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Showing posts from October, 2017

sad indeed that day in Eden

"I will put enmity between you and the woman,  and between your offspring and her offspring;  he shall bruise your head,  and you shall bruise his heel."   (Genesis 3:15 ESV) This passage is often called the Proto-evangelium , or the first proclamation of the Gospel.  Here the story-line of the Bible becomes clear... creation, fall, redemption, and final restoration -- the new creation.  Or, as it is put by the Welsh preacher and hymn-writer, William Williams... In Eden -- sad indeed that day -- My countless blessings fled away, My crown fell in disgrace. But on victorious Calvary That crown was won again for me -- My life shall all be praise. Faith, see the place, and see the tree Where heaven’s Prince, instead of me, Was nailed to bear my shame. Bruised was the dragon by the Son, Though two had wounds, there conquered One -- And Jesus was His name. ~ William Williams, aka Pantycelyn   (1717-91)

tribulation in the world

"In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."  (Jn 16:33)   This was true when Jesus uttered these words to his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion.  These words are just as true 2000 years later.  We may have greater knowledge and better technology, but humanity's problems persist: wars, strife, injustice, poverty, lust, anger, fear, loneliness, and despair.   Many people feel that it was (and is) the church's job to change the world for the better, to improve things, to make this world a better place to live.  They would say Christianity has not been the answer to the world's problems, and that the church has held up the world in its progress, and therefore needs to be discarded.  But our Lord did not promise that the world would ever become a  better place or improve over time, even given exposure to the gospel. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, in preaching on John 16, makes these statements... What is your view of what is