Christadelphians Talk

In 2 Kings 15 we are told of Azariah's 52-year rule over Judah, which was after the same manner as his father. Azariah's reign had little effect on the nation's behaviour. He died a leper living apart from his people. In the north, 38 years into Azariah's rule, Zachariah had an inglorious 6 months of evil rule before being smitten by his servant, Shallum - who took the throne in the 39th year of Azariah (also called Uzziah). Shallum too was slain by Menahem, who took his place. The emerging pattern of the north is of violent instability which spiralled rapidly towards a final disintegration. The Assyrian king, Pul, came and put Israel to tribute. In Ezekiel 5 we read of another enacted parable. The prophet takes some of his hair and divides into 3 parts - one third was hacked with a knife, indicating destruction by the sword; another third was thrown in the wind, speaking of scattering; yet another third was burnt in the fire. But a few strands of hair, representing the remnant of the nation that was to be saved. Those hairs were to be bound in the prophet Ezekiel's robe. In Luke 1 the beloved doctor (not an Apostle) gives his account. Luke sets out in order of happening of events in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. The written account is to Theophilus - a name meaning 'a lover of God'. Some have suggested that Theophilus was a high ranking Roman official. Whether this is true or not, the book is addressed to us, as lovers of God. Verses 5-18 tell of Zacharias, the priest and his temple service. Those verses tell us that the aged priest and his wife Elizabeth, had no children as she was barren. The angel Gabriel appears to Zacharias and foretells him of the birth and mission of John the Baptist - the son that was to be miraculously born to this old man and his barren wife. Because Zacharias doubted the angel's words, he was struck dumb till the day of John's birth. Note John's mission was said to be the fulfilment of Malachi 4 verses 5-6. The angel Gabriel was next sent to the wonderful Mary. This faithful young woman had been chosen by Yahweh to be the mother of His Son. This birth too was to be brought about by an even greater miracle. Read the angel's words aloud in verses 30-33 - ponder the import. Mary accepts the message and as the handmaid of the LORD she says that she will humbly comply. Mary's cousin Elizabeth, who was herself 6 months pregnant, is visited by Mary and together these two faithful women praise and exalt God; and spiritually encourage each other. Mary's song of praise giving is recorded in verses 46-55. Compare Mary's song and words of rejoicing with Hannah's song told to us in 1 Samuel 2 verses 1-10. John is born and named. Then his father Zacharias' tongue is loosed. Consider his remarkable prophecy of the work of the two greatest men ever born. The record brings together a significant number of Old Testament scriptures. Read these words in verses 68-79 and ponder the greatest epoch of spiritual ministries of all time, that was to emerge in the ministries of these two servants of the Almighty.Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

A @Christadelphians Video: SummaryThe video discusses the biblical account of King Hezekiah's response to a threatening letter from the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, as detailed in Isaiah 37. Hezekiah, aware of the dire situation, seeks divine guidance by spreading the letter before God and praying for deliverance, emphasising God's supremacy. The narrative highlights Hezekiah's humility, faith, and focus on God's honour rather than personal safety. In response, God delivers a powerful message through the prophet Isaiah, promising judgment against Sennacherib and reassurance for Hezekiah, affirming that Jerusalem will be protected and a remnant will survive.Highlights

People boast today of everything they can which they hope will add to their prestige.  Politicians in particular arevery anxious about the image they are creating – what people think of them.  It has to be good or they will not get re-elected. Such is the growing noise from the US elections today.Our chapters in 2nd Corinthians today illustrate that attitudes like this were a problem at Corinth.   It is interesting to note Paul's tactic in writing his second letter; but first, his opening chapters include praise for the improving spirit in the ecclesia so that “in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ we will boast about you”(1 v.14).Paul's success in Corinth was creating envy and jealousy among others.   We note how those who have only a limited grasp of the spiritual way of thinking show how their minds are dominated by fleshly motivations; this is evident in what they talk about, which amounts to boastingPaul says that these, “commend themselves … they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” [10 v. 12]  The real seriousness of this type of mind is that it is developed from the way of thinking that led to sin in the Garden of Eden, note how Paul makes this point. [11 v.3]At Corinth it was causing some to “be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ”   Paul says, “if someone comes and proclaims a different Jesus to the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.” [v.3,4] This can and does happen today, that is why there are so many different churches.     Our minds must have a constant input from the mind of God and his Son, through reading and meditation on his word or we will descend to human ways of thinking and boasting – because boasting is what it amounts to.  The present generation uses the word “ego.”  It is said that having self-esteem is very important and many evangelical churches delight to push this theme, but it is a theme with no basis in God's word, it undermines the spirit of humility.The atmosphere at Corinth was in danger of becoming parallel to that in Australia today.  We need God's word IN our thoughts every day to help keep out the fleshly attitudes that surround us.  Paul says, don't you realize Christ is IN you? Those who are baptised need to realize this as fully as they can – as must those who are thinking about baptism.7

2 Kings 14 records Amaziah's reign, which began with the punishment of those servants who had struck down and killed his father. Amaziah campaigns successfully against Edom. As a result of this he becomes lifted up in pride and seeks a quarrel with Israel. Amaziah is humbled in that battle, and many hostages are taken out of Judah to Samaria. Judah is placed under tribute. As we read the story carefully you will see that all the events provide the backdrop for our Lord Jesus Christ's parable about the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 verses 25-37. The chapter finishes by telling us of Israel's great decline under Jeroboam 2, until Yahweh helps Israel by raising up the prophet Jonah. Ezekiel 4 provides a portrayal of the extremities to which Judah is brought by the siege of Jerusalem. Ezekiel is caused to lay on his right side for 390 days for the house of Israel and 40 days for the house of Judah verses 430 days, from Jeroboam's defection until the captivity. This demonstrates also the day for a year principle. The prophet is symbolically the one who would bear the iniquities of the two nations - Israel and Judah. In this he typified the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of Man. During this parable, which occupies about 14 months for its completion, he ate lentil bread by weight indicating the shortage of food. He also drank measured amounts of water daily. Ezekiel was indicating to his nation the scarcity of provisions that would occur in the Babylonian siege. In 2 Corinthians 12 we are told about visions that the Apostle Paul had 14 years before the writing of his letter. The "visions" were so real that Paul was unsure as to whether he was actually there, or it was just a dream-like revelation. The experience empowered him to deal with his severe trials, for which he earnestly beseeched God three times in prayer to remove. Each time he receives from the Father the same answer - "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness". If only we could all learn that lesson. He speaks of his intent to see them; and this had twice been thwarted. What the Apostle's thorn in the flesh was we do not know. What we know is his eyesight was badly affected to the extent that Paul used a scribe to write his letters. His autograph at the end of each letter was in large handwritten characters verses Galatians 6 verses 11. Additionally Paul had sent Titus as his representative as that brother closely knew the Apostle's mind on the matters the epistle discusses. Titus also had a great love for the Corinthians. Chapter 13 concludes with final warnings and advice. The Apostle had attempted visiting the Corinthian ecclesia twice, but his plans had been thwarted. Verses 5-10 is a call for all of the believers in this city to reconsider their motives and actions. And to change these, if required, so that they might find a place in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming. Verses 11-14 give Paul's final greetings and his appeal for the members of the ecclesia to live in love and harmony.Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow at

Yesterday we started reading the intriguing prophecy of Ezekiel.  He is in Babylon with those taken captive there before Jerusalem fell, along with King Jehoiachin. This is recorded in 2 Kings 24 v.12-15.  It is in “the fifth year of the exile” [Ezek 1 v.2,3] that “the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel … and the hand of the LORD was upon him there.”  It maybe he was sent by the LORD to join the exiles. There are many varied prophecies and visions that the LORD reveals to him climaxing with a vision in his final 9 chapters of a wondrous temple that will come into being in the ultimate future of the world. In today's chapter he is told to preach to the exiles, and their attitude to his message have a number of comparisons with attitudes today.  He is told, “I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels who have rebelled against me.”[v.3]  He is told, “The descendants also are impudent and stubborn … And whether they hear or refuse to hear … they will know that a prophet has been among them … Be not afraid of them … nor be dismayed at their looks …” [[v.4-6]We see a real comparison with the situation and attitudes today when there is an inclination to give up on efforts to witness about the word of God.   But the final “ingathering” (see Matt. 22 v.9,10) must be completed and “the labourers are few” [Matt 9 v.27].   The vast majority we preach to  “refuse to hear” – but we recall the parable of Jesus about the final ingathering before his return when the “master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people …. “ [Luke 14 v.23] and these words, we feel, have an application to us today.  Let us renew our efforts in the area in which we live.So let us take the lesson of the LORD's instructions to Ezekiel to heart in whatever situation we are in and make known God's word in these last days so that “whether they hear or refuse to hear” – we can really feel we are carrying out our responsibility before God.  This is an essential part of our “sowing” – noting the point Paul makes in today's 9th chapter of 2nd Corinthians.  “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” [v.6] so, while Paul is not applying this primarily to preaching, let us take (and create) opportunities to sow the word of God in the ears of the those with whom we have contact so that “they will know that a prophet has been among them” and we show we are heeding Paul's words to “abound in every good work”[v.8] 

In our two chapters from 2 Kings 11 and 12 we have the story of the faithful boy king, Joash, who came to the throne at the age of seven. We also have the elimination of the remnants of Ahab's household in Judah - that is of Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. The treacherous Queen thought she had destroyed all the seed Royal in Judah. But the faithful high priest Jehoiadah, together with his remarkable and equally faithful covenant wife Jehosheba (Joash's aunt) hid and protected the heir to the throne in the temple of Yahweh). Upon the heir reaching 7 years of age the high priest set in train events that saw Athaliah's destruction, and the true monarchy restored. The remainder of the chapter records the covenant that Jehoiadah made with the people in concord with the king to remove Baal worship from Judah. Joash rules faithfully for forty years because of the faithful influence of his uncle on him. However, despite the removal of Baal worship, idolatry still persisted with many of Judah. Under Joash's influence he arranged for the temple to be repaired from funds voluntarily placed in a wooden box. The workers were paid from this, and accounting was not required due to their honesty. Joash bought time for the Kingdom of Judah from becoming subjects of Ben-Hadad and by paying tribute. The servants of Joash conspire against him and replace him with his son, Amaziah. In Ezekiel 2 we read of the prophet's commissioning as a priest. Ezekiel is called 'son of man' - a frequently used title of our Lord Jesus Christ. This title is emblematic of one, the Son of Man, our Lord Jesus Christ, whose mission would be so difficult, and so critically strategic to Yahweh's saving of the world from sin, that it necessitated that God be his Father in order for him to have the capability to successfully undertake the mission, without ensuring his success in any way, from his own love and complete trust and obedience of his Father. Ezekiel's mission was, as was Christ's, to a rebellious people who would refuse to listen. Ezekiel is told by the LORD that he will be savagely opposed by his people, but he is not to be afraid as the Almighty will be with him. In the test of time as Ezekiel's words from his Sovereign come to pass the nation will know that Yahweh's prophet will be vindicated in their midst. In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 Paul encourages extreme generosity in giving support to the poor believers of Jerusalem. Paul had seen the need for this fund for some time and had arranged for the Gentile ecclesias to share their material wealth in the same way that God had blessed the Gentile believers in Christ in partaking of the Hope of Israel - the gospel that had been preached to Abraham and his seed. The Apostle says that generosity is of our Heavenly Father, who provides unstintingly for all of His children. Consider this, all we have is God's anyway; and not our own. When we give it is only what He has first given us. And if we feel we cannot give then think again. Our Heavenly Father is always able to recompense faithful service. But our greatest reason for giving is out of our gratefulness to Him for what He has given us in His Son. Chapter 9 verses 15 ESV read aloud - "Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!" Pause and Ponder. We too can show our gratitude to our Father by generously supporting through prayer and contributing of our abundance to our needy brothers.Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

