrs Janet Scott-Pearson, informing us that her husband, Stephen, had passed away some three hours earlier. I have known Dr. Stephen Scott-Pearson since the time of the Pope’s visit to Great Britain back in 1982. I invited him over to Ulster at that time and he spoke in Kilskeery FPC and in some other churches as well.

It was the first of many visits. He and his family stayed at the manse in Kilskeery and we visited him and his family in England on a number of occasions over the years. When I spoke at the Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony meeting back in the summer of last year, we went home by his house on our way to the Cairnryan Ferry and had a sweet time of fellowship with him and his wife, Janet. That was Tuesday, August 6th. We well remember his emotional prayer before we parted.
It was the last time we were to see our dear friend.

Now he is at home with His Saviour to Whom he was faithful as a preacher and contender for the faith. His journey is ended, his weariness and pain is over. He is with the Lord which is far better.

I have counted him a friend, a fellow-labourer in the gospel, a faithful contender for the faith and a dear brother in Christ. To his wife Janet, his son Charles and daughter Margaret and their respective families we offer our sincere and prayerful sympathy.

We can say truly with David: “Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?” 2 Samuel 3:38.

VE Day – A reminder of the loss of feedoms our parents and grandparents endured

We mark the 75th anniversary of the ending of the World War II in Europe today. I have but the faintest memories of the atmosphere of that and subsequent times manifested in the lives of my father and mother back then.

I emphasise that they are were but faint, mere impressions of a child, since I was only approaching my third birthday!

Today, the nations is remembering that great day, 75 years ago and rightly paying tribute to those who lived and died to make victory possible.

However, the Christian will notice I am sure a very sad omission. There is little mention made of the Lord Who wrought the deliverance for us a people! Read more…

Martin Luther on the Christian’s duty in a plague

When Martin Luther was asked: “Whether One Should Flee From A Deadly Plague?” he replied as follows:

Isaiah 26:20-21.

These words speak, of course, of a future day though we see an application for today. As with the people of Israel, on the night of the first Passover, they were to enter their homes, marked by the blood of the Passover lamb, and shut the doors in order to escape the judgment that would befall Egypt, even so it will be one day, and that very soon I believe, when the Lord will rise in indignation to punish the earth for its sins.

How wise to be aware of and prepared for that day by seeking the shelter of the blood of the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” John 1:29.

The arrogant folly of Westminster

The blind stupidity and the utterly unavailing defiance of God by rebellious sinners that is recorded here will, of course, come to pass and that perhaps not in the too distant future.

However, it has ever been seen in the history of man, though perhaps not quite so blatantly as it will yet be seen. We see a measure of it today in the proposed actions of Boris Johnston’s government regarding changes to the abortion and same sex marriage laws here in Northern Ireland.

Here is a recent newspaper report on the matter as it appeared in the “Belfast Newsletter”, on Wednesday, 25th March 2020. Read more…

A reply to Rev Trevor Kirkland’s unjustified attack upon Christians and evangelical denominations who complied with the Government’s ‘social distancing’ requirements and suspended church services, published in a letter to the “Belfast Newsletter.”

It is an excellent response indeed. It will be interesting to see if Mr Kirkland will defy the requirement to stop assembling and endure the consequences!!

“I have no desire to be drawn into a long debate with Rev Kirkland but he has levelled serious charges against thousands of Evangelicals in Northern Ireland without giving any consideration to the fact that brothers and sisters in Christ may have come to a different conclusion to him on the matter of church closures. Read more…

Social isolation: A lesson in Biblical separation!

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty,” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

‘Social Isolation’ has been defined thus: “Social isolation is a state of complete or near-complete lack of contact between an individual and society.”
The true people of God should not, amidst all the distress that the ‘Coronavirus’ is creating, fail to notice a very clear spiritual lesson which I am sure the Lord would have us learn from this all.

Separation from sin is a very vital element in true religion, though it has been rejected by many in these ‘modern times’!

However, ‘separation’ is taught us from the very commencement of God revealing His Law to His chosen people Israel. The law of separation was to be observed in what they could sow in their fields, what they could eat, what they could wear as well as the company they could keep. Read more…

Assembly Speaker Alex Maskey has said a threat has been received of an ‘imminent attack’ against him.

