Dear praying friends,

From time to time I am asked about the need for the ministry of “Take Heed”. Earlier this year I was sent, by way of encouragement from a brother in Christ the following ‘daily devotional’ and I would like to share it with you and may it encourage us all to be on our guard and to “Take Heed”.

(Henry Morris – Institute for Creation Research – ‘Days of Praise’ – 7 June 2002)

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:4-5). This warning by Christ has special relevance in these latter days when there are multitudes of “false Christs, and false prophets” (Matthew 24:24), not only in the so-called “New Age” movement but also (in view of the fact that “Christ” means simply “anointed”) in all kinds of religious, political, and educational areas of influence, and are, as Jesus warned, deceiving many. Therefore His urgent warning: “Take heed!” This is a frequent emphasis in the New Testament. For example, Paul warned the Ephesian elders: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you” (Acts 20:28,29). Note also the warning to the Hebrew believers: “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). To anyone who feels overconfident in his own ability to withstand such deceptions and temptations, Paul warns: “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (I Corinthians 10:12). Many similar warnings exist, and therefore we do well to take heed also to the safeguards that God has provided. “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (I Timothy 4:16). Continue in sound Biblical doctrine! For “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place” (II Peter 1:19).

Your servant for Christ

CECIL ANDREWS

CREATION VIDEO OUTREACH TO MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

As you know from the ‘Creation Appeal’ insert with our June newsletter, we sent in May, a copy of the video ‘A Question of Origins’, featuring Roger Oakland as presenter, to all 659 Members of Parliament.

Let me first say a sincere ‘thank you’ to the many who so generously responded to this appeal. The overall costs were more than covered and as a result we were able to send gifts [representing the surplus donated] to both the video ministry who sacrificially helped with this appeal and also to our brothers and sisters in Christ, in Bayou Du Large Baptist Church in Louisiana, to help them with the refurbishment of their recently returned Church building. I had a phone call from the principal of the video ministry asking me to convey sincere thanks to those who supported the appeal and informing me that the gift [£400] would help towards the purchase of much needed duplicating equipment.

I also had a lovely telephone conversation with Pastor Jerry Moser in Louisiana and he told me how surprised and thrilled the Church there had been when the gift [$600] arrived with them They have been truly amazed at the unexpected sources of provision that the Lord is using to meet their needs and again Jerry wanted all those who supported the appeal to be aware of just how much this kindness had meant to them.

• ‘Feedback’ from MP’s in relation to the video has been minimal.
• In total there were 4 personal written responses.

A standard printed card ‘acknowledgment with thanks’ was received from John Healey [Labour – Wentworth].

The following letter was received from Boris Johnston [Conservative – Henley]

Dear Mr Andrews, Thank you for your letter and for sending me a copy of the video A Question of Origins. You are quite right in identifying the controversy, which surrounds to the long-standing debate between those who believe in biblical creation and supporters of the theory of evolution. I believe this debate to be another part of a wider agenda which seeks to replace the Judeo Christian beliefs that underpin society with secularism, a product of political correctness and in my view with little to offer any of us. Thank you for writing. Best wishes. BORIS JOHNSON MP.

Northern Ireland MP, Nigel Dodds [DUP – North Belfast] wrote

Dear Cecil, Thank you very much for your recent letter and the enclosed video in relation to the scientific case for ‘creation’. I appreciate you taking the time to write to me. Best Wishes. NIGEL DODDS MP

Nigel also added a personalised ‘PS’ of encouragement.

