50 Years on - Aberfan is still remembered!

50 Years on - Aberfan is still remembered!

By John Thorn, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9146083

The Aberfan disaster was the catastrophic collapse of a colliery spoil tip in the Welsh village of Aberfan, near Merthyr Tydfil, that killed 116 children and 28 adults on 21 October 1966. The collapse was caused by the build-up of water in the accumulated rock and shale tip, which suddenly slid downhill in the form of slurry.

More than 1.4 million cubic feet (40,000 cu metres) of debris covered a section of the village in minutes. The classrooms at Pantglas Junior School were immediately inundated; young children and teachers died from impact or suffocation. Many noted the poignancy of the situation: if the disaster had struck a few minutes earlier, the children would not have been in their classrooms, and if it had struck a few hours later, they would have left for the half-term holiday.

By John Thorn, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9146083

There is no easy answer to the question as to why such a thing should be allowed to happen. What had these children done to deserve to die so young? Nothing, apart from living in world where tragedy and sin exist and where disasters are unavoidable due to the fact that we live in an imperfect world. 

Often children suffer because of what adults do. The so called innocency of youth camouflages the fact that they have the same gene pool as each of us - they are also sinners and subject to death. The bible is clear when it states that 'all have sinned and come short of the glory of God'. There are no exceptions to this rule. Even our little darlings are sinners - time proves this to be the case. 

But what happens to a child who dies so young? Are they condemned for being a sinner without the opportunity to repent and believe the gospel. You have the opportunity to consider God's offer of salvation and may choose to reject it but what of the child who dies without this opportunity?

I believe that the bible teaches that a child, who dies before they are able to understand and accept or reject the gospel automatically goes to heaven. The death of Jesus Christ covers them. If you are interested I can send you details of why I believe this to be the case but I feel this is the teaching of scripture. 

But remember that is not the case for you. You have the capacity to believe the gospel, to understand the seriousness of your sin and repent and trust Christ for salvation.

Have you ever done this?

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.

Seek the Truth Bible Media Podcast Broadcast from Liverpool

I don't know about you but I would love to have been around when Jesus was on earth. Whatever you think about Jesus Christ, I think many would agree, He was a fascinating person. BUT He was a lot more than that. His claims and awareness were unique! He said He came from heaven to earth. He stated that His death would draw mankind to Him. He promised to rise from the dead and history records that He did. Listen to this podcast and eavesdrop on a conversation that Jesus had with some of His critics. It makes for interesting listening!

https://soundcloud.com/seekthetruthpodcast/seek-the-truth-bible-media-podcasts-jesus-asks-the-questions?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=email

Do ancient Chinese characters tell us about God?

Many years ago I was told that the Chinese language contains within it's characters the message of the Bible and in particular the message of the Book of Genesis. Whether that is true or not really doesn't matter for the purposes of this blog though it does seem that there is truth in the claim. If you Google the words 'Chinese characters and the Bible' or 'Genesis' you will get both sides

of the argument. 

As far this blog is concerned it gives me a nice explanation about how an individual is welcome to approach God and to have an eternal relationship with Him. 

The simple truth of the matter is as follows:

1. God created us,

2. By choice the first man sinned and brought sin and death into the world,

3. We have all subsequently sinned and come short of the glorious standard of God,

4. Because of sin we die and after death we will stand before God to be judged,

5. We will all be condemned for our sin and face separation from God which will deprive us of eternal life, peace, joy etc in a eternal realm of judgement called the Lake of Fire.

But there is good news:

1. God sent His Son into our world. He became a perfect, sinless man and faced and exhausted the judgement of God,

2. If we confess our guilt before God we can be saved but only if we receive Jesus Christ,

3. Receiving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour brings into our possession the gift of God which is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (salvation through the one and only Saviour).

What has the Chinese symbol for the word come got to do with this?

The word involves a tree (Jesus was made a curse by being crucified on a tree, also described as a cross). The symbols on each side of the cross represent people. The word in English is COME. I believe that God says that the only way to come to Him and to approach Him is through the cross. 

The cross is the place where the price was paid so that your sins could be legally dealt with and salvation could be purchased.

HAVE YOU COME, HAVE YOU COME

WITH YOUR POOR BROKEN HEART

JESUS CAN GIVE YOU REST

For more information visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk