A Comparison of Cities

In 1859 Charles Dickens wrote ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, the opening paragraph reads, ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.’ 

The two cities were London and Paris and records life as it was leading up to the French Revolution. Dickens observations of his day are timeless and well fit the day we live in too.

The Apostle John wrote the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ at the close of the first century AD and majors upon two cities at the end of the Book, Babylon and Jerusalem, also a third city, the New Jerusalem. Those chapters also speak of  Heaven and Hell but more of that later!

The first recorded city is found in Genesis 4:17, “And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.” Cain was the first person to be born into the world and he became a murderer when he killed Abel, his brother. From the beginning of time cities have been associated with murder. In our day there are cities throughout the world that record over a thousand homicides every year.

Genesis 10 to 12 tells us of the beginning of two notable cities, Babylon, built by Nimrod, and Nineveh built by Asshur (Assyria). 'And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.  He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city.'

A true story of a city beneath the waves involves an island called Pavlopetri, off the south east coast of Greece. Forty years ago an oceonologist first observed the submerged city and recently a team of Australian scientists have charted the streets, walls and buildings and produced a very interesting documentary about this lost city.

Genesis 19 tells us of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities of extreme wickedness that God rained fire and brimstone upon. The man Lot and his two daughters escaped to a place called Zoar which lays at the southern tip of the Dead Sea. Although there is no biblical record of the whereabouts of the remains of these cities many believe that they are at the bottom of the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is a lake and the lowest place on earth, it is about 1400 ft. below sea level and is over 1000ft. deep. Israeli scientists are presently drilling in the centre of the lake, for forty days and forty nights, to a depth of 300 meters, taking core samples for analasis to determine (amongst other things) previous volcanic activity and possible future ones. The present conflict of Gaza and Israel is indicative of the hatred between Arab and Jew, which will spread further affecting neighbouring nations and the world at large.

John tells us in Revelation 17 and 18 of the destruction of Babylon (in Iraq) both religiously and politically. Babylon epitamises all religious rebellion to God, embracing all false cults and religions of the world. Christ will destroy all of these along with the political power of the Beast with all his military might at Meggido in the valley of Jezreel. Jerusalem is called in Psalm 48 and Matt. Ch.5 “The city of the great king”. It is the city where Christ will reign universely.

Exerps from the opening paragraph of this month’s editorial of the Society for Distribution of Hebrew Scriptures reads, ‘ ‘JERUSALEM TRODDEN DOWN. From the time of Israel’s first carrying away into captivity under the Babylonian conquest until 1948, Jerusalem had been in the hands of Gentiles. To judge from its physical state in the year of Israel’s return, the Gentiles had done precious little with the land in all the years of occupation. Over the centuries the city has been destroyed twice, besieged twenty-three times, captured and re-captured forty four times. We cannot think of any city that has been the subject of so much destruction.’ Jerusalem has been the devil’s target to destroy from the beginning, but he has not succeded and he never will.

I mentioned earlier a third city called The New Jerusalem. Revelation ch.21 begins, 'And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.' That will be a great city to live with Christ. 

Will you be there?  God bless.

Written by a Guest Blogger for FTMP
For more info go to seekthetruth.org.uk

A message for everyone in Liverpool

The first man Adam died, the oldest man Methuselah died, the wisest man Solomon died, the meekest man Moses died. 

Patriarchs, prophets, princes, princesses, prime ministers, presidents, politicians, philosophers, peasants and paupers all die. 

The mighty Pharaohs passed away, the conquering emperors of Rome had to succumb to this mighty foe, Alexander the Great could not withstand the onslaught of death. 

The rich, the poor, the famous, the unknown, the wise and unwise, the religious and the heathen, the terrorist and the law abiding alike must fall beneath its cruel stroke.

Surviving on the Lusitania

 

In 1915, the Lusitania was the largest and fastest passenger in the world. It belonged to the Cunard Steamship Company and regularly sailed between Liverpool and New York, taking about a week each way.  

Edward (known as Teddy) Bond, then aged 40, was a cabin steward on the Lusitania, having worked on Cunard ships since he was a boy, and by then, he had worked his way up (via being a waiter) to the 1^st class cabin section, as had his father (also Edward) before him. Teddy had married his wife Mary in 1909, and the Bonds had, a few years before 1915, moved with their family into 29 Donaldson Street, a nice street with a Welsh chapel (now Crete Gospel Hall) at one end.

