My dear readers,

(Extract from RPG, January 1987, edited by Dr SH Tow)

1. LIKE HIS GLORIOUS BODY (Philippians 3:20-21)

Gipsy Smith the famous American itinerant preacher was once asked to speak to an exclusive meeting of blacks. These came in their thousands to hear him. At one point the meeting was interrupted by a coloured woman who called out, “Gipsy Smith, may I ask you a question?” Looking at her he said, “Certainly, my sister, what is it?” “What colour are we going to be like when we get to Heaven? Will it be white or black?” The people held their breath as they waited for the answer. Gipsy Smith did not take long for his reply. “My dear sister, we are going to be just like the Lord!” An approving chorus of Amens rang out all over the hall.

At our Lord’s return a most spectacular happening will take place. “The dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Cor 15:52). This miraculous transformation will be effected “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” when the angel’s trumpet shall sound. John the Apostle says that “when he shall appear, we shall be like him” (1 Jn 3:2). Our transformed bodies will be immortal and incorruptible. (1 Cor 15:53) Every physical defect and ailment will be forever removed.

What else do we know of our transformed state? Our bodies being like the Lord’s, we shall not be subject to the physical laws as at present. Recall what happened on the evening of the resurrection day. “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut ... came Jesus and stood in the midst ...” (Jn 20:19). We shall be able to go through closed doors, windows, roofs, any physical barrier! We shall be able to fly through space, appear and disappear at will, like the Lord!

For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He must first come to complete and perfect His work of redemption. It will be a glorious unimaginable day. Right now, it doth not yet appear what we shall be (1 Jn 3:2).

QUESTION: Are you prepared for the Lord’s return from Heaven?
KEYNOTE: We shall be like Him.

2. WE LOOK FOR THE SAVIOUR (Philippians 3:20-21)

Of all Christians who have lived through the 1900 years of church history, the present generation is undoubtedly the most blessed, being eye witnesses of the rapidly appearing signs of our Lord’s return, and very possibly also witnesses of His appearing. Matthew 24 and other related passages of Scripture should be constantly read by believers so as to remind them of the nearness of this climactic .and earth-shaking event, and thereby to be prepared for it.

Horatius Sonar the great saint of Scotland has a fitting poem to alert us.

He is Near

I know not in what watch He comes,
Or at what hour He may appear:
Whether at midnight or at morn,
Or in what season of the year.
I only know that He is near!
The centuries have gone and come,
Dark centuries of absence drear;
I dare not chide the long delay,
Nor ask when I His voice shall hear.
I only know that He is near!
I do not think it can be long
Till in His glory He appear;
And yet I dare not name the day
Nor fix the solemn Advent Year.
I only know that He is near!

In less than 13 years we shall be entering the year AD 2,000. The turn of a century causes uneasy foreboding in many hearts. How should we view the approaching turn of a millennium?

QUESTION: Might you have any regrets should the Lord return next year?
PRAYER: Lord, keep me burning for You till You come.

3. IN THE LORD (Philippians 4:1-34)

“Blood is thicker than water.” In the Lord, all believers are bound together by the precious blood of the Lamb, who has redeemed us “that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Gal 4:5). This loving bond is clearly seen in Paul’s address to the Philippian Christians: “my brethren dearly beloved and longed for ... my dearly beloved” (Phil 4:1). This same warmth and affection ought to prevail at every level in the church community — among leaders, Session members, fellowship committees and members, and among the general membership of the church. The common bond of love “in the Lord” will dispel many needless frictions and misunderstandings, and ward off seeds of discord which the enemy is ever ready to sow.

In the Lord — stand fast! We are engaged in a mortal conflict with Satan. Our common foe longs to see us at odds one with another, to split our ranks and to scatter us in disarray. Beware the wiles of the devil! Look to the Lord, our great Commander. He is ever victorious. He is near to aid us in the fight, but we must do our part as loyal soldiers. Let us draw on His strength and grace daily, and stand fast!

In the Lord — be of the same mind! One dissenting member can disturb the peace. Two feuding members can tear the family apart. Can the Lord’s body be rent asunder, by some personal disagreement? Can our private interests override the welfare of the group? To allow this would be disloyalty to the Lord. This must never be! The Lord’s mind must prevail. Submit therefore to Him, and be of the same mind. Any disagreement must be cleansed by His blood and washed away.

In the Lord — rejoice! Our redemption and deliverance from sin and its penalty must constantly cause us to be grateful to the Redeemer, and to rejoice. Pause and think! What greater delight can there be than being part of God’s family? Let us ponder our precious heritage. Under any circumstance, good or evil, we have cause to give thanks, and rejoice!

QUESTION: How can we make Satan rejoice?
PRAYER: Lord, evermore bind us one to another and to Thyself.

God bless all you readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Founding Pastor