2 Kings 10 tells of the fear from the rulers of Ahab's household of retaliation of Jehu upon the eunuchs who brought up Ahab's sons in Jezreel. Jehu tricks the eunuchs to kill Ahab's 70 sons in order to save their own lives. Jehu now conceives a plan to Jehu follows this by telling Jehonadab of his zeal to fulfill the word of Yahweh. Jehu next slays 42 of Ahaziah's relatives, before carrying out his great ruse to eliminate Baal worship in Israel. All of Baal's worshippers who were beguiled into believing that Jehu intends to become the greatest of Baal's worshippers. These deluded worshippers of Baal come into his house and are slaughtered to the very last person by Jehu's appointed executioners. Jehu was promoted by God and promised to have a dynasty of four generations because of the service done that he did for the Almighty. However, Jehu himself did it not out of zeal for God but for himself. Sadly, Jehu perpetuated the calf worship of Jeroboam 1st of Israel - the man who made Israel to sin. Ezekiel is the priest of Yahweh and is introduced to us in chapter 1. His name means 'El establishes'. He was a prophet among the Babylonian exiles in Chebar who had been taken to Babylon approximately BC 606. The prophecy opens with the wonderful vision of the four living creatures, or cherubim, these creatures are symbols of Yahweh's vehicle for accomplishing His purpose. The presentation put before us in chapter 1 is a mathematical impossibility. But this is not so in the divine scheme of things. The theme of the cherubim permeates Scripture from Genesis 3 to the book of Revelation. The eyes of the four-faced living creatures portray Yahweh's Omniscience - symbolised in the eyes within the wheels. 2nd Corinthians 5 outlines the Almighty's Word, or His campaign for the reconciliation of the world. The Lord Jesus Christ's life, death and resurrection are its foundation and form the logical and heart-binding basis for our attachment to the great salvation of God. We become in Christ part of God's new creation. The Apostle Paul urges his readers to take up this ministry of reconciliation as Christ's ambassadors. In chapter 6 the great Apostle outlines his faithful commitment to the task of preaching the saving gospel message. Paul also establishes that this work is a call which embraces each believer in becoming a child of our Sovereign king. On our part we must embrace a complete commitment to holiness as God's beloved children. In the seventh chapter Paul entreats the Corinthians to find a place in their hearts for those whose love for them was unquestionable; and to embrace wholeheartedly the great task of receiving back into fellowship the repentant brother who had been disciplined by the ecclesia in the hope of restoring the erring brother to the company of fellow believers - the saints in our Lord Jesus Christ. Verses 13-16 speak of Paul's joy at receiving the news from Titus that the ecclesia at Corinth had followed the Apostle's advice and through ecclesial discipline achieved the result that Paul had hoped.Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

  What thought challenging verses we had today as we started reading 2nd Corinthians.  Paul writes of his experiences of afflictions and the “comfort” God gives him to cope with them – and yet his comfort is also founded on the comfort believers give to each other.  “The father of mercies,” writes Paul, “comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves have been comforted by God.” [1 v.3,4]     Paul, like Jeremiah, had had frightening experiences – he tells them, “we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.  Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely, not on ourselves but on God …” [v.8,9]     What intense faith challenging experiences Paul had!  But such experiences are – faith building – as a result of passing through them they lead him to, as with all committed believers, to  “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience” [Heb.10 v.22]      We note how Paul went on to express his convictions of God's overriding care, “He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us.  On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.” [v.10]     Then Paul makes a point we must take careful note of – “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of the many” [v.11]     And in praying may it be we can, like Paul, do so with “a clear conscience”  for in the next verse we read, “For our boast is this: the testimony of our conscience that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God …”      And “by the grace of God” may we all learn to rely not on ourselves but on God”  As this world falls into ever greater disarray and increasing ungodliness that will become even more essential3

Hi welcome to Christadelphian video.org Thoughts on the Bible Readings September 5th (2 Kings 10; Ezekiel 1; 2 Corinthians 5, 6, 7)2 Kings 10 tells of the fear from the rulers of Ahab's household of retaliation of Jehu upon the eunuchs who brought up Ahab's sons in Jezreel. Jehu tricks the eunuchs to kill Ahab's 70 sons in order to save their own lives. Jehu now conceives a plan to Jehu follows this by telling Jehonadab of his zeal to fulfill the word of Yahweh. Jehu next slays 42 of Ahaziah's relatives, before carrying out his great ruse to eliminate Baal worship in Israel. All of Baal's worshippers who were beguiled into believing that Jehu intends to become the greatest of Baal's worshippers. These deluded worshippers of Baal come into his house and are slaughtered to the very last person by Jehu's appointed executioners. Jehu was promoted by God and promised to have a dynasty of four generations because of the service done that he did for the Almighty. However, Jehu himself did it not out of zeal for God but for himself. Sadly, Jehu perpetuated the calf worship of Jeroboam 1st of Israel - the man who made Israel to sin. Ezekiel is the priest of Yahweh and is introduced to us in chapter 1. His name means 'El establishes'. He was a prophet among the Babylonian exiles in Chebar who had been taken to Babylon approximately BC 606. The prophecy opens with the wonderful vision of the four living creatures, or cherubim, these creatures are symbols of Yahweh's vehicle for accomplishing His purpose. The presentation put before us in chapter 1 is a mathematical impossibility. But this is not so in the divine scheme of things. The theme of the cherubim permeates Scripture from Genesis 3 to the book of Revelation. The eyes of the four-faced living creatures portray Yahweh's Omniscience - symbolised in the eyes within the wheels. 2nd Corinthians 5 outlines the Almighty's Word, or His campaign for the reconciliation of the world. The Lord Jesus Christ's life, death and resurrection are its foundation and form the logical and heart-binding basis for our attachment to the great salvation of God. We become in Christ part of God's new creation. The Apostle Paul urges his readers to take up this ministry of reconciliation as Christ's ambassadors. In chapter 6 the great Apostle outlines his faithful commitment to the task of preaching the saving gospel message. Paul also establishes that this work is a call which embraces each believer in becoming a child of our Sovereign king. On our part we must embrace a complete commitment to holiness as God's beloved children. In the seventh chapter Paul entreats the Corinthians to find a place in their hearts for those whose love for them was unquestionable; and to embrace wholeheartedly the great task of receiving back into fellowship the repentant brother who had been disciplined by the ecclesia in the hope of restoring the erring brother to the company of fellow believers - the saints in our Lord Jesus Christ. Verses 13-16 speak of Paul's joy at receiving the news from Titus that the ecclesia at Corinth had followed the Apostle's advice and through ecclesial discipline achieved the result that Paul had hoped.Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

The Lamentations of Jeremiah is not a book we “enjoy” reading.  But do we only read those things that give a positive message and we find encouraging?  Actually there are some gems hidden among this prophet's words of despair and distress.  The first 2 chapters are about how God's anger with Jerusalem finally overflows into action; his mercy toward the people of His Holy City finally comes to an end, his judgments are poured out.  Is our world today going to be a parallel to this?  His word is available in all languages – yet is largely ignored – or scoffed at?The emphasis in just about everything the churches say is that we serve a God of love, that this is the total focus of God's character. There is little or no thought that his anger could be poured out today on an increasingly godless world.  But twice it happened to God's holy city – Jerusalem; they were terrifying times.In today's chapter 3, Jeremiah suddenly expresses his own feelings, his own experience of overwhelming personal despair, “though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer” (v.8)  That reminds us of the final words of Jesus on the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”Yet in his Lamentations, as with David's Psalms, what begins with despairing thoughts, gets replaced by more positive ones. See how Jeremiah lifts his mind to a higher plain, “but this I call to mind and therefore I have hope” (v.21).  Then come the words that have been made into a much loved hymn about the mercies of God “they are new every morning: great is your faithfulness” (v.23)  Next he writes, The LORD is good to those who wait for him … who seek him” (v.25)  Will the Lord have reason to be good to you?In conclusion, take special note of v. 27 … it is good for us to bear the yoke in our youth!   Bearing the yoke?  If when we are young our lives are easy, there are no problems, no challenges, nothing to make us anxious; it will be hard to develop a good character; worse still, we will have little inclination toward being yoked to Jesus Christ and to carry his cross (meditate on John 15 v.18-19). It may be the lot of those who are truly yoked to Christ to follow in the footsteps of Jeremiah to some degree.

Thoughts on the Bible Readings September 2nd (2 Kings 7; Lamentations 3; 1 Corinthians 16)2 Kings 7 shows us, yet again, that when the Almighty says a thing will happen - it will, no matter how seemingly impossible. The incredulous and faithless lord on whose arm the king of Israel leans states that the famine could not be ended even if Yahweh was to open windows in heaven. The language echoes Elijah's era when the windows of heaven were both shut and opened - compare Revelation 11 verses 1-6; and Malachi 3 verses 10-12. Four lepers found food in the abandoned Syrian camp. This led to the fulfilment of the prophet Elisha's word, both to the abundance and price of the food and judgment on the unbelieving lord. Once more think of how the concept is taken up in Revelation 6 verses 5-6. Just as the Corinthian letters told us of Paul's life; so, does Jeremiah's lament of his feelings in this third chapter. The main lesson of the book is introduced in verse 1 verses "I am the man that has seen sorrow". He is indeed "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" as our Lord Jesus Christ is so described in Isaiah 53 verses 3. However it is what this suffering servant learns through his trust in God as he in patience endures his horrendous experiences verses Hebrews 5 verses 7-9. The prophet Jeremiah likewise similarly learns verses 18-39 - carefully read these and ponder what is the message that the Almighty wants each of His suffering servants to learn and grow thereby. We are told of the benefits and purpose in suffering. We must believe though we may not understand. Our trust and faith in our Sovereign must remain unshakable as He is the One who is leading us to a place in His kingdom verses Hebrews 12 verses 5-17 meditate the marvellous grace of our God. How great is Yahweh's steadfast love (Chesed - His faithfulness)! Each sunrise reminds us. In affliction we suffer in silence - trusting that He will deliver us at the proper time. Experience through testing takes time to yield results. 1 Corinthians 16 tells us to be prepared for contributing money when we come to the Lord's Supper. The background to the starting of the collections among the Gentiles was to support their Jewish brethren who were suffering hardship due to their persecution for becoming believers in Christ Jesus and to alleviate the troubles brought by the great famine. The first day of the week was traditionally the day when the believers met to remember our Lord Jesus Christ in bread and wine. By the Jewish calendar it was after 6pm Saturday evening. Those believers who were blessed to have some money gave some of it at that time. It was done discretely that is why Paul requested preparation before they arrived at the gathering. In his final instructions the Apostle sends greetings and commends the house of Stephanos for their addiction to service of fellow believers. The letter ends with both a warning and an implied appeal, verses 22-24, "If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen." (ESV) Contemplate our privileges in Christ - the blessings that we receive - and how we can love our Lord and live to please him now that we might graciously find a place in his kingdom.Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

The coming of Timothy with the news he carried about the response of the believers at Corinth was a tonic that revived his spirit. Chapter 2 provided further advice for what to do next if the wrongdoer was to be fully recovered. The chapter tells us that in Troas he pondered his blessings in our Lord Jesus Christ. His imagery is drawn from the practices which accompanied the Roman Triumphal procession. The language that he uses to his fellow believers is ironic since their lifestyle spoke of living gloriously whereas the Apostles were treated as though they had been the conquered army many of whom were to be offered to the gods of the victors. Nonetheless in verses Paul says that God has strengthened him that the fragrant message of the gospel might replace the pungent odour of death that would otherwise fill the nostrils of the perishing.Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

Today we read one of the most meaningful chapters in the Bible > Ch. 15 of 1 Corinthians. Many verses “jump out” inviting our meditation. The one we have chosen to really reflect upon is v10.  Paul laments on his unworthiness, but then says, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.  On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God.”We hear the word grace used a lot in Christian circles.  There are popular hymns about “amazing grace” and how the Lord has “saved a wretch like me.”  Careful Bible readers more than anyone else appreciate “the wonder of his grace.”  But we need to thoughtfully reflect on the example of Paul and his utter commitment of service to his Lord to see that “his grace toward me was not in vain.”No one can earn salvation so that they deserve it!  We must ask ourselves in accepting “his grace” – ‘What kind of motivation is this creating in my heart?  Can it be that for all too many in these “last days” that his grace is taken for granted and it fails to motivate them to live really committed lives, failing to follow the example of Paul?Let us realize that our commitment is really seen in all the small things we do (or don't do) every day.  Paul urged his companions in this.  We will soon read in 2 Cor. 8 how he “urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.”   That “act of grace” was in “taking part  in the relief of the saints” who were in “extreme poverty” [v.2,4]   Paul tells the Corinthians,  “… you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you – see that you excel in this act of grace also.” [v.6,7]

