Ammanford Christadelphians Blog – Page 11 – www.ammanfordchristadelphians.co.uk

Who wants to live forever?

The above heading in the I Newspaper concerned a Russian businessman and founder of the 2045 Project, Dmitry Itskov. He wants to upload his brain to a computer so he can achieve “cybernectic immortality”. He wrote “The ultimate goal of my plan is to transfer someone’s personality into a new body.” He has invested a lot of money from his lucrative web media business to fund and fully concentrate on Project 2045.

Why not go to the Bible for an answer to this intriguing topic?

Jesus said: “Do not labour for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, that the Son of Man will give to you…”(John 6:27).

How is this everlasting life to be manifested? In an immortal body!

The Apostle Paul wrote ” … the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.(Philippians 3:20-21).

After his resurrection Jesus displayed that immortal body to his doubting disciples.

He convinced a doubting disciple, Thomas, by showing him the marks of crucifixion in his hands and feet (John 20:27), He ate a meal with his followers (John 21:9 – 13). He was, and is, a real physical being energised, not by oxygen and blood, but by the Spirit of God.

There is a “spiritual” body (I Corinthians 15:44).

Paul writes: “For this perishable body must put on the imperishable and this mortal must put on immortality”(I Corinthians 15:53). This weak, frail, corruptible body will be changed into a powerful immortal body. When? At the return of Jesus Christ!

Paul writes:” For as in Adam all die so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ.”(1 Corinthians15:22 – 23). Please note it is those “in” Christ, those who “are” Christ’s who will have this spiritual body. This is not for everyone..

Even if Dmitry Itskov were able to achieve his goal, would he really like to come back to this troubled world? The believers in Christ will experience, in their bodies, everlasting life, and will see and participate in the exciting project of God. There will be “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, among those with whom he is pleased” (Luke 1:14 – see also Psalm 72, Isaiah 2:1- 5).

We believe that the time is near when Christ will rule God’s Kingdom on this earth.

(All quotes from ESV Bible)

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The Elections – Who Deserves Your Vote?

We are being inundated with manifestos for the Welsh Assembly elections, and every newspaper and television channel seems to be trying to help us make a decision on whom we should vote for.

As soon as this is over, it will all start again over the ‘in/out’ referendum over membership of the European Union.

At the last Welsh assembly election only just over 40% of the eligible electorate voted. In all of the elections for the Assembly the turnout has never reached 50%.

I am one of the people who have lived in Wales during the whole time that there has been a Welsh Assembly and have never once voted. In fact I have never voted in any type of election.

This is not because I am apathetic by nature, or have a radical political point to make. It is because I have religious conviction.

I do recognise that this Country, indeed this World urgently needs a solution to it’s problems, such as war, famine, disease and poverty to name but a few you know all too well. But I do not believe that, no matter how well meaning, men and women have a solution, no matter who may be elected.

The clear message of the Bible is that the God of the Bible, who created the heavens and the earth and all things therein does have a plan and purpose with our world. That purpose centres on the return of the return of His son, Jesus Christ, to rule over the world as it’s King.

The Bible presents us with Jesus’ ‘manifesto’ including:

Justice and fairness (Isaiah 11:4)
Help for the poor and needy (Psalm 72:13,14)
World peace (Micah 4:3)
An abundance of food (Psalm 72:16)
The cure of all disease, suffering and death (Revelation 21:4)
A kingdom that will last forever (Daniel 2:44)

The Old Testament prophet Daniel demonstrates that ‘God works in the kingdom of men’ in bringing about His purpose. A true follower of Jesus Christ recognises that they are ‘strangers and pilgrims in the earth’ waiting for His return. (See Daniel 2:44)

By accepting that God is in control, whoever is voted into power is the person God wants and therefore if I vote for the person or party that does not get elected I am voting against God’s will. Not something the true follower of Christ should do!

However, I do live in this world and the Bible teaches that I should ‘render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s’. That is to say that I must obey the law of the State and live a life without the ‘reproach of men’, provided that the State does not ask me to compromise God’s commands.

I am not voting in the forthcoming elections because my chosen candidate isn’t standing –yet!

‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever’. (Revelation 11:15)

*Join us at 6pm on 24th April in our hall, Foundry Road, Ammanford to hear a special talk entitled ‘Elections – Who deserves your vote?’. All are welcome to attend!

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The truth of the empty tomb!

I want to be direct and talk about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, not just because it’s Easter time (a very good prompt of course) but because it is vital. It is the foundation of the Christian faith. Perhaps you do believe that “Christ died for our sins…that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. ( 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

I do hope you will find these thoughts positive and reaffirming. However, you may be sceptical or just cannot accept it. Well, perhaps what follows will be food for thought!

