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How much do the redeemed in Heaven know about the activities here on earth?

There is a more substantial link between heaven and earth than we Christians can perceive. There is much of heaven’s activity on earth of which we are not aware. The Bible clearly indicates that. For instance, the Saviour said on one occasion: “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 18:10. Again, we are told by Paul of the angels, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Hebrews 1:14.

I have been made to wonder, as a result of personal experiences in recent times, just what the redeemed in glory know of events that are taking place here on earth. As I pondered this matter, the first thing that occurred to me was:

I. WHATEVER THEY KNOW CANNOT IN ANY WAY DEPRIVE THEM OF THE JOY AND PEACE OF THE HEAVEN WHICH THEY HAVE ENTERED!

1. Heaven is a place of perfect, uninterrupted peace and happiness for the redeemed. It is spoken of as a place of rest. “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God,” Hebrews 4:9. The word ‘rest’ carries the meaning of ‘a keeping of the Sabbath’. As the Lord rested after He had created the universe, so the believer enters a similar rest when they die and go to heaven. This is emphasised in that heavenly announcement in Revelation 14:13. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Blessed rest is the portion of the redeemed throughout eternity when they depart this world!

That being so, if they know anything of this world’s activities, it is a knowledge ‘sanctified’, or ‘filtered’, if I may use that term, so that nothing of the wickedness of this world is conveyed to them that would disturb their peace. I cannot really understand how this may be but I feel it is a logical conclusion we must draw if we do understand that the saints of God in heaven know something of events taking place in the world.

2. Perhaps I can draw a parallel with the knowledge the Lord has of events on earth but which do not defile Him or deprive Him of the perfect peace that is the eternal disposition of the eternal God. Here on earth, the saved sinner knows something of the ‘peace of God’. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:7. “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful,” Colossians 3:15. The peace spoken of here is that peace which comes from the knowledge that “being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Romans 5:1. (more…)

KICS – Why we should separate from Christmas celebrations, Pt 1

Kilskeery Independent Christian School being on holiday and there being no Assembly, I am sending out two studies which I conducted with the school 4 years ago.

They are entitled: ‘CHRISTMAS — why we should distance ourselves from the celebrations, parts one and two.

It is the Christian’s duty to keep themselves “unspotted (Greek – aspilos) from the world,” James 1:27. Peter uses the same word, “unspotted” when he wrote of how we must be “diligent” we must be in maintaining our purity while awaiting the return of the Saviour. “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, (Greek – aspilos) and blameless, 2 Peter 3:13-14.

Here is the first study.

I. ‘CHRISTMAS’ WAS UNHEARD OF AMONGST CHRISTIANS FOR SOME 300 YEARS AFTER CHRIST’S ASCENSION.

‘Christmas’ is but a ‘christianising’ of a pagan mid-winter feast by the ‘church’ that had already largely departed from simple Bible religion. Like a farmer dresses up a few old sticks as a ‘scarecrow’, a make-believe man. That is what ‘Christmas’ is. A mere make-believe celebration of the birth of Christ. It was the 1300s before the very name ‘Christmas’ appeared. The ‘Saturnalia’, a Roman pagan feast, began on 19 December and lasted for the best part of a week. Morality and restraint were abandoned. We can easily see that is what takes place at this time of the year in the name of celebrating the birth of Christ.

II. THE CHIEF CENTRES OF THESE CELEBRATIONS ARE NOT WHERE CHRIST IS HONOURED.

Pubs, dance halls, parties etc., are places where the name of the Lord is blasphemed and the Law of God despised and rejected! That is how it is in such places 12 months of the year and it does not change at this time of the year!

III. LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE SPECIAL ACTION TO RESTRAIN LAWLESSNESS DURING THESE CELEBRATIONS.

Drunk driving, disorder and fighting on the streets, shop-lifting and stealing are rampant. This cannot be of God! This is very different from the scene we read of in Luke chapter 2. There we have heavenly and earthly praise to God. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. . . . And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them,” verses 13-14, 20.

Nothing contrasts more with the modern ‘Christmas’ scene than this!

The true character of ‘Contemporary Christian Music’ revealed on our doorstep!!!

On two nights Keith and Kristyn Getty brought their ‘Home For Christmas’ show (that surely is a significant definition of the event that is used in their announcement of it) to the SSE Arena, Belfast. on 19th and 20th December!

We are told in the ‘blurb’ announcing the affair that — ‘The Grammy-Nominated duo will be performing well-known carols and hymns along with new songs to fill everyone with holiday cheer’.

Considering the booze-induced ‘cheer’ that permeates society at this time of the year this is hardly a prospect that should encourage a true Christian to attend their ‘show’.

A brief examination of the event highlights yet again that the whole ‘Contemporary Christian Music’ is marked and corrupted with the spirit of the world and is therefore an offence to the Lord and ought to be offensive to the devout Christian.

The Lord says: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time,” 1 John 2:15-18.

There was every mark of the world upon this ‘show’ and Christians are left with no excuse for embracing CCM and believing it is of God.

I. THE FIRST THING TO BE NOTED IS THAT ALCOHOL WAS ON SALE AT THIS ‘CHRISTIAN’ AFFAIR!

Here is an official reply to a question sent by a Christian bother to the Odyssey Complex regarding the sale of alcohol during the Getty event. (more…)