There are few who can play the ‘hypocrite’ like the members of Sinn Fein/IRA!!In the wake of a dissident IRA death threat against the Sinn Fein Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Alex Maskey, a statement from Sinn Fein leader here in Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill, reported in today’s ‘Irish News’, described the threat against Alex Maskey as “an attack on the whole democratic process”.

That is ripe indeed coming from that organisation which endorsed and supported the slaughter of thousands over a 30 year + period and which is still under the direction and control of those who directed that terrorism, the ‘IRA Army Council ! It is not that long ago that the Police Service of Northern Ireland stated that the IRA Army Council still directed Sinn Fein and made the political decisions. See the 8th November 2019 Belfast Telegraph article: “IRA Army Council retains oversight of Sinn Fein, say police. That those supporters of IRA murder should find themselves now targeted by former compatriots is but an example of poetic justice.

The Bible states it thus: “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed,” Genesis 9:6; and again: “Then said Jesus unto him, . . . . all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword,” Matthew 26:52. 

The murderers and terrorists of the IRA and their supporters have a harvest awaiting them in eternity, irrespective what may overtake here on earth! “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,” Galatians 6:7. – IF

(Irish News, 06 March, 2020.) The Sinn Féin MLA said police visited him yesterday to inform him of the threat. Mr Maskey said: “I note that this threat was received in the week when I announced my intention to use the role of Speaker to represent every side of the Assembly chamber and to engage with every section of our community. This threat will not deter me from those events or continuing such efforts in the future.

“As Speaker of the Assembly, I will be clear that intimidation of any elected representative in our democratic institutions is deplorable whether threats of this nature or vile abuse on social media.  It can only be responded to by continuing to work to take our society forward.”

Last month police informed Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill that dissident republicans were planning an attack against her and Gerry Kelly. Ms O’Neill said the threat had been issued after they attended a PSNI recruitment event.

Speaking today, Ms O’Neill described the threat against Mr Maskey as “an attack on the whole democratic process”. “He has been a trail blazing public representative and political activist for almost 40 years and has played a leading role in the peace process,” she said. “In his role as Speaker, Alex Maskey acts as a representative of all the parties and MLAs in the Assembly and all sections of the community.”

Pope lifts the lid on the Vatican’s colossal property empire in London

This article appeared in the “Daily Telegraph” on 14th March and was shared with me shortly after.  I was sent the full text of the article for I could not access that ‘subscribers only’ newspaper.

It is to be noted that the article begins with a reference to God’s Word, Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25, Luke 18:25.  It is a quote that should utterly shame every Pope and his entire entourage throughout the centuries of their existence.

It will not, of course.

However, may the Lord be pleased to use it to highlight the true character of popery to those benighted souls who are besotted by its deceits! Read the article.

The territory of the ‘Old Roman Empire’ back in focus once again!!

The Coronavirus outbreak appears to have started in China but it has quickly spread to Europe and seems to have centred upon those lands that once lay at the heart of the old ‘Roman World’!

The ‘Coronavirus Crisis’ is not just a matter of public health but it is, if anything, a much more serious financial catastrophe!

Major business organisations are facing utter ruin, as are smaller ‘high street’ merchants.

The whole population here in the United Kingdom has been placed under restrictions utterly unknown in our history. Even during World War II, there were not such constraints placed upon the citizenry.

The elderly have been told to stay indoors and avoid contact with virtually everyone and that for the foreseeable future. We have never lived through such circumstances before! What has the Bible to say about this? Read more…

The Voice of the Cholera

A message preached by Charles Haddon Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London, August 12, 1866.

In the midst of all the proclamations, announcements and advice-giving since the beginning of the ‘Coronavirus Crisis’, I have yet to see one person in any position of authority in ‘church or state’ mention the One Person Who has absolute control in this matter and Who should be the first to be consulted and heeded!

I am referring of course to the Lord. I was reminded of the sermon preached by C H Spurgeon on this passage and thought that his words, so wonderfully owned by the Lord throughout the one hundred and twenty eight years since he went home to glory, would make better reading than anything I could write.

His message and his application of God’s Word is an indication of how far the land has drifted in the intervening one hundred and fifty four years. Back then, the Lord was the first refuge considered and sought out in a time of crisis. Now, He is not even mentioned! Surely the ‘perilous times’ of 2 Timothy 3:1 have begun amongst us! – IF

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all? Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it.”— Amos iii. 3— 6.

