Article

(The final study)

The cry of the believer in a day of distress.

“Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger,” Lamentations 1:12.

This is a verse which has often been used by preachers to illustrate the attitude of the world toward the Saviour on the cross. He was a spectacle of woe and many passed by showing little sympathy but rather mocking and deriding Him.

Such an application is very acceptable and proper. Paul the apostle used the command of God with regards the muzzling of an ox as it trampled on corn as a means of threshing it — “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn,” Deuteronomy 25:4 — to illustrate the duty of the believer to help in the supply of a gospel minister’s needs, 1 Corinthians 9:9 and 1 Timothy 5:18.

But the primary application of this verse is of that to which it firstly is referring to – the lamentation of the city of Jerusalem in grief over its fate.

I. THE SUFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD ARE OF NO CONCERN TO THE WORLD

“Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?” The expression is that of a person occupied by the business they are engaged in, so occupied as to have neither interest nor time to consider the vision of woe they are passing.

1. The world has a spirit of enmity toward the people of God. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be,” Romans 8:7. The sight of the people of God in adversity provokes no sorrow or sympathy but rather gladness. That is seen in the attitude that the Lord condemned in the men of Edom at the destruction of Jerusalem mentioned in our text. (more…)

Once again John Coulter gives the Belfast Newsletter (25th September) readers the benefit of his bottomless folly! He writes under the title: ‘How should Christians really unwind on the Sabbath?’

In the article he seeks to muddy the clear waters of the Bible’s clear teaching on the Sabbath Day and lend support to and offer excuses on behalf of those who would see God’s commands regarding this essential element of Christianity defied and abandoned.

I might first of all state that God ordained the seventh day as the Sabbath in the Old Testament era in order to commemorate the finishing the work of creating all things in six days and resting the seventh day. The word ‘Sabbath’ means ‘rest’.

In the New Testament age, the end of which  I believe is approaching fast, the Lord changed the seventh day to the first day of the week as the day of ‘rest’ in order to commemorate His rising from the dead and thus demonstrating that He had finished His great work of the redemption of His elect.

John Coulter would have us believe that there is confusion surrounding how a Christian should behave on the Sabbath. (more…)

The BBC headlines on Saturday, September 21st 2024, indicated that in truth it is ‘NO CHANGE’ at DUP HQ!

DUP leader pledges new approach in conference speech

There can be no change within the DUP if it does not acknowledge that it has been promoting the wrong policies, evil polices, and pursuing them by deceitful and devious ways!

The DUP leader may now be claiming that the ‘approach’ will be different, but the DUP under him is still going to seek to promote that which is utterly in opposition to the mind and will of God for nations, great and small, as set forth in His Word!

This is mere chicanery!

Gavin Robinson opened his speech with an undertaking to serve his people. He claims that he will ‘chart a path for a stronger tomorrow’! He says he is ‘optimistic’ for the future. Given the recent events within the ranks of the DUP, hoping for anything short of WW III, would show optimism!

He refers to the last six months as ‘difficult, challenging’. That is rather a euphemistic way in which to refer to the recent past! Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, his predecessor, resigned at Easter after being charged with historical sex offences, and the DUP lost three seats in the Westminster election.

For the DUP leader to acknowledge the last six months as being merely “difficult and challenging” is an evidence of the degree of ‘self-delusion’ within the DUP ranks!

‘Charting a new path’ cannot be accomplished by sticking to a path which involves embracing the devil’s lies and depravities and rejecting God’s truth. That is what is entailed in the present political ‘menu’ the DUP offers to Ulster.

That ‘menu’ includes:

(1) support for government in partnership with IRA-terrorist honouring Sinn Fein.

(2) the embracing and endorsing of sodomy and its allied corruptions.

(3) ignoring the deceitful claims of deliverance from Westminster’s ‘Brexit ‘sham’ and then a lying cover-up and denial when that double-dealing is exposed! (more…)