The one ‘dissenter’ who put pen to paper was

Elliot Morley [Labour – Scunthorpe County] who wrote

Dear Mr Andrews, There is no scientific case for creation and it is quite wrong that children should be taught something in school, which is not true. Yours sincerely. ELLIOT MORLEY MP

On 23 July I wrote to Mr Morley

Dear Mr Morley, As MP’s will shortly be recessing for their summer holidays I am sending on herewith, with my compliments, a copy of the book ‘The Evidence For Creation’ in the hope that perhaps you like me take the opportunity of using a summer holiday to catch up on some reading. I did by the way very much appreciate you taking time to write to me in the wake of receipt of the video we sent to you [even though your comments were what might be described as ‘negative’]. Have a good break. Yours sincerely. CECIL ANDREWS

In addition to these ‘personalised’ responses I also received a letter from the ‘Department for Education and Skills’ in London and I can only assume that some MP, possibly connected with education, arranged for this to happen. The letter stated in part

‘With regard to creationism and evolution, I can assure you that pupils do learn about evolution and creationism within Science and Religious education lessons. They explore the nature and meanings of the Genesis creation stories, creationists and others learn about some of the main ideas in the bib bang and evolution theories, such as how life progressed and how mankind came to be on earth. Through a balanced study of each theory, pupils can make informed judgments and independent decisions about these issues. Creationism is but one of many differing and often conflicting beliefs which pupils might discuss and consider. This is an essential part of enabling young people to develop their own mature and informed views on moral and ethical issues to become responsible and active citizens’.

That all sounds very fair and balanced but to my readers I ask – has that been your experience? And if this really is the position why was there all the fuss and outcry from ‘scientists, philosophers and church leaders’ as detailed in The Independent newspaper report that I referred to in my last newsletter [page 4]. Clearly this ‘fair and balanced’ line would also obviously find no favour with ELLIOT MORLEY MP.

In conclusion, perhaps humanly speaking it might have been nice to receive greater ‘feedback’ from more MP’s but I am content to leave this matter in the hands of the Lord and I would ask for your ongoing prayers that these videos will be used for the glory of our

Lord Jesus Christ – the One concerning whom Paul wrote

“by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities’ or powers – all things were created by him and for him” Colossians 1:16

• SPURGEON’S CHILD CARE And ROMAN CATHOLICISM

Since June of last year it has been sad to report in various newsletters the ecumenical compromise of organisations such as ‘Spurgeon’s College’, ‘Scripture Union’ and Scripture Gift Mission’. Yet again it has been regrettable to see the name of Spurgeon once more linked in ecumenical compromise with Roman Catholicism – this time through the organisation known as ‘Spurgeon’s Child Care’. A concerned Pastor friend wrote to them towards the end of last year concerning their ‘Christmas Appeal’ and this is the reply he received –

Thank you for your letter dated 15th November about our Christmas Appeal. I am interested that you picked up the quotation from Diane quoting Mother Theresa but did not mention the biblical quote on page 2, which came before it.

I cannot comment on your views on Roman Catholics for the organisation. However within one small office at Head Office we have a Baptist, an Anglican and a Roman Catholic working in perfect harmony. To me, the most important things they have in common are their love of OUR [emphasis mine] Lord and their commitment to the work of Spurgeon’s Child Care.

We carry on the work of our founder Charles Haddon Spurgeon, by demonstrating Christian love in a very practical way.

• Yours sincerely
• Marilyn Willis
• Public Relations Manager

PS On a personal note, I am to be ordained in the Anglican church in July 2002, but have a Baptist tutor and work for a Baptist organisation.

 Let me once more quote Spurgeon from January 1873

‘The sooner we let Archbishops and Cardinals know that we are aware of their designs and WILL IN NOTHING [Christian] co-operate with them the better for us and our country. Of course we shall be howled at as bigots, but we can afford to smile at that cry, when it comes from the church, which invented the Inquisition. “No Peace with Rome” is the motto of reason as well as of religion’.

• TRINITARIAN BIBLE SOCIETY

In the light of the ecumenical compromise of a growing number of organisations that were formerly perceived as ‘evangelical’ perhaps I could COMMEND the work of the Trintarian Bible Society.

The aims of the Society are stated as follows To publish and distribute the Holy Scriptures throughout the world in many languages. To promote Bible translations which are accurate and trustworthy. To be instrumental in bringing light and life, through the gospel of Christ, to those who are lost in sin and in the darkness of false religion and unbelief.