WE have all felt grieved when reading our bills of mortality to observe the mysterious spread of cholera in our great city. It is high time that it should be made the subject of special prayer, and that the nation should seek unto the Lord for its removal. While as yet there has been but comparatively little of the evil, we should be humbled under it, that we may be spared a greater outbreak.

There are different ways of looking at this disease. Men viewing it from one point of view alone, have frequently despised those who have regarded it under another aspect. Occasionally Christian men express themselves indignantly concerning those who speak of cholera as the product of ascertained and governable causes, to be checked and even prevented by due attention to the laws of health. I have never shared in that indignation. Read more…

The rule that some would have others keep but which they refuse to keep themselves!!!

I was recently informed of the criticism of an Officer of Presbytery directed against me in response to my article, Why This Shameful Silence? It was alleged by this brother that I had done wrong in writing this article without first contacting those against whom I had written, since, he claimed, Matthew 18:15-17 requires such action.

This is a cowardly, pathetic misuse of God’s Word. Please read the article ‘Matthew 18 and the public rebuke of sin’. This article highlights the folly of those who appeal to these verses in response to proper criticism they are unable and unwilling to answer!

Often those who refer to this verse when attempting to fault those who rightly condemn sin are heard condemning the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Methodist, Presbyterian and Church of Ireland ministers for their public utterances which are contrary to God’ Word. The question must be asked: “Do they first contact those they criticise before issuing their condemnations?” Read more…

Stormont can amend abortion and same-sex marriage laws

We have been informed of this through a letter from the Clerk of the Free Presbyterian Presbytery, Rev John Greer. If what the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland told the Free Presbyterian Delegation is true, that is good news indeed.

I use the little word ‘if’ for the simple reason Secretaries of State in the past past have proved deceitful.

A lesson for the Free Presbyterian Church from the Jews’ choice of Barabbas.

“Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them,” Mark 15:6-11

Both Pilate, the Roman Governor and Herod had found no fault in the Saviour. “And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: no, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. I will therefore chastise him, and release him,” Luke 23:13-16. Read more…

Please use the following links to listen to the conference messages.

Lord’s Day: 7.00 pm – Mr Stephen Toms Differences Between Interpretation and Application of Prophetic Scripture

Monday: 8.00 pm – Rev Ivan Foster The Great Importance of Events in the Last Days

Tuesday: 8.00 pm – Mr Stephen Toms The Arising of False Christs and False Prophets in the Last Days

Wednesday: 8.00 pm – Rev Ivan Foster The Vital Information given us of Events in the Last Days

Thursday: 8.00 pm – Mr Stephen Toms The Religion of the Final Confederation of Nations

Friday: 8.00 pm – Rev Ivan Foster The Glorious Inevitability of Christ's Victory in the Last Days

Worship is impossible where there is an outstanding allegation of wrong doing

Some thoughts on Matthew 5:23-24 by Rev. Andy Foster

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

The words of the Saviour recorded here are part of His exposition of the meaning and application of the sixth commandment. In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, the Saviour is enlarging upon the permanent relevance of the Moral Law, summarized in the ten commandments, to the citizens of His kingdom i.e. all His people. Read more…

The Burning Bush turns 50 this month

Over the years, we have made friends and established contacts in many, many countries. It is ever a source of amazement to me that from out of the somewhat isolated west of Ulster, there has gone out a witness almost, it can be said, to the ends of the earth. The reports I get from the website contacts indicate that we have readers throughout the five continents. China, Iran, Turkey, and many, many other unlikely countries have those who frequently visit and download from “The Burning Bush” website.

I must say that was never envisaged when we began the witness. But we can but praise the Lord for His blessing upon the efforts made for “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain,” Psalm 127:1. Read more….

Why this shameful silence??

“And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? and they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go; and answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? And they could not answer him again to these things,” Luke 14:16.

The silent response to the Saviour’s challenges stands as a lasting monument to the wicked opposition by these men to Him. They were against Him but could not fault what He was saying or doing.

Such must surely qualify as an utterly shameful and cowardly position to adopt.

Sadly, we see a situation developing before us in the Free Presbyterian Church which bears some resemblance to this scene in Luke’s gospel. Read more…

Further follow-up on Ballymoney protest