September 3 - Revelation - 8 You can read or listen to the Letter of John's Revelation here .... https://www.biblica.com/bible/online-bible/nivuk/revelation/8/ "When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour." What sweet relief after the revelations of Christ as He opened these other six seals. Now, a sigh, release, relief, and recuperation. The tears have been wiped away. The victory has been won, now the peace has begun. Then John's attention is turned to another vision; seven angels of God with seven trumpets. Trumpets were used by the Jews in the Old Testament times for warning the camp of an approaching enemy or some impending message of doom or of praise, or sometimes readiness to march on, and sometimes to sound as a call to worship. The Jew, Paul, after his conversion, writes about the trumpet sound giving a clear and distinct message from the Word of God. He also writes about the 'last trumpet' when the dead are raised for the great resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. So here in today's passage and over the next few days, we shall hear the seven trumpets being sounded as warnings, clear and distinct from God. Far from these trumpets sounding to warn of impending doom, these trumpet sounds warn again and again for sinners to repent to flee from the impending doom by turning to Christ the King for salvation. Again Beloved, notice there are 'seven' trumpets to be sounded. The perfect number 'seven' again signifying God's perfect revelation of what the consequences of sin are upon the world and the peoples of this world. In the revelation God has given us in the seven seals, we saw how God in His grace shows the results upon peoples of this world from others' lust to power and greed in sin. Greed and abuse of power in wars, famines and the like. Now, in these trumpets being sounded God gives us a different perspective of the consequences of sin upon the world and the peoples in this world. As these trumpets are sounded we see the effects of sin upon the earth as well as the people who inhabit it. In other words Dear Ones, sin wreaks havoc upon the whole of creation, nothing is immune from its dire effects. Paul writes about an expectation and anticipation of a glorious release from sin and its effects: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." (Romans 8: 18-25) Notice Beloved of the King how much a 'third' is used as a measure of the effects of sin upon the world. From the Old Testament we already know that when Satan rebelled in the heavens, a third of the angels were cast down to the earth with him. So now we see this 'significant' 'third' measured out upon the earth and its inhabitants. Friends, God's warnings are clear and 'measured'. Not too much, or too little. But that which is right and just. What Grace. Hallelujah But, notice also, what brings about these things. It is the prayers of the children of God. "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" Lord, Your judgements are just, help me to "Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy" (Letter from Jude, vv 22-24)

Notices for Sunday, September 3rd ~ Wick - 10 am, Castletown - 12 noon & 6.30 pm. Sunday School will be starting the new 2017/2018 scheme.... 'The Jesus Storybook Bible Curriculum' - looks SO good :) Jackie & Andrew - Tea Rota. <3 The congregation extends fond love and sympathy to our dear friend, Ann Manson on the passing on of her father, Joe. Ann is a faithful, committed member of our congregation who quietly gets on with many things 'behind the scenes'. To her and to her brother, sister-in-law and nieces - we pray for God's nearness, comfort and peace at this sad time of parting. Dear Joe, now enjoying the Glory of Heaven, was a gracious, gentle, old man who will be greatly missed and sweetly remembered <3 "Until the day break and the shadows flee away." (Song of Solomon, 2 v.17)

Happening now (Sat) ... Monthly Prayer & Praise Gathering ... in the outside Hall - until 1.30 pm. Melvich Gaelic Choir Workshop in the Church (Cafe) ... now until 5 pm. Thankful for space and facilities to run both today.

September 2 - Revelation - 7 You can read or listen to the Letter of John's Revelation here .... https://www.biblica.com/bible/online-bible/nivuk/revelation/7/ "After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God." We are yet to see the opening of the final seal and the fulfilment of God's perfect Eternal Kingdom. Today's passage continues to prepare us for the end of all things and the victory of the Gospel, as that rider wearing a 'crown' (of authority), on a white horse (pure, who went out with an irresistable will to conquer all with the everlasting Gospel. The revelation of the other seals yesterday further revealed the wonder of the consequences of going our own way. Today, as we are prepared for the victory of justice, truth and everlasting peace with God, we see the amazing Grace of God as He makes His people sure, steadfast and set apart from all that was coming upon the peoples of this world. You see Beloved of the King, He knows who are His own children in every age. That is the great encouragement for these Christians in the time of John the Apostle, and for all generations of Christians since. 144,000 Jews sealed for salvation by God's angels. 12,000 multiplied by 12,000; the image of a perfect number, the right number of Jews, where none is lost from that number, none is missing, all who have responded to the message of the Gospel, that Jesus is their Christ is sealed with the imprint of God on their minds and into their hearts. Then, Dear Ones, the scene moves quickly to a great photograph of all of the people of God. Not just the 144,000 Jews, but a number that is impossible to count. All of those people from all over the world, from every age, from all who share the same faith as Abraham, through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Beloved you are there in this great throng if you have washed your robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb. The trials and tribulations of this world are over. Now you will suffer no more condemnation from the sinners of the world. The wretched Christian who has died at the hands of tormentors is there. The great Covenanting heroes of Scottish history are there. Those who were burned for their love of the True Word of God are there. They are all there: "And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawn in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and ill-treated – the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." (Hebrews 11: 32 - 40) All Israel (all the people of God) shall be saved, just as You have promised Dear Father in Heaven. Thank You my Father for showing me what is to be. It is done. You have told us the story. You know the end of all things. An eternity of peace and joy. No more tears, Your hand of loving kindness and care wiping away my tears. Now strengthen my faith in my King. Help me endure, help me warn others and encourage them into the Kingdom. Help me share the good news of salvation with family, friends and in my community. Thank You Lord we are nearer that day than when we first believed. In King Jesus' Name I ask. Amen.

September 1 - Revelation - 6 You can read or listen to the Letter of John's Revelation here .... https://www.biblica.com/bible/online-bible/nivuk/revelation/6/ "I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, ‘Come!’ I looked" John is invited further to a closer look at Jesus, our King as He begins to exercise the power and authority that has been given to Him over all things. Seven in the Bible is always a symbol that represents perfection, and that especially, the perfection of God. This book we saw has seven seals. Only God can order events perfectly as it is contained within this sealed book. He orders the events John sees unfold as each seal is opened, perfectly. The sequence of events are according to God's perfect plan. The symbols and imagery used, perfectly describe the purpose of God in each seal. The number of seals are perfectly completed according to the perfect measure of grace, the perfect measure of self-afflicted misery upon those who have rejected grace, and the perfect measure of time graciously given by God for both sinners to repent in response to the Gospel, and for unrepentant sinners to receive their self-inflicted reward for their own refusal to heed the gospel calls. I think it would be wrong to think of these seals being seven sequential seals being opened, but that each seal represents an unloosing of events that occur almost at the same time. There is the releasing of the conquering and victorious message of the Good News that the Jesus who saves sinners, is now the King of Kings. Then, at the same time, we look and see the results of those who refuse the Gospel message. War, injustice, famine and death. But then, Glory to the King, the Lamb on the throne, Gentle Jesus, Conquering King, when we look there is in the sixth seal the time being set for an end to War, Injustice, Famine and Death, as the Lamb prepares for His return. You see the drama, the tension as the peoples of this world sense His coming again into the world. The Lamb is coming to set right injustices, bring true justice to bear upon the peoples of this world. They are anticipating the Lamb returning to bring those who have brought about War, Injustice, Famine and Death to account for their abuse of power, privilege and their trampling under their feet, the grace of God that has been on offer so freely from the beginning of the Lamb's reign. And yet, all of these events mysteriously occur as a result of the prayers of Believers, who have been the ones who have sometimes borne the brunt of the injustices and cruelties of the wicked. God answers their cries for an end to the constant warring, an end to the suffering and tragedy it causes, the injustices of the rich exploiting the poor, the human trafficking, the abuse of wealth, the abuse of people's own bodies by themselves, the abuse in homes, the abuse and murder of babies, the abuse of the grace being offered in the Gospel message that has gone out in the whole earth. There they are now, clothed in white, pure, spotless. Sinners who have responded to the Grace of God. Sinners who have been spared the justice they deserve, because the Lamb was sacrificed for them. So Beloved, mark the perfection in the seals, the perfection in the whiteness and purity of the Gospel message, the blood red of misery, the darkness and terror of black, and the paleness of death as we see it in a corpse. Lord, thank You, that it is Your conquering Gospel message that wins out in the end. Lord God Almighty, our Heavenly Father, I join with the assembly of the saints in heaven and upon the earth in my cries for an end to these cruelties and the fulfilment of Your Promises to set everything right. Lord, how long? Your Kingdom Come Lord. Your will be done on Earth. In the caldron of Your Wrath Lord, remember mercy. In King Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

August 31st - Revelation chapter 5 You can read or listen to the Letter of John's Revelation here .... https://www.biblica.com/bible/online-bible/nivuk/revelation/5/ "Then I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside." The coronation of the Great King, Christ of the Universe is about to unfold. But, as John witnessed the death of Jesus, and 'wept and wept' over His crucified body on Golgotha hill, there was another event happening in the heavenly realms as the soul of Christ departed into the heavens. Jesus in this scene is being proclaimed as the 'Worthy' One, who alone is fit to Rule; to alone have 'Honour and Power and Glory' forever and ever. Now John weeps and weeps because no-one is fit to open this most sacred book. ' Writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.' An image of Truth, and its far-reaching importance and relevance to John, and all of creation. Sealed by God the Father. Truth bound up in the book, truth as yet unrevealed to creation. Who can open what God has shut? The answer surely is no-one, for no-one is worthy or equal with God, but One alone, the Son of God, the One who has overcome, the One, who was slain, as a sacrificial lamb on the altar, the One who died for the sins of the Cosmos, Who on His departure from His Disciples said: "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28: 18) Christ Jesus, the express image of the Father, and Who is the same in substance in power, only He who gave Himself for us, who humbled Himself unto death, the death on a cross; only this One is Worthy to open the seals perfectly sealing this sacred book, and exercise His power in the authority to do so from His Father. Psalm 2 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against his Christ, saying, ‘Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.’ The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath, saying, ‘I have installed My King on Zion, My holy mountain.’ I will proclaim the LORD’s decree: He said to me, ‘You are My Son; today I have become Your Father. Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; You will dash them to pieces like pottery.’ Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate His rule with trembling. Kiss His son, or He will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for His wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him." There is no more need to weep. Jesus has satisfied the demands God's law and the curse of sin for us. Hallelujah to the Lamb, Hallelujah to the King, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root and the offspring of David. Lord God Almighty, thank You for Your King Jesus, our Saviour. Blessed be the Lord God Almighty who has overcome the world and sin through becoming a human like us. No more could be done to save us. Christ's last words before He gave up His spirit and died, was 'It is finished'. Thank You God. Now honour Your Holy Name, and Honour Your only Son, King Jesus and defeat the enemies of the cross. A public display of the wickedness, powerlessness and emptiness of sin has been already made through Christ's work on the cross. Now Dear Father, put all His enemies under His feet. Make Your Kingdom come quickly Lord God Almighty. In Jesus' Name, for His glory. Amen.

August 30th - Revelation chapter 4 You can read or listen to the Letter of John's Revelation here .... https://www.biblica.com/bible/online-bible/nivuk/revelation/4/ "After this I (John) looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it." Beloved, what a glorious scene is before us in today's and tomorrow's passages. We are invited to enter into Heaven itself, hear, see and feel the great, majestic and gloriously impressive words, actions and praises as we draw near to the presence of God in the throne-room of heaven. What a scene. Truly, it is indescribable and the words used to depict what it is like, are on their own, not enough to do justice to the throne-room itself or the words or actions of what goes on in there. What these words in the whole letter of Revelation does do as it attempts to convey in imagery using words, to us, is a reality that is beyond the written page. Reality that requires the Living Word, the Spirit of Christ to sweep over us, and fill our minds and hearts with the experience of being there with John in that throne-room. Consider well the imagery, 'the throne with someone sitting on it'. Who is this Great Person who sits on the throne? Look at His appearance, of 'jasper and ruby'. Surely this person is not just Great, but Precious and unique! See the 'rainbow' depicting Glory, Holiness, Honour and Faithfulness surrounding the throne. Doesn't this remind you and I of the Rainbow set in the heavens in Noah's time, to remind us of God's Covenant Faithfulness and Love? Then, also from the throne, lightnings, thunders and blazing lamps, all to be images designed to strike awe, reverent fear and amazing astonishment into our hearts. This place is special! The person 'on' the throne 'is' Special! It provokes a response of reverential worship. Sadly in this world, in this realm of naturalism, we cannot appreciate fully or nearly the utterly different spiritual realm that is being described to us here. We are bound by our flesh, limited by our minds and experiences of the natural world and beseiged constantly by our own imperfections, blemishes and sin. Now, today before us is the extra-ordinary realm of the supernatural, in the presence of our Creator and Ruler of the universe. This 'revelation', this drawing back of the curtains, to see reality provokes a response. The immediate and on-going response by those present in the throne-room is to worship. There can be no other response. These creatures there in their unending worship do so out of a consequence of beholding the 'Eternal', the ONE who has always been. There, in the throne-room, are strange heavenly creatures, and human beings; the 'elders' from among the Jews and the Gentiles. Even these sinless heavenly creatures can do no other than worship. Whilst the 'elders' - sinners made sinless by the saving work of Jesus 'must' worship Him. Consider their 'white' robes, spotless from all that binds us to sin, set free, released from their bondage to sin, and set free from the constraints of sin that always causes suffering, death, change and loss. Now in perfect liberty, enjoying God, and so in love with their Saviour, they are bound to worship Him. What a picture before us. Not a place for unchanged sinners at their death, but a place for restored, repentant sinners made perfect. Only they can enjoy the presenc e of God. The wicked, the rebellious, those who know better and have their own ideas, of angel wings, feathers and such like. Where will they be? Nowhere to be seen there! Oh for the curtains to be drawn back on their minds, that they would see God, their need for forgiveness and repentance. Lord Save.

☀️Don't forget! MOSAIC (an informal gathering for women) re-starts today (Tuesday) at the manse at 12.30.... bring lunch & enjoy a time of fellowship together... befriending, sharing, caring, prayer, praise & Bible devotional 😊 Kettle will be on!

August 29th - Revelation of John You can read or listen to the Letter of John's Revelation here .... https://www.biblica.com/bible/online-bible/nivuk/revelation/3/ "‘To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you." Beloved of God, Revelation is a personal letter from the King, Christ Jesus. It is not an edited letter by someone else, but a letter written by John, of what he has been told to write, and what he has been shown. Notice it says: "these are the words of Him who holds the seven spirits of God." Yes, this book are indeed the words of Christ. Notice also, at the end of this passage today, how Jesus also describes Himself as the 'Ruler of God's creation' (the King of all in other words), and He also gives the wonderful and gracious promise in closing: "To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with My Father on His throne." Dear Ones, Christ Jesus affirms throughout this Revelation of His, that He is the 'King' of all. That He 'is' even now sitting on His Father's throne because He has been victorious over sin and death, defeating these through His own resurrection. Jesus said this about death, before He was crucified: "The reason My Father loves Me is that I lay down My life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from My Father.’" (John 10: 17, 18) What a King we serve, Hallelujah to the King, who has authority over life and death and all things. Even now, the Father of our King is putting all things still under His feet, subduing all under Jesus. Your Kingdom come Lord. Friends in Christ, there is only 'one' throne of God. It is described in different ways, sometimes as the 'Great White Throne' from where judgement takes place. Other times it is described as the 'throne of David' and it has been also described as the 'Throne of the LORD' upon which David and Solomon sat when they ruled upon the earth over God's Kingdom of Israel. The variety of pictures of God's rule over creation are expressed in the different ways the 'throne' is described. Sometimes of raw power as in the Great White Throne, or sometimes as ultimate authority as in the 'Throne of the LORD' (God's Holy Name), or as the 'throne of David' who is being pictured as the great King who pointed to the greater Christ, King Jesus. Beloved, what today's passage reminds us of, is that Jesus, 'is' the King, that He rules from the heavens now upon the earth, and has done so since His ascension into the heavens. Jesus reminds us that ultimately He rules over everything now, in this moment, and as King He knows your works, your character, what you were and what you will become, your doubts and fears, your hypocrisy and the decisions you must make for your good, other people's good and the Glory of God. Dear Friends, this letter addressed to the seven churches remind us through powerful word pictures and imagery, of 'who' Jesus is, and 'all' He knows about them, and speaks to churches in every generation since. God be praised he knows me, knows you, and knows the end of all things in my trials and my difficulties, in my doubts and in my fears and sins. Lord God Almighty, be pleased to strengthen me through the reading of this letter of Revelation of the Lord Jesus my King. May He speak to me through it, encourage me, examine me, and help me to be who I ought to be as a follower of the King. In His Name and for His glory I ask this. Amen.

August 28th - Revelation of John You can read or listen to the Letter of John's Revelation here .... https://www.biblica.com/bible/online-bible/nivuk/revelation/2/ "‘Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. ‘To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. " Essentially, this last book in the Bible is a letter. Addressed originally to the 'seven churches' in Asia, which was in what is today, central Turkey. As we read through this last book, we tend to quickly forget it is a letter because of all of the drama that unfolds in the rest of the book. We get so easily caught up in this drama, excitement and imagery, that we see most of this book, not as the letter it is, but as an additional set of visions and revelations that have little to do with the address to the seven churches in Asia. Beloved, remember well as we read through this book, that it is 'one' letter, written to these churches in what is now Turkey, and is addressed to them, then, and in the place where they were. But, dear Ones, because it is the Word of God, like all books in the Bible, it is as relevant to our own circumstances in all ages. You see, Dearly Beloved, the dramas, fears, events of history occur again and again, but the message is clear from this letter: Christ our King wins through in all generations and will win through in the final victory over evil when He returns to establish the Eternal Kingdom of God. The wise King Solomon once observed: "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1: 9) This King as a student of life saw that many people simply just do not learn, neither from their own experiences, or from the events of history. Nothing is new, and this letter reveals that truth. People generally, stubbornly refuse to read the signs of the times, learn from the past or take what truth has been revealed to them seriously that they change and turn to God. So, again and again in this letter, we see sometimes the same events, different events, or these portrayed before us in striking and contrasting ways to drive home to us the way we are, the way things are in reality, and that whatever comes to pass, however evil this world may be at times, Christ our Saviour and King 'will' be victorious, and wickedness, suffering and sin will be forever banished, conquered and punished. Hallelujah to the King. So Beloved, take comfort as we read the letter to the churches today in this passage. Take comfort in what Jesus 'knows' about each of us; (verses 2, 9, 13 and 19). Take comfort as He 'walks among us' in each of our gatherings together. And dear Ones, take comfort in His admonishing words 'what I have against you'; 'who has ears to hear'; and the encouragements and blessings in store for him or her 'who is victorious'. Just like the drama that unfolds in the rest of the letter is repeated in different ways, so the opening part of this letter is repeated with the same repeated hopes, promises, and warnings. Lord, dear Heavenly Father, Your Kingdom come. Your will be done among us. Help us to heed your encouragements, promises and warnings for Christ our King's glory. Grant that I have ears to hear You. Grant that I will be victorious over temptations and false teachings that please me rather than please You. Grant me My Father that I will repent of my wrong thinking, for none of us know everything, but to seek the truth, to turn away from trusting in my own way of thinking to Your will O Lord. And Grant that these words I read today and in the coming weeks will sink down deep into my mind and into my soul that they are worked out in my life and my conversations. For the Lord Christ my King and Saviour's glory and honour. Amen.

August 27th - Revelation of John You can read or listen to the Letter of John's Revelation here .... https://www.biblica.com/bible/online-bible/nivuk/revelation/1/ "The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw – that is, the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." 'Revelation' means to pull open the curtains, to see the stage, or out of the window, to reveal what was hidden. We are closeted away in our own world, by our own minds, not seeing what is real, and often not wanting to see what is real. I recently attended a funeral. Coming away, I asked myself, how many people must die in our lives before we turn to Jesus to give us life? At this funeral the curtain was pulled back. We heard from the Word of God of why death came into the world, and how we can survive death into eternal life. Another prophet Ezekiel once asked of his own people: "Rid yourselves of all the offences you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!" Beloved, and any who does not know Christ Jesus as their own Saviour and King; this last book in the New Testament again and again proclaims suffering, tragedy, and the final destruction of the cause of all suffering, tragedy and death. Yet, we find in this book, the stubborn-ness of the wicked, they refuse to repent, shake their fists at God, blame Him for tragedies in life, instead of heeding the warnings of this book of the things that come upon every generation. Dear Ones, this book reveals that there is a great hope, a great blessing coming soon upon us, as these tragedies, sufferings and rebellions will come to an end, and be replaced by the final fullness of the Kingdom of God; everlasting life, peace, joy and love. Dearest Friends, there are promises in this opening passages, if we read these passages aloud we shall find a blessedness (joy and happiness) from God. Happy also shall be those who hear these words. Of course how shall they hear unless the words are spoken aloud. "faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." (Romans 10: 17) Friends, the good news is that Jesus is returning to this world, and everyone, even those who have died, shall see this great return and appearing of the King. But, sadly, this event shall also be a time of great terror for those who have so confidently assured themselves and others that it will never happen. "Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?’" (Revelation 6: 15-17) As much as any of the Bible, this book 'is' a personal message to us all from the Lord, Christ Jesus. Indeed, so intense and important that this message is; that it comes to us in Words, Pictures (illustrated using words) communicated to us by the Holy Spirit. It is a trinity of language communicated and made alive and real as it reveals truth to us. This opening passage today illustrates this with its imagery in words of the Lord, Christ Jesus. Read this description aloud friends, meditate upon them, and ask 'Who is this Jesus being described to me here?' Lord, I thank You for Your Word. Grant that you send Your Spirit to communicate reality and truth to me through these Words of Yours. Help me to see and know Jesus more clearly. Amen.

Notices for Sunday, August 27th: Wick - 10am, Castletown - 12 noon, Bayview - 3pm, Castletown - 6.30 pm (All services taken by Howard) Sunday School will be on, as usual, during the 12 noon service. Tea/Coffee and fellowship will follow the noon service. “God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3)