2 Kings 7 shows us, yet again, that when the Almighty says a thing will happen - it will, no matter how seemingly impossible. The incredulous and faithless lord on whose arm the king of Israel leans states that the famine could not be ended even if Yahweh was to open windows in heaven. The language echoes Elijah's era when the windows of heaven were both shut and opened - compare Revelation 11 verses 1-6; and Malachi 3 verses 10-12. Four lepers found food in the abandoned Syrian camp. This led to the fulfilment of the prophet Elisha's word, both to the abundance and price of the food and judgment on the unbelieving lord. Once more think of how the concept is taken up in Revelation 6 verses 5-6. Just as the Corinthian letters told us of Paul's life; so, does Jeremiah's lament of his feelings in this third chapter. The main lesson of the book is introduced in verse 1 verses "I am the man that has seen sorrow". He is indeed "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" as our Lord Jesus Christ is so described in Isaiah 53 verses 3. However it is what this suffering servant learns through his trust in God as he in patience endures his horrendous experiences verses Hebrews 5 verses 7-9. The prophet Jeremiah likewise similarly learns verses 18-39 - carefully read these and ponder what is the message that the Almighty wants each of His suffering servants to learn and grow thereby. We are told of the benefits and purpose in suffering. We must believe though we may not understand. Our trust and faith in our Sovereign must remain unshakable as He is the One who is leading us to a place in His kingdom verses Hebrews 12 verses 5-17 meditate the marvellous grace of our God. How great is Yahweh's steadfast love (Chesed - His faithfulness)! Each sunrise reminds us. In affliction we suffer in silence - trusting that He will deliver us at the proper time. Experience through testing takes time to yield results. 1 Corinthians 16 tells us to be prepared for contributing money when we come to the Lord's Supper. The background to the starting of the collections among the Gentiles was to support their Jewish brethren who were suffering hardship due to their persecution for becoming believers in Christ Jesus and to alleviate the troubles brought by the great famine. The first day of the week was traditionally the day when the believers met to remember our Lord Jesus Christ in bread and wine. By the Jewish calendar it was after 6pm Saturday evening. Those believers who were blessed to have some money gave some of it at that time. It was done discretely that is why Paul requested preparation before they arrived at the gathering. In his final instructions the Apostle sends greetings and commends the house of Stephanos for their addiction to service of fellow believers. The letter ends with both a warning and an implied appeal, verses 22-24, "If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen." (ESV) Contemplate our privileges in Christ - the blessings that we receive - and how we can love our Lord and live to please him now that we might graciously find a place in his kingdom.Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

A @Christadelphians Video: ##SummaryThe study focuses on King Hezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat led by Rabshakeh, delving into his preparations and spiritual leadership during a national crisis. Hezekiah's strategic actions included fortifying Jerusalem and encouraging the people to trust in God, drawing on scriptural references to inspire confidence. Rabshakeh's speeches aimed to undermine this trust through psychological warfare and misinformation, but Hezekiah's steadfast faith ultimately shone through. The narrative highlights the importance of spiritual guidance and the power of silence in times of crisis.Highlights

Today we read 1 Corinthians ch 14 which completes the Apostle's message about Spirit Gifts.  Paul is earnestly exhorting them to properly use the spirit gifts they were privileged to possess. The first verse stresses, “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.”   Prophecy does not mean to predict the future but to speak to and on behalf of God; to be God's representative among men, which may, on occasion include warnings and predictions about the future, it certainly did with Jeremiah.     Today we read Jeremiah's Lamentations: they were written after the terrible fall and destruction of Jerusalem. He laments in his first chapter,, “how she (Jerusalem) took no thought of her future, therefore her fall is terrible … O LORD, behold my affliction …”[v.9]  His intimate relationship with God is an example for us.  As with Jeremiah, it will sustain us if we are alive when the “fall” of our world takes place, for it is going to be “terrible.”   It will be essential to have a true relationship with God and his Son for they will deliver all who possess this – as we will read tomorrow in the final 9 verses of ch. 15 in 1 Corinthians.     Paul challenges the believers in Corinth, “do not be children in your thinking.  Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.” [14 v.20] . They are keen to use the “gifts” God's Spirit created in them, so he tells them, “since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.” [v.12] and, as we saw yesterday, they should “earnestly desire the higher gifts.” [12 v.31]     In today's chapter Paul makes it plain that the least of the gifts, “tongues” which are mentioned last, should not be used.  It is unwise to use them in church, “they are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers” [v.22] as on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2 v.5-11).  Paul says, “If therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say you are out of your minds?”[v.23]  But those who prophesy, that is, preach God's word, as Jeremiah did to those in Jerusalem, and an “outsider enters, he is convicted” (in his thinking) and “the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.” [v.24,25]     Do we have “secrets” in our hearts we wrestle with?   May all our “thinking be(come) mature” so that we fully realize that God and the Saviour are really among us, if we invite them!   Look at 2nd Corinthians, on Wednesday we will read, “God who said, ‘let light shine out of darkness.' Has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” [4 v,6]   May we more fully “let light shine .. in our hearts.””

The story in 2 Kings 6 contains small yet monumental events. The swimming axe head appears so inconsequential and insignificant, causing us to ask verses 'Why is it recorded?'. Because it demonstrates our God's care for the small, as well as the great. Next follows the tale of Elisha's being surrounded and protected by the Almighty's fiery chariots - the new prophet now carried Elijah's mantle, both literally and figuratively. He was now His Sovereign's vehicle. To the prophet's servant he asks the LORD to open the servant's eyes as Elisha says to him verses "they that be with us are more than those who are with them". Elisha teaches Israel's faithless king and the Syrian king of God's invincibility. The prophet demonstrated the mercy of his God. Finally, in Ben-Hadad's siege of Samaria we see the extremities to which the city is brought. Yahweh protects Elisha from the murderous intentions of the wicked king to teach Israel and all of the Almighty's servants to depend on their God. Lamentations 2 tells us of the untold sorrows that come of Jerusalem, the land of Judah and our Sovereign's people. Read the horrific depiction and desolation of the LORD's people. This devastation was brought by a vengeful enemy - Babylon. But of a truth the Babylonians were in fact the agents of punishment from the LORD Himself. The lesson is explained in Romans 11 verses 22-23. It is our choice as to which facet of God we want to face - goodness (mercy); or severity (retribution for our wrongs). Slowly and carefully read these verses aloud and ponder the path that you will choose to walk. In 1 Corinthians 15 the Apostle outlines the incontrovertible proofs of Christ's resurrection before hundreds of eyewitnesses, in many locations and over a prolonged period - 40 days verses Acts 1 verses 1-3. It could not be said that Christ was not resurrected. And thank God for that, since apart from that event our sins could not be forgiven - verses 12-19. Our Lord Jesus Christ Lord rose 3 days after his crucifixion and was the first fruits of the resurrection - his faithful disciples will join him when they are raised at his coming - verses 21-23. The process of perfecting the faithful in Christ's 1,000-year rule is described in verses 24-28. By God sending His Son to the earth to set up the long-promised kingdom. A 1,000 years later will complete this stage of the Almighty's purpose with the earth. That purpose is spoken of in Numbers 14 verses 20-21; Psalm 72 verses 1-20 - read and consider; Habakkuk 2 verses 14, 20; Revelation chapters 20-22. At this time the Lord Jesus Christ will hand over the perfect earth to his Father, who as Supreme Creator will be all and in all. How impossible are trinitarian notions when we are told that our Lord will acknowledge his subservient position to His Father, God. A short discourse follows on the need for each of us sin prone beings to be baptised, that we may be raised to eternal life. A treatise on the differences between our natural bodies and those raised and bestowed upon with the life from heaven comes next. Paul tells of the superiority of Christ over Adam, who in many ways was a parable of the Son of Man - the Christ. What a time that will soon come and how we yearn for it (read of it in Isaiah 25 verses 6-9; and Hosea 13 verses 14, as cited by the Apostle). Finally, read aloud and meditate on verses 57-58. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciateion of God's words, join again tomorrow at https verses //christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

A @Christadelphians Video: In this thought-provoking expositional report, we examine the heated debate surrounding Israel's presence in the Holy Land—is it an occupation or *colonialism*? From a biblical standpoint, the land belongs neither to Israel nor the Palestinians—it is the Lord's (Deuteronomy 11:12). We trace God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:6-7, 13:15) and analyse the modern political rhetoric that seeks to redefine Israel's legitimacy. Revealing the shift in language from "occupation" to "settler colonialism," we explore how this narrative aligns with anti-Zionist agendas and historic revisionism. With tensions escalating since the October 2023 Hamas attacks, the world is witnessing a dangerous resurgence of anti-Semitism—propelling us closer to the prophetic showdown over Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:3).

We are told in several chapters in Acts, quite apart from the initial outpouring of the Spirit Gifts to the 12 disciples on the day of Pentecost, that the Spirit was given by the laying on of the Apostles hands (see 8 v.17) or the direct action of their unseen Lord (10 v.44) upon new believers     .Clearly the gifts were a significant factor in the spread of the Gospel message and the functioning of the growing community of believers.  The converts would not have had access to any Bible – apart from believers who had been and maybe still were associated with a synagogue which possessed the scrolls of the ancient writings, but most of these would be of the Mosaic Law which was now superseded; frictions with unconverted Jews would probably hinder or prevent access in most if not all cases.     Today's chapters (12 & 13) are the first of 3 chapters in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians in which we learn extensive details of the spirit gifts the Lord made available to the first generation or two of believers. Unfortunately, as seems to be always the case with human nature, there was some misuse of the gifts.     There is a misconception among some that the gift of the Spirit was only the ability to speak in other languages, but today we see how Paul writes, “To each is given a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, to another the utterance of knowledge … to another faith … “ [12 v.7-9]  It is the “Spirit” which “apportions to each one individually” [v.11]     What wonderful experiences – yet, such is human nature, our reading of the 3 chapters shows there were aspects of jealousy between the recipients.  The ideal was that they should harmoniously team together looking to “the head” for Paul had written, “the head of every man is Christ” [11 v.3] – and the result should be a wonderful team spirit.     At the end of ch. 12 Paul tells them, “God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers  …” &c [v.28]  Then, after telling them to “earnestly desire the higher gifts” (note that ‘tongues' is listed last) he says, “And I will show you a still more excellent way.”     His next words are (start of ch. 13) “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong …”  There follows words describing what real “love” is,  for “love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends”  whereas the gifts were to “pass away.” [v.7,8]  Let us fully follow the “more excellent way.”

In the first of Corinthians 14 the Apostle Paul urged the pursuit of love, rather than seeking the showy and much abused spiritual gifts. Ordered worship among believers is essential. His conclusion was - let everything be done decently and in order. Having established in chapter 13 that love is the greatest gift of all the Apostle encourages a wholehearted pursuit of love in the beginning of this chapter. Paul continues to compare its benefits to the spirit gifts of the Apostolic age and says that the ability to instruct in the Word of God is far greater than speaking in tongues - Greek 'glossa' which speaks of languages according to Strong's Concordance - not unknown tongues. For instruction in the Word is an exercise of growing in holiness: Hebrews 12 verse 11; Ephesians 4 verses 11-16. In verses 6-12 Paul tells his readers that just as music has chords with a distinct resonance so too must God's Word have a clear and distinctive discernible message. The same is true of the clarion blast of the bugle that calls people to war. Verses 13-19 repeats the message that hearers must understand the prayers that are said. There is no benefit in a prayer of words that lack meaning for the hearers. So the Apostle requests that prayer be for the edifying of the hearers and not simply that the one who prays is ecstatic and feels uplifted. In verses 20-25 Paul cites the prophets to show that the Father says that this is His objective in enlightening men and women. Verses 26-33 give instructions for orderly worship in ecclesial gatherings. He says that when the prophet speaks it is useless unless the interpreter can give understanding to the gathering. He also speaks against competing with one another and that the members must wait until their turn comes rather than rudely interrupting and trying to talk over one another. The time for silence is appropriate and according to our Father's revealed Word. For that matter the Apostle declares that sisters remain silent in formal ecclesial gatherings. This truth is repeated in 1 Timothy 2 verses 11-15. Verses 36-39 tell us that such observance of the divine order is a reflection of spiritual mindedness as opposed to carnal self seeking. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciateion of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

We have nearly completed the book of Jeremiah.  Today's 51st chapter of 64 verses is quite remarkable, quite challenging.  It is all about Babylon and God's judgments on her, that mighty city and the country of the same name. She had destroyed Jerusalem and God's great Temple and taken all its treasures. She is led by a king who, up to this time, had been all conquering.  The book of Daniel fills out the details – and then her climactic collapse.Here in Jeremiah we have the Lord's prophecies of that collapse – and we are told, “Jeremiah wrote in a book all the disaster that should come upon Babylon” [v.60]  Seraiah is commissioned by Jeremiah, “When you come to Babylon , see that you read all these words, and say, ‘O LORD, you have said concerning this place that you will cut it off, so that nothing shall dwell in it, neither man nor beast, and it shall be desolate forever…. Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more …” [v.62-64]”This is still the case today, Saddam Hussein sought to restore some part of Babylon and ‘seat' himself in it, his effort was a disaster.  However, we recognize in some of the wording of this chapter that the LORD caused Jeremiah to “see” far beyond the time of the Babylon he knew. Some of his words are plainly echo'd in the book of Revelation. Babylon is a Greek word, but in Hebrew it is the word “Babel” – and we know what happened to Babel.The name Babylon is symbolic in Revelation of the entire anti-God attitude in the world since the time of Jesus.  In these “last days” it also finds expression in the anti-Israel spirit that now so inhabits the world, especially in the Middle East.      In our chapter, verse 48 is prophetic of a time when “the heavens and the earth, and all that is in them, shall sing for joy over Babylon …”  The next verse says, “Babylon must fall for the slain of Israel, just as for Babylon have fallen the slain of all the earth.”Earlier verses even more clearly have a latter day application, “… this is the time of the LORD's vengeance … Babylon was a golden cup in the LORD's hand, making all the earth drunken … therefore the nations went mad.  Sudden Babylon has fallen and been broken … for her judgment has reached up to heaven, and has been lifted up even to the skies.” [v.6-9]      These words are echo'd and quoted in Rev. 14 v.8; 18 v.3,5-6, 23 etc.  God will surely deal with this latter day Babel; when Babel sinks, may we be so related to things Divine that we do not sink with it.

