Article

This is an article that was written and distributed in 1986. Therefore its data is somewhat out of date but I might suggest that it is was almost prophetic in its warnings regarding the failure to meet the dreadful challenge facing children under ungodly education within the State school!

Sadly, I think that it must be conceded that few Free Presbyterian parents took any heed to the dangers facing their children back in 1986 and, sadder still, there are even fewer taking any heed to the warnings of the even greater threats children face today in State schools.

Many Free Presbyterians will acknowledge that there has been a decline from the position occupied by our church on the matters of worldliness, separation from apostasy and contending for the faith, back some 40 years ago. That is evident in the lack of concern amongst Free Presbyterian parents regarding the dangers their children face.

Such a decline augurs ill for our church unless the Lord, in mercy, stirs our people and awakens them to their backsliding.

May we hear the voice of Christ in those words He wrote to the church at Ephesus: “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent,” Revelation 2:2-5.

Might I just add that if there are any ready to respond to the appeal at the end of this article that they contact the Convenor of the Presbytery Education Board:

Rev Brian McClung,
8a Boltnaconnell Road,
Crumlin,
Co. Antrim,
BT29 4SZ.

(bdmcclung@btinternet.com)

Or the Principal of Kilskeery Independent Christian School:

Mrs Pamela Foster, BA(Hons), MEd,
Kilskeery Independent Christian School,
Old Junction Road,
Kilskeery,
Co. Tyrone,
BT783RN.

(pj.foster@independentchristianschool.org)

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS and the FUTURE of FREE PRESBYTERIANISM

by Rev. Ivan Foster

In 1978 the Presbytery of Ulster of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster heard a request from Rev. Ivan Foster to consider the need for Christian schools. Following a discussion a delegation of ministers and elders met officials of the Department of Education. The outcome of that meeting was a recommendation to Presbytery that permission be granted to any church that wished to start a school. The Presbytery agreed in principle and appointed a Presbytery Education Board, chaired by Rev. Foster, to supervise the new missionary enterprise. (more…)

We are told in a news report that an asteroid is on a possible collision course with the earth.  Here is a link to the article:

Asteroid update issued as ‘city-destroying’ space rock continues towards Earth 

I thought upon another ‘star’, and its devastating collision with the earth, when I read this report.

“And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter,” Revelation 8:10-11.

The news article reports that scientists, who are following the course of this asteroid, estimate the date of a possible, and that word is to be emphasised, collision with the earth, in 2032. Were it to hit the earth, it is again estimated by the scientists that the impact would be 500 times more destructive than the explosion at Hiroshima in 1945, when the Americans dropped an atom bomb upon the Japanese city, in order to force the Japanese to surrender.

Illustration

This news item is most illustrative of the glorious event of the second coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Few are aware of the approach of this asteroid. Indeed, this article might be the first you have heard of it! In like manner, few, even amongst Christians, are aware of the signs of the nearing of the Saviour’s return. This is a time of ‘slumbering and sleeping’ (Matthew 25:5) instead of watching and waiting (1 Thessalonians 5:6)!

However, as 2032 looms nearer, I am sure that virtually all mankind will be aware of this event and, depending upon what further news the scientists tracking this asteroid publish, might well be filled with trepidation and fear.

This is how it will be as the second advent draws near and signs of that event become more obvious to those who have been indifferent and careless about eternal matters. Hear what the Saviour says.

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory,” Luke 21:25-27.

Bible

The Bible says that at the close of this age, when the Lord causes the third of seven trumpets to sound, a ‘great star’, a celestial body, will strike the earth with most serious consequences. (more…)