“Which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the Resurrection from the dead.” Romans 1:2-4

Careful Investigation is Encouraged
There is nothing wrong with being cautious and careful when it comes to eternal matters. Indeed there is much in the world that we should be skeptical about. We should not be gullible. There is far too much superstition and ignorance in the world. We should carefully investigate and establish what the facts are. We need to have the courage to face the facts.


​Faith in Facts
Christianity does not require one to make a blind leap into the dark. False religions require blind faith. Christianity is an intelligent step into the light, in response to facts. We do not promote faith in faith, but faith in facts. It is not the amount of faith you have, but in where you place your faith.

How to Identify a False Prophet
The Law of God revealed through the prophet Moses declared: ​“When a prophet speaks in the Name of the Lord if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously, you shall not be afraid of him.” Deuteronomy 18:22

The Incomplete Old Testament
The Old Testament Scriptures are the Word of God. However, they were definitely incomplete. The Old Covenant speaks of a King from the line of David, whose Kingdom will never end. It spoke of all the families of the nations of the earth being blessed by the Seed of Abraham. It spoke of a Prophet like Moses, arising from among the people, whose teaching would be unparalleled. It spoke of a Servant of the Lord, whose death would atone for the sins of His people. Of One who would make a New Covenant between God and men. One who would put the Spirit of the Lord into the hearts of men, so that they could know God personally and have their sins wiped out. It spoke of a Stone, despised by the builders, which would become the chief Cornerstone. It spoke of One like the Son of Man who would receive authority, honour and royal power so that the people of all nations, races and languages would serve Him. It spoke of a Priest of the order of Melchizedek whom the Almighty would call Lord and welcome to His throne. It spoke of a coming Messiah who would be born of the tribe of Judah, from David’s line, in Bethlehem. He would be despised and rejected by the very people He came amongst. He would die among wicked men and His tomb would be supplied by a rich man. Yet He would live again, forever and the Lord’s purpose would succeed through Him. All of this was fulfilled by our Lord Jesus Christ! Not some of it. Not much of it. All of it! Prophecies made by many prophets over a thousand years and more were all fulfilled in One historic Person. A baby born a King, destined to die - that we may have abundant life eternally.

Proclaiming the Future in the Past
“Remember the former things of old, for I am God and there is no other; I am God and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things that are not yet done …”  Isaiah 46:9-10

“I have declared the former things from the beginning; they went forth from My mouth and I caused them to hear it. Suddenly I did them and they came to pass, even from the beginning I have declared it to you; before it came to pass I have proclaimed it to you …” Isaiah 48:3-5

The Old Testament Proclaims Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ, during his earthly ministry, declared: 
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil.” Matthew 5:17

After He had risen from the dead, Jesus appeared to some of His followers on the road to Emmaus “and beginning at Moses and all the prophets He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Luke 24:27

To His disciples Jesus explained: ​
“These are the Words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” Luke 24:44

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me … if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me …” John 5:39-47

Again and again in the Scriptures we read of how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies.

“But all this was done that the Scriptures of the Prophets might be fulfilled.” Matthew 26:56

Jesus began His public ministry by reading a Messianic prophecy from the Book of Isaiah and declaring: “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:21

In the Book of Acts we read that the Apostles taught that Jesus Christ fulfilled the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament.

“But those things that God foretold by the mouth of all His Prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.” Acts 3:18

“To Him all the Prophets witness …” Acts 10:4

Festivals Fulfilled
The Levitical feasts of the Old Covenant are fulfilled in Christ. For example, The Passover is fulfilled in the death of Christ (1 Corinthians 5:7). The feast of First Fruits is fulfilled in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:23). The feast of Pentecost is fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5; 2:4).

Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus
So, what are some of the Messianic prophecies fulfilled in the earthly ministry of Jesus of Nazareth?
After the Fall of Adam and Eve into sin, God promised a Redeemer, born of the seed of woman, who would suffer but He would defeat satan: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:15;

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law.” Galatians 4:4;

“And she will bring forth a Son and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

The Messiah was to be born of a virgin
 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign; behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call His Name Emmanuel.” Isaiah 7:14;

“Behold the virgin shall be with child and bear a son and they shall call His Name Emmanuel, which is translated God with Us.” Matthew 1:23

The Messiah shall be a descendant of Abraham
“In your Seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” Genesis 22:18 (Genesis 12:2-3);

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.” Matthew 1:1

It is most significant that Jesus is called the Son of Abraham, as this points out that He was called to the altar of the Cross. He is also called the Son of David, because He is destined to the Crown and the throne. King of kings and Lord of lords. The first time He came as the Lamb of God, a sacrifice. God himself has provided the Lamb: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” The second time He comes, He will come not as the suffering Servant, the sacrificial Lamb, but as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Messiah was to be born of the line of Isaac
“But God said to Abraham … In Isaac your seed shall be called.” Genesis 21:12;

​“Jesus … the Son of Isaac.” Luke 3:23, 34

So these prophecies identify that the Messiah would come from the Hebrew race and of the line of Abraham and Isaac

The Messiah would be a descendent from Jacob
 “A star shall come out of Jacob, a sceptre shall rise out of Israel …” Numbers 24:17; “Jesus … the Son of Jacob.” Luke 3:23, 34

The Scripture prophesied that the Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah: “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a Lawgiver from between His feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.” Genesis 49:10

(“Jesus … the Son of Judah.” Luke 3:23, 33).

The Messiah would come from the family of Jesse
“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” Isaiah 11:1

(“Jesus… the Son of Jesse.” Luke 3:23, 32).

The Messiah would come from the house of David
“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper and execute judgement and righteousness in the land.” Jeremiah 23:5

(“Jesus … the Son of David…” Luke 3:23, 31).

So, these prophecies tell us that the Messiah would be born of a virgin, from the line of Abraham, descended from Isaac (not Ishmael), from Jacob (not Esau), from the tribe of Judah (eliminating 11/12th of the tribes of Israel as possibilities.), from the family of Jesse and from the house of King David. Now the prophecies become even more specific as to where the Messiah will be born.