2 Kings 4 records further miracles in the ongoing ministry of Elisha. The first relates to Elisha's care for a widow woman and her son by the multiplication of the oil into the pots that she had borrowed at the command of the prophet. The oil only ceases once there are no more pots left to fill. This miracle illustrates that God can, and will, use us to our maximum potential as long as we make ourselves available. This miracle is followed by the giving of a son to a rich, but faithful and discerning woman from Shunem. Her son dies and in her distraught state she seeks aid from Yahweh's prophet, who resurrects her son- Elijah's servant Gehazi could not do this. The lesson is that only by the persistent and prayerful patience of His servants will the LORD fulfill His will. The reader should compare this miracle and the occurrences of sevens that are spoken of with the bringing of the rain by Elijah. For both these miracles the main point for us is stated in James 5 verses 13-18. The chapter ends with the miraculous healing of the stew for the sons of the prophets. The prophecy of Jeremiah concludes in chapter 52 with a record of the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple. It tells of the punishment of the wicked and vacillating king Zedekiah by Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah's punishment was precisely as the prophet had predicted. The people of Judah were taken to Babylon, where their exile lasted for 70 years; as yet again prophesied by Jeremiah 25 verses 11-12 and chapter 29 verses10-14. Jehoiachin was released from prison and elevated to the king's table until his death.From 1 Corinthians 12-14 Paul shows that the body of believers in Christ is analogous to the human body. In 1 Corinthians 12 the Apostle Paul describes how God through His Spirit had distributed gifts and roles within the ecclesia. Just as our bodily members have unique and distinctive functions so too is it within the ecclesia of Christ: compare Romans 12 verses 3-8. It is never a question as to what member is the most important; because the unseen and less showy members are the most vital to the body, ie the heart, the kidneys etc. Just as in Ephesians 4 verses 1-16. Paul demonstrates that, rather than the gift, it is the service - or function which the individual can contribute to the growth of the body into Christ its head. This chapter is an answer to all would be schismatics - the body of true believers in the one body of Christ. The Apostle finishes the chapter by telling his readers that the better way of service lay in three qualities, which were not the spirit gifts, but attributes available to all believers - FAITH, HOPE and LOVE. 1 Corinthians 13 reveals that the infantile aids of the spirit gifts would cease once their objective of establishing a mature community of believers had been completed. This is the basis of his magnificent treatise on love; showing it to be the greatest and only enduring gift. Hope will vanish when it is realised in God's Kingdom. Believing will have been completed in the receiving of immortality. What a wonderful experience awaits us when we will then know God as He now knows us. Only love goes on and never cease. Slowly read the chapter aloud. Ponder, pause and meditate its message for the way believers must live. This chapter in Paul's letter changes the Corinthians narrow self-focus to an elevation of their minds to living the truth as our Lord Jesus Christ our head directed both them and us: Ephesians 4 verses 11-16. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciateion of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

Our reading of 2 Kings 2 today records the transfer of responsibility before God from Elijah to Elisha.Elisha requests, “Let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” [v.9] and it is significant that it is recorded of Elisha that he ultimately performs twice as many miracles as Elijah.  However, in doing God's most important work and conveying God's messages it is evident that Elijah is the greater prophet, he is the one with Moses on the mount when Jesus is transfigured.Elisha's sight of his dramatic departure when “Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” [v.11], is proof to him that he has a double portion of his “spirit.”   But what kind of “heaven” does he go to?  The next use of the Hebrew word for heaven is in ch. 7 v.2 about whether the “windows of heaven” could be opened to provide flour and food! The rain comes from heaven (eg 1 Kings 8 v.25).  The fact that a letter later came from Elijah to Jehoram, the son-in-law of Ahab, makes it clear Elijah was still somewhere on the earth (see 2 Chron.21 v.12).So God removes Elijah from the scene because his work is finished, just as John the Baptist, whom Jesus refers to as a promised Elijah (Matt. 17 v.11,12) came – and his work was finished in “turning the hearts” (Malachi 4 v.6) of people ready for the ministry of Christ.  He was removed from the scene to leave the way clear for Jesus.  The widespread impact of his work is clear from the way Paul encounters those who only knew the baptism of John – who were a great distance from Israel (see Acts 18 v.25  19 v3,4)The heavens of the sky are to be the scene of the most dramatic events yet!  When Jesus returns those alive will see him “coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels … and they will gather his elect …” [Matt. 24 v.30,31]   The elect are God's people Israel to be once more gathered from the four winds to Israel reestablished under the new King Jesus. The clouds of heaven are those immortalised saints who come with Jesus (1 Thess. 4:16-18).  Jesus says, “all the tribes of the earth will mourn … the sun will be darkened … the powers of the heavens will be shaken..” [v.29]  Some think this means the political heavens, but it seems that is has the dual meaning which also includes the literal heavens.The world has witnessed dramatic events in the past, and frightening events in the present are increasing, but the most dramatic times of all are still ahead!  How soon?  Watch the Middle East!  Let us make sure our faith is as strong as possible – and that we each have a real relationship with our Saviour.

The story told in 2 Kings 3 is most curious indeed. Verses 1-8 tell us of the time that the two kings of Israel and Judah - Jehoram and Jehoshaphat - set out to wage war against Moab who had rebelled and failed to pay the massive tribute that had been imposed on them by Jehoram. Jehoram and Jehoshaphat were not expecting to be defeated by the weather. Surely Yahweh would not have it so. A minstrel was called to induce a mood conducive to the prophet Elisha and this is perhaps puzzling to us. God sent the rain only where the allies - Israel and Judah were encamped. The Almighty also sent a wind which deluded Moab into believing the two kings had turned on each other. The foes of Israel and Judah rushed unknowingly to their destruction. What a gross incident concludes the sorry tale with the Moabite king sacrificing his son to placate his idol that demands human blood - Chemosh.In Jeremiah 51 we have the story in apocalyptic language of Babylon's overthrow. The chapter encapsulates the entire latter portion of the book of Revelation. For yourself it is a worthwhile exercise to open one Bible at Jeremiah 51 and alongside it another opened to Revelation chapters 17-19. Next find how many direct quotes and allusions you can find in the Revelation chapters from Jeremiah 51. The conclusion that this leads you to is that "Babylon the Great" in in the book of Revelation and the mysterious Babylon of Jeremiah 51 are one and the same. An idolatrous and mysterious religious system which today speaks of the mysterious Babylon of the Roman Catholic Church: Revelation 17 verses4-6, 18,18 verses 1-8, 10-17, 19-24; 19 verses 1-3. These overlords who subjected Jerusalem to their cruelties and idolatrous worship were judged by the LORD God Almighty and His saints. Isaiah contrasts those rulers with Judah's Sovereign: Isaiah 26 verses 13-14 compare with Jeremiah 51 verses 39, 57. Those Babylonian rulers were to die and never rise again - "they shall not rise" (Isaiah 26); they shall "sleep a perpetual sleep and not wake (Jeremiah 51). In contrast those trusting in God will experience peace and rise to eternal life - Isaiah 26 verses 1-3, 19-21. In 1 Corinthians 11 Paul proves that our Almighty Sovereign's purpose is evident in the creative work of His angels and the hierarchy that this established. God is supreme, a theme that will be expanded in chapter 15, under Him is His Divine Son - who stands as the head and archetype of the entire creation. Next, in the creative order comes the man, then the woman. Paul points out that there is a mutually dependent relationship in Christ between husband and wife. However, as an acknowledgment of the creative order in the work of the angels, it's important for the women to worship acknowledging the principle that women should worship with their heads covered. The Apostle then speaks of practices that were incongruous in the context of the celebration of the Lord's memorial supper of bread and wine. He urges that self examination is imperative to the receiving of the emblems of our Lord Jesus Christ's sacrifice. And so the great Apostle declares that before we take the bread we need to scrutinise ourselves. None of us take the emblems with a sense of worthiness - we acknowledge that we are weak, erring and struggling with our mortality and the ravages that sin has brought on our fallen condition and our proneness to sin with which we wrestle on a daily basis. But the important thing is that we continue to strive against sin relentlessly. This we do in remembering our Lord's offering: Hebrews 12 verses 1-11. Surely those who have given up fighting against sin will be condemned with the world. Brother Thomas exquisitely says of the breaking of the bread on page 296 of Elpis Israel: "for to eat his flesh is to digest, and make a part of our mental selves, the truth concerning the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ."

We reach the end of 1 Kings today with chapter 22. The record tells us of a respite from war for 3 years. At the end of this time, Jehoshaphat, Ahab's son in law went to see his relative. Jehoshaphat is invited to join Ahab in a campaign against Syria but shows reluctance without the endorsement for the war by a prophet of Yahweh. The false prophets of Ahab promise victory, but Jehoshaphat remains adamant that without God's endorsement he will not proceed. Eventually Micaiah is summoned and sarcastically tells Ahab to go and conquer. The prophet was abused before he outlines the Almighty's attempt to entice and destroy the wicked king. Micaiah is put in tough conditions - being fed on bread and water - until his monarch would return in peace. Micaiah says that this cannot happen as Yahweh's Word cannot be broken. The king of Israel entered the battle in disguise, but was slain by an arrow shot by chance. Ahab having died in battle was carried to Samaria for burial and the dogs licked the blood from the washed chariot, in the very place of Naboth's slaughter, as Elijah had prophesied. Jehoshaphat, whose mother was faithful, walked as Asa his father had. He was a king like David. The record tells of a further error of judgment by Jehoshaphat in the joint venture with Israel's Ahaziah in the constructing of a navy at Ezion-geber. Ahaziah the son of Ahab came to rule over Israel and continued the wicked legacy of his father Ahab. The idolatry and wickedness had begun with Jeroboam: "the man who caused Israel to sin". Jehoshaphat seems to be like those described in 1 Corinthians 3 verses 13-15 ie his works were at times dubious but he may very well be saved.The 49th chapter of Jeremiah speaks of judgment poured out upon the nations surrounding Israel: Ammon (Moab's half brother); Edom, Syrian Damascus, Kedar and Hazor, and Elam. These nations and their principal cities were to experience the judgments from Yahweh delivered via the Babylonians. Verses 1-6 tell of the devastation of Ammon. Verses 7-22 speak of the total overthrow of Edom, ie Esau - Israel's brother. As we read these verses we should also consider the book of Obadiah and the words of Malachi 1 verses :2-5. Verses 23-27 outline the punishment of Damascus. Verses 28-33 predict the desolation of Hazor and Kedar in terms similar to the judgment of Babylon: compare Isaiah 14. Verses 34-39 speak of the punishment of Elam. Interestingly there are promises of latter day restoration for Ammon and Elam. The two kingdoms which bookend the prophecies of Jeremiah 49. As previously noted these pronouncements had applications for the prophet's time and, again, in the near future when the fortunes of Ammon and Elam will be reversed in the Kingdom of God. In the first of Corinthians 8 Paul outlines the problem facing the believers was not knowledge, but rather the insistence of exercising supposed rights. Idols were nothing; and so the eating of meats that had been devoted to an idol was of no consequence. What was of importance was, that, the insistence of some believers that they could go to a venue that promoted immorality. Paul declares that this could be cause for the stumbling of another believer. So for the sake of food, the Apostle explaines: do not destroy the conscience of another - for whom Christ died. Chapter 9 continues the argument that the foregoing of rights was essential if saving others is our objective. Paul's own example illustrates this. He explained in verses 8-14 by using two examples from the Law. This is followed by the Apostle showing that his preaching was from an obligation and was not entirely voluntary. This Paul explains humbles him and eliminates boasting. This section of the book 1 Corinthians concludes with the need for perseverance and discipline to attain the prize of eternal life.

