VOICE OF ISRAEL - IDENTITY BELIEVERS IN ULSTER

"FOR THE LORD WILL NOT FORSAKE HIS PEOPLE FOR HIS GREAT NAME'S SAKE; BECAUSE IT HATH PLEASED THE LORD TO MAKE YOU HIS PEOPLE." - (1 SAMUEL 12:22)

PREPARING CHILDREN FOR NEW WORLD ORDER

Former U.S. Congressman Peter Hoagland says (12/97 Frontline): "fundamental Bible-believing people do not have the right to indoctrinate their children in their religious beliefs because we, the State, are preparing them for the year 2000 when America will be a part of a one-world order global society and their children will not fit in." (Calvary Contender)

BRITAIN FUNDS YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL

There is no denying that some horrible acts of savagery were perpetrated during Yugoslavia's civil war. However, as usual, the British Government is using British taxpayers' money to pay for the War Crimes Tribunal set up in The Hague. Tony Blair has authorised a "donation" of £200,000 towards the cost of the tribunal. Now Tony Lloyd, junior Foreign Office Minister, has announced a "witness protection scheme" which will provide "new identities, homes and jobs" for reluctant witnesses. This should ensure a plentiful supply of witnesses - but what it does for the truth is another matter, to say nothing of it being a waste of more British taxpayers' money.

DOUBTFUL MARTYRS

Statues of ten 20th-century Christian martyrs, including Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Luther King, are to be installed in the main (west) front of one of Britain's most historic churches, Westminster Abbey, in central London. The ecumenical range of stone figures will fill niches that have been vacant ever since the abbey's west front was completed in the late Middle Ages, more than 500 years ago. They will take their place alongside statues installed after the restoration of the west front was completed in 1992: six statues of traditional saints and four representing the values for which the martyrs died - Truth, Justice, Mercy and Peace.

ANOTHER MULTI-FAITH SERVICE

The Government is pressing for a multi-faith ceremony to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the National Health Service in Westminster Abbey next July, in the face of opposition from leading Christians in the General Synod and the medical profession. The spiritual health of the Health Service will come under the spotlight if plans for a multi-faith celebration next July come to fruition.

Church of England Newspaper 5^th Dec. 1997)

A hymn by Timothy Dwight in our hymnal goes:

"I love Thy Kingdom, Lord, The house of Thine abode, The Church our blest Redeemer saved With His own precious blood."

It is a common error to equate the Kingdom of God with the Church. The Church is the Body of Christ, made up of believers. It is not temporal nor material, but eternal and spiritual. The Kingdom of God begins with the application of heavenly principles to human government. God's Kingdom is political and geographical because it has policies and a place. It is comprised of people and a king, just as it had when David was king over Israel. Jesus is to assume the throne of His father David ( LUKE 1:32, ISAIAH 9:7). God's Kingdom comes on earth when God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven. This is what Christians have been taught to pray for for two thousand years. Heaven is wherever God is. The songwriter got it right when he wrote: "Where Jesus is, 'T'is heaven there." Heaven is the spiritual realm of God, but not the material abode of the ungodly. Unlike the Kingdom, heaven has no physical, material, geographical or political entity, anymore than God does. The Kingdom of Heaven is not in heaven, but comes down from heaven to earth (REVELATION 21:2, 10). This heavenly Kingdom is composed of an earthly realm and some worldly people living by divine principles. The Kingdom of God was the most important subject of Christ's earthly ministry. When John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness, he proclaimed, " Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (MATTHEW 3:2). Jesus continued this Gospel of the Kingdom with the same premise: "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." (MATTHEW 4:17) The Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew is synonymous with the Kingdom of God in other parallel passages (MARK 1:14,15; 9: 1,47; 10:14,15,23,24,25; 12:34; 14:25; 15:43; also in LUKE 8:10; 10:9; 11:20; 18:24). Wherever Matthew uses the term "Kingdom of Heaven", Mark, Luke and John call it the "Kingdom of God". All these passages refer to a literal, material, geographical, physical, political and earthly realm containing both good and bad elements and people who are destined to be purged, cleansed, purified, perfected into an ideal, plentiful, peaceful and glorious place for God's redeemed people under their Redeemer and King! To equate this Kingdom with the Church or with heaven is to distort the Scriptures. The principles of God's Kingdom are spiritual, but the application of these ethereal ethics to the earthly realm is very practical and powerful. The Companion Bible (Appendices 112, 113, 114) contains some useful outlines to show the Scriptural distinctions between God's Kingdom and the Church. There are seven terms used to refer to this Kingdom in the Bible, and none of them refer to the Church, which is the spiritual "Body of Christ" .