Merseyside to Manhattan

 

All photos courtesy of Unsplash

I once read a sign in Liverpool City Centre, it said -  "Merseyside to Manhattan". It smacked of the days when great liners regularly left the Mersey for the New World. In May 2015, three liners arrived in the Mersey, giving us all a sight of their grandeur and a glimpse of 'bygone days' or maybe pleasant memories if you have been privileged to cruise in one of them! The right spot provided good views of "The Three Queens" as they visited the Mersey on this historic occasion. The best vistas were often from the Wirral Peninsula side of the Mersey, but Liverpool Waterfront also provided an excellent canvas on which to see some great views from time to time!

The Secret of Contentment!

When it is cold - we complain that the weather is terrible and wonder why we do not live in a hotter climate.

When it is hot - we wonder why we ever moaned and often find that the heat is more than we can cope with.

Are we ever content, I ask you?

The problem of contentment! It is great when you meet someone who is truly content and happy. Funnily enough contented people are often the ones who do not have a lot of this world's goods. They have found peace in spite of what they have, not because of what they have. Paul, one of the early bible preachers, had learned the secret of contentment. He said 'I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content,' Philippians 4:11. Contentment was not the result of good circumstances but despite the circumstances.

How about you and I; are we content? What do you think will make you happy and content? If your contentment is dependant on wealth you could well be disappointed! If good health is on your list: it might not work out. If good family relationships are important it could all go wrong! If however you understand that you are not this planet for your own satisfaction and happiness and realise that you were created to bring God glory, you will start to see where contentment and satisfaction in living start. You might find it strange but God says in the Bible that he created all things and they were created for his pleasure, Revelation 4:11. This is why people are most satisfied when they are serving and helping others others. Serving others is a method of serving God. The old fashioned service based economy was a bible based economy where the theme of life was serving others and this was a very satisfying way of living. Jesus'  life was service based. He went about doing good... He got down and washed his disciples feet when they were all debating who should be the greatest, John 13. It is recorded in the Book of the Acts that he said - 'it is more blessed to give than to receive,' Acts 20:35. 

Please do not confuse serving others with buying your way into God's favour and heaven. Good living and good works will not guarantee salvation - This fact is made very clear in the Bible. Ephesians 2:8-10 states 'For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them'.

Grace is the undeserved favour and kindness that God shows to us.

Faith is the trust we put in God's promise to forgive our wrongs and save our souls.

If you read verse nine of Ephesians 2 carefully it is very clear that becoming a believer and getting right with God is what God does for you when you confess your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Verse ten is teaching that people who believe are saved for the purpose of living good lives and doing good works.

Religion often puts the cart before the horse and teaches that doing good, being good, being religious and living a good life will ensure that you go to heaven. Whereas the Bible actually teaches that we have all sinned, our hearts are desperately wicked and that it took the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus to make salvation available to us. 

In closing, Jesus Christ was content! He knew that he was facing certain death (in fact, he knew before he left heaven for earth, that he would be crucified) but he talked about his 'joy' being in his disciples (John 15:11) and his wish was for his disciples 'joy' to be full. That is what he wishes for you!

The Lord Jesus came into the world 'that we might have life' and the Bible expressly states that Jesus did not come to 'condemn the world' but 'that the world through him might be saved'.

Can I ask you a question? Do you know this type of contentment and joy? If not; you can do. For the Bible states that 'whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved'.

Why not bow your head and speak to God about it now!

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

Just who is to blame?

We often hear of tragedies! They shock us and often produce an impulsive and negative  reaction. Earlier this year we heard the horrific news that an alligator dragged a two-year-old boy into a lake at Walt Disney World. Disney closed all the beaches at its resorts. More than fifty law-enforcement personnel searched the lake. They eventually found the boy's body and presume that he drowned.

Some blamed Disney for not posting signs warning about alligators in the water. Others were quick to blame the parents. As with the boy who fell into a gorilla pit in Cincinnati, people on social media lambasted the mother and father who allowed their son to play in the water.

Why do we feel such a need to assign blame when tragedy strikes?

According to the United Nations, 437,000 people around the world were murdered in 2012 (their most recent report). However, National Geographic reports that 725,000 people die every year from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. Freshwater snails transmit schistosomiasis, which kills between 20,000 and 200,000 a year. Annually, snakes kill 94,000 to 125,000; scorpions kill 3,250; sharks kill six people. And there's no one to accuse for any of these tragedies.

It's human nature to blame others so we can maintain the illusion of safety for ourselves. I can say that I wouldn't have allowed my children into the Disney lagoon, but how many other times did I unknowingly put them at risk?

Obviously we should prevent every tragedy we can. But we should also admit that much of life is beyond our control:

•    "You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes", James 4:14.

•    "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring",

Proverbs 27:1.

•    "Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble", Matthew 6:34.

The same law of gravity that enables us to walk causes us harm when we fall. Alligators are essential to the Florida ecosystem but dangerous to humans. We cannot have natural laws without the consequences of these laws.

So control what you can and trust your Father for what you cannot. Make sure that the biggest danger in life, death, is covered so that when the unexpected happens you are safe.

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, Acts 16:31.

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

Are Christians hypocrites? - 1 John 3:11-24

The truth is that Christians can be hypocrites but thankfully most are not! Having said that we are all flawed and make mistakes; the word of God says 'For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God'.  It is the teaching of scripture that Christians should love one another and love their neighbour as themselves - today's passage from the bible states this clearly. It's a hard standard to live up to but God gives help to those who are prepared to trust him.

When people claim that Christians are hypocrites I always ask them to have a good look at the life of Christ. He was no hypocrite! He was, and is, holy, pure and undefiled by sin. That is what qualifies him to be my Saviour!

Christ died for our sins and if you repent (turn from your sin) and trust him he will clear your guilt and give you the strength to live for God's glory and pleasure.

1 John 3:11-24

11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

this site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

3D Vision

Three views of the same part of town. All from a slightly different angle. That's what was happening when the gospel writers wrote their parts of the New Testament. They were all guided by the Holy Spirit to record slightly different angles of the birth, life, death and resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew writes consistently the phrase 'that it might be fulfilled' so that we would understand that Jesus is the promised Messiah who was fulfilling ancient predictions. Mark records 'and straightway' emphasising the constant and urgent service of the Son of God. Luke in his orderly account records the compassion and care of the man who was God as he visits his people on earth. John tells us in no uncertain terms why he is writing: 'but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name' (John 20.31).

You would find great blessing in reading these records for yourself. Buy a bible in your local book shop or read that copy that has been collecting dust on your bookshelf for a long time.

#it'sliverpool
#the bible
#peace
#liverpoolone

All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.

For more information and further explanations of the message of the bible via videos, blogs and podcasts please visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Location:Liverpool One, Liverpool City Centre

Proven Relief for a Troubled Mind

A large number of people read this blog every day and I am sure that they are all quite different. People were just the same when Jesus was around. For some reason we imagine that people in Bible times where a bit simple and not quite as civilised as we are - I beg to differ. I think they were much the same if not sometimes more intelligent. We have the benefit of accumulated knowledge i.e. 6,000 plus years of learning to draw upon, which they did not have yet they managed to accomplish some amazing feats of engineering and creativity.

If you are looking for relief for a troubled mind you will find that Jesus Christ is the only real answer. He said 'come unto me' to those who are weary and troubled and He promises to give them rest.

You may be a cynic and very doubtful about the claims of Jesus, the Bible and Christians. Read this chapter; Christ will remove your doubt if you are prepared to trust Him. The scriptures teach that 'faith comes by hearing the word of God'. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen - the Christian believes because he has come to understand that God can trusted.

Maybe you feel that you don't belong. Family relationships have long since faded and you feel alone. May I remind you again of what the Bible says - 'but to as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,' John 1;12. God welcomes you into His family when you receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. 

One last point - all of these blessings only come when a person has a change in their thinking about themselves and about God. The Bible calls it repentance. This change of thinking will change the direction of your life for ever. It is summarised in a statement found in Acts 20:21 which says become a Christian involves 'repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ'. Put simply you need to turn from your sin to God - this involves more than regret and sorrow but a permanent change in your thinking about God, your sin and your life. Secondly you must trust Jesus Christ, who died to pay for your sins and rose from the dead, if you want to be forgiven and saved.

I would encourage you to read the Bible. The scriptures are 'able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.'

As always for more information visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Easter Update

I am in the middle of a mad, busy week and the run down to Easter. Not that I will be going off on holiday! I am actually off to Vancouver to speak at a Conference. That will be both exciting and tiring all wrapped into one. The topic is 'Evangelism'. I'm excited to be involved as this is the biggest issue the world faces. It's more important than all the other issues that we face in our global village. Why do I think that this topic wins the top vote? Simply put it's because the consequences of sin are eternal. They span this life and the next. But they are personal and can only be resolved by choice. You and I need to face the reality of sin in our lives, repent (change our thinking about God and sin) and come to Christ for salvation.

Back to my workload - Work in schools is slowing up as we approach Easter but there have been great opportunities to share the good news of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. As a Christian I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that he came to deal with sin by his death and that he rose to provide salvation to all who will repent of their sins and trust him for salvation.

This week I have to get my pre-recorded radio programs off to the producer at Vintage Radio (www.vintageradio.org.uk). Get my podcasts (www.seekthetruth.org.uk) up to date for over the Easter period and to finish lots of paperwork. Too much in too little time but I guess that's no different to anyone else facing deadlines.

So back to the business in hand. Keep in touch. I'll be writing regular about my visit to Vancouver. In the meantime enjoy the holiday when it comes.