1 Corinthians 10 warns against idolatry. It was the root cause of the infant Jewish nation's sins as they left Egypt under Moses. Paul explains that their experiences were typical of, and in common with, those of the believers; and hence a clarion warning lest we think we stand; yet fall through pride. Verses 1-5 contain a warning to the Corinthian believers against complacency since the experiences of Israel leaving Egypt were both symbolic of our walk in Christ and in reality very similar to all followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul says that God's provision of water is like the spiritual drink of His Word and our sustaining throughout our wanderings in the wilderness of life. Verses 6-13 warn us against idolatry which is called "covetousness" in Colossians 3 verse 5. Trials are certain to come to every disciple. However we need not be discouraged since our Heavenly Father has promised that the trial will not be greater than we can bear. And even if it seems unbearable that He will provide us with a way of escape. For our part we must pray: "Lead us not into temptation, ie trial". We also need to live our lives faithfully in avoiding temptations which arise due to our foolish decisions and actions. Verses 14-22 give practical advice in avoiding a likely problem from a foolish decision to partake of idol worship - in the belief that idols are non entities: 1 Corinthians 8 the entire chapter. The Apostle explains the dangers of rationalising in that chapter and here in chapter 10. A failure to understand these matters and to behave as God would have His children do is extremely dangerous. Paul says that it is in effect setting ourselves against God. The fellowship we enjoy with the Father and His Son is not to be entangled with the beliefs and practices of those who do not understand the teachings of the Word of God. From verses 23-30 Paul tells us that nothing in the life of the believer when it comes to eating food and drinking wine is forbidden to believers because God owns and has given these blessings to His children. However it is their responsibility to not partake of these to excess. Believers also have a responsibility to respect the conscience of their fellow disciples. The rights of faithful believers should not be exercised if the exercising of those rights would result in a loss of faith for others, and lead them away from the kingdom of God. The final two verses of the chapter tell us that, whatever we do, "Do all to the glory of God". And since we are commanded to do all to the Father's glory that glory must be chiefly moral, not just physical. Contemplate carefully the words of Habbakuk 2:14 and compare these words with Jeremiah 22 verses 15-16. A further lesson we need to learn from Paul's example and emulate is how his life demonstrates that in his life he shows us how he did all to the glory of God. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciateion of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

The above saying was spoken by Israel's bad king Ahab to Elijah when the prophet challenged him as he took possession of Naboth's vineyard – after his evil wife Jezebel had organised the death of Naboth.  Yet Elijah had only “found” Ahab because God had directed him, he was acting for God.     Let us make sure we are always aware, as Ahab wasn't, of the all seeing eye of God. We read earlier this month of Jeremiah's prayer to the LORD, “O great and mighty God … the LORD of hosts, great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of men rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his (or her) deeds” [Ch.32 v.18,19].Ahab was a man of weak character, manipulated by an evil wife; both came to what we would call a ‘sticky end'!  Their attitude, especially Jezebel's, created problems for those who had allowed themselves to be associated with them. “The elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city” [1 Kings 21 v.8] obeyed the wicked Jezebel when she required them to set a trap for Naboth and get “two worthless men” to bring false charges against him leading to his death [v.10].There is a lesson in this for us – to avoid any situation which has the potential to oblige or force us to do something contrary to our conscience – for it is vital that our conscience is always activated to follow divine principles.     Ahab had a no conscience and it would be tragic if we ever found ourselves descending into developing a character like his. What kind of mentality caused him to say to Elijah, “Have you found me, Oh my enemy?” [v.20]  Listen again to Jeremiah's words from God. “Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God afar off?  Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth …” [Ch.23 v,23,24]  The world around us is more unconscious of this than ever – and, in today's world,  the challenge to our faith is greater than ever – for faith has to show itself by actions.

We reach the end of 1 Kings today with chapter 22. The record tells us of a respite from war for 3 years. At the end of this time, Jehoshaphat, Ahab's son in law went to see his relative. Jehoshaphat is invited to join Ahab in a campaign against Syria but shows reluctance without the endorsement for the war by a prophet of Yahweh. The false prophets of Ahab promise victory, but Jehoshaphat remains adamant that without God's endorsement he will not proceed. Eventually Micaiah is summoned and sarcastically tells Ahab to go and conquer. The prophet was abused before he outlines the Almighty's attempt to entice and destroy the wicked king. Micaiah is put in tough conditions - being fed on bread and water - until his monarch would return in peace. Micaiah says that this cannot happen as Yahweh's Word cannot be broken. The king of Israel entered the battle in disguise, but was slain by an arrow shot by chance. Ahab having died in battle was carried to Samaria for burial and the dogs licked the blood from the washed chariot, in the very place of Naboth's slaughter, as Elijah had prophesied. Jehoshaphat, whose mother was faithful, walked as Asa his father had. He was a king like David. The record tells of a further error of judgment by Jehoshaphat in the joint venture with Israel's Ahaziah in the constructing of a navy at Ezion-geber. Ahaziah the son of Ahab came to rule over Israel and continued the wicked legacy of his father Ahab. The idolatry and wickedness had begun with Jeroboam: "the man who caused Israel to sin". Jehoshaphat seems to be like those described in 1 Corinthians 3 verses 13-15 ie his works were at times dubious but he may very well be saved.The 49th chapter of Jeremiah speaks of judgment poured out upon the nations surrounding Israel: Ammon (Moab's half brother); Edom, Syrian Damascus, Kedar and Hazor, and Elam. These nations and their principal cities were to experience the judgments from Yahweh delivered via the Babylonians. Verses 1-6 tell of the devastation of Ammon. Verses 7-22 speak of the total overthrow of Edom, ie Esau - Israel's brother. As we read these verses we should also consider the book of Obadiah and the words of Malachi 1 verses :2-5. Verses 23-27 outline the punishment of Damascus. Verses 28-33 predict the desolation of Hazor and Kedar in terms similar to the judgment of Babylon: compare Isaiah 14. Verses 34-39 speak of the punishment of Elam. Interestingly there are promises of latter day restoration for Ammon and Elam. The two kingdoms which bookend the prophecies of Jeremiah 49. As previously noted these pronouncements had applications for the prophet's time and, again, in the near future when the fortunes of Ammon and Elam will be reversed in the Kingdom of God. In the first of Corinthians 8 Paul outlines the problem facing the believers was not knowledge, but rather the insistence of exercising supposed rights. Idols were nothing; and so the eating of meats that had been devoted to an idol was of no consequence. What was of importance was, that, the insistence of some believers that they could go to a venue that promoted immorality. Paul declares that this could be cause for the stumbling of another believer. So for the sake of food, the Apostle explaines: do not destroy the conscience of another - for whom Christ died. Chapter 9 continues the argument that the foregoing of rights was essential if saving others is our objective. Paul's own example illustrates this. He explained in verses 8-14 by using two examples from the Law. This is followed by the Apostle showing that his preaching was from an obligation and was not entirely voluntary. This Paul explains humbles him and eliminates boasting. This section of the book 1 Corinthians concludes with the need for perseverance and discipline to attain the prize of eternal life. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow

Four times the above phrase is used by Paul in our chapter (6) of 1st Corinthians today.  Many believers there were spiritually blind to the follies of the behaviour that they had slipped back into.     It happened then, it happens today.   It appears to be worse among those who proclaim that once you are saved you are saved for always regardless of the nature of your future sins;  that attitude is specifically condemned in Hebrews 10 v.26-31.Now it is true that God is merciful and forgiving and David is the supreme example of this, but it is folly to think he turns a ‘blind eye' to sins, he did not with David. How could a righteous God overlook the serious specific moral failures that were happening in Corinth.We read, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived” [v.9];  yet such is human nature we can indulge in self-deception.    Now while we acknowledge the justice of his condemnation of “the sexually immoral … adulterers …  (and those) who practice homosexuality” we must not overlook that he also says “.. the thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” [v9-10].Paul then says, “And such were some of you.  But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” [v.11].Sexual misbehaviour is a special target of his concern and he makes the point, “The body is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” [v.13].  This takes us back to what we read in Chapter 3, “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you” [v.16]  There is a sense in which we have the Holy Spirit!  But that sense is that his Spirit is with us and watches over us.Returning to Ch. 6, we now note v.15, “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?  Shall I then make them members of a prostitute? Never!”  In v.18 we read “Flee from sexual immorality” – don't just avoid it.Finally, and most significant of all look at the last 2 verses; “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”  Do you not KNOW?   It is not head knowledge is it!  It is heart knowledge!  Do you possess it?

The letters to the Corinthians are the most autobiographical of all Paul's letters. 1 Corinthians 4 deals with the ministry of the Apostles - particularly Paul himself. Verses 1-5 tell us that the Apostle Paul was being accused of being dishonest with the ecclesial funds. Paul declares his innocence. He declares that he is unaware of any fault in matters of money. Paul asks his readers not to judge him. The Apostle says that even in declaring himself innocent his ultimate vindication will come when the Lord Jesus Christ comes as judge and vindicator. Verses 6-7 declare that Paul has transferred the principles to himself and to Apollos. Verses 8-13 the Apostle ironically states that the Corinthians are behaving as if the kingdom has already come. If only that was true, says Paul, for then the Apostles would also be ruling. In contrast Paul declares that the Apostles were being treated as conquered soldiers being paraded as a spectacle before the victorious nation. The Apostles were to be Ill treated and slain as an offering to the gods of the victorious nation. In verses 10-13 Paul declares that no matter how the Apostles are treated they will glory in their Lord and behave as an example of suffering for Christ's sake. Slowly read those verses aloud and ponder what we should endure as witnesses to our Master in this age. Verses 14-20 explain that Paul desires to be a faithful father to the Corinthians and not simply an expositor. The believers in Corinth didn't lack teachers, but fathers were few. Remember that the problem the Corinthians had was fractionally lining up behind prominent personalities. The Apostle hopes that his appeal will persuade his readers and that he will not have to come to them for the disciplining of them. Meditate carefully on verse 20 and reflect whether your life has a pronounced focus on the kingdom of God. Or whether we live lives of luxury as though the kingdom is not a reality! Paul tells them in chapter 5 that in their midst was a case of shameless incest. That case was so bad it that non believers who were living in a depraved and promiscuous Corinthian society would find it disturbing. The Apostle provides advice on dealing with the problem. The faithful must dissociate themselves from the sinful brother in order that his separation from the ecclesia might cause him to reflect on the error of his ways and to repent and once again seek for forgiveness and fellowship with the family of God. Paul says that the response within the ecclesia is wrong and rather than deal with the situation that the believers had chosen a path of indifference. The effect of such tolerance is like a leavening influence that would soon permeate the entire ecclesia. When the problem is properly handled the believers will be able to partake of the love feast of bread and wine representing Christ's offering - he being the Passover lamb - as they need to, ie in sincerity and truth. In verses 9-13tells the Apostle says that his demand to remove wickedness from the ecclesia is specific to the situation with the Corinthian body of believers. Non association with evil people would mean entirely removing ourselves from the world, ie becoming hermits. This would be a failure on the part of believers to be light bearers to the world. However we must live holy lives as a witness to whom we have believed and followed, ie our Lord Jesus Christ: Ephesians 5 verses 1-18. Carefully consider these words and live our lives in conformity with the Christ.

Among the Corinthians there was a misunderstanding in relation to the responsibility of making judgment on disputes between believers. They were taking their fellow believers before the bench for decisions. So Paul urges them in this 6th chapter to settle the issue among themselves and declares that it is shameful for believers to go to law to settle disputes among themselves. The Apostle says that the time is coming in the kingdom when the worldly authorities would be ruled by the saints. So surely determinations of differences must be decided in the ecclesia. The ancient city of Corinth was renowned for fornication. It was a proverb of the first century AD that visitors would go to the Acrocorinthus to 'Corinthianise', that is to fornicate. The Acro Corinthia, atop of the city's mount, had a temple with many restaurants and 3,000 temple prostitutes. So wrong was this activity that Paul warns believers from going there for a meal if they were going to be distracted by the evil practices which occurred there. And even if they were not personally affected the Apostle says that a believer should not go there in case it should become a cause of stumbling to another. Engaging in a sexual union outside of marriage is defiling for holy believers - they are God's temple: see Hebrews 13:4. And in today's world their are many places and practices that believers must avoid in order to live lives of holiness as we wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: read aloud slowly Titus 2:11-14 and let us live this way.