Jesus of Nazareth is an historical figure, real and recorded in the literature of the era. He was known as a Jewish teacher who was crucified as a criminal, a death his followers did not expect. Amazingly however, within weeks, they turned from dejection and inertia to become an active, vital and very convincing force. They preached at home and abroad that Jesus had risen from the dead and had been seen by many of them. Saul, a resolute enemy and persecutor of Christians, became utterly convinced. (Acts 8) He became known as the apostle Paul, the foremost preacher of Jesus Christ. He committed and ultimately gave up his life for his risen Lord. These facts about what happened 2000 years ago are on record.

Roman and Jewish enemies could have stopped the movement in its tracks and shown it to be false simply by producing Jesus’ body. But the tomb was empty and the body gone! The tomb was sealed and a guard had been placed there to stop his disciples from removing his body.

The apostle Paul said of the resurrection” I am speaking true and rational words” (Acts 26:25).

Many have spoken irrationally and falsely about the empty tomb. Many theories have tried to explain away Jesus’ resurrection but all disappear when the evidence is judged fairly and squarely. Some maintain that Jesus appeared dead but had merely swooned and then revived in the cool of the tomb. He had then escape. Hardened, seasoned soldiers and their centurion knew a dead, lacerated body when they saw one. Jesus had been pierced in his hands and feet, had hung on a cross in the heat of the day and, just to make sure that he was truly dead, the soldiers pierced him with a sword in his side !His followers would have looked desperately for signs of life as they prepared his body for the tomb. What is more, how could a man, so badly wounded have removed the huge stone sealing the entrance?. He would then have to evade the guards! Clearly impossible!

The truth of the empty tomb is that Jesus is alive and “declared to be the Son of God in power…. by his resurrection from the dead.”( Romans 1:4)

This wonderful ‘outside our experience’ supernatural fact is pivotal. It is the centre of the truth of the Bible. The grave could not contain him because he alone was sinless. His life, freely given, can save us and reconcile us to God. His resurrection is the assurance that God will raise and judge many at Christ’s return to our earth. (Acts 17:31)

So, as Paul says “Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?” (Acts 26:8)

(All quote from ESV Bible)

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Faith

“Faith is the great cop-out, the great excuse to evade the need to think and evaluate evidence. Faith is belief in spite of, even because of the lack of evidence. Faith is not allowed to justify by argument.”

Excerpt taken from a speech by Prof Dawkins (1992), entitled Lions 10, Christians nil

Faith in God is derived by reading, understanding and believing the Bible’s message. The apostle Paul wrote: “So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the Word of God”. (Romans 10:17)

Let us put this Biblical faith to the test, particularly the Old Testament. God has a purpose with the Jewish people. They have been dispersed throughout the world, as the Bible says (Deuteronomy 28:64-68) because of their waywardness. However, God promised and we are witnesses to the fact that they have returned to Israel, in fulfilment of Bible Prophecy. The prophet Ezekiel writes: “Thus says the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the people from the nations among which they have gone and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all …” (Ezekiel 37:21,22)

Since 1948 the Jews have returned to their land and are now a prominent nation in the earth. We are seeing part of the above prophecy being fulfilled. Other prophecies indicated the following events happening just before the return of Jesus to the earth. For example:

Jews in control of Jerusalem (Joel 3:1)
Jerusalem -source of international trouble (Zechariah 12:1 , 2)
Jewish nation prosperous (Ezekiel 38:12 ,13)
Arab nations and others trying to destroy Israel( Ezekiel 38:1, -12).

Remember, the Old Testament was written before Jesus was born!

I can get on a plane to Israel, journey to Jerusalem and note the hatred towards the Jews by some Arabs and see the prosperity of Israel. All these events prerecorded in a book which was written before the birth of Jesus!

These details are just a few of many that could be presented.

Shortly Jesus will be back to establish the Kingdom of God. What a shock for Dr Dawkins!

Will it be a shock for you? We all need to be getting ready for this world shattering event!

*Quotes from the ESV

To find out more about our hope and how you can become a part of it, visit our website:www.ammanfordchristadelphians.co.uk. Our next public meeting will be held at 2.30pm on Sunday, in our hall, Foundry Road, Ammanford. All are welcome to attend!

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Democracy Abolished!

Winston Churchill observed in 1947: ” No-one pretends that democracy is perfect, or all wise, Indeed it has been said that it is the worst form of Government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time”. This was quoted in the Stratford Global Intelligence Report 29 January 2016. The author, Ian Morris, having reviewed democracy with its ‘spectacles of turbulence and contention’ concludes: “Should we assume that we are cleverer than our predecessors and that we finally figured out the best way of organising communities, regardless of their circumstances? Or should we assume that because democracy has a history, it, like everything else in history, will someday pass away?”

Yes, it will certainly pass away!

The Bible tells us plainly that God’s Government is coming to this planet, God centred, guided and ruled over by Jesus Christ and hissaints.

