Time with Jesus - Friday, 08 February 2013
Hi all,
Science has never been one of my strong subjects. I do,
however, have a great respect for scientists. It follows that the name
“Einstein” impresses me greatly. But his theory of relativity leaves me
speechless. I’m told that on one occasion he was asked to explain it in words
that just about anyone can understand. He said, “Two seconds sitting on a hot
stove seems much longer than two minutes talking with a pretty girl”. Another
was, “Everything is relative, especially my relatives”.
Now having stated my scientific limitations, perhaps
one or more of you can tell me what cross polarised light is? I remember
Polaroid photographs and polarised sun glasses. How they work and what they do
remains a mystery. But I have been told that cross polarised light is pure
light. I have no problem with the “cross” bit. Also, my imagination tells me
its light that has all its kinks taken out. Hence all you see is “pure light”!
I’m informed that science has only known about polarised light for some ±100 years. I’m also told that in the days when John wrote
the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, polarised light had not even been
imagined. This is why I am compelled to draw our collective attention to
something strange. In the presence of cross polarised light, some precious
stones “glow” with changing colours emitted. Sadly, diamonds go dark and ugly. Science
has a list of precious stones that behave like this. Included are all twelve of
the precious stones listed hereunder from Revelation!
18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass.
19 The wall of the city was built on
foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth
beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. Revelation 21:18-20 NLT
What I’d like to know is, who told the author of the
book of Revelation about cross polarised light? It would be at least 1900 years
before anyone knew about this. Not even a 21st century understanding
of Einstein’s simple story could account for this many years. We are compelled
to conclude that God knew what He was telling John, as he wrote down the things
he saw. For me, this is one of the simplest “proofs” that God is real. Not that
God needs to be proved. But it does help ordinary men and women realise that
God is not a Myth! “QED”!
Blessings,
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – Friday, 08 February 2013
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
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These
devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright
protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it
is for non-commercial Christian purposes
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©
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INTRODUCTION
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DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
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Have you ever read or heard
accounts of men or women taken briefly to see heaven and/or hell? Many
Christians and unbelievers find these visits fascinating and highly
descriptive. Certainly they can and do challenge people to examine their
relationship with Jesus Christ. This is a good thing. The question is, “How
real are they?” None of us can say with any degree of certainty that the one describing
the “event” they really saw and what they claimed to see. Indeed, some of the
statements made by these “visitors” appear to be inaccurate. Most of us have
a tendency to elaborate on what we have seen.
Many years ago, in Emmanuel
Church on Grosvenor Road (Now called New Life Church) I felt moved to bring a
prophetic word. I duly went to the front and was handed the microphone. The
message I believed I was to bring was the following: "Why do you call me Lord but don't do what I tell you?”
Luke 6:46 GW It was a very challenging
message; one which remains true for all Christians today. But somehow or
other I felt that I should continue. So for the next couple of minutes I
rabbited on inanely trying to add something extra. All I succeeded in doing
was to confuse everyone with my drivel. Afterwards, it was clear that my
contribution made things worse. I wasn’t deliberately intending to cloud the
issue. I was trying to be helpful. One thing it did do. It made me aware that
we are all able to deflect the truth from something, by a desire to be
helpful. It’s a very common human weakness. I suspect that this is the sort
of thing that sometimes happens, when people elaborate on their experiences
in heaven or hell. They are not deliberately telling lies. They are trying to
be more helpful.
Today’s meditation takes a
look at the New Jerusalem. Some of it was written several years ago; in
particular the portion about the foundation of the walls being from
semi-precious stones. Getting them all included into rhyme and metre was a
real challenge. So what I’ve done is to incorporate portions of that poem
into today’s meditation.
In its construction, I’ve
tried to stick to the descriptions in the Bible. (NIV) The New Jerusalem will
be so much more than this poor description. Quoting from Isaiah 64:4, Paul
tells us: 9 It is written, "No
eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has known what God has prepared for
those who love him." 1 Cor 2:9 NIrV In
the case of my description and God’s Word, it’s clear that the most fertile
mind can’t imagine the things God has prepared for us. All we can do is point
to the unimaginable, unseen and agree with John the apostle, 20 He who is the faithful witness to all these things
says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Rev 22:20 NLT
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
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18 People will no longer harm one another in your
land. They will not wipe out or destroy anything inside your borders. You will call your walls Salvation. And you will name
your gates Praise.
Isaiah 60:18 NIrV
12 The city had a huge, high wall with 12 gates.
Twelve angels were at the gates, one at each of them. On the gates were written
the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. 13 There were three gates on
the east and three on the north. There were three gates on the south and
three on the west. 14 The wall of the
city had 12 foundations. Written on them were the names of the 12 apostles of
the Lamb.
Rev 21:12-14 NIrV
19 So now you Gentiles are
no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's
holy people. You are members of God's family. 20 Together, we are His house, built on the foundation of
the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in Him, becoming a
holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through
Him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by
His Spirit.
Eph 2:19-22 NLT
2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual
milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for
this nourishment, 3 now that you have
had a taste of the Lord's kindness. 4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone
of God's temple. He was rejected by people, but He was chosen by God for
great honour. 5 And you are
living stones that God is building into His spiritual temple. What's more,
you are His holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer
spiritual sacrifices that please God.
1 Peter 2:2-5 NLT
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A Song. 1 Praise is
due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed. 2
O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come. 3 When iniquities
prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions. 4 Blessed is
the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be
satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!
Psalm 65:1-4 ESV
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We're looking for a city that will
ever more endure.
One, not made with human hands, but
one which Christ made pure.
The Heavenly Jerusalem that Jesus
Christ prepared,
For those who love and follow Him and
whom His teachings shared;
The mansion He erected that's filled
with love and light;
With streams of living water flowing
outward day and night;
With trees that have the healing of
the nations in their leaf,
Which bear twelve different kinds of
fruit and harvest-time's not brief;
Where walls are made from jasper and
the city is pure gold.
Laid on a foundation that is lovely to
behold.
From emerald and sardonyx, from beryl
and sapphire,
Chrysolite and amethyst that glows
with inner fire;
With chrysoprase, carnelian and
precious chalcedony,
With jacinth and twelve gates of pearl
in glittering harmony.
We’ll call the walls “Salvation”, The
gates will be called “Praise”
In honour of the Master, the Ancient
of all Days.
The city has been measured. It’s long
and wide and high.
About two thousand meters that reaches
to the sky.
We think it would fit perfectly, right
within our moon.
We cannot wait to see it. “Lord Jesus,
please come soon!”
Twelve gates have been inserted. Three
gates along each side.
An angel’s stationed at each one; each
gate identified;
And named after the founders of the
tribes of Israel.
The names of the apostles are written
there as well,
On each of the foundations. Their
service to the Lord,
Acknowledged for eternity where Jesus
is adored!
It doesn't need a temple, Almighty God
is there;
And Jesus Christ illuminates the pure
and death free air.
But, what makes heaven wonderful is
not what man can see,
It's rather just the presence of the
Lord of Majesty;
The ever-living presence of the God of
endless love;
The radiance of everything The Christ!
The Lord Above!
It’s been years in the making; a home
for Jesus’ bride;
A place where every one of us, will
constantly abide.
Furnished to perfection, to suit each
person’s taste.
Where nothing that was done for Him
will ever go to waste.
At last we will be with Him. Our
Saviour, Lord and King.
We’d rather be with You O Lord, far
more than anything.
Jim Strickland
Written
8th February 2012
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