A @Christadelphians Video: What truly happens after death? This expositional Bible talk, "[Christians and Resurrection - What Next?]," presents a revealing and thought-provoking examination of the Bible's core teaching on the resurrection of the dead. Many common beliefs within Christendom are directly challenged by a careful study of Scripture.Join us for a wonderful journey through both the Old and New Testaments as we uncover what the Bible actually says about the state of the dead, the timing of the judgment, and the magnificent hope of resurrection. We will explore key passages from Daniel, the Gospels, and the letters of Paul to build a clear, biblical understanding. This presentation is a vital resource for any Christian seeking to ground their faith solely on the word of God, separating truth from widespread tradition.**Chapters / Timestamps:**00:00 - Introduction: The Question of What's Next00:20 - The Wonderful Promise of Resurrection01:05 - Old Testament Foundation: Daniel's Prophecy02:28 - The Reliability of Scripture03:24 - The Challenge to Christian Faith04:02 - Dying in Faith Without Receiving the Promise05:16 - Correcting Misunderstandings: Jesus and the Sadducees06:35 - Judgment Follows Resurrection, Not Death07:37 - The Practical Example: Lazarus Raised08:54 - Preaching Resurrection to the World10:10 - Christ: The First Fruits of Immortality11:45 - The Critical Importance of Resurrection for Faith12:39 - The Origin of the "Immortal Soul" Doctrine14:25 - The Death State: Thoughts Perish15:38 - The True Christian Comfort in Grief17:05 - The Important Timing of the Resurrection18:14 - A Charge to Preach the Word19:10 - Conclusion and Call to Action**Bible Verses Referenced:**

The letters to the Corinthians are the most autobiographical of all Paul's letters. 1 Corinthians 4 deals with the ministry of the Apostles - particularly Paul himself. Verses 1-5 tell us that the Apostle Paul was being accused of being dishonest with the ecclesial funds. Paul declares his innocence. He declares that he is unaware of any fault in matters of money. Paul asks his readers not to judge him. The Apostle says that even in declaring himself innocent his ultimate vindication will come when the Lord Jesus Christ comes as judge and vindicator. Verses 6-7 declare that Paul has transferred the principles to himself and to Apollos. Verses 8-13 the Apostle ironically states that the Corinthians are behaving as if the kingdom has already come. If only that was true, says Paul, for then the Apostles would also be ruling. In contrast Paul declares that the Apostles were being treated as conquered soldiers being paraded as a spectacle before the victorious nation. The Apostles were to be Ill treated and slain as an offering to the gods of the victorious nation. In verses 10-13 Paul declares that no matter how the Apostles are treated they will glory in their Lord and behave as an example of suffering for Christ's sake. Slowly read those verses aloud and ponder what we should endure as witnesses to our Master in this age. Verses 14-20 explain that Paul desires to be a faithful father to the Corinthians and not simply an expositor. The believers in Corinth didn't lack teachers, but fathers were few. Remember that the problem the Corinthians had was fractionally lining up behind prominent personalities. The Apostle hopes that his appeal will persuade his readers and that he will not have to come to them for the disciplining of them. Meditate carefully on verse 20 and reflect whether your life has a pronounced focus on the kingdom of God. Or whether we live lives of luxury as though the kingdom is not a reality! Paul tells them in chapter 5 that in their midst was a case of shameless incest. That case was so bad it that non believers who were living in a depraved and promiscuous Corinthian society would find it disturbing. The Apostle provides advice on dealing with the problem. The faithful must dissociate themselves from the sinful brother in order that his separation from the ecclesia might cause him to reflect on the error of his ways and to repent and once again seek for forgiveness and fellowship with the family of God. Paul says that the response within the ecclesia is wrong and rather than deal with the situation that the believers had chosen a path of indifference. The effect of such tolerance is like a leavening influence that would soon permeate the entire ecclesia. When the problem is properly handled the believers will be able to partake of the love feast of bread and wine representing Christ's offering - he being the Passover lamb - as they need to, ie in sincerity and truth. In verses 9-13tells the Apostle says that his demand to remove wickedness from the ecclesia is specific to the situation with the Corinthian body of believers. Non association with evil people would mean entirely removing ourselves from the world, ie becoming hermits. This would be a failure on the part of believers to be light bearers to the world. However we must live holy lives as a witness to whom we have believed and followed, ie our Lord Jesus Christ: Ephesians 5 verses 1-18. Carefully consider these words and live our lives in conformity with the Christ.

Today we start reading Paul's letters to the Corinthians. The believers there had been converted from the foolish philosophies of the Greeks who believed in a spirit after-life; also in many gods of their imagination – of whom they erected idols. We have had a parallel experience in going into Indian temples in recent years..Paul says, “The Jews demand signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles.”  We can understand their reaction to a message built around a man who was crucified!   But that was the ‘bare bones' of the picture!What a wonderful meaning to life and of hope in the future sprang from the terrible event at Calvary that we have just read in Mark's Gospel.  The next words of Paul are, “but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” [ch.1 v.22-25]Paul then asks them to “consider your calling, brothers; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.  But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” [v.28,29]   The scribes and the Pharisees were brought to nothing!The worldly wise indulge in another kind of boasting today – that, in the ‘wisdom' they have acquired through present human ‘scientific' deductions,  they have come to the ‘knowledge' that there is NO God!   In contrast, our wisdom is to recognise what turned the thinking in the world of the First Century upside down – as to the meaning of life; “It was not a wisdom of this age” [2 v.6] says Paul, then he stresses that, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God, that we might understand the things freely given to us by God.  And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom, but taught by the Spirit… [v.12,13]And God's Spirit caused Paul and the other apostles to write things down so that we can feed our minds on this spirit inspired word.  Remember how Jesus told his disciples, “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” [John 6 v.63]  Let us make sure our minds carefully and prayerfully feed on God given food every day.

Three and a half years (42 months, 1260 days spoken of frequently in the book of Revelation) of grievous famine had devastated the land of Israel. This famine had been brought upon the idolatrous nation to punish it and prepare for Elijah's heartfelt call to turn to their God. Elijah returns and announces the contest between Yahweh and Baal. The prophet announces this to faithful Obadiah, who has in the face of great risk to his own life from Jezebel's murderous slaughter, hidden 100 of the LORD's prophets; and fed them from Ahab's own pantry. Elijah seems dismissive of Obadiah, but through him communicates the message to the king. The prophets of Jezebel, who numbered 850 in all, came to Mount Carmel for the contest to see which god would answer by fire. Baal, who was a) the god of harvest; and, b) the god of fire being the sun god; was allowed first opportunity. Given the famine, Baal had already proven himself a failure on the first count. Now, given a parched earth and a burning hot sun, he seemingly had the ideal conditions for the contest. Elijah mocks the frantic frauds. Then at the time of the evening sacrifice, as the sun was declining, he repairs the altar of Yahweh. Next the prophet saturates the slain bull in sea water and calls the people to him. He prays and the Almighty answers by fire. So intense was the fire that it even licked up the water from the trench around the altar. Israel's response was to shout "Yahweh, he is the God" (which was the meaning of the prophet Elijah's name). All of the prophets of Baal were entirely massacred. The prophet earnestly prayed for rain; compare verses 41-44 with James 5verses 17-18. Elijah is then told to run before Ahab's chariot as the king hastened home to his palace. In spirit and power the prophet miraculously ran, as a herald, before the king. The prophet in his 44th chapter outlines the people's incapacity to learn the cause of their suffering. All those of Pathros would perish apart from a small remnant. The stupid leaders of Judah's remnants declare that the cause of their calamity came from a failure to persist in their sacrifices to the Queen of Heaven. It was such a degrading and idolatrous behaviour that the Almighty was judging. The prophet tells them that not only would they be destroyed, but Pharaoh Hophra would be taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar.In 1 Corinthians 3 the Apostle regrets his readers lack of spiritual perception. This lack of spiritual understanding was evident in the Corinthians following of leaders. It was both carnal and infantile. All who God had provided as guides for His ecclesia were engaging in the same task - whether sowing, watering, or harvesting. They were all FELLOW workers with their Father. They were His farm, His building, as well as His coworkers. Paul claims to have been a master builder. He has built upon the sole foundation that has been laid - the faithful stone laid in Zion in our Lord Jesus Christ: Isaiah 28 verse 16 read and meditate the message. Each of us is building and care must be taken with what we have chosen to build - the trial of fire will test with what we have sought to build. It may be that our life's work is disastrous. However our Sovereign knows the intent behind our efforts and will save such as have laboured faithfully, even if the outcomes have not stood the test of time. In God's ecclesia we are either builders, or destroyers. Take great care of our behaviours in the household of God. Of chief importance is that our minds have been devoted to the Almighty, as a temple in which He chooses to dwell. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciateion of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

Today we completed reading the Gospel of Mark. One needs to compare all 4 Gospels to get a full picture of events after Christ rose from the dead. Such was the awesome sight of Christ's horrible death on the cross, whether seen from nearby or from afar, that his followers could not begin to imagine he could rise from the dead again – as had Lazarus:  the one who had the power to raise others was dead himself.Mary Magdalene, according to Mark, was the first one that Jesus appeared to (ch. 16 v.9) which is parallel with the detailed account in John's gospel (ch,20 v.11-18) .  In Mark we read “she went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.  But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.” [v.10,11]The next 2 verses are a summary of what is recorded in Luke 24 v.13-33 of the 2 disciples to whom, an unrecognised Jesus talked on the road to Emmaus – and made their “hearts burn” as he opened to them the meaning of Scripture – obviously prophecies, now fulfilled in recent events – then followed their astonished recognition of him as they “brake bread” – what a shock when they saw his hands!Mark says, “they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them”.  [v.14] Jesus appears and tells them to go into all the world and proclaim the gospel …” [v.15] which is repeated as he is about to ascend to heaven before their astonished gaze. (Acts 1 v.8,9) followed by the challenging words of the angels “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way as you saw him go …”Looking at Mark again, he stresses  the final commission of Jesus', “”Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel …” [v.15] and the commission to do that is now at last just about completed.  But is enough stress being put upon what the Gospel actually is?  Paul, in writing to the Galatians expresses his astonishment that already some were “turning to a different gospel” [1 v.7] and makes the point “that God … preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham …” [ch.3 v.8] of the blessing to come on the nations. Christ warned his hearers, “there will be weeping … when you see Abraham … in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves cast out.” [Luke 13 v.28]  Let us believe the original gospel.Returning to Mark – he quotes one of the final points of Jesus that was an essential part of the preaching; “Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” [v.16] Everyone must face the question, “Do you believe what Jesus actually taught?'  Sadly, very few are saying ‘Yes' today.

The letters to the Corinthians begin in the same way as every epistle of Paul prior to his first Imprisonment in Rome. Grace ('charis" the Greek greeting) and peace ('shalom' the Hebrew welcome). What more could be offered any believer than the grace and peace of the Father? The letters written between the two imprisonments contain the added dimension of 'mercy': something we become more conscious of needing the older we get (the only exception to this pattern is in Paul's personal letter to Philemon). What wonderful words were told to the Corinthian readers, that by the Father's calling they were saints, or sanctified believers, incorporated into the fellowship of God and His Beloved Son. The Apostle informs his readers about the tragedy of forming factions. Christ's ecclesia - his body - cannot be divided into segments which follow human leaders. For that reason, notwithstanding the essential nature of baptism, Paul was thankful to have baptised only a few. The Apostle's prime focus was on forwarding the message of the Gospel. The essence of that message lay in the power of the preaching of Christ's crucifixion. Read aloud and ponder verses 18-31 (the last of those verses cite Jeremiah 9 verses :23-24). The reader will notice how the Apostle develops the theme from Jeremiah and consider the masterful conclusion in verses 30-31. How thankful are we that the Father has called weak and ordinary people such as ourselves to His kingdom and glory. Chapter 2 outlines Paul's determination when he came to Corinth to teach among them nothing except the Christ as the crucified one. This message was unbelievable and inconceivable to Paul's hearers, as his quote from Isaiah 64 verses 4-5 proves. But our Sovereign God has His love and wisdom shared with His children - known partly now with the added promise that the joys and blessings of the kingdom age cannot be understood simply through words which would fail to describe that experience of being the Father's immortalised children. The Apostle Paul highlights the difference between natural and spiritual thinking, showing that the teaching via the spirit of God Is essential for true enlightenment. https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

 One of the outstanding characteristics of human nature is the capacity to be jealous, to envy others; many advertising tactics exploit this. The gospels repeatedly show us that those in positions of authority were envious of the great popularity Jesus enjoyed.  Our ‘democratic' societies have elections every few years and we witness the clash of ego's between those seeking the prestige of being in government.    As we read Mark 15 we see that it was easy for Pilate to “perceive that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered (Jesus) up.”[v.10]  But Pilate was also a man of the world, so “wishing to satisfy the crowds … having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified” [v.15]  We need to put the 4 Gospels together to get a full picture of the process; they all illustrate the envious mood of the advocates raising their voices against Jesus..     Human elections these days are full of efforts to satisfy the majority, but they never remain satisfied for long.  With what cynicism did those who had been envious of Christ call out and “mocked him” on the cross, “saying, ‘He saved others, he cannot save himself. Let Christ the king of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” [v.31,32]     How shocked they would have been if that had happened!  How shocked the world will be when Christ does come down – from heaven. Remember what we read yesterday in ch. 14; he told the High Priest, “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” [v.62]     All envy will vanish at that time – to be replaced by utter awe for “the powers in the heavens will be shaken” [13 v.25] and “he will send out the angels to gather his elect” [v.27] – all those whose character has been the very opposite of envy!   Paul perfectly describes the character of the elect, “Love is patient and kind: love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant … rejoices with the truth … Love never ends.” [1 Cor. 13 v.4-8]   It will never end in God's kingdom, but we must practice it now in getting rid of all tendency to envy.

