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Thoughts on the history of professing Christianity, Part 4

We continue with extracts from Benjamin Wills Newton’s book, Prospects of the Ten Kingdoms, the chapter 6 — THOUGHTS ON THE HISTORY OF PROFESSING CHRISTIANITY, AS GIVEN IN THE PARABLES OF MATTHEW XIII.

I would commend a close reading of these extracts for they deal with the very issue of ‘decay within Christendom’ that we see all around.

Here is Part 4, which covers pages 160-165.

Click here to see the other articles about this book.

But it may be asked, Why should not the “mustard seed” grow ? Does it not in growing, merely fulfil the law of its nature? Why then may not the Church, which like its Master is well suited to rule, and to rule supremely, why should it not rise into greatness here? The answer is, Because of the character of this present age. So long as it pleases God to permit that Satan should continue the “prince of this world;” “the ruler of the darkness of this present age,” so long must it be true that Christ’s kingdom “is not from hence,” and therefore abasement, not “the reigning as kings,” must now be the characteristics of His servants on the earth. It is a question of time. Accordingly, every principle given to the Church in its present standing below, must necessarily check its growth as to all that could promote its exaltation in the earth. The taking up our cross daily and so losing our lives in this world, the spending and being spent for others, the following Jesus of Nazareth, are principles sufficient to deprive the Church, while it adheres to them, of all governmental influence now. Besides which, the active agency of Satan is against those who really cleave to the Truth of Christ. No wonder, therefore, that they should be blighted; no wonder· that in their measure, they · should be like Him, who, although He was indeed a tender plant, worthy of being cherished under every kindly influence, yet flourished not in the earth, but was “as a root out of a dry ground.” No plant that remains in the spot where God’s Truth would keep it, can flourish here. The nourishment that God gives is for the new creation-heavenly, and not of earth. If therefore it do flourish here, it can only be by having been transplanted into other circumstances, where “the prince of this world” can foster and direct its growth, and use it when grown, for his own purposes of evil. (more…)

Some comments on a horrifying report!

I have just read (11.00 am) the headlines of an article in the “Belfast Telegraph” entitled: ‘David Tweed’s daughters reveal the ‘monster’ he really was after years of sexual abuse at hands of late rugby star father’.

David Tweed was buried out of Hebron Free Presbyterian Church where he was reported to be a member. He was accepted there as a professing Christian.

It must be stated that a sinner, guilty of the most horrific wickedness may receive forgiveness and mercy from the Lord upon repentance and faith in the atoning work of Christ on the cross.

That is made plain in such portions of God’s Word as 2 Chronicles 33:9-14.

“So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, [and] to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he [was] God. Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side odidf Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.” (more…)

Preservation, Purification & Perdition

Greta Thunberg

A comment on the ongoing ‘Climate Change’ circus!

“But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men,” 2 Peter 3:7

As ever, we turn to the Word of God for help and enlightenment and guidance on this vexing topic which is creating hysteria amongst rulers and rabble-rousers today!

It is a case of the ‘blind leading the blind’ and the ditch awaits them both! If ever there was an example of the utter folly of man we have it in this present controversy. Those who have their finger on the ’nuclear button’ are prepared to be led on this issue by the emotion-inflaming cries of a foul-mouthed impudent Swedish eighteen-year-old one, Greta Thunberg, spouting out the results of her being indoctrinated by evolutionary notions taught in her school and by those she deems as heroes, such as David Attenborough!

Tens of thousands of her devoted teenage acolytes and others who ought to know better, have taken to the streets on UK cities and elsewhere in raucous, and sometimes riotous, demonstrations of support for this bumptious youngster. (more…)