The Messiah would be born at Bethlehem
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”  Micah 5:2

(“Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea.” Matthew 2:1)

In Matthew 2:6 the scribes informed King Herod with great assurance that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. It was only fitting that Bethlehem, meaning the house of bread, should be the birthplace of the One who is the Bread of Life.

There are also prophecies that the Messiah would be presented gifts from kings (Psalm 72:10 and Isaiah 60:6). This was partially fulfilled when the wise men from the East came and fell down and worshiped Him, opened up their treasures and presented gifts to the young Jesus (Matthew 2:1-11).

The prophecy of lamentation for slain children (Jeremiah 31:15) was fulfilled when King Herod ordered that all the male children under two years old in the district of Bethlehem be put to death, in order to wipe out the prophesied Messiah (Matthew 2:16-18).

Other Messianic prophecies included that He shall be called Lord
“The Lord said to My Lord, sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies your footstool.” Psalm 110:1

(“For there is born to you this day in the City of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

“He said to them, how then does David in the Spirit call Him Lord, saying; the Lord said to My Lord, sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool? If David then calls Him Lord, how is He his Son?” Matthew 22:43-45).

He shall be a Prophet: (“I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren and will put My words in His mouth and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.” Deuteronomy 18:18)

(“So the multitude said, this is Jesus, the Prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.” Matthew 21:11).

It can be noted that Christ and Moses were both delivered from a violent death in their infancy, both exercised control over the sea, both fed multitudes of people miraculously, both mediated between Yahweh and Israel and made intercession on behalf of sinful people.

“For the Law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17

The Messiah would also be a Priest according to the Order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4)
“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus.” Hebrews 3:1

“So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become a high priest, but it was He who said to Him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten You … You are a priest forever, according to the Order of Melchizedek.’” Hebrews 5:5

The Messiah would be Judge
“For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us.” Isaiah 33:22

(“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from any lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” Titus 2:13-14).

The Messiah will be King
“Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.” Psalm 2:6 (Jeremiah 23:5; Zachariah 9:9),

(“And He has on His robes and on His thigh, a Name with Him: King of kings and Lord of lords.” Revelation 19:16).

The Messiah would have a special anointing of the Holy Spirit
“The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” Isaiah 11:2

(“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold the Heavens were opened to Him and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from Heaven saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’”. Matthew 3:16-17),

The Messiah would be preceded by a messenger who would prepare the way in the wilderness
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert, a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill will go low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth; the Glory of the Lord shall be revealed …” Isaiah 40:3-5

(“John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, ‘Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’ For this is He who was spoken of by the Prophet Isaiah, saying the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight …” Matthew 3:1-3)

His ministry would begin in Galilee
“…the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali … by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the Gentiles.” Isaiah 9:1

(“Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. On leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’” Matthew 4:12-17)

He would work miracles
“Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer and the tongue of the dumb will sing for joy.” Isaiah 35:5-6

(“And Jesus was going about all the cities and the villages, teaching in the synagogues and proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.” Matthew 9:35

“… the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the Gospel preached to them.” Luke 7:22).

He would teach in parables
“I will open My mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old.” Psalm 78:2

(“All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them.” Matthew 13:34).

He would enter Jerusalem on a donkey
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is Just and having Salvation, humble, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of donkey.” Zechariah 9:9

(“And they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt and they set Jesus on him. And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road …” Luke 19:35-37).

The Messiah would enter the Temple
“And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His Temple.”  Malachi 3:1

(“Then Jesus went into the Temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the Temple.” Matthew 21:12)

He would be zealous for God’s House
“Because zeal for Your House has eaten Me up …” Psalm 69:9

(“When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the Temple … and He said … take these things away! Do not make My Father’s House a house of merchandise!”  John 2:15-16

“Then Jesus went into the Temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the Temple and overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, it is written, ‘My House shall be called a House of Prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.’” Matthew 21:12-13).

The Messiah was to be a Stone of Stumbling
“The Stone which the builders rejected has become the chief Cornerstone.” Psalm 118:22

“He will be as a sanctuary, but a Stone of Stumbling and a Rock of offence to both the houses of Israel and a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and many among them shall stumble … “ Isaiah 8:14-15

(“The Stone which the builders rejected has become the chief Cornerstone. Whoever falls on that Stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls it will grind him to powder.” Luke 20:17-18

“Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, the Stone which the builders rejected has become the chief Cornerstone.” 1 Peter 2:7)

He would be betrayed by a friend
“Even my familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate My bread, has lifted up his heel against Me.” Psalm 41:9

(“Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.” Matthew 10:4).

He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12)
“What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you? And they counted out to him 30 pieces of silver.” Matthew 26:15

The blood money would be thrown into God’s House
“So I took the 30 pieces of silver and threw them into the House of the Lord for the potter.” Zechariah 11:13

(“Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the Temple and he departed.” Matthew 27:5 “And they had consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field to bury strangers in.” Matthew 27:7).

He would be forsaken by His disciples
“Strike the Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.”  Zechariah 13:7

(“Then they all forsook Him and fled.” Mark 14:15).

He would be accused by false witnesses
“Fierce witnesses rise up …” Psalm 35:11

(“Now the chief priests, the elders and all the Council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none.” Matthew 26:59-60)

He would be silent before His accusers
“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7

(“And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.” Matthew 27:12).

He would be wounded and bruised
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

He would be beaten and abused
“I gave My back to those who struck Me and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.” Isaiah 50:6

(“Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and the others struck Him …” Matthew 26:67).

He would be mocked
“All who see Me ridicule Me; they shoot out the lip, they shake their head, saying, ‘He trusted in the Lord; let Him rescue Him; let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!’”  Psalm 22:7-8

(“When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head and a reed in His right hand; and they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him …”  Matthew 27:29).