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The 16th chapter of 1 Kings starts with a prophecy from the seer, Jehu the son of Hanani, to bring judgment on Baasha as he copied the ways of Jeroboam. We will note that every monarch from the north was evil. The southern kingdom slid ever downward, but there were times of spiritual rebounding due to some of the great reformers. Elah's evil reign of 2 years ended by assassination at the hands of his servant Zimri. That usurpation was terminated after seven days by Omri. A brief civil war followed against Tibni until Omri prevailed. Omri has the horrible distinguishing feature of committing evil greater than any before him. Omri ruled for twelve years- the last six from the capital of Samaria, which he founded. He was followed by Ahab, whose wicked rule of 22 years was characterised by Baal worship; introduced by his ignominious and ruthless wife, Jezebel. In Ahab's reign there was an attempt to rebuild Jericho in defiance of the divine pronouncement against that city. The result of this rebellion was a double tragedy in the loss of two sons.In the 42nd chapter of Jeremiah we are told that the prophet would pray for them not to experience the dire retribution of Nebuchadnezzar and warning them not to go into Egypt. However, the rebel captains ignored the warning, and took Jeremiah and the nation's remnants as hostages to Egypt. There they were to experience the perils of the sword and famine. In the record of Mark 16 we are told that the three women were at the tomb for the start of the first day of the week (Sunday). But in Jewish reckoning this commenced at 6pm on the Saturday evening. An amazing sight confronted them - a young man, clearly an angel, sitting on the massive stone that had been rolled from the sepulchre's entrance. They were told by the angel that the Lord they sought had risen, and would meet with them in Galilee. How significant was that Jesus first appearance was to Mary Magdalene, whom he had healed of severe mental illness. It was as if "where sin had abounded grace did super-abound": Romans 5 verse 20. She typified the bride of Christ. Then followed an appearance to two others on the way to Emmaus as Luke 24 described. The chapter concludes with the great commission to take the Gospel to all the world. Jesus said the message would be supported by accompanying signs. This was applicable to the Apostolic Age. https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

Mark 15 records Jesus' trial before Pilate and includes events up to and including our Lord's crucifixion and burial. The account is indeed brief when compared with the other gospel records. From the other gospel accounts we learn that there were 6 sham trials in all - three before Jewish authorities and three before the Gentiles. Mark 14 recorded one of the Jewish trials and chapter 15 one of the Gentile trials - before Pilate. Pilate was amazed by our Master's calm resignation to these events. Pilate tried to have Jesus acquitted by allowing his soldiers to brutally mistreat our Lord, in the mistaken hope that the Jewish leaders would show some pity. Our Lord was so weakened that on his way to Calvary it was necessary to press Simon of Cyrene to bare Jesus' stake - Greek "stauros". Simon and his two sons later became disciples, taking up their metaphorical stakes as Jesus commands of all his disciples. While on the stake our captain was mocked and taunted, but triumphing over those weaknesses and tauntings of Christ's enemies in himself: see Colossians 2 verses 11-15 read aloud slowly and meditate on the meaning. Jesus expired on the tree at the 9th hour ie 3pm precisely. This was at the time the Passover lambs were slain. A hardened Roman centurion on witnessing Jesus' behaviour exclaimed that certainly this man was the Son of God. In fulfilment of Isaiah 53 our Lord was buried in the tomb of a rich man, who had become his disciple, Joseph of Arimathea. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciateion of God's words, join again tomorrow at https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

In the record of Mark 14 and 15, we have, what's believed to be, Peter's accounting of the most horrific few days of his life. The 14th chapter commenced 2 days before the Lord's crucifixion with his anointing in the home of Simon the leper, believed by some to be the father of the family, Mary, Martha, Lazarus and Judas and would be the home of Martha's deceased husband. It was this incident which incited Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Our Lord praises Mary's extravagant act of love and understanding. She alone among all of our Lord Jesus Christ's disciples understood that Christ would die during the Passover. Jesus sent Peter and John, to prepare the Lord's supper. All had been secretly prearranged to prevent any interruptions to his Passover. He needed every last moment to prepare his Apostles for his decease. These Apostles had to learn to live faithfully without our Lord's presence. During the memorial feast our Lord prophesied details of Peter's betrayal, much to Peter's bold protestation to the contrary. The supper having ended the Lord and now eleven of his chosen disciples went to Gethsemane where our Master's greatest trial occurs. In Gethsemane he begged his Father to find another way than the stake, where he would be shamefully exposed to men but each time Jesus was told there could be no alternative. Finally our Lord's resolve strengthened through angelic support and his intense struggle to subject his own will to that of the Father the Son of God was perfected through his sufferings: Hebrews 5 verses 7-9. Slowly read aloud those verses from Hebrews and meditate the intensity of his struggle and the greatness of the Son of God in submitting to his Father's will. Christ was strengthened by an angel to aid him in submitting humbly to death. Judas arrives with a band of heavily armed thugs from the temple. A young man, quite likely Mark himself, escapes them after having tried to warn Jesus. Verses 53-65 tell of Jesus before the Council and the accusation of blasphemy levelled at him (surely this had been Judas' doing) and the Master's rebuttal from Daniel 7 verses 13-14. The chapter finishes with Peter's threefold denial of his Lord. Peter was in great bitterness for denying Jesus. His repentance contrasts with Judas' remorse without any repentance. https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

A @Christadelphians Video: For a more in-depth analysis, check out this link...https://youtu.be/UZQGiCBV-AE**[The Watchman Report 'Extra' | Why is the UK Government Focusing on Islamophobia and Not All Faiths?]** In this thought-provoking spotlight, we examine the UK Government's selective focus on Islamophobia while seemingly neglecting protections for other faiths. What does Scripture reveal about justice, discrimination, and the role of governing authorities? Join us for an expositional discussion on biblical principles, religious freedom, and the prophetic implications of today's policies.

As we read Jesus' parable about the tenants in the vineyard today (Mark 17 v.1-9) and the treatment they meted out to any servants that came to them on behalf of the owner seeking his share of the fruit, our thoughts went quite naturally to what we had just read in Jeremiah who brought from God messages that did not please the leading men of his day.  All the counsellors of the king saw his words as undermining them, they did not accept his version as to the attitude of God towards them despite the fact that his warnings had so far proved true.They “treated him shamefully” putting him in the waterless cistern so that he sank in the mud at the bottom.  (ch. 38 v.4-6).   It is significant that it is a Gentile, an Ethiopian, that alerts the King to his plight and rescues him (v.7-13); this is parallel to some of the experiences of the apostle Paul..Returning to the parable of Jesus we can see its application not only to how the tenants killed Jesus the son of the owner, but to the treatment through the centuries of those who are faithful to the truths God has left on record in the scriptures. How many cling to their own distorted philosophies and, as Paul complained, “exchanged the truth about God for a lie” [Rom. 1 v.25]Our chapter today tells us how Jesus tackled the Sadducees over this.  They deny there is to be a resurrection. Jesus rebukes them saying you “are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” [v.24] He says that those “who rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” [v.25]  How vital that we “know … the Scriptures.”On another occasion Jesus said “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out” [Luke 13 v.28] That it is a literal kingdom on earth is made plain in the next verse, “and people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.”Together with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be such as Jeremiah and, most likely, “the scribe” who “answered wisely” – as we read in today's chapter – so that Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” [v.34] We must each ask ourselves, ‘How far am I from the Kingdom of God?'

In chapter 13 of 1 Kings we read of two prophets and Yahweh's denouncement of Jeroboam's altar and himself. God sent an unnamed prophet from Judah to prophesy what Josiah would do some 350 years later. As king Jeroboam stretched forth his hand to order the arrest of the dissident prophet he was struck with leprosy. Jeroboam had to plead for healing, which he was granted. The Judean prophet had been commanded by God to return immediately after the denunciation of Jeroboam and the prophecy that men's bones would be burnt on the altar by a man named Josiah. But the old prophet was beguiled into accepting hospitality from another unnamed prophet. While at the meal table the latter prophet told of the doom awaiting the Judean prophet. When the Judean prophet was returning to his home town he was met by a lion which slew him. The lion stood by his carcass. The Judean prophet's ass was not harmed by the lion. The ass remarkably did not flee but also stayed near the body of the slain prophet. The old prophet from Israel heard of these incredible signs and went and took the body of the Judean prophet and buried him in his sepulchre. The lying prophet from Israel commanded his sons that upon his death he should be buried in the same location as the Judean prophet. Although the punishment for the lying prophet seems severe Yahweh cannot tolerate falsity, especially when the impostors claim to be speaking the LORD's word. Deuteronomy is full of God's opposition to these liars as also we have seen in our readings in Jeremiah. What a wonderful record is contained in the 39th chapter of Jeremiah. It delivers the final judgment on the wicked Zedekiah - the day had come when iniquity had an end. That end came in the overturning of the kingdom of Judah. We are told that Jeremiah was saved by Royal command from Nebuchadnezzar. We note that Rabmag was present when Jerusalem fell. Rabmag was a title meaning "the chief of the Magi" and belonged to Daniel himself. Likewise Ebed-melech was delivered due to his trust in God Almighty, and his kindness to Jeremiah. As God had promised Ebed-Melech through Jeremiah the prophet. No doubt Daniel ensured that both Jeremiah and Ebed-Melech were rescued. Our 13th chapter in Mark tells us of the Olivet prophecy. Jesus, in response to his disciples pointing out to him the magnificence of the temple precinct, tells them all stones of that Temple will be overturned. Peter, James, John and Andrew ask him three questions in verse 4; which he answered in the subsequent verses to 27. Verses 5-13 answer the first question and the concluding statement was relevant to that generation, and for all time - the one who endures to the end will be saved. The 14th to the 23rd verses link the prophecies of Daniel 8 and 9 to our Lord's message. They have special reference to the Roman desolation of Jerusalem that would be fulfilled in the overturning of Zion by the emperors Vespasian and his son Titus in AD 70. The following 4 verses relate to the interval from then until Israel's regathering and national identity in 1948. This is outlined in the parable of the fig tree from Vv28 to 31. An exhortation to watchfulness is from verses 32-37. These final verses should be slowly read aloud by each of us as we meditate the message for the need for each of us to ready ourselves for our Lord Jesus Christ's coming. https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

 After all the wonders for most of Solomon's reign, all the benefits and blessings he had inherited from his father David, Solomon's greatness – we would say – humanly speaking – went to his head.  We read today “when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart … “ [1 Kings 11 v.4]     A significant factor in this was that he married many foreign wives who worshipped idols.   We are told “the LORD was angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD” [v.9]  His foreign wives had influenced him in his worship, so “the LORD raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite.”[v.14]  There were others, “God also raised up as an adversary to him, Rezin, the son of Eliada” [v.23]  Our English translations disguise the fact that the word ‘adversary' in Hebrew is ‘Satan.'     The fundamental meaning of ‘satan' is someone who opposes you.  The first occasions the word is used in Scripture is in Numbers 22 v.22 and 32 to describe how the angel God sent to encounter the false prophet Balaam, who had some knowledge of the LORD, that this angel was an “adversary” to him – sent by God “to oppose” him.     We read earlier this week how Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind me Satan!  For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” [Mark 8 v.33]  Later, some Jewish synagogues were becoming so opposed to the growing Christian communities that they are described as “a synagogue of Satan” [Rev.2 v.9]     Are there any satans in your life?  If so, can it be that you are being tested as Jesus was by Peter?  Or “the synagogue of Satan” that tested believers in Smyrna.  They were told, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer: behold the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested … you will have tribulation.  Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life … The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death” when Jesus comes [v.10,11]  Let us conquer any adversaries or adversities.  How wonderful the promise, “The one who conquers … I will never blot his name out of the book of life.  I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.” [Rev 3 v.5]