All the best,

Stephen

Location:Liverpool, UK

The 70th. Anniversary of the end of WW2

This year marks the 70^th. Anniversary of the end of WW2. May 8^th. is known as VE Day, or, Victory in Europe, and three late summer dates chronicle VJ Day. August 14th - Japan surrendered; August 15th – Surrender was announced to the world, and September 2 - Ceremony and formal signing of surrender.

VJ Day marked the end of WWII, and the cessation of fighting against Japan. It is called "Victory In Japan Day or "Victory Over Japan.

I was ten years old when the BBC announced Germany’s surrender on the radio. It was an overwhelming sense of relief, of feeling safe, knowing that there would be no more V2 rockets flying over our house with the possibility of its power cutting out and it plummeting to the ground causing an explosion destroying lives and property.

My relief was small compared to the inmates of the Nazis concentration camps rescued 70 years ago. Those camps included this list supplied by Wikipedia, Auschwitz-Birkenau Belzec Bergen-BelsenChelmno Dachau Ebensee FlossenbürgGross-Rosen Janowska Kaiserwald Majdanek Mauthausen-Gusen Natzweiler-Struthof Neuengamme Nordhausen (Dora-Mittelbau) Sachsenhausen (Oranienburg) PlaszowRavensbrück Sobibor Stutthof Terezin (Theresienstadt) Treblinka Westerbork. Hitler’s programme to exterminate the Jews was halted, but not before six million souls perished in those camps.

There is a rise today of anti-Semitic incidents recorded in the UK, the highest last year since those horrific days seen in Germany decades ago. After the recent Paris attacks on Jews, some Synagogues in the UK have put barbed wire around their buildings, anticipating a terrorist attack.

Hitler’s plan for World dominion failed, as did his destruction of the nation of Israel, which failed too. All attempts in the past to destroy Israel have failed and any future attempt will fail also. God is sovereign and He will not go back on His Word that He gave to Abraham and David. He made a covenant with both men, with Abraham concerning the land, bordering the Euphrates and the Great River of Egypt, and with David concerning the throne. (Genesis 15 and 18, and David, Psalm 89)

A highly significant happening was prophesied in Jeremiah 25:11, which reads, “And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the Lord, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations. God told Jeremiah two things, firstly that Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon would make the land of Palestine desolate and secondly carry its inhabitants away captive for 70 years in Babylon (Iraq). Commentators place the captivity between 606BC and 516BC depending upon which of the three deportations of captives it referrs to. This 70 year captivity of Israel with Jerusalem trodden underfoot marks the beginning of a period of history known as ‘The Times of the Gentiles’. During this period four World Empires arose to dominate the known world. (1) Babylon: (2) Medo-Persia (Iran): (3) Greece and (4) Rome. All of these are past powers but a fifth power will arise having characteristics of these four previous kingdoms.  The Book of Daniel gives the historical rise of these four kingdoms in the first six chapters, the last six chapters tell us prophetically something of the nature of the four and also of the fifth.

Jesus said in Luke 21:24, “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” In Luke 21 and Matthew 24 Christ gave details of the rise and fall of the fifth power which is yet future. The fall of that fifth kingdom will mark the end of the times of the Gentiles and usher in a new realm, the Kingdom of Christ on earth.

Daniel chapter 9 tells us not of 70 years but 70 weeks. However these weeks are not weeks of days but weeks of years outlining a period of 490 years. These 490 years are divided into three, 49 years, 434 years and 7 years, and the final seven divided into two periods of three and a half each. That seven years is the Tribulation that will come upon all the world, but the second half is The Great Tribulation that Jeremiah calls ‘The time of Jacob’s trouble’.

At the commencement of the seven years Satan will empower a man, called ‘The Beast’ in Revelation chapter 13, and ‘The man of sin’ in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. He will force people to have his mark on their hand and forehead in order to buy and sell. Will that mark be his number 666? Over thirty years ago I gave a lift to a young man who told me he had an interest in numerology. He produced from his briefcase an A4 paper with some names on it, and alongside the name a number. Hitler’s name was on the paper, and Mendleson and others. Then he pointed to a number at the bottom of the sheet which was 666, and said, “That is my number!” I told him of the man in Revelation chapter 13 and what his end would be. I glanced across to see his face, one I shall never forget, it was evil! Was this young man playing a prank on me with his pre-arranged paper? I don’t know, but I do know this, the Man of Sin who is the beast could be alive today?

My dear reader if you are not saved, not born again, I believe that the time is short. It is essential for you to repent of your sin and receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour before He comes to make war with those who reject Him. Revelation chapter 19 verse 15 says, “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” 

Be saved now and be ready.  God bless.

Written for Liverpool Photoblog by Stan Burditt.