My dear readers,

(Extracts from RPG, Jan – Mar 1998, Edited by Dr SH Tow)

1. READING THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Luke 12:54-59, Matthew 16:1-4

History in every age plays a part in the fulfilment of prophecy. HISTORY is HIS-STORY, God's. In every age the enlightened and observant student of prophecy is able to discern prophecies being fulfilled. To him those "signs of the times" are pregnant with meaning. To the man of the world, however, the signs are a complete mystery, a "closed book".

The days in which we live are the very last days of the last days, the critical "eleventh hour". World events of greatest prophetic significance everywhere sound out the urgent warning: "Behold he cometh with clouds." The Lord Himself signals from heaven, "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man as his work shall be" (Rev 22:12). "What signs?" Read Matthew 24 for yourself. Here we simply mention three cardinal signs of our Lord's imminent return: (a) the worldwide proliferation of false Christs and false prophets; (b) the return of Israel to the land, and (c) the false "peace movement". Our Lord's return is near, even at the doors. This is the meaning of the signs.

BEFORE HE COMES, BE RECONCILED!

To the unbelieving, Christ will come as Judge of all the earth, "in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess 1:8). To repent in that day will be too late. Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2). In that day, at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil 2:10,11). The unbelieving then shall bow and confess in fear, not in joy. Heed therefore our Lord's gracious pleading: Give diligence that thou mayest be delivered, before the Judge comes upon you.

Then it will be too late!

PRAYER: Lord, send me forth as Your messenger to warn others.

2. REPENT OR PERISH

Luke 13:1-9, JONAH 3:1-10

People readily talk of others' deaths rather than their own. To those informants who brought to Jesus the report of certain Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices, our Lord had stern words of warning: "Do you suppose that these Galileans had perished because they were sinners above other people? I tell you, No: but, except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish." Or the eighteen who died in the collapse of the tower of Siloam? Think not that they were the chiefest of sinners.

Our Lord has a pertinent lesson for all of us. Sudden and violent deaths from traffic accidents, air crashes, terrorist action and a hundred other catastrophes should cause us to contemplate our own end. None should speculate that the other person has died as a result of his sin. That is not our business to judge. But our first concern should always be ourselves: "Suppose it had happened to me, would I have been ready to meet my Creator? Have my sins been truly forgiven?"

The fig tree is a symbol of the Church. To the Church has been given the light of the Gospel. This is the greatest blessings. It also carries the greatest responsibility. Like the fig tree, we are to bear fruit for the Lord. Salvation blessings must be evidenced by bringing forth fruit thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundredfold. Perishing souls around us are waiting for the Word of life. What are we doing about it? We who claim to be "born again" are born to bring the gospel of Christ to others. Not to do so is to be a "barren fig tree", in danger of being cut down.

Let all professing Christians and ministers of God be fruitful and productive for the world. By sound doctrine and holy lives, let us go out to the unsaved with God's Word and the message: REPENT or PERISH!

THOUGHT: The message applies to me as well!

3. KINGDOM REALITIES

Luke 13: 18-30, Daniel 2:31-35, 44

Kingdoms rise and fall. Only God's Kingdom is for ever. The Apostle John saw it and wrote: "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev 11:15). If you have an eye on the future, this is it – the ultimate reality.

What is God's Kingdom like?

(a) It is like a grain of mustard seed: the Gospel has vast potential for growth. Entrusted to a little band of insignificant, unlearned men, it was sown in Judaea, grew into a great tree, with branches overspreading all the earth, becoming a haven for all peoples and tongues and nations. The Gospel power is also likened to leaven: just a little leaven "leaveneth the whole lump". The climax of history will see God's Kingdom filling all the earth i.e. gospel preached everywhere. This is already fulfilled.

(b) It is like a strait gate, narrow and unattractive but the end of the road is life everlasting. Not many are drawn to it. Men would rather go in at the wide gate and take the broadway of destruction (Matt 7:13). But consider the end, and be wise. Be not deceived by popular sentiment. Strive to enter the strait gate today! Exert your utmost! Walk on the narrow road that leads to the life everlasting. Avoid the broad way that leads to destruction where many are walking on it now. Soon God's day of grace will end. Today is the day of salvation! Delay no more!. Even if others will not travel on the narrow way that leads to the strait gate , YOU MUST TRAVEL ON IT ALONE AND LIVE!

(c) It is sought too late by many. Today men's eyes are blinded by the prince of this world with the things of this world. One day the world and its seduction will pass away. Then men shall see the eternal realities and everybody will press to enter God's Kingdom. By then God's door will be shut. The Jews were first invited but refused. God's offer then went to the Gentiles who surged in with joy. The first shall be last, and the last first! To enter is to find life, but DO IT NOW! Do not join those Gospel-rejectors in unending "weeping and gnashing of teeth."

THOUGHT: The time to enter is not for always.

God bless all readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor