• My God is living, intelligent and powerful, and supreme or most perfect.
• My God is a Creator, a Master. I have a personal relationship to a Lord, not to abstract attributes. The world is governed by His providence. It is the perfection of God’s works that they are all done with the greatest simplicity.
• Science is to be pursued for what it can teach me about God, not for easement or commodiousness.
• Nothing is too hard for the omnipotent power of God. The Holy Spirit is that power and the spirit of prophecy.
• I believe that there is one God to whom must be given honour and glory. I believe that He loves His people as His children who should return that love and obey Him as Father. I believe that He is Lord of all things with an irresistible and boundless power and dominion so that I may not hope to escape if I rebel, and that I may expect great rewards if I do His will.
• I believe that my God is the God of the Jews who created the heaven and the earth and all things therein. I thank Him for my being and for all the blessings of this life.
• Jesus Christ is Son of God, son of David, Lamb of God. He is neither God nor a mere man. It is not consubstantiality but God-given power and dominion which gives him the right to be worshipped. Trinitarian doctrine is as outlandish as the papist fancy of transubstantiation.
• The devil is real but not a rival God. It is a symbol of the lusts of the flesh.
• God’s covenant with Abraham was a promise that his seed should inherit the land of Canaan for ever, and on this promise was founded the Jewish religion, and on that is founded the Christian faith. This point is of so great moment that it ought to be considered and understood by all men who pretend to the name of Christians.
• The restoration of the Jewish nation so much spoken of by the old Prophets concerns not the few Jews who were converted in the Apostles’ days but the long dispersed nation of unbelieving Jews who will be converted at the time of the end when the fullness of the Gentiles shall enter and the true Gospel of scripture shall begin to be preached to all nations. Boasting ourselves against the Jews and insulting them for not believing is reprehended by the apostles as high-mindedness and self-conceit.
• The world is inexorably moving toward a cataclysmic end, not of water but of fire, when the works of men will be burned up with fervent heat, with the wicked probably punished thereby. This is to be followed by a renewal, a Millennium, an eternal Sabbath following the Judgement Day. The final return of the Jews’ captivity at the day of judgement will lead to a righteous and flourishing kingdom on earth, to be inhabited by mortals and ruled over by Jesus Christ and those to whom he has given eternal salvation.
• Christ will judge the living and the dead at his coming and his Kingdom. At the same time that the Jews are delivered, many of those who sleep in the dust shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. The saved will be admitted to the new Jerusalem.
• It is a popular opinion that the judgement will be accompanied with a conflagration of the world. Such fancies have been occasioned by understanding in a vulgar and literal sense what the prophets wrote. For in their language, the conflagration of the world signifies the consumption of men’s kingdoms, the world politic, by war. In the Apocalypse it is said that the nations will bring their honour and glory into the new Jerusalem. There is an end of rebellious nations, but not of the beloved city.
• As the linear dimensions of the temple under the kings [of Israel] were double those of the tabernacle under the Judges, so those of the city under the King of Kings will be double to those of the city under the kings.
• When Christ has put all enemies under his feet, the last whereof is death, he will deliver up the kingdom to Almighty God.
• During the Millennium, some will be mortal, and others children of the resurrection. Thus may the whole heavens or any part thereof be the habitation of the Blessed, and at the same time the earth be subject to their dominion as kings and priests on the earth. As a child of the resurrection, I will not be wholly cut off from mortal men, but rule over them, and yet remain in relationship even with the furthermost extremities of the Universe. The fullness of the truth and the manner of these things we shall not understand fully before the resurrection.
• Not all that call themselves Christians will be saved, but a few scattered persons whom God has chosen, such as, without being blinded by interest, education, and human authorities, can set themselves sincerely and earnestly to search after truth.
• It is not from any real uncertainty in Scripture that commentators have so distorted it, and reposing more in human authority, however great and persuasive, than in the word of God, has been the door through which all heresies have crept in and turned out the ancient faith.

Being on the other side of the world, in Canberra the capital of Australia, we went to bed blissfully unaware of events on another continent. We awoke in amazement to find ourselves surrounded by soldiers guarding all government buildings and embassies. It was stunning. How true are those words of Paul: You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly (I Thess. 5:2-3).

We are all affected. Unknowingly, we had travelled on the last flight of a major airline. The crisis was too much for the shaky airline and 48,000 people are jobless. Life in the Caribbean, already beset by tremendous hardships, will now get much worse. "Is that really possible?" you will no doubt respond! Tourism, the one bright spot, will obviously be adversely affected, at least for a time.

As happened so often during the past century, a few evil men with a plan have disrupted the lives of millions.

This morning we are exhorted by the Lord Jesus Christ: "You must be on your guard" (Mark 13:9). The war into which we have all suddenly been plunged is unlike any other man has known. It is not nation rising against nation, with armies and battlefields. Those, as Jesus said, are only the "beginning of birth pains" (v.8). Previous tyrants from Genghis Khan to Napoleon to Mao have had conquest and subsequent rule of nations as their goal. Except for the deliberate victims of genocide, death and destruction have been just a means to that end.

The "western" world is now faced with cunning and merciless enemies, inspired by irrational hate rather than by quest for power, who are self-appointed leaders of an organization stretching half way round the world. As was stated by one prominent Islamic leader the day after the first attack on New York, their immediate goal is the "liberation" of Jerusalem, that burdensome stone for all peoples. But, make no mistake, the long term goal, as proclaimed openly and constantly by these leaders, is total extermination of all those considered infidels who refuse to convert, in particular all Jews and Christians. I doubt they are likely to make nice distinctions between ourselves and many Christians whom we consider astray from scriptural teaching.

This morning we are exhorted by the prophet Isaiah: The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that are exalted, and they will be humbled, for every lofty tower and every fortified wall. The LORD alone will be exalted in that day. A curse consumes the earth. Earth’s inhabitants are burned up. The city is left in ruins: so it will be on the earth and among the nations. By the prophet Zephaniah: I have cut off nations. Their strongholds are demolished. Their cities are destroyed; no one will be left -- no one at all. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger.

We are exhorted by Haggai: I will shake all nations, and the Desired One of all nations will come. By the apostle Paul: The lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will destroy by the splendor of his coming. By Jesus through the apostle John: In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

Obadiah warns us: You should not look down on your brother in the day of his misfortune, in the day of disaster. Christadelphians must share, like all other people of goodwill, the burdens of grief, sorrow and sheer heroism that we have all seen presented so vividly in the media. Jesus’ words in Luke 13:4-5 were never more relevant.

The table of the Lord is an oasis of peace in a world at war. Its Jewish origins are based upon the peace offering, which included a meal consisting of cakes of bread and a cup of wine. It speaks of love and reconciliation. It would truly be ironic if there is not complete unity in contrast with the world’s strife. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always. He will satisfy your needs and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail" (Isa. 58:9-11).

Alan Eyre

In the past few weeks we have seen that red horse and its rider, with power "to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another". We have seen that black horse, too, with people starving. And that pale horse whose name is "Death, with Hell following". Ruthless men want to take what peace we have from the earth again, and fill it with war. We have seen so many images on screen of multitudes all around the world screaming for justice, or vengeance, or just "sounding an alarm," for "the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand" (Joel 2:1).

I have heard of so many of my sisters in the Caribbean who have lost jobs and livelihood since the war began. Some are quite despondent and disheartened.

My message to you is: Read and find your strength and comfort from the "word of God". Maintain your testimony (Rev. 6:9). That was Jeremiah’s message when things got tough in his time: "Who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? Who hath marked his word, and heard it?" (Jer. 23:18).

Pray without ceasing, especially the prayer of Revelation 6:10, a prayer for God to change this unjust world. You do not need to pray in any formal way, just turn your thoughts to God while you are working, or maybe wishing you could be working!

Pray for God’s truth to be spread wider. The persecuted ones in Revelation 6:11 were told that they should "rest" or "wait" (NIV) for a "little season" for their redemption, sustained by the knowledge that God has still more "fellow-servants" to call, and who will respond to the gospel of peace. It is surely like that right now.

One commentator on TV said that since September 11 more people in the world have been praying than ever before. That is a wonderful opportunity for us, because it shows that some people are perplexed, and need hope and assurance. We need not be surprised, for Jesus told us that it must be so (Luke 21:25-26). Let us tell our family and friends and neighbours why we are not troubled like most people by the dreadful events coming on the earth. Today I read the story in Mark 6 of how the disciples were on the sea, "toiling in rowing" like you and I. They thought that because Jesus was not visibly with them in the boat he did not understand their plight. The lesson they learned was that even though Jesus was far away out of sight, communing with his Heavenly Father, they were safe.

So, sisters, do not fret. Do not give in to easy options to solve your problems, like turning to depend on immoral men who will only lead you into trouble. "Be of good cheer; be not afraid" (Mark 6:50). With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm.

Normalyn Wallace

Ahab -- an evil, calculating, self-centred con artist, sometimes manipulated by a diabolical wife inspired by hate, a truly tragic figure. Everything Ahab thinks, says and does is wrapped tightly around the idol of self. He employs four hundred lackeys to bolster his insecure ego. He pouts and sulks until he gets his own way. He plays charade and weeps crocodile tears. He snarls when any little plans of his are frustrated. But unlike the incorrigible Jezebel, he is not utterly and wholly evil. Very occasionally he can be moved to a touch of remorse, but, sadly, not on this occasion.

In my time, I have met people like him. I am sure you have, too. The biblical characterisation of Ahab is obviously that of someone who knew him intimately.

Jehoshaphat -- God-fearing, of great faith, but weak and gullible in one area of his character and occasionally swayed by the unscrupulous. I am sure you know that type of person, too.

Micaiah -- resolute, incorruptible, fearing God alone, a rock-like man of faith. Bribery, persuasion, bullying and threats are useless and move him not, proving that one with God is a majority. At four hundred to one, it seems a lopsided contest of wills. But it is not. The four hundred toadies with one voice say to their royal master, Be victorious. The one can say, If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me. The chapter informs us who won the day, even though it cost Micaiah his freedom and Ahab his life (and very nearly Jehoshaphat his life, too!).

I know some people like Micaiah the prophet. From the abundance of their hearts they speak. They do not betray my trust. God is their refuge, and they are not ashamed.

Faith makes people such as Micaiah what they are. A stubborn, gritty faith. It comes out in all the words they speak. Only what my God says, that will I speak…Hear the word of the LORD…The LORD has decreed disaster for you…and in a sweeping public gesture, Mark my words, all you people!

I know, when I am feeling weak and low, that God wants me to take courage from His prophet Micaiah.