To uphold the doctrines of reformed Christianity, the bearing witness to the equal and eternal deity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, three persons in One God. To uphold the Bible as the inspired, inerrant Word of God.

Contact addresses are

Rev T Kirkland 5 Greenwood Avenue, Ballyclare, BT39 9PN

TBS, Tyndale House, Dorset Road, London, SW19 3NN, England

TBS, 1600 Leonard Street, NW, Grand Rapids, MI49504, USA

TBS, 259-7610 Evans Road, Chilliwack, BC, V2R 2 Z5, Canada

TBS, PO Box 123, Mt Pleasant 2749, NSW, Australia

Their annual report for the year ended 31 December 2001 contains a most interesting and enlightening report [pages 13-16] on how ‘political correctness’ and ‘gender-inclusive’ terminology is influencing and being incorporated into a number of recent bible translations and cites the difficulties caused by such action.

•  INTERNET EXCHANGES

Following my comments on the Roman Catholic ‘trinity’ in the article on Scripture Gift Mission in my June newsletter [pages 15-16] the guest book of our ministry on the Internet web site suddenly sprang to life with lots of ecumenists, apologists and spokespersons for Rome challenging my comments and that in turn led to other issues being openly debated.

I thought I would just share some very limited extracts from some of the exchanges that took place as we sought to faithfully

‘earnestly contend for the faith’ [Jude 3]

9 July – ‘Father’ Bernard Savage wrote

Cecil Andrews has clearly missed, if not avoided, the point of my argument in respect to the Trinity. As I already pointed out, it was a ROMAN CATHOLIC POPE (do I have to emphasise), surrounded by ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS who affirmed and subsequently promulgated the doctrine of THE TRINITY.

10 July – Cecil Andrews wrote

In response to Mr Savage it is actually he who has ‘missed the point’ concerning the truth of the Trinity – this is a truth revealed to people by God in His Word, the Scriptures alone, which are truth [John 17:17].

On the back cover of a helpful book by E Calvin Beisner called ‘God in Three Persons’

Josh McDowell wrote the following ‘This book should put to rest forever the allegations that the doctrine of the Trinity is the invention of fourth-century theologians

11 July – William Simms wrote

A few observations, Mr Andrews, this is just my opinion. I have been to one of your debates and have read your writings in the papers and on your Internet site. I find your attitude to our fellow Christians in the Roman Catholic tradition quite staggering. My impression of you is that you are a very angry man trying to be polite and nice, but your anger leaks out all the time. Your views about Catholics simply do not tally with reality as I know many devout Catholics and am deeply impressed by their love for the Lord. Who are you to judge? You come across as sanctimonious, self-satisfied, self-righteous, judgemental, arrogant, irascible and unreasonable. Let me emphasise this is how I perceive you – I leave your judgement of course with the Lord.

When is a judgment not a judgment? – when it is merely the ‘opinion’ of Mr Simms

We all need to cultivate the virtue of humility. I’m certainly far from perfect myself. I have read all the anti-Catholic works. I don’t agree with many things in Catholicism but I try to humbly listen and understand.

12 July – Cecil Andrews wrote

Mr Simms states in his email ‘I don’t agree with many things in Catholicism’ – I’m sure readers of this guest book, both Roman Catholic and Protestant, would be interested to learn from Mr Simms which are the 5 most important matters that he doesn’t agree with in Roman Catholicism and I would invite him to publicly list them for our consideration.

I’m still humbly and patiently waiting for a response from Mr Simms

15 July -‘Father’ Patrick McCafferty wrote

The Mass is indeed one and the same Sacrifice with Calvary.