1 Kings 12 tells us of Rehoboam's folly following the death of Solomon. Rehoboam fails to heed the wise counsel of the elders and rather harkens to the ridiculous reasoning of his entitled peers. The outcome of this is the division of the kingdom, as prophesied by Ahijah. Jeroboam is termed in scripture "the man who caused Israel to sin". Jeroboam set up two golden calves - the one in the north at Dan; and the other in Beersheba in the south. Rehoboam sent his treasurer to collect the tribute from Israel. But they stoned the treasurer causing Rehoboam to flee in his chariot. Rehoboam then mustered his army but was dissuaded from fighting against his brethren by the prophet Shemaiah who tells the king that the division is from the LORD. To his credit Rehoboam responded to the Word of God and sent the army home. King Jeroboam from the northern branch of the divided kingdom next changes the timing of the feast of worship from the seventh to the eighth month. This idolatrous man made his priests from the lowest of the people. All of this was designed to maintain the division. Jeroboam was fearful that Israel might, if they went to the Feast in Jerusalem, be reconciled to Rehoboam. This 38th chapter of Jeremiah told of the malevolent treatment afforded the prophet at the hands of the treacherous princes casting him into the mire (mud) of the cistern. He was rescued by the kind and faithful Ethiopian, Ebed-melech. Our Sovereign recompensed the Ethiopian eunuch's kindness to Yahweh's prophet. After his deliverance Jeremiah presented his entreaties secretly to the king. Jeremiah again counsels the king to save Judah by surrendering to the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar.Mark 12 begins with the parable of the tenants of the vineyard which spoke of Israel. The parable tells of the constant rejection of God's servants, the prophets; and the ultimate sin of Israel in rejecting the Son of the Father. The nation's wicked rulers saw themselves in Jesus' words and fulfilled the prophecy of our Lord in plotting Jesus' death. Christ's enemies make several attempts to undermine our Lord's authority. The chapter shows that each prominent party posed hypothetical questions. The first was from an alliance of the Herodians, who were pragmatists who were prepared to cooperate with Rome, and the arch enemies of the Herodians - the Pharisees. The question from this unholy alliance was on taxation. The master not only answers majestically, but he directs their minds to God's claims on them. We are next told of the Sadducees posing their question on resurrection. This sect were the priestly class. They were wealthy and used their power to accumulate wealth. The Sadducees did not accept the teaching of the resurrection; nor any of the Scriptures apart from the 5 Books of Moses. These hypocrites were likewise confounded by incontestable proof from Exodus 3 - one of the five writings that were accepted by them - of the raising of the dead. The Scribes with the Pharisees pose a problem to our Lord as to which commandment was the greatest. Jesus answers by showing that the entire message of the Law and the Prophets hung equally on the love of God and the love one's neighbour. Christ then turns the tables on his foes through a simple question in two parts;- 1) whose son is the Messiah (easy they thought - David's of course); and, part 2) how then in Psalm 110 is the Christ spoken of as David's Lord? The inescapable answer was that the Christ, Messiah, was greater because he was the Son of God as well as son of David. The chapter concludes with a denunciation of the Scribes and an object lesson from the widow, who gave all. https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

The disciples of Jesus had more remarkable experiences than any other group of human beings. The sudden stilling of the storm on the Lake of Galilee was one event that particularly astonished them, but in today's 10th chapter of Mark we may have a sense of surprise at the cause behind the statement,  “And his disciples were amazed at his words.”     Jesus had just said, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God” [v.23,24].  His comment was the sequel to a situation when an earnest man ran up to him and said “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” [v.17] Jesus says, “You know the commandments and spells out most of them, and he responds, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth” [v.20] “And Jesus, looking at him, loved him.”But the love of Jesus did not blot out a fatal flaw in the man's character, Jesus said, “You lack one thing.”  The Master who sees and knows all things told him to use his “great possessions” in helping the poor.     “Sell all that you have” he was told – but that was not the end of Christ's words; but the man's thinking had collapsed over that request.The climax was a wonderful invitation, “come follow me… you will have treasure in heaven…” (v,21)  But his mind could not jump the hurdle of his trust in wealth and “he went away sorrowful.”  It was this event which caused Jesus to comment to his disciples about wealth and the great difficulties their possession cause for people who possess them.  It amazed them!.This brings our minds to bear on today's readings in 1 Kings ch. 10 about Solomon's great wealth, that he “excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.” [v.23]      But in the end his riches distracted him “so Solomon did not wholly follow the LORD” [ch. 11 v.6] and the lack of wisdom of his son Rehoboam led to a great loss of them.(ch.12)  Solomon became obsessed by possessions (see what he confesses in Ecclesiastes 1 & 2).And us?  Our world is full of things to distract us, many of us – from Jesus' perspective are ‘wealthy' compared to previous generations.  Jesus says to us, “Come follow me”   If we have said, or decide to say, “Yes Lord” – let us do so – making sure there are no earthly possessions which are distracting us. Those who “follow me”, says Jesus “receive a hundredfold now in this lime … and in the age to come, eternal life.” [v.30].     This was the Apostle Paul's experience, he expresses his position very succinctly, “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, as poor, yet making many rich, as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” [2 Cor.6 v.10]

What a tragedy confronts the reader in Solomon's defiance of Yahweh's instructions. The record tells us of the foreign wives who corrupted the king (see Nehemiah 13 verses 25-27). Deuteronomy 17 had commanded the kings to write a personal copy the law, which contained commandments on the very matters Solomon contravened - see verses 14-29. And so the kingdom, to a large extent, would be torn from Solomon's son - Rehoboam. The circumstances of the rending of the civil fabric of Israel's society are described in the bulk of the chapter. The kingdom would pass to a diligent, but ambitious servant of Solomon's - whose name was Jeroboam. When this man came to the throne of Israel, also called Ephraim and Samaria he was to set up an idolatrous rival system of worship and is frequently called "the man who made Israel to sin". Solomon's death is recorded and his actions are said to have been written in "the Acts of Solomon".Jeremiah warns the vacillating king Zedekiah to obey his divine Sovereign. The corrupt and vacillating king is told that Judah would receive no help from Pharaoh's army who had returned to Egypt. Chaldean captivity was inevitable and the king and his realm were instructed to submit to Babylon's authority. The Judean princes plot Jeremiah's imprisonment on the false charge of treason, ie supporting the Chaldeans. The prophet is shamefully beaten and imprisoned. Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and the king, who was fearful of his nobles, and secretly questioned him. However, Jeremiah pleads to be spared by the king. Zedekiah places the prophet in custody and commands that he receives a daily ration of bread from the city's bakery. Jeremiah in his sufferings is a remarkable servant of God and a type of the suffering servant - the Lord Jesus Christ. In the 11th chapter of Mark we read of Jesus' triumphal entry to Jerusalem. He rode on a donkey, a colt the foal of an ass, in fulfilment of the prophecy of Zechariah 9 verse 9 and also that of Genesis 49 verses :10-12. It was an animal that had never been ridden. It seems to suggest that our Lord Jesus would be the ruler/rider of the Gentiles. The crowds strewed their clothes and palm branches before Christ's path, and shouted, 'Hosanna' (save now) as the prophecy predicted. We are additionally told they recited Psalm 118 verses 26. It is recommended that we read Psalm 118 verses 19-29 and meditate on the many messages from that Hallel - or Passover Psalm - this being Passover time. As it was late, our Lord and his Apostles headed to Bethany. The next morning, as they left Bethany, Jesus saw a fig tree that showed promise of early fruit; just like Israel, whose symbol that tree was. But finding no fruit on the tree our Lord cursed it. It was like the fruitless nation: Matthew 21 verses 43 - read and consider the context of these words. That day Jesus cleanses the temple from corruption - the second time see John 2 verses 13-17 this was first done three and a half years earlier at the commencement of our Lord's ministry. That evening Christ returns to Bethany. The next morning the disciples were amazed at the withered tree and our Lord uses the opportunity to tell the power of persistent prayer. Jesus' foes were confounded the following day by his masterful answer on the source of his authority.More here https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

The record in 1 Kings 10 tells of the visit to Solomon by the Queen of Sheba, a wealthy spice kingdom. She was left breathless after seeing his glorious dominion and spoke of her doubts as to what she heard in her own realm. This queen says to Solomon that there had been no exaggeration in what she had heard in her homeland. This queen graciously gave great gifts in tribute to Solomon. The chapter gives us a glimpse of the glory of Solomon's realm. Solomon was not only master in his domain, but also the broker for the cloth trade and for buying and selling of horses and chariots for all the surrounding kingdoms.Jeremiah's 36th chapter occurred in the 4th year of Jehoiakim and the first year of Nebuchadnezzar. Verses 11-19 record Baruch's reading of the scroll that Jeremiah had dictated. It was read in the hearing of the citizens of Jerusalem. After having read it to the populace Baruch and Jeremiah are told to hide themselves knowing the reaction that this prophecy would cause to the king and his nobles. This was the year when the king of Judah burned the Bible and Yahweh revealed His will to the Gentile despot, Nebuchadnezzar - see Daniel 2 verses 31-45. Read and think about this remarkable prophecy that reveals the history of the world from the time of Nebuchadnezzar's empire until the establishment of our Lord Jesus Christ's kingdom in the near future. Verses 20-26 speak of Jehoiiakim's seizing the scroll, cutting it to pieces with his penknife and casting it into the fire. Verses 27-31 describe Yahweh's rebuke to Jeconiah and his pronounced punishment for his contempt for the Word of the LORD. Verse 32 says that Baruch was commanded to rewrite the burnt scroll with additional material. In the record of Mark 10 Jesus tells us, that the Mosaic law sought to regulate putting away. The practice of divorce had become rife in our Lord's time. Jesus indicates that 'putting away' was foreign to the Father's purpose in marriage described at the end of Genesis 2. The Almighty's purpose in marriage is elaborated in Malachi 2 verses 11-16. The record says that children were invited to come to Jesus for blessing and to show that humility is essential for entry to the kingdom. The chapter says that a rich young ruler, who was deeply loved for his sincerity by Jesus, found his love of his possessions an obstacle too great to overcome. Jesus goes on to say how hard it is for all those who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God. Because the amazed Apostles had left all and followed Jesus they were promised a place in the kingdom for faithfulness. Carefully read aloud verses 29-31 and meditate on the message for us. For the third time Jesus foretells of his suffering, death and resurrection. We are told that James and John came secretly to Jesus seeking the positions of honour in his glory - to sit at our Lord's right and left hand - in his kingdom. Those two Apostles are told that they would suffer for his sake and that the Father alone could give such honours. The Lord's ministry, Jesus says, is service. This must also be true for all of Christ's followers. The chapter concludes by telling us that blind Bartimaeus was cured and follows Jesus.

We live in a world in which most people do not want to feel ashamed of anything.  Lawyers grow rich out of the efforts of some to camouflage over their failures and wrongdoing.  But there can be no effective camouflage before God – so we must not be influenced by the attitudes that surround us.We read today how Jesus had a wide audience “the crowds with his disciples” when “he said to them, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it … what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?  For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” [Mark 8 v.34-37]Those who fail to put God first in their thinking will not know they have forfeited their life, that is their hope of eternal life, until – it is too late!  We must not miss the vital point Jesus makes, “For whoever is ashamed of me … “ Jesus will also “be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father …”The words of Solomon have heart searching parallels with the words of Jesus.  Look at the words he used in his prayer to God as he dedicated the marvellous Temple. We read today of the ark being brought from the Tabernacle and put in “its place in the inner sanctuary of the house (Temple) in the Most Holy Place.” [1 Kings 8 v.6}.“Then Solomon stood before the altar of the L:ORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven.” [v.22] There follows a remarkable prayer: it is far more than a prayer of praise.What we need to note most of all are his references to the attitudes of the hearts of those praying – and God's awareness of this.  As “you listen to the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray …” [v.30] “forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways – for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind” [v.39] “… if they repent with all their mind and with all their heart” [v.48]In finishing his prayer  he tells the people “The LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers.  May he not leave or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways …” [v.57,58], telling the people, “Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the LORD our God …” [v.61]     Those with such a heart will never feel “ashamed” of confessing their belief and faith. Let us shine as lights in the darkness of this world and in word and deed “may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” [1 Peter 2 v.9]