His hands and His feet would be pierced
“They pierced My hands and My feet.”  Psalm 22:16

(“And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him.” Luke 23:33).

He would be executed with thieves
“Because He poured out His soul unto death and He was numbered with the transgressors.”  Isaiah 53:12

(“Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.” Matthew 27:38).

He would intercede for His persecutors
“And He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:12

(“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:34).

He would be rejected by His own people
“He is despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised and we did not esteem Him.”  Isaiah 53:3

His friends would stand afar off
“My loved ones and My friends stand aloof from my plague and My relatives stand afar off.” Psalm 38:11

(“But all His acquaintances and the women who followed Him from Galilee stood at a distance, watching these things.” Luke 23:49)

People would shake their heads at Him
“I have also become a reproach to them; when they look at Me, they shake their heads.” Psalm 109:25

(“And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads.” Matthew 27:39).

His garment would be gambled for
“They divide My garments among them and for My clothing they cast lots.” Psalm 22:18

(“The soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. They said ‘let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be.’ John 19:23-24).

Gall and vinegar would be offered to Him
“They also gave Me gall for My food and for My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink.” Psalm 69:21

(“They gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink and when He had tasted it He would not drink.” Matthew 27:34).

He would cry out: 
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Psalm 22:1

(“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lamasabachthani?’ That is, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:47).

He would commit His Spirit to God
“Into Your hand I commit My Spirit.”  Psalm 31:5

(“And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.’” Luke 23:46).

None of His bones would be broken
“He guards all His bones; not one of them is broken.” Psalm 34:20

(“But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.” John 19:33)

His side would be pierced
“They will look on Me whom they pierced.” echariah 12:10

(“But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear.” John 19:34).

His heart would break
“My heart is like wax; it has melted within Me.” Psalm 22:14

(“But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear and immediately blood and water came out.” John 19:34).

There would be darkness over the land
“And it shall come to pass in that day, says the Lord God, that I will make the sun go dark at noon and I will darken the earth in broad daylight.” Amos 8:9

(“Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.” Matthew 27:45).

Because they calculated the hours from sunrise to sunset this should make the sixth hour to the ninth hour from noon to three o clock in the afternoon.

He would be buried in a rich man’s tomb
“And they made His grave with the wicked – with the rich at His death.” Isaiah 53:9

(“There came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph … and he asked for the body of Jesus … when Joseph had taken the body he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his new tomb.” Matthew 27:57-60).

He would rise from the dead
“For You will not leave My soul in sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” Psalm 16:10

(“… He would raise up the Christ to sit on His throne, He, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the Resurrection of the Christ that His soul was not left in hades, not did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.” Acts 2:30-32).

He would ascend on High
“You have ascended on High.” Psalm 68:18

(“He was taken up and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” Acts 1:9).

He would be seated at the right hand of God. (Psalm 110:1)
“When He had by Himself purged our sins He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High.” Hebrews 1:3

Many Gentiles, including kings, would come to His light
“The Gentiles shall come to Your light and kings to the brightness of Your rising.” Isaiah 60:3

(“For so the Lord has commanded us, I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for Salvation to the ends of the earth. Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the Word of the Lord.” Acts 13:47-48).

These are only some of the over 300 Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. The place of His birth (Micah 5:2), the time of His birth (Genesis 49:10 and Daniel 9:25), the unique manner of His birth (Isaiah 7:14), the manner of His death (Psalm 22:16) and so much more, was prophesied in great detail from 500 to over 1000 years before His birth. All of these prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus Christ and they establish a solid confirmation of His credentials as the Messiah.

“To Him all the Prophets witness …” Acts 10:43

Jesus is the Seed of the woman, born of the virgin, Emmanuel, the Son of God, the Son of Abraham, the Son of David, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Prophet, Priest and King, eternal Judge. He made the blind see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk and the dumb to sing for joy. He cleansed the lepers, healed the sick and raised the dead. He taught in parables. At the appointed time He entered Jerusalem on a donkey and suddenly came to His Temple, cleansing it. He was a Rock of offence and a Stone of stumbling to the Jews, but He became a light to the Gentiles. He was betrayed by a friend, for 30 pieces of silver, forsaken by His disciples, accused by false witnesses, wounded and bruised, smitten and spat upon, mocked and crucified. Yet He rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven. He is seated at the right hand of God the Father in Heaven and He will come again to Judge the living and the dead.

He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, the eternal Judge before whom each one of us will stand. Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, the fulfilment of all Old Testament prophecies.

Have you surrendered your life to Him?
Are you living in obedience to Him?

Do you love Him with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind and with all of your strength?

Is Jesus Christ your Saviour and Lord, or is He your Eternal Judge?

Dr. Peter Hammond
Livingstone Fellowship
Email: mission@frontline.org.za
Email: info@ReformationSA.org

I remember my mother expressing disappointment that I did not talk much about my father. Well, I had avoided speaking about memories of my father so as not to upset my mother. However, I came to understand that she wanted her son to be relating memories of her husband to her grandchildren. When we are around friends and family who are grieving, it is better to recount positive and inspiring memories of the loved one. Sharing happy memories is therapeutic and  an important part of the grieving process.
Studying the Scriptures, it is most encouraging to see that the Lord came to heal the brokenhearted ( Luke 4 :18)and that Christ Jesus took our griefs and sorrows upon himself on the Cross(Isaiah 53:4). When you lose a loved one, Earth becomes now so much poorer and Heaven becomes so much richer and precious.
 
“I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons, neither present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height or depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Roman 8:38-39
 
In sure and certain hope of the Resurrection of the body.
 
Dr. Peter Hammond  (peter@frontline.org.za  )

Wholehearted Obedience to the Lord is Essential
“Be sure to finish the task you were given in the Lord's service.” Colossians 4:17
“According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.” Philippians 1:20
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24. Where God guides, He provides. The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.

Duty is Destiny
As General Thomas Stonewall Jackson often said: “Duty is ours. The consequences are God's.” It is spiritually refreshing to step out in faith. The most healthy habit you can cultivate is the habit of practising responding to the Word of God in obedience. “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ… stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the Faith of the Gospel.” Philippians 1:27

Seize Opportunities
There are horses for those who can ride them.
There are ministries to those who are prepared to serve.
Messages to those who can deliver them.
Missions to those who can complete them.
When it comes to talents and opportunities: “Use it, or lose it!”
Carpe Diem! Seize the day!
​
Peter Hammond
Livingstone Fellowship

​The Power of God at the Mill
Soon the work of the mill had to be stopped because the men came under such conviction of sin that even the strongest men and greatest scoffers in the country, fell powerless under the mighty influence of God’s Holy Spirit. Strong men prostrated themselves face down on the ground and cried out for mercy. And this time it was their wives and daughters who came rushing over to the mill to pray with them. And with tears of joy, they returned thanks to God for His mighty works. As one minister wrote: “Such seeking, asking, striving to enter the Kingdom of God I never saw before.”
 
Children Praising God
As one young girl sang Psalm 51, crowds gathered outside and wept and prayed and came literally walking and leaping and praising God. In Armagh, a young girl of 11 years old entered school lifted her hands and declared: “Oh, I’ve found Jesus! I’ve found Jesus!” The other children began to cry to the Lord for mercy. One minister declared: “A year ago I was preaching to the dead, but now I am preaching to the living.”
 
God is Not Mocked
Some young men planned to mock the Revival by pretending to fall down and be stricken with guilt while others were to call Christians to come and pray for the pretended case of conviction. The first young man to foolishly take part in this blasphemous mocked grief fell dead on the spot. What had begun as a farce ended as a tragedy. The fear of God fell upon the unrepentant.
 
Drunkards Convicted
In Belfast, an old grey-haired man who had pawned his coat to pay for one more bottle of whisky, went into a bar and found a young woman there, on her knees, crying out for mercy. He left the pub declaring loudly that he could not take his whisky there. However, he soon returned and also fell on his knees, calling out to God for mercy. A coachman drew up, went in and was similarly affected. Before long there were five men in the whisky shop calling out to God for forgiveness and mercy, while praying on their knees.

The Presence of God
One minister wrote: “We have now seen the wondrous difference which His presence makes. When He is absent, Christians are cold, ordinances are powerless, cynicism immovable and dead, wickedness prevails. “When He comes in His love, and grace and power, God’s children are lively, tender, loving, fervent, zealous, laborious. The means of grace prove effectual to the salvation of multitudes. Hypocrites are unmasked. The careless alarmed and aroused. The ungodly fly to Jesus. Iniquity abashed hides it head. May the experience of the past stir us up to desire continued outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit.”
 
A Prayer of Surrender
One of the prayers used multiple times in the 1859 Revival was later printed up as a decision card for those who wanted to wholeheartedly surrender to the Lordship of Christ. It read:
 
My decision:
I take God the Father to be my God (1 Thessalonians 1:19)
I take God the Son to be my Saviour (Acts 5:31)
I take God the Holy Spirit to be my Sanctifier (1 Peter 1:2)
I take the Word of God to be my rule (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
I take the people of God to be my people (Ruth 1:16-17)
I likewise dedicate myself wholly to the Lord (Romans 14:7-8)
And I do this prayerfully (Psalm 119:94)
Deliberately (Joshua 24:15)
Sincerely (2 Corinthians 1:12)
Freely (Psalm 110:3)
And forever (Romans 8:35-39).
 
“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God for He will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7
 
And how did this great Revival begin?
 
With a challenge: Can you not do something more for God?
Can you?
Can you not do something?
Can you do not do something more?
Can you not do something more for God?
We can all pray. Most of us can give. Some of us can go. Can we not study the Word of God more? Can we invite some friends or neighbours around for a Bible study? Perhaps you could start a Bible study and prayer fellowship at your work place, school, or neighbourhood? Perhaps you could make regular witnessing a lifestyle choice. To always have tracts and Gospel booklets to put into the hands of people you meet at shops, at petrol stations, at toll gates and police checkpoints. We can sow the good seed of the Word of God in the lives of those we come across. Perhaps we can do more worship? Sing a hymn before work each day. Read the Bible before breakfast. Instead of just revving your engine at a red traffic light, how about using these stops as an opportunity to pray for someone?
 
Carpe Diem! Sieze the day!
 
We can take initiative. Make a plan. “Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.”
 
Expect great things from God! Attempt great things for God!
 
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and forever. Amen.”    Ephesians 3:20-21
 
Dr Peter Hammond
Livingstone Fellowship
P.O. Box 74, Newlands
7725
Tel: (021) 689-4480/1
Fax: (021) 685-5884
Email: info@ReformationSA.org
Website: www.LivingstoneFellowship.org.za
​

Dr. Peter Hammond
Livingstone Fellowship
P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725
Cape Town South Africa
mission@frontline.org.za
www.LivingstoneFellowship.co.za

See also:
Worship in Psalms and Hymns
Reforming Music
Music in Life and Worship
The Christian and Music

God Ordained Work
At the very dawn of history God called man to work. God ordained work before the Fall. Work is not a part of the curse. Adam was commanded to tend the garden before he fell into sin (Genesis 2:15). Labour is a God-given responsibility. Work is not a curse to be avoided, nor is it an undesirable activity only to be pursued when necessary. In the Bible we are commanded to:

“be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed…” 2 Timothy 2:15

Heathen Nations Despised Work
Before the coming of Christ, the heathen nations despised physical work and consigned it to slaves. When Christ was born, half of the population of the Roman Empire were slaves. Three-quarters of the population of Athens were slaves. When Luke visited Athens he noted that

“all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.” Acts 17:21

Jesus Revolutionised Labour
But Jesus revolutionised labour. By taking up the axe, the saw, the hammer and the plane, as a carpenter our Lord imbued labour with a new dignity. Christianity undercut slavery by giving dignity to work. By reforming work Christianity transformed the entire social order. In time this gave birth to the free enterprise system which brought unparalleled prosperity and progress to billions of people.

“The hand of the diligent makes one rich.” Proverbs 10:4

Idolatry in the Workplace
Many in our culture have made an idol out of their work. Instead of seeking to glorify God by co-labouring with Him and serving His creatures, many workaholics and overly-ambitious individuals try to climb the corporate ladder at any cost. Instead of finding their worth as children of the Living God they seek to prove their worth by financial prosperity, or career success, academic degrees or promotions.

True and False Success
However, success in life is measured by how faithfully we love God, our family, our neighbours and God’s creatures - not by work status. God rewards faithfulness. God is more interested in the heart motivations, attitudes and integrity of a person than in his public prestige and position. While careful planning, efficiency and hard work are commendable, nothing justifies unethical work practices, damaging God’s creation, or destroying lives and property. “Success” at any price is a sure recipe for failure. A man whose children are on drugs, whose marriage is on the rocks and whose employees despise his lack of morals, is a failure in God's eyes, even if he is “successful” in business.

“For what advantage is it to a man if he gains the whole world and is himself destroyed or lost?”
Luke 9:25

To the Glory of God
It would be worthwhile for each of us prayerfully to examine our motives for working. Sinful motivations and attitudes would include: a lust for wealth, status, prestige, or power, to avoid responsibilities at home, or just to collect a pay cheque without due concern for the quality of our work. Selfish ambition, greed or careless indolence are equally wicked in the sight of God. On the other hand, God-honouring motives include: the desire to meet the needs of God’s creatures to serve and honour Christ and to glorify our Creator.

There is No Substitute for Hard Work
Our responsibility is to do our work to the very best of our ability, out of love for Christ and to the Glory of God. As the great inventor Thomas Edison (who invented the light bulb and much else) said: “There is no substitute for hard work… I never did anything worth doing by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident; they came by work.”

Devotion to Duty, Dedication and Diligence
A dictionary is the only place where you will find success before work. An idle life and a holy heart are a contradiction in terms. Salvation is a helmet - not a nightcap. Our work should be an overflow of our devotion to God.

Firm Foundations
The foundations for a truly free and prosperous nation can only be laid in characters, minds and lives changed by the grace of God. In order to be successful, a society needs to be made up of honest citizens who will not steal; diligent people who are hardworking and productive; compassionate families who are concerned for their neighbours and responsible workers who will fulfil their obligations and be faithful stewards of public resources.

The Basic Building Blocks of Society
For nations to be strong their families need to be strong. For governments to be good their citizens need to be good. Those who cannot control themselves are not capable of ruling over a city (Proverbs 16:32). Those who cannot manage their household well are not qualified to lead others (1 Timothy 3:4-5).

For this reason, the message of

“repentance and forgiveness of sins must be preached… to all nations.”
Luke 24:47

The Church is to

“make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”
Matthew 28:19-20.

Each one of us needs to:

“...be transformed by the renewing of your mind; that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:2

Dr. Peter Hammond

Livingstone Fellowship
P.O. Box 74
Newlands 7725
Cape Town
South Africa
Tel: 021-689-4480
Email: mission@frontline.org.za
Email: info@ReformationSA.org

Books, Audios,Data Disks and boxsets are available from
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Our Lord was Also Tempted
“For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” Hebrews 2:18. Because our High Priest, our Lord Jesus Christ, was tempted, He is able to help us. He understands temptation. We do not have a God, a Saviour, a Redeemer, a High Priest, who cannot understand what it is to be tempted.
 
Rejoice As you Resist Temptation
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” James 1:2. What is joyful about trials and temptations? The suffering is temporary, but the glory of victory is eternal. Smooth seas do not make skilful sailors. How are we to be stronger, better, able to fight the good fight if we do not know what it is like Pilgrim, to go through the valley of the shadow of death, fight Apollyon; climb Hill Difficulty, be trapped by Giant Despair in Doubting Castle; escape from Bypass Meadow; get out of Vanity Fair, etc. All of these obstacles, which seem grievous and difficult, can make one stronger. At the end, Pilgrim is a soldier in the full armour of God able to resist Apollyon, because of what he went through, which includes failures and defeats. We should count all suffering joy. If you see a lion with battle scars across his face, just remember this shows that the lion was stronger than whatever tried to kill it. “Knowing that the testing of your Faith produces patience.” James 1:3
 
Purged, Purified, Prepared and Powerful
Like people who have gone through a plague. Ulrich Zwingli came through the plague in Zurich, he suffered from it and though he was going to die. He came out of it, not just physically stronger, but spiritually on fire and launched the Reformation. “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12
 
Hard Assignments are a Privilege
This reminds one of Judges chapter 2: God allowed those gentiles to surround the children of Israel, that he might test them to see if they love Him. Sometimes the battles, tests and pressures are a privilege. In the military, a hard assignment is a sign of greater favour, it is an honour. “The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the Day of Judgment.” 2 Peter 2:9​

Flee Temptation
In the Confessions of a Shopaholic movie, the shopaholic finds mannequins in the shop window irresistible, she goes and compulsively buys whatever is on sale until she learns to resist temptation and walk on by. “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and cares of this life and that Day come on you unexpectedly.” Luke 21:34
 
Standfast
Time and again we see good examples in the Bible of those who resisted temptation: Daniel, Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego. We need to have an attitude of: Get thee behind me satan! For it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve! “And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” Romans 6:13
 
“Therefore, take up the whole Armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13
 
Dr. Peter Hammond
Livingstone Fellowship
P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725
Cape Town South Africa
mission@frontline.org.za
www.livingstonefellowship.co.za
www.hmsschoolofchristianjournalism.org

 
See also:
Full Salvation
Do Not Settle for Less Then God's Very Best
Reclaiming Surrendered Ground
What Really Matters?
The Fire of Pentecost
​

​“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones…  My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:5-12
 
The Worst Pope
When Professor Martin Luther was asked which pope had caused him the most trouble, he replied, “Pope self – the pope who sits on the throne in my heart. No pope in Rome has caused me as much trouble as I have caused myself!”
 
The Most Trouble
When “the Prince of Preachers,” Charles Spurgeon had built up Baptist Tabernacle to over 5,000 members, he was asked, which member gave him the most trouble? Without hesitation, he responded, “Charles Spurgeon!” “You mean you have a member here who has the same name as yourself?” “I refer to myself,” explained Charles Spurgeon. “No one has given me more trouble than I have given myself.”
 
Self-Destructive
This is true for ourselves personally, for families, for congregations, for denominations, organisations, companies, countries and continents. The worst wars are civil wars. The United States of America lost more men killed in action in the war between the States of 1861 to 1865, than in all the other foreign wars it has ever fought, including the First and Second World War, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Iraq War, combined. More South Africans are murdered every year than died in the First World War, Second World War and Angolan War combined.

​Devastating Europe
Fratricidal wars, the Wars of Religion, the 30-Years War and the World Wars devastated Europe more than any external enemy could ever have done. All too often, we spend more time fighting those closest to us, with whom we are in general agreement on most things, than real enemies of the Faith.
 
Misplaced Priorities
Most Christians spend more time:
Publishing scandals than proclaiming Salvation;
Focussing on differences rather than focussing on Discipleship;
Most are so busy being fault-finders, that they are seldom good-finders.
 
Misdirecting Time and Energy
Most Christians spend more time:
Criticising than challenging;
Complaining than complimenting;
Backbiting than blessing;
Slandering than serving;
Sharing gossip than sharing the Gospel;
Breaking down than building up;
Doing mischief than Missions;
Being more envious than Evangelistic.

​ The Curse of Selfishness
The middle letter of sin is “I”. The middle letter of pride is “I”. The middle letter of lie is “I”. At the heart of sinfulness is selfishness. Hence, the Bible tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding… Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:5,7
 
Getting our Priorities Straight
There is a tremendous need for humility, grace, mercy, unity and vision. To keep the main thing the main thing.
 
You Are Responsible for Your Reaction
Life is only 10% what happens to us and over 90% how we react to it. The Scripture warns us not to trust in our own heart. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12
 
It Is Foolish to Follow Your Heart
Our Lord taught parables to warn those “who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others.” Luke 18:9. “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12. “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26

Deny Yourself, Forsake the world, Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
This is why our Lord Jesus said to His disciples “… ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?’” Matthew 16:24-26
 
The Solution to Selfishness
Selfishness is our greatest enemy. Therefore, the solution is selflessness, self-sacrifice, sacrificial service for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness. We need to develop the habit of saying No! to ourselves and Yes to God. This is the exact opposite of the “follow your heart,” false gospel of the world. Our Lord Jesus Christ says: “deny yourself, take up your Cross, forsake the world and follow Me.”
 
True Discipleship
“And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:27
 
Wholehearted Discipleship
“So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33
 
Dr. Peter Hammond
Frontline Fellowship
P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725
Cape Town South Africa
mission@frontline.org.za
www.FrontlineMissionSA.org
www.LivingstoneFellowship.co.za

See also:
The Hard Words of Jesus
What Really Matters?
The Heart of the Gospel
Do Not Settle for Less Than God's Very Best
​

“Forgive Us and Punish Us!”
The Brazilian spokesman declared: “Our children deserve to be taken from us and forced to be your slaves, to be buried in unmarked graves beneath your cities!” In these, and in many other words, the Brazilians bewailed their guilt, confessed their sin and pleaded with the African delegates to forgive them for this evil and to regard the Brazilians as their own slaves, to do with as they wished.
 
Should Descendants be Held Accountable for The Actions of their Ancestors?
Evidently the Brazilian participants were sincere and their declaration of repentance indicated humility, and a genuine desire to make right the wrongs of long ago. However, as I sat in the auditorium listening to this, the Scripture came to mind: “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” Ezekiel 18:20
 
Confessing Someone Else’s Sin
Were these humble, dedicated Christian Brazilians really personally responsible for the evils of the slave trade? Of course not.
 
Would Two Wrongs Make a Right?
Would it be just for their sons to be sold into slavery in this generation? Would such a wrong make right the wrongs of long ago?
 
Is it Biblical?
Then one of the African participants made the comment that it was a pity that this apology had not come from the delegates from Europe, or the United States of America.
From the nodding heads and exclamations of agreement all around me, it was evident that many in the auditorium agreed with this sentiment.  But is it Biblical?
 
Sin is Specific and Personal
In the Bible sin is very specific. It is the violation of the Law of God. Repentance in the Bible is specific and personal. We are guilty when we disobey one of God’s Commandments. Sin is failing to worship God alone, it is making, or worshiping, an idol, taking God’s Name in vain, desecrating the Sabbath, dishonouring our parents, taking innocent life, committing adultery, stealing, bearing false witness and being covetous. In the Bible guilt and repentance are specific and personal, not vague and national.
 
Restitution is to be From the Villain to the Victim
There was some discussion about the needs for restitution from America and Europe for the slave trade, but Biblical restitution is to be made by the culprit to the victim – directly and entirely. Restitution is not meant to be some political scam, a cover for corruption, where restitution is demanded from people who didn’t do the crime, to be distributed to people who weren’t the victims.
 
What about the Ongoing Arab Slave Trade?
If the 300 year European and North American involvement in the Atlantic Slave Trade was to be discussed, then why not the 1,400 year Arabic involvement in the Slave trade in North Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, in the Indian Ocean and the Middle East?
 
The African Slave Trade
In fact, as the president of Benin pointed out some years ago, everyone in Africa is descended from those who were both the victims of the slave trade, and descended from those who were participants in the slave trade. It is a fact of history that almost every tribe in Africa practised slavery, as part of their criminal justice system, and enslaved neighbouring tribes. The Yao people of Malawi carried out slave raids on the Bemba and Chichewa of Zambia. The Madagascans enslaved Mozambicans.  The Ovambo enslaved the Bushmen. The Matebele enslaved Shona people. Congolese tribes enslaved the Pygmies. In Loziland, the paramount chief of the Barotse abolished slavery only in 1906. Ethiopia abolished slavery in 1942. Saudi Arabia only abolished slavery in 1962. Peru abolished slavery in 1968 and India only in 1976. Yet, there are still officially over 27 million slaves in the world today, mostly in the Muslim world.
 
Britain’s Legacy of Setting the Captives Free
It seemed most unreasonable to single out Great Britain in demands for reparation, for her disgraceful involvement in the slave trade, considering that it was Britain who first pioneered the abolition of the slave trade from 1807. From 1809 the British government mobilised its navy to search suspected slave ships, even foreign vessels, on the high seas. For a century, the Royal Navy was dedicated to setting the captives free, going far beyond clearing the oceans of slave ships, to boldly sailing up unchartered rivers and creeks to storm slave stockades, freeing captives at every turn. The British representative at the Congress of Vienna insisted on Abolition of the slave trade being included in the International Treaty. After the Battle of Waterloo, this treaty was signed by all the European powers (with the exception of Portugal), on 9 June 1815.
 
War Against Slavery
For anyone to demand of Great Britain a further apology, for its part in the transatlantic slave trade, betrays an ignorance of history. Britain’s involvement in the slave trade, from 1713 – 1807, was indeed disgraceful. But, led by William Wilberforce, the British nation more than atoned for its guilt in this vile trade in human flesh, by not only setting every slave in Britain free in 1772, but by outlawing the slave trade in 1807, mobilising her navy to suppress the slave trade throughout the 19th Century, and setting free all slaves in any territory in which Britain had influence, or control, in 1833.  No other nation has done more than Great Britain in fighting and opposing the slave trade.
 
British Restitution
The British spent millions of pounds in suppressing the slave trade, and sacrificed much blood in fighting to set the captives free. Britain also invested vast amounts of money into developing Sierra Leone as a free and independent state, where liberated slaves could settle.
 
American Restitution
The United States, for their part, engaged in a bloody civil war, in part to set all slaves free, at a cost of over 650,000 of their own people dead. The United States also heavily invested in establishing Liberia as a free state where liberated slaves could settle.
 
White Slaves
Some participants at the congress made the comment that all whites are to blame for the slave trade, yet the word ‘slave’ comes from the East European ‘Slavs’. Most of the slaves in the Roman Empire were white people. St. Patrick, the English missionary to the Irish, was once a slave himself, kidnapped from his home in England and taken to Ireland against his will. Millions of whites were enslaved by Muslims throughout the Middle East from the 7th Century onwards. Many were kidnapped from coastal towns by Muslim pirates. In 1526, over 200,000 Hungarian Christians were dragged off to slavery in Turkey.
 
The Blame Game
If all whites are to blame for the slave trade, which a few whites, over 200 years ago, were involved in, are all blacks to blame for the murders and massacres which many tribes engaged in over the last 200 years? What about the Arabs, who are still involved in the slave trade today?
 
Blaming the Benefactors
Considering that many whites opposed the slave trade, and that the British Empire did the most to end the slave trade, is it reasonable to blame Britain for an evil that she vigorously fought against, and eradicated, throughout the 19th Century? What about great emancipators, such as Dr. David Livingstone, Samuel Baker, Dr. James Kirk, Henry Morton Stanley, and other dedicated emancipators who set countless captives free?
 
Ignoring Past Accomplishments and Present Realities
Are claims for restitution from Great Britain and the United States reasonable, when both these nations abolished the slave trade over 200 years ago? Bearing in mind that both Britain and the United States have invested many billions of pounds and dollars into developing Africa, should the demands for restitution not more rightly be demanded from the Arab world which has been enslaving Africans and waging Jihad against Christians to the present day?
 
How Far Back do we Go?
How far are we to go in corporate and national guilt? Must the Italians repent for, and do restitution for, the devastations, wars, aggressions and enslavement of the Roman Empire?
 
Must the Greeks do restitution for the conquests of Alexander the Great?
Are the Iranians to do restitution for the invasions and oppression by the Persians?
 
Are the Danes and Norwegians responsible for the death and destruction caused by the Viking raids?
 
What restitution should be required of the French for the devastation caused by the Napoleonic wars?
 
What about the Japanese for atrocities committed in World War 2?
 
Have the British and Americans undertaken sufficient restitution for bombing whole cities like Hamburg and Dresden, incinerating hundreds of thousands of men, women and children in civilian centres?
 
What about Contemporary Crimes?
What restitution has been done by the United Nations and Organisation of African Unity for destroying Rhodesia and installing Mugabe’s murderous regime in Zimbabwe?
 
What restitution have the Cubans undertaken for the wholesale atrocities and massacres perpetrated in Angola?
 
Have the World Council of Churches and their associate members duly repented, apologised publicly and undertaken restitution for supporting and financing terrorists who murdered missionaries in Rhodesia?
 
Have the Congolese undertaken national repentance for the massacres of hundreds of missionaries and tens of thousands of Christians in the Sumba Uprising in the 1960s?
 
Have the Kenyans apologised, and repented for, the Mau Mau murders and mutilations?
 
What about ANC supporters for the petrol bombs, necklace murders, landmines and car bombs?
 
Are Whole Races Guilty for the Crimes of Some?
If all whites are guilty for what some whites did over 200 years ago did, are all blacks guilty for what some blacks have done in murders and mutilations of missionaries and farmers more recently?
 
It is Unreasonable to Blame Christians for what Pagans Have Done
No, it is not reasonable to blame Protestant Christians for what Catholic Inquisitors and Conquistadors may have done centuries ago. Christian whites are not responsible for what pagan whites have done at other times and places. It is not fair to blame Christian blacks for what non-Christian blacks have perpetrated.
 
Psychological Guilt
Biblically, true guilt is when I personally violate a specific Command in Scripture. False guilt, or psychological guilt, is a result of selected focus, distortion of reality and ignorance of history. It is vague and it involves guilt manipulation.
 
Forgiveness and Freedom
When we repent of our personal guilt in violating God’s Commands the result is forgiveness, freedom, healing and restoration. However, you can repent for false, or psychological, guilt every day for decades, but you will never find freedom and forgiveness from false guilt – because the devil is a hard taskmaster.
 
Condemnation Enslaves
The Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin, but the devil brings condemnation. You can easily tell the difference. Conviction by the Holy Spirit leads to Repentance. On the other side of repentance is forgiveness, freedom, healing and restoration. By way of contrast, condemnation from the devil and his disciples paralyses and enslaves us.
 
Is Colonialism to Blame?
At the congress I also heard some people grumbling about colonialism. However, the blaming of all the ills of Africa on colonialism reveals an ignorance of history. Much of Africa was not colonised, but became protectorates as part of the European crusade against the slave trade. Sudan was once a colony of Egypt, but never of Britain. Sudan became a protectorate of Great Britain. Similarly, Lesotho and Swaziland were never colonies, but protectorates. Britain’s involvement in Malawi was primarily to end the slave trade there and set the captives free.
 
To End Slave Raids
Most of North Africa came under European control in response to raids by Muslim Barbary pirates on Southern Europe. The colonisation of North Africa began as campaigns to close down the slave markets and prevent the ports of North Africa from being used for slave raids on Southern Europe.
 
Developing a Continent
The fact is that Africa was in a desperate state in the mid 19th Century. Yet, in a few generations, European involvement brought about a dramatic improvement in the standards of living of millions of Africans - many benefits and blessings of civilisation, medicine, literacy, education, roads, railways, bridges, aircraft, telecommunications, trade and industry, tourism, jobs, employment, freedom and the Gospel.
 
Benefits and Balance
On balance it is clear that there were far more benefits and blessings to the European involvement in Africa than burdens. Never, in all of history, has any continent done more to aid in the development of another continent. Future historians will look back in amazement at how Europe benefited Africa in less than a century. European settlers fed the starving, cared for the sick, liberated nations in bondage and uplifted the standards of living to unprecedented levels.
 
Rewriting History
Yet, another example of guilt manipulation can be seen in a most dishonest book, which is being promoted on shelves at this time: “The Kaisers Holocaust.” What this book ignores is the context of centuries of incessant inter-tribal genocide and the ravages of the Herero and Damara who were annihilating and enslaving the other tribes of South West Africa (Namibia). Local chiefs pleaded with the missionaries to request colonial intervention. The Rhenish Mission requested the involvement of Great Britain, but their colonial authorities claimed that they were too thinly spread and overcommitted elsewhere. Aside from annexing Walvis Bay, the only potential sea port on the coast, the British had no further interest in South West Africa.
 
German Intervention
At this point the missionaries approached the German Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, who persuaded the Kaiser to send a small detachment to attempt to bring peace to the warring tribes of South West Africa. This they achieved in a remarkably short time. When the Herero revolted against this new rule of law the result was the War of 1904 to 1905. Missionaries, settlers and officials were murdered and mutilated and the Kaisers’ soldiers responded with decisiveness to put down the rebellion. This was done to the applause and approval of the other tribes in South West Africa who had all suffered for far too long at the hands of the Herero and Damara. That this defensive war has now been reinterpreted in such a sinister and manipulative way is outrageous. “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight.” Isaiah 20:21
​
Ignorance Leads to Exploitation
Ignorance of history makes one susceptible to guilt manipulation. Communism not only seeks to re-write history, but to hijack and pervert Christianity. Both in the Soviet Union and Red China the commissars set up public confessions where landowners would confess to being “bourgeois” “enemies of the people”. Public repentance and confession sessions to humiliate the previous elite, and thereby to lift up the Commissar and Communist Party members, was seen as part of “class warfare.”
 
National Repentance
There is a place for national repentance before God. Ezra 9, Nehemiah 9, and Daniel 9 are examples where prophets led the people of God in repentance of behalf of the sins of the nation. However, this repentance was based upon specific transgressions of God’s Law and this national guilt was confessed to God, not to men.
 
Personal Repentance
When we are guilty of breaking God’s Commandments we must humble ourselves, seek God’s face, turn from our wicked ways and pray. We should humbly kneel before God in full surrender, praying the Psalms, working through the Ten Commandments, listing out our sins and naming them in repentance and confession before Almighty God.
 
Restitution
Then we should do Restitution, such as Zacchaeus, returning, repairing and restoring. Reconciliation with family members and friends is also a natural outworking of Repentance before God. We should list the people with whom we need to make right with. Make that appointment. Initiate that phone call. Write that letter.
 
Are You Personally Guilty?
Are you guilty of idolatry? Blasphemy? Disrespect? Desecrating the Lord’s Day? Malice? Immorality? Theft? Greed? Gossip? Pride? Envy? Covetousness? Selfishness? Bitterness? Unforgiveness? If God was to speak to you today, what sins would He confront you with? You know He wouldn’t be bringing up other people’s sins from long ago. He would be dealing with what you personally are responsible for and guilty of. “The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.”
 
Ensure that Your Relationship with God is Right
We have enough sins of our own that we are personally guilty of, without wasting our time following the political agenda of guilt manipulators seeking to get rich out of other people’s misfortune.
 
 “If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free … Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:31-35
 
“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him when He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man His thoughts; let him return to the Lord and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”
 
Dr. Peter Hammond
Frontline Fellowship
P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725 Cape Town South Africa; Tel: 021-689-4480
Email: mission@frontline.org.za; Website: www.frontline.org.za
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