Yet on 10 July – Cecil Andrews wrote

So Rome teaches that Calvary and the Mass ‘are one single sacrifice’. At Calvary, Christ died sacrificially, but apparently in the sacrifice of the Mass Christ does not die so how can these be ‘one single sacrifice’? [To further confuse the issue the Council of Trent says that in this sacrifice Christ is IMMOLATED – Session 22; Chapter 2 and the Collins Gem Dictionary Definition of Immolate is kill, sacrifice] At Calvary, Christ offered Himself, [see Hebrews 9:14] but in the Mass He is offered by priests so how can these be ‘one single sacrifice’? At Calvary, Christ offered Himself in a bloody sacrifice, [see 1 Peter 1:18-19] but in the Mass He is offered in an unbloody manner so how can these be ‘one single sacrifice’?

There were quite a number of exchanges between ‘Father’ McCafferty and myself and the following extracts of replies from myself should I hope be self-explanatory

In response to Patrick McCafferty, the Bible teaches that ‘The Kingdom of Heaven’ will only be inhabited by Christians – see Matthew 25:24 when the Lord says to ‘the wheat’ “Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”. At the start of the parable in Matthew 13 when the Lord says “The Kingdom of heaven is like etc” He is not talking of its ‘composition’ [ie being made up of ‘wheat’ and ‘tares’] but He is talking of its ‘construction’ ie the battle between the seeds of truth and error during the ‘gospel age’ and the lesson is that only those in ‘the truth’ eventually enter it as they are truly in ‘God’s Family’ [“the good seed {ie ‘the wheat’} are the children of the Kingdom” – see verse 38]. Is Patrick really serious when he refers to Matthew 7:21-23 and teaches that some people [‘tares’- who are actually the offspring of “the wicked one” – see verse 38 who are “of their father, the devil” – see John 8:44]] are presently part of ‘God’s Family’ who will then later be told “Depart from me I never knew you”. ‘Never’ is ‘never’ so they were ‘never’ part of ‘God’s Family’.

Patrick McCafferty wrote ‘The Catholic Church teaches the possibility of salvation for all human beings – including those who, through no fault of their own, never heard the Good News of Christ’ – please note that this is the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. God’s Word, the Bible teaches concerning salvation and the Lord Jesus Christ “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved” [Peter – Acts 4:12]. The Lord Himself said “no man cometh unto the Father but by me” [John 14:6]. Paul wrote, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” [1 Timothy 2:5]. In Luke 13:24 the Lord Himself said “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many I say will seek to enter in, and shall not be able”. According to the Lord Himself the way of salvation is “strait” which means, “narrow” and “few there be that find it” [see Matthew 7:14]. It is “strait” because it will not admit those who know not Christ for He Himself said “I am the door: BY ME if any man enter in he shall be saved” [John 10:9]. He also said, “I am the way” – there is no other way to the Father apart from Christ. As Bishop Ryle wrote ‘All that are ever saved, will be saved only by Christ, and only through simple faith in him’. Paul wrote, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?” [Romans 10:13-14]. Here we have 2 conflicting teachings on ‘salvation’ – those of the Roman Catholic church and those of God’s Word, the Bible – it is for readers to prayerfully decide who they will believe on this issue of ‘salvation’ and also to decide who they believe constitute, in today’s professing Christian world, the “many” and the “few”

Patrick McCafferty writes – ‘Mr. Andrews and the others are constantly pointing the accusing finger at the Catholic Church. It would never occur to them to go and look at the multiplicity of sects and denominations within Protestantism’. Those familiar with and informed about the ministry of ‘Take Heed’ will immediately recognise how inaccurate this statement by Patrick is. A large amount of our time has been devoted to challenging practical and doctrinal error emanating from ‘Protestant’ sources. Several examples would be the so-called ‘Toronto Blessing’, the ongoing promotion of the teachings of the heretical William Branham [‘oneness’, ‘serpent seed’ errors etc] and the heresies of the so-called ‘Health & Wealth’ preachers like Kenneth Copeland. In addition we are engaged in seeking to counter the errors of other major influential cults like the Mormons and the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Patrick’s statement ‘It would never occur to them’ [ie to ‘Take Heed’ Ministries] is an error of judgment on his part.