"Kingdom of heaven" is used only in Matthew 32 times, and whenever a parallel passage is found in another Gospel, "Kingdom of God" is used.

"Kingdom of God" as used by the Gospel writers always refers to God's sovereignty over all, His universal moral rule, from the beginning and without ending.

"Kingdom of the Father" (as in MATTHEW 13:43 in the parables of the Kingdom) relates to the rule of the righteous in the cleansing of the Kingdom from impurities and offences.

"Kingdom of His dear Son" is the Apostle Paul's reference to the sovereignty of Christ as Creator over His Creation and Creatures (EPHESIANS 1: 10,22; 5:5; and COLOSSIANS 1:13).

"Kingdom of the Son of Man" describes the coming Kingdom of Christ (MATTHEW 16:28) on the throne of David (ISAIAH 9:7) for redeemed Israel forever (DANIEL 7:13-14,18,22).

"Everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" is Peter's term for the outward display of Christ's glorious reign at His Second Coming, which could be inwardly anticipated and experienced now (II PETER 1:3). Christ gave the keys, or secret, of this Kingdom to Peter (MATTHEW 16:19).

"Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ" is used in Revelation (11:15) to portray prophetically the wonderful reign of the King of kings over the kingdoms of this world.

In addition, The Companion Bible "Study helps" also lists these ten Scriptural reasons why the Kingdom of God cannot be the same as the Church of Christ.

The subjects or citizens of the Kingdom are called "heirs" to whom the Father gives the Kingdom (JAMES 2:5; MATTHEW 25:34; LUKE 12:32). Nothing like this is said of the Church. The members of the Church are not heirs of the Church; they are not even given a Church.

Jesus said His disciples were to "receive the Kingdom" (LUKE 19:12) and be "appointed a kingdom" (LUKE 22:29). This is never said of the Church which belongs to Christ, the Head.

The Church's officers and ministers are called pastors, elders, deacons or teachers. (EPHESIANS 4:11; ACTS 14:23; JAMES 5:14; 1 TIMOTHY 3:8-12). None of these terms are used of officials in the Kingdom.

The Greek "basileia" is translated Kingdom only four times in the plural, while the Greek word "ekklesia" is translated "Church" 115 times, and 36 times in the plural. There is no crossing over of meanings in these translations.

Jesus speaks of the "children of the kingdom" (MATTHEW 13;38; 8:12). He never mentions the children of the Church.

The names of the Church, His Body, (EPHESIANS 1:23) are never used for the Kingdom - a building, a holy temple(EPHESIANS 2:21), one body, one spirit (EPHESIANS 4:4),members of His body, His flesh, His bones (EPHESIANS 5:30), the House of God (I TIMOTHY 3:15).

"Partakers of the heavenly calling" is a privilege of the members of the Church, the "Body of Christ" (HEBREWS 3:1) but the "saints" are to rule and reign with Christ over His Kingdom (DANIEL 7:18,22,27). They take the Kingdom and possess it (REVELATION 5:10; 20:4,6). No such things ever occur with the Church.

The Church is now here on earth awaiting its heavenly call (PHILIPPIANS 3:11,14). The Kingdom is not here yet, but awaits the King from heaven (HEBREWS 2:8).