The prophet Daniel writes: “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end and it shall stand forever” (Daniel 2:44).

If we go on we are told: “He [Jesus] shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth” (Psalm 72:8) “… and his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth” (Zechariah 9:10)

Jesus told his followers: “The one who conquers, and who keeps my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations”. (Revelation 2:26)

This World will be ruled by Jesus Christ, the Saviour and his faithful followers who have, in spite of all the difficulties of life, really done their best to serve God.

This Kingdom of God (theocracy) will have righteous rulers whose concern is for all people (Psalm 72:12-14; Isaiah 32:1- 2), fertile lands, once desert (Isaiah 35), illness and death curbed (Isaiah 65:20), nations wanting to serve God (Micah4:2), and no more war (Isaiah 2:4).

Jesus said: “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”.

This wonderful Kingdom will come soon! God and Jesus will rule the World.

*Quotes are from the ESV and the NKJV

To find out more about our hope and how you can become a part of it, visit our website: www.ammanfordchristadelp hians.co.uk. Our next public meeting will be held at 6pm on Sunday, in our hall, Foundry Road, Ammanford. All are welcome to attend!

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Water and The Bible

It’s raining again – what a surprise!

In the UK perhaps, we do not appreciate the value of this precious liquid.

In many parts of the world, especially in Africa, there is a desperate shortage of drinking water. Experts reckon that over a billion people have no easy access to water. Yet in the depths of the ground there is plenty! Alain Gachet, a French geologist, has devised a computer programme whereby he can look deep below the earth’s surface and expose water ‘shining’ far underground. For example, in 2013 he located a lake bigger than Lake Windermere up to 300 metres in the northern tip of Kenya. His advice is sought by the USA and the United Nations. However, to extract it would be very expensive and since water is not a market-quoted commodity, there is no commercial infrastructure for pumping it to the surface.

When Jesus comes back to establish the Kingdom of God, shortage of water will be a thing of the past. There will be plenty for crop production, and for the global population. Here is a glimpse from the Bible of that time:

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice, and blossom like the crocus. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing… for waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty grounds springs of water.” (Isaiah 35:1,2 and 6,7)

“There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains …” (Psalm 72:16)

It will be possible to grow crops where they cannot be grown now! Psalm 72 goes into great detail about this wonderful time to come. Please read it carefully and prayerfully.

In this Kingdom Jesus, the King and his saints will guide the nations in righteousness – that which is right in the sight of God. They will have the power of God to overcome all problems. Monetary considerations will play no part in their decision making. Please look at Isaiah 32:1 and 2 and Jeremiah 23:5.

So that during that age “the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever”(Isaiah 32:17).

Perhaps Jesus will make use of the waters that Alain Gachet has discovered!

WaterAid

*Quotes are taken from the ESV & KJV

To find out more about our hope and how you can become a part of it, visit our website: www.ammanfordchristadelp hians.co.uk. Our next public meeting will be held at 2.30pm on Sunday, in our hall, Foundry Road, Ammanford. All are welcome to attend!

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Hezekiah’s Bulla and other archaeological evidence for him

It is not uncommon to hear it said that the Bible is simply a story book, written by some guy, the proof of which we cannot test and prove with strong, tangible evidence. With such opinions rampant, when facts emerge like that of King Hezekiah’s seal – which was unearthed in Jerusalem recently, we should be excited that the even more archaeological evidence for the existence of people such as king Hezekiah has been unearthed, as it proves once more that the Bible is strongly supported by accurate history and archaeology, such as the following evidence which has already been discovered:

Sennacherib’s Annals These records attest to the conquests made by King Sennacherib of Assyria when he invaded Judah’s cities such as Lachish, which is also confirmed in the bible to have been taken.

The Lachish Inscription

The city mentioned in the Bible, was taken by the Assyrians and the conquest glorified in Nineveh by a series of pictures and the single inscription which once again confirms the Bible’s credibility: “Sennacherib, the mighty king, king of the country of Assyria, sitting on the throne of judgment, before (or at the entrance of) the city of Lachish (Lakhish). I give permission for its slaughter”

Siloam/Hezekiah’s Tunnel

This is recorded in 2 Kings 20:20 and 2 Chronicles 32 as a means by which to stop the kings of Assyria finding much water. The tunnel is open to tourists.

Hezekiah’s “Broad Wall”

God speaks also to Hezekiah in Isaiah and says “…the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall…” (Isaiah 22:10). Archeological evidence for the wall has confirmed it to be from the time of Hezekiah, with houses integrated into the wall in certain places where a fulfilment of this passage has occured.

The Bible is not something which comes with no evidence for a basis for belief. In fact when the apostle Paul writes to the believers in Berea, he appeals to them to look for the testable evidence of his argument to confirm whether what he was saying was correct according to the bible, rather than commanding them to believe without question (Acts 17:11). In a similar way, we are able to test the bible’s claim of authority by historic artefacts and sources.