As I said earlier these have been very ‘limited’ extracts from the matters we have responded to but one thing I can assure readers of is this – The Roman Catholic ‘spirit of the inquisition’ is still very much alive! If you have Internet access please visit our web site on a new address https://www.takeheed.info and browse the guest book entries from early July. [The Guest book has been discontinued]

• The Christian’s ‘INHERITANCE’ and ‘REWARDS’

Newspaper articles and ‘Take Heed’ Ministry guest book entries penned by local priest Patrick McCafferty have prompted this article.

‘INHERITANCE’

God’s Word, the Bible, teaches that every ‘born again’ child of God receives an ‘inheritance’. Currently the fullness of this ‘inheritance’ is “reserved in heaven” [1 Peter 1:4]. However, at the moment of being ‘born again’ the child of God receives an “earnest of their inheritance” [Ephesians 1:14]. The “earnest” for the Christian is, according to Vine’s Expository Dictionary, ‘the Holy Spirit” who is given to them ‘as the divine pledge of all their future blessedness’.

When Adam sinned, the divinely promised judgment of “death” [see Genesis 2:17] became a reality, not only for him, but also for all his posterity. This state of “death” meant that Adam and his posterity could be physically alive but spiritually “dead” which meant being separated from communion with God and this state was symbolised by Adam being evicted from the Garden of Eden [see Genesis 4:23-24].

Since the time of the fall of man, man has naturally been born into this state of “death”. Paul speaks of people who were physically alive yet spiritually “dead in trespasses and sins” [Ephesians 2:1]. By nature, man is not in communion with God. The Lord Jesus declared that when someone becomes a ‘believer’ that person “is passed from death unto life” [John 5:24]. This means that they have been resurrected spiritually which explains what Jesus said in John 5:25 “The hour is coming AND NOW IS when the dead [those physically alive, but spiritually dead] shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live” [spiritually resurrected through the preaching of the gospel. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:21”it pleased God through the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe”].

God’s “earnest”, His divine ‘down payment’ of this spiritual life is His gift of the Holy Spirit to everyone ‘born again’. Paul speaks of believers being “sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise” [Ephesians 1:13]. On the day of Pentecost Peter preached that every believer receives “the gift of the Holy Spirit” [Acts 2:38]. This new spiritual life is called by the Lord Himself “eternal life”. He said in John 10:27-30 “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me. And I give unto them ETERNAL LIFE and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father who gave them to me is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one”.

Believers in this life possess “eternal life” – a restored ‘measure’ of communion with God, which is obviously limited and restricted by the constraints of this mortal existence but the ‘good news’ is that the full, eternal ‘measure’ of intimate communion with God is “reserved in heaven” [1 Peter 1:4]. No wonder Paul wrote that “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain” [Philippians 1:21].

An ‘INHERITANCE’ is something given to someone. It is something that they did not work for or ‘go to war’ for. It is something bequeathed to a person by someone who has died. An ‘INHERITANCE’ is a gift received as a result of someone else’s labours and death. Present restoration of and the assured possession of eternal communion with God is for every believer based ALONE on the life and death of their Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is His sinless life and His substitutionary sufferings ALONE that form the grounds on which every believer receives the gift of “eternal life”. A true ‘born again’ believer’s work and conduct here on earth has no bearing upon their ‘INHERITANCE’.

In Hebrews 9:12 we read of Christ “having obtained eternal redemption for us” and in verse 15 we read “that by means of death [the death of Christ]…they who are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance”. When Christ spoke in John 11:25-26, although He was assuring Martha of the assured resurrection of the physical body, He clearly had this ‘INHERITANCE’ of spiritual “eternal life” also in mind when He said “I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die”.

The most precious aspect of the believer’s ‘INHERITANCE’ will be the Lord Jesus Christ Himself – no wonder the Psalmist wrote

“The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance” [Psalm 16:5]. Commenting on this verse, C H Spurgeon wrote

‘We too can make our boast in the Lord; He is the meat and drink of our souls. He is our portion supplying all our necessities and our cup yielding royal luxuries; our cup is this life and our inheritance in the life to come. As children of the Father who is in heaven, we inherit by virtue of our joint heirship with Jesus, all the riches of the covenant of grace; and the portion which falls to us sets upon our table the bread of heaven and the new wine of the kingdom. Who would not be satisfied with such dainty diet?’

When Paul considered the marvel of his new life in Christ and that would have included consideration of his ‘INHERITANCE’, no wonder he declared in Galatians 6:14 “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” – he recognised that at Calvary his ‘INHERITANCE’, his “eternal life”, was worked for and won by Christ ALONE.

‘REWARDS’

Just as the promise of an ‘INHERITANCE’ [“eternal life”] based ALONE on the finished work of Christ at Calvary, is given to every ‘born again’ believer, who is now no longer “in Adam” but is “in Christ” [1 Corinthians 15:22], so the prospect of heavenly ‘REWARDS’, based ALONE on their work for Christ, is set before every faithful ‘born again’ believer who is “in Christ”.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire”.

Paul is talking about ‘born again’ believers, particularly those charged with the responsibility of preaching the gospel, who “build upon this foundation” – he is talking about believers who by their work for Christ build upon the “foundation” of the finished work of Christ. This is why Paul basically said [verse 11] that before a saved believer can work for Christ, that believer must be relying ALONE on the finished work of Christ for their salvation – “other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ”.

In verse 14 he states, “if any man’s work abide [a heavenly testing of “fire” identified in verse 13] which he hath built upon it [built upon the “foundation” of Christ’s work] he shall receive a REWARD”. This reward cannot be ‘salvation’ for a faithful workman must already be in possession of that great blessing. Only the work of those already ‘born again’ and consequently in receipt of that “that Holy Spirit of promise” [Ephesians 1:13] is pleasing to God and worthy of ‘REWARD’. Remember that Paul wrote in Romans 8: 8 “they that are in the flesh [those who are not indwelt by the Holy Spirit] cannot please God” and in verse 9 he adds, “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his”

In verse 15 if a believer’s work fails the heavenly test of “fire” and is “burned” the consequence is “he shall suffer loss” – in other words he will miss out on receiving a ‘REWARD’. However, irrespective of the record of their work, whether good or bad, their ‘INHERITANCE’ is assured by the words of verse 15 when Paul writes “he himself shall be saved yet as by fire” – the reason the ‘INHERITANCE’ is assured is because it is guaranteed by the finished work of Christ and not by the work of the believer.

As I said at the start of this article, it was prompted by the public teaching in newspaper articles and entries in our ministry guest book of local Roman Catholic priest, Patrick McCafferty, that the Lord’s parable in Matthew 25:31-46 teaches that

‘Those who will be saved are those who served Jesus in the poor and needy. The acid test of a true child of God is this love in action – not what people say – not denouncing others – the Last Judgement will NOT be a Theology exam’

[entry posted by Patrick in the ‘Take Heed’ Ministry guest book on 24 July 2002].

In this parable, having placed “the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left” [verse 33] we read in verse 34 “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father, INHERIT the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”.

As already explained, an ‘INHERITANCE’ is based upon the work and death of another and here this ‘INHERITANCE’, entrance into the Kingdom of God, is secured ALONE by the work at Calvary of Christ, described in Revelation 13:8 as “the lamb slain from the foundation of the world”.

It was God’s eternal purpose to grant as an ‘INHERITANCE’ “eternal life” to those “redeemed… with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world” [1 Peter 1:18-20]. On the Day of Pentecost Peter told the “men of Israel” of Christ “being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God” and told how they took him “and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” him [Acts 2:22-23].

Returning to the parable “the King” goes on then to refer to acts of charity and kindness carried out by “the sheep” and refers to them as having been done unto Him. When questioned by “the sheep” about this “the King” explains that when a kindly act was done “unto one of the least of these, my brethren” in reality it was “done unto me” [verses 35-40].

These kindly acts were evidence that these were truly the good shepherd’s “sheep” and constituted those of whom Christ spoke when He said in Luke 12:32 “Fear not little flock, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom”. The gift of entrance into the Kingdom of God is an ‘INHERITANCE’ based upon the redeeming work of Christ ALONE and evidenced in the life of true ‘born again’ believers by their kindly acts to Christ’s “brethren”.

These kindly acts will in turn earn a ‘REWARD’ in [not ‘of’] the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 10:40 the Lord says “He that receiveth you [a disciple of The Lord – see verse 24] receiveth me” and in verse 42 the Lord says that “whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones [“one of the least of these my brethren” Matthew 25:40] a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple [and consequently in the name of the Lord Himself] verily I say unto you, he shall in no way lose his REWARD’.

Returning once more to the parable, the absence of kindly works done to Christ’s “brethren” by the “goats” – “in as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these [‘my brethren’] ye did it not to me” [verse 45] was evidence that this group were never the Lord’s “sheep” and so had no part in the ‘INHERITANCE’ secured by His redeeming work at Calvary.

Patrick McCafferty wrote

‘Those who will be saved are those who served Jesus in the poor and needy’.

This parable does not teach that. Rather it teaches

[1] That those who are truly saved, INHERIT the Kingdom of God [because of Christ’s life and death ALONE] and

[2] That the evidence of being a true child of God will manifest itself in kindly acts to fellow believers and

[3] That when read in the light of Matthew 10:40-42 these kindly acts will themselves attract a REWARD in [not ‘of’] the Kingdom of God.

• TAKING SHAPE THE RELIGION OF ANTICHRIST

Following the horrors of last September 11, George Bush organised a ‘Coalition Against Terror’ and it is becoming ever more evident that where the truth of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is concerned, the devil is busy organising his own ‘Coalition Against Truth’ and this is forming the nucleus of ‘The Religion of Antichrist’. Fellow ‘contenders’ such as Rob Zins and Roger Oakland have I believe identified how this ‘Coalition Against Truth’ is taking shape before our very eyes. In an article entitled ‘Wrong On Both Ends’ Rob Zins astutely shows how Rome now operates since they have fully entered into ecumenical dialogue. They head up a religious coalition that declares a false Christian faith and also defends non-Christian faiths – hence they are ‘Wrong On Both Ends’.

If you would like a copy of this article please contact me

Then, Roger Oakland, in his latest book entitled ‘New Wine and the Babylonian Vine’ [available from us – price £5.50 includes p&p] writes on page 109 – ‘Even the most casual observer of current events can see there is a major shift going on today in the arena of religious discussion. While [professing] Christians are busily redefining what it means to be Christian, other world religions are expanding their boundaries in order to embrace the new Christian that is being redefined. As we begin a new millennium there seems to be an organised effort uniting the religions of the world in a common hope that global peace can be attained here on earth’.

Just consider these headlines from the Roman Catholic Zenit news service

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 20, 2002 (Zenit.org).- Christian, Buddhist, Muslim and Jewish religious leaders met here last week to study ways of promoting collaboration in the wake of January’s Day of Prayer for Peace, held in Assisi. ROME, JULY 16, 2002 (Zenit.org).- With an eye toward addressing the problems of terrorism, poverty and globalization, about 350 Jewish, Muslim and Christian religious and lay leaders will meet in Sicily later this summer… The upcoming meeting in Sicily may also be important for ecumenism. The Orthodox patriarchates of Moscow and Constantinople have confirmed they will send representatives. Ishmael Noko, secretary-general of the World Lutheran Federation, and Suday C. Mbang, President of the World Methodist Council, will attend the meeting, as will dozens of bishops and more than 10 cardinals. Rabbi Rene Samuel Sirat, president of the Conference of European Rabbis, will address the opening session. Muslim representatives will include Iranian Ayatollah Mohammed Ali Taskhiri and Burundian President Pierre Buyoya.

Sicily being ‘Mafia-land’ there are no prizes for spotting the ‘God-Father’