The Church is a secret, a mystery hidden until the time it is to be revealed (ROMANS 16:25; EPHESIANS 3:9; COLOSSIANS 1:26). The Kingdom is the subject of much prophecy and many parables (MATTHEW 13:24,31,33,44,45,47), revealed to the disciples of Christ (v.13-14).

Their characteristics are different:

THE KINGDOM	THE CHURCH
CHRIST IS ITS KING	CHRIST IS ITS HEAD
SAINTS ARE ITS CITIZENS	MEMBERS ARE HIS BODY
IS A GEOGRAPHICAL PLACE	UNIVERSAL, CATHOLIC
IS PHYSICAL	IS SPIRITUAL
GOVERNED BY DIVINE LAWS	COVERED BY COVENANT CREED
CONTAINS GOOD AND BAD	MADE UP OF RIGHTEOUSNESS ONLY
IMPERFECT AT FIRST	IS PERFECT, HOLY
TO BE CLEANSED BY BLOOD	IS CLEAN BY HIS BLOOD
CONDUCTS WARFARE	CONDITION OF PEACE

The Church is in the Kingdom, but the Kingdom is not in the Church. The Church is sanctified by the Word, and without spot or wrinkle or blemish (EPHESIANS 5:24-27). The Kingdom is infiltrated by the Devil and contains weeds who are children of the Wicked ( MATTHEW 13:38-39). The Kingdom is to be cleansed and the wicked and offensive things removed (MATTHEW 13:41, 47-50). Jesus told us to seek first the Kingdom of God, and other things would follow (LUKE 12:31). The kingdoms of this world are to become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever( REVELATION 11:15). This good news that proclaims the coming of the King and His Kingdom is called the Gospel of the Kingdom (MATTHEW 4:23; 9:35) - but God's Kingdom is not to be confused with the Church.

A SEAL SETS VALUE ON OTHERWISE VALUELESS MATERIAL: So we, sealed by the Spirit, become precious and important as God's marked-out ones.

A SEAL NEEDS YIELDING MATERIAL ON WHICH TO WORK: Clay retains the seal's imprint as it is soft (JOB 38:14) - So with our hearts and lives.

A SEAL REPRODUCES ITS OWN IMAGE IN FORMLESS CLAY: (II Corinthians 3:18). We are changed from glory into glory by the Spirit.

A SEAL IS A MARK OF OWNERSHIP: (The Roman Emperor set his own seal on that which was for his own use. We are the special property of God.

A SEAL IS A GUARANTEE OF CONTENTS: So the Holy Spirit is our guarantee and confirmation (GALATIANS 4:6; I JOHN 4:13)

A SEAL IS A SYMBOL OF PROTECTION: Sealed by the Spirit, we are under Divine protection every step of the journey (EPHESIANS: 4:30; Psalm 105:14,15).

A SEAL INVESTS A DOCUMENT WITH AUTHORITY: (ESTHER 8:10). So we bear a message from the King. The Spirit confirms the Word (Mark 6:20; HEBREWS 2:4).

"I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen…and they sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth" - (REVELATION 1:18; 5:5-10).

We read in the papers, we hear on the air

Of killing and stealing and crime everywhere.

We sigh and we say as we notice the trend

"This young generation! Where will it all end?"

But can we be sure that it's their fault alone?

That maybe most of it isn't really our own?

Too much money to spend, too much idle time

Too many movies of passion and crime;

Too many books not fit to be read

Too much evil in what they hear said;

Too many children encouraged to roam

By too many parents who won't stay home.

Kids don't make the movies; they don't write the books

That paint a gay picture of gangsters and crooks.

They don't make the liquor; they don't run the bars,

They don't make the laws, nor make high-speed cars.

They don't make the drugs that addle the brain;

It's all done by older folk greedy for gain.

Thus in so many cases, it must be confessed,

The label "Delinquent" fits Older Folk best.

