Article – Page 259 – The Burning Bush

The beginning of sorrows, Part 2

This the second article containing comments I have penned on Matthew 24:1-31.

I would consider this portion of God’s Word as one of the most important and relevant section of the Holy Scriptures for this day in which we live!

It speaks of those events leading up to the final seven years of this age and then goes into even greater detail regarding the second half of that season, the last three and a half years, or as they are referred to in the Bible, a thousand two hundred and threescore days, the time, times and half a time and the forty-two weeks, Revelation 11:2-3, 12:14.

I trust that you will be helped by what is here written.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster.

“All these are the beginning of sorrows,” Matthew 24:8.

Thoughts arising from my reading of this chapter as part of my daily reading and which are the second section of a brief study of Mathew 24:1-31. I hope to continue the study on a weekly basis.

The city of Jerusalem as seen from the Garden of Gethsemane

Let us come to the words of this verse, which forms the basis of our study.

1. The meaning of the word ‘beginning’. The word carries the meaning of ‘the origin’. It first appears in the New Testament in Matthew 19:4. “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,” Matthew 19:4.

From that act of creation, very much has sprung! Likewise, that is what the Saviour is indicating. The wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes will give rise to very great sorrow.

2. This age is to end in sorrow and suffering. That is what sin and rebellion against God brings! “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death,” James 1:15. (more…)

Two Sunday messages at Kilskeery FPC

I preached at the Sunday evening service at Kilskeery Free Presbyterian Church.

Afterward, I had the pleasure of speaking at the open-air in Kilskeery that evening.

It was lovely to have the weather to get outside to speak to our neighbours.

Please ignore my singing at the start – it was unavoidable.

We wanted you to hear all of the brief witness.

The Lord bless you.

Sincerely in Christ’s name, Ivan Foster.

Sunday Evening Service:

Open air meeting:

The beginning of sorrows, Part 1

If like me you use Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s Bible Reading Calendar, then you will see that Matthew 24 is part of the schedule for today.

My reading again of this portion brought me much joy and prompted me to consider the words in verse 8: “All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

As is my habit, I was prompted to start making a few notes and this developed into the following study which I hope to continue on a weekly basis.

I can but pray that the Lord is pleased to bless it to your comfort, edification, joy and spiritual benefit.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

Jews praying at the ‘Western Wall, the ‘Wailing Wall’, in Jerusalem.

THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS, Part 1

“All these are the beginning of sorrows,” Matthew 24:8.

Thoughts arising from my reading of this chapter as part of my daily reading today and which are the first section of a brief study of Mathew 24:1-31.

I hope to continue the study on a weekly basis.

Like so many of God’s people throughout the ages since Matthew recorded these words, I have delighted in this chapter. Yet, it is a chapter which all too many have misunderstood and made the basis of false notions. The lack of clarity of the Word of God is not to be blamed for this nor would we be correct in concluding that such error arises because God’s Word is hard to be understood. It is our foolish tendency to jump to conclusions without due consideration that causes misunderstanding and folly. The ‘golden rule’ of Scriptural interpretation is “rightly dividing the word of truth”. That is, “comparing spiritual things with spiritual,” 1 Corinthians 2:13. Thus we will be led to an understanding of ‘the mind of the Lord,’ 1 Corinthians 2:16.

I have ever rejoiced at the Saviour’s readiness to answer the questions of His disciples. “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you,” Matthew 24:3-4.

Please note:

1. These questions arose from the Saviour’s troubling disclosure.

“And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down,” Matthew 24:2. Men have ever loved the OUTWARD symbols of religion. Even among true Bible believers the outward may take the place of that of which it merely is a witness. In this case the temple with its beauty, had become more important than the ONE Who was to be worshipped there! (more…)