Comment By Torchlight

General Election

As we write (June 8) Britain is in the throes of a General Election and by the time this comment appears, polling day will be past and a new Parliament elected. While it is not the business of the disciple to engage in the world's politics, he has a duty to pray for all men and especially for those in high place (1 Timothy 2.1,2).

Whichever political party is in power, the burden of government these days is well-nigh intolerable. There are grave problems to be faced both in national and global affairs. The Christian cannot but view with mounting concern the decline in public morality, the increasing lawlessness and the rising tide of permissiveness. These things bring much sorrow and suffering - they are a canker in modern society. There is no escape from the consequences when men abandon the fear of God: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6.7). This is not only true of individuals but also of nations, as history abundantly testifies.

Our Lord described His disciples as "the salt of the earth", and then posed the question. "If the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted?" (Matthew 5.13). To live Christ, to witness for Him and to be an intercessor, sums up the Christian's responsibility world-wise. Failure here dishonours bur Lord and robs bur lives of purpose and profit. In this godless age discouragement and depression come easily. The antidote is a fresh vision of our victorious Redeemer. The psalmist's depression, as he considered the apparent prosperity of the wicked, vanished when he went into the sanctuary of God. There he saw things in their true light and in exultant faith he sang:

"Whom have I in heaven but Thee?

And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee.

My flesh and my heart faileth:

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever".

(Psalm 73.25,26).

He is Risen

The Spirit of God uses the words of Scripture to convey to us the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In the former paragraph we emphasized the need for a fresh vision of our victorious Redeemer if we are to resist the corroding influence of this present evil world. The following incident demonstrates how the Spirit glorifies Christ as we meditate on the Word.

One of the great preachers of the last generation, Dr R.W. Dale of Birmingham, was one day preparing a sermon on the Resurrection when suddenly this great truth seized him and thrilled as never before. He wrote this passage in his diary: "Christ is alive", I said to myself: "alive!" And then I paused again: "Alive!" Can that really be true? I got up and walked about repeating "Christ is living! Christ is living!" At first it seemed strange and hardly true, but at last it came upon me as a burst of sudden glory; yes, Christ is alive. It was to me a new discovery I thought that all along I believed it; but not until that moment did I feel sure about it. I then said, "My people shall know it. I shall preach it. It again and again until they believe it as I do now".

It is said that thereafter every time Dr Dale conducted a service, he included at least one hymn that contained the Resurrection message.

Too often we view the great truths of Scripture as mere theory. Spiritual enlightenment is the Spirit's work, "He shall glorify Me: for He shall take of Mine, and shall declare it unto you" (John 16.14), said our Lord.

Israel's Travail

The third anniversary of the Six-Day War occurred last month and served to emphasize the continuing danger of major hostilities in the Middle East. With the hardening of attitudes on both sides and the increasing involvement of two great powers the possibility of some semblance of agreement by negotiation seems further away than ever. There have been grave warnings by leading statesmen of the danger of a major conflict. These warnings indicate that while all are aware of the gravity of the problem no one is able to give a lead towards its solution.

This month's article in the series, "The Finger of Prophecy", deals with the final grouping and leadership of the nations during the seven-year period preceding the coming of the Son of Man. It can be readily seen that such conditions as those now existing in the Middle East could well be the prelude to those fearful days. As our contributor points out, the prophetic word indicates that the Rapture of the Church the Body (1 Thessalonians 4.13-18; 1 Corinthians 15.50-54) is to take place before this seven-year period commences. How near that great moment may be!

unknown | Jul 1970
Comment By Torchlight