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Space Travel and the Bible

During December an exciting event happened when Tim Peake became the first British astronaut to join the International Space Station. It certainly created excitement amongst the children at the Primary School which he had attended when they watched the ‘blast off’ from Kazakhstan.

One of the most groundbreaking visits to outer space was that of the landing on the Moon of the Apollo 15 Mission. The Director of that mission, Doctor Wernher Von Braun was asked which particular verse in the Bible had he found helpful or challenging. He replied; “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heaven; let thy glory be above all the earth” Psalm 57:5.

Doctor Wernher Von Braun also wrote: ‘I feel the universal validity of God’s law, on earth and other worlds, is expressed in this passage. Space travellers will not trespass on forbidden regions when they set foot on other worlds, but will be in God’s realm wherever they go.’

Do scientists know the number or names of all the stars? Of course not – but God does! In fact the Bible has many references to the sun, moon and stars for example: “He [God] telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names” Psalm 147:4 But the Bible is really only concerned with this planet upon which we live. Here is where the problems are. Jesus is coming back from heaven at the appointed time to sort out the complex difficulties now being faced by us all. On this planet there will be: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” Luke 2:14. May we all particpate in this delightful experience. We make the answer now*!

*To find out more about our hope and how you can become a part of it, visit our website: www.ammanfordchristadelphians.co.uk. Our next public meeting will be held at 6pm on Sunday, in our hall, Foundry Road, Ammanford. All are welcome to attend!

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Happy Hanukkah! But wait, what is ‘Hanukkah’?

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Hanukkah, also called the ‘Feast of Dedication’ or ‘Festival of Lights’ will be celebrated by Jews from the 6th to the 14th of December 2015 (25th of Kislev). But what is it, and why is it important to us today?

HANUKKAH, the only Jewish festival not mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, is an eight-day festival that commemorates the cleansing and rededication of the temple following the victories of Judas Maccabeus in 167/165 B.C. over the atrocities committed to the Jewish temple and priesthood by ‘vile’ Syrian king Antiochus IV.

Daniel writes accurately (Dan 11:29-30) about Antiochus’ defeat in Egypt – “he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation”, and about the way Antiochus vented upon Judah because of his loss “they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice”, of which the book of Maccabees records that an altar was set up to Olympian Zeus (Jupiter), upon which pigs (unclean by the Jewish law) were sacrificed. This abomination, was only turned around by the hand of God’s plan for the nation through Judas Maccabeus.

While the Jewish book of Maccabees describe the events in Daniel from this period, we do not have to rely only on one historical source of information of the events prophesied by Daniel. Polybius – a historian – is another who describes Antiochus’ actions (31.9).

Judas Maccabeus is said to have ended up cleansing and restoring the temple, after the revolt against Antiochus had ended, he dedicated the new altar with sacrifices, song, and joyous worship for eight days.

The obvious lesson from the tradition is that it follows in a long line of Jewish oppression. Time and time again, a nation will have power over them. The Egyptians, Philistines, Assyrians, Medes/Persians, Greeks, Romans. Yet where are these great superpowers, along with Antiochus and his vile crimes? God says about Israel that “You are My witnesses” (Isaiah 53:10), and that “…he that touches you touches the pupil of His eye” (Zech 2:8). Such promises were made first to Abraham and his seed, that “..I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee..” (Gen 12:3).

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The Lord’s Prayer Banned!

The Church of England arranged for cinema goers to watch an advert containing The Lord’s Prayer. At the last minute the advert was cancelled by the Digital Cinema Media because it could “cause offence to those of differing political persuasions, as well as those of differing faiths and indeed of no faith”.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of this case the important question we must ask is ‘To whom was the prayer given originally and for whom was it meant’? To find the answers we must examine the teaching of Jesus.

The prayer appears as part of The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:9-13 and later in Jesus’ ministry in Luke 11:1-4. On both occasions the prayer was given to his disciples and not to the crowds who listened to him. Why was that? The prayer is a spiritual conversation between God, the Father “OUR FATHER who is in heaven” and HIS CHILDREN. Therefore it is intended for those who have become part of GOD’S FAMILY. How do we become part of the family of God? The apostle Paul wrote “… for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” Galatians 3:26-28. To become a son or daughter of God we must believe in Him and His Son and accept the gospel taught in the Bible and be baptised. We should obey God’s laws and try to live Christ like lives.

Why not make this prayer your prayer and so become a child of God?

*To find out more about our hope and how you can become a part of it, visit our website: www.ammanfordchristadelphians.co.uk. Our next public meeting will be held at 6pm on Sunday 29th November, in our hall, Foundry Road, Ammanford. All are welcome to attend!

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