Source Unknown

Attend every service	Hebrews 10:25	Be studious while in services	Isaiah 2:3
Be reverent	Hebrews 12:28, Psalm 11:4, Psalm 95:6	Sing praises	Psalm 100:1, 2, 4
Be prayerful	Acts 3:1, Isaiah 56:7	Urge others to attend	Numbers 10:29
Be sacrificial	Psalm 96:8-9	Rejoice in your privileges	Psalm 122:1, Psalm 84:10

SATURDAY - 18^th APRIL - 3.00 p.m.	APPRENTICE BOYS OF DERRY PARADE TO AND RALLY AT MARBLE ARCH
SUNDAY - 19^th APRIL - 11.00 a.m.	ORANGE STREET CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH (BEHIND THE NATIONAL GALLERY)
SATURDAY - 2^nd MAY - 2.00 p.m.	BRITISH-ISRAEL BIBLE TRUTH FELLOWSHIP CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN ORANGE STREET CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

THE EMPTY TOMB	LUKE 24:3, 12; JOHN 20:4-9
THE WITNESS OF THE ANGEL	MATTHEW 28:2-7
THE APPEARANCE OF JESUS TO MARY MAGDALENE	JOHN 20:11-18
HIS APPEARANCE TO THE WOMEN	MATTHEW 28:9
HIS APPEARANCE TO PETER	LUKE 24:34
HIS APPEARANCE TO THE TWO DISCIPLES	LUKE 24:13-35
HIS APPEARANCE TO THE ELEVEN	MARK 16:14
THE WITNESS OF THOMAS	JOHN 20:24-31
THE APPEARANCE OF JESUS IN GALILEE	JOHN 21:1
HIS APPEARANCE TO JAMES	I CORINTHIANS 15:7
HIS APPEARANCE TO FIVE HUNDRED BRETHREN	I CORINTHIANS 15:6
HIS ASCENSION	ACTS 1:9
THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT	ACTS 2:32-33
THE WITNESS OF THE APOSTLES	ACTS 2:24-36; 3:15; 4:10, 33; 5:30-31; 10:40-41; 13:30-37
THE EXISTENCE OF THE CHURCH	II CORINTHIANS 5:15-17; GALATIANS 2:20; EPHESIANS 2:10; COLOSSIANS 3:1-3
THE APPEARANCE OF JESUS TO STEPHEN	ACTS 7:55-56
HIS APPEARANCE TO PAUL	I CORINTHIANS 15:8
HIS APPEARANCE TO JOHN	REVELATION 1:10-19
THE WITNESS OF CHRIST	REVELATION 1:18; 5:5-10
THE WITNESS OF SCRIPTURE	LUKE 24:44-45; JOHN 20:9; EPHESIANS 1:20-22, 4:9-10; HEBREWS 1:3, 10:12; I PETER 3:21-22

THE LORD'S PRAYER - PART 5	ALL TITLES BY PASTOR ALAN CAMPBELL
THE LORD'S PRAYER - PART 6
THE LORD'S PRAYER - PART 7
CAN THE UNITED KINGDOM SURVIVE?
JEHOSHAPHAT'S PRAYER MEETING - ITS LESSONS FOR ULSTER TODAY
WILL THERE EVER BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST?

NEWTOWNABBEY (RATHCOOLE)	CREDIT UNION HALL, DOAGH ROAD TUESDAYS AT 8.00 p.m. 7^th APRIL and 12^th MAY
PORTADOWN	TOWN HALL MONDAYS AT 8.00 p.m. 6^th APRIL and 18^th MAY
NEWCASTLE	ORANGE HALL SATURDAYS AT 8.00 p.m. 4^th APRIL and 9^th MAY
NEWTOWNARDS	MILL STREET COMMUNITY CENTRE FRIDAYS AT 8.00 p.m. 17^th APRIL and 15^th MAY
PORTGLENONE	CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP CENTRE BALLYNAFIE ROAD THURSDAY 28^th MAY AT 8.00 p.m.
ARMAGH	MARANATHA CHURCH, BARRACK HILL SUNDAYS AT 6.30 p.m. 10^th and 17^th MAY