Today we read one of the most meaningful chapters in the Bible – Ch. 15 of 1 Corinthians. Many verses “jumped out” for our meditation. The one we have chosen to really reflect upon is v.10.  Paul laments on his unworthiness, but then says, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.  On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”

We hear the word grace used a lot in Christian circles.  There are popular hymns about “amazing grace” and how the Lord has “saved a wretch like me.”  Bible readers above all people appreciate “the wonder of his grace.”  But we reflected thoughtfully on the example of Paul and his utter commitment of service to his Lord to see that “his grace toward me was not in vain.”

No one can earn salvation!  But in accepting “his grace” what kind of motivation results in our hearts?  Can it be that for all too many in these “last days” that his grace is taken for granted and it fails to motivate them to live really committed lives as Paul did? Let us realize that commitment shows up in all the small things of life that we do (or don’t do) every day.

Paul urged his companions in this.  We will soon read in 2 Cor. 8 how he “urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.  But as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you – see that you excel in this act of grace also.” [v.6,7]

Our acceptance of the grace of God should change us – as it did Paul, to show grace toward others in every situation so that his grace toward us is “not in vain.”   If we have previously been a “wretch” – this change should be extremely evident.  The challenge for most of us is in the many “small things” we do every day. Recall yesterday’s reading in 2 Kings of Naaman being angry he had not been asked to do some great thing to be cured of his leprosy.  His grace toward us is not in vain if we daily do the small things in his service.

We can be confused by the use of the word “prophecy” – presuming it simply means a prediction of future events.  But its’ primary meaning is to speak about the word of God, of God’s view of human behaviour: most of Jeremiah’s messages to the people had been like that.  His Lamentations over the fall of Jerusalem, which we started reading today, were all about the present situation those still in the land were in.  He starts, “How lonely sits the city that was full of people! …. she took no thought of her future; therefore her fall is terrible; she has no comforter.” [v.1,9] Our world takes “no thought” as to its future! What kind of afflictions await it because of this!

Our thoughts about the word “prophecy” were prompted by Paul’s words in todays’ 14th chapter of 1st Corinthians.  Verse 5 is puzzling, we need to see the context of the point Paul is making: “Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater …”  Paul does not mean that such are forth-telling future events! He means – to tell the truth about God’s ways and will.

Look down at v.24, 25!  Paul states ” if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,  the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship Godand declare that God is really among you.” Those points makes the meaning of the word clear.

There was no Bible available among that first generation of Gentile believers, so gifts of the spirit were given.  But they had to be properly used – and Paul is writing here – seeking to correct their misuse. He declares –  the gift of “prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.” [v.22] It is clear from Acts ch. 2 and the events on the day of Pentecost, that “tongues” were actual languages and were a sign and encouragement to unbelievers to learn about “the mighty works of God.” [v.11]  They listened and received the message – a contrast to the experience of Jeremiah.

Our final thought today is the point Paul makes near the end of his chapter, so many churches today are ignoring v.34-35 where Paul states, “women should keep silent in the churches … it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.”  The chapter ends with Paul’s request to the Corinthians that “all things should be done decently and in order.” That is just as much the need today – but only those who carefully and prayerfully read God’s word will achieve this.

We have come to that part of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians which is about the gifts of the Spirit which were possessed among the believers there. The Gospels were not yet in circulation, probably they had just been written.   Now what was the purpose of these gifts? After writing, “to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” [v.7], we notice the first gifts that are then mentioned, “To one is given through the Spirit the utterance ofwisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge, to another faith by the same Spirit …” [v.8,9]  Properly used, these inspired utterances would stimulate the spiritual life of the believers in Corinth.

The different gifts were like different parts of the body and Paul proceeds to draw an analogy on this, that as the parts of our body team together, so the believers should. “The eye cannot say to the hand I have no need of you, nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you” [v.21].  It is evident that the believers in Corinth were not teaming together very well at all.  A lesson we may need today!

Chapter 13 describes what was lacking – love!  Paul wrote,  “if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” [v.2] Nothing!  What is it to be “nothing” in Christ’s eyes!? After that generation the gifts ceased.  What continued is summed up in the last verse, “So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

When Jesus returns, faith will be turned to sight and hope fulfilled!  So Paul is speaking of the things which are central to the here and now – and surely in God’s kingdom, with Jesus reigning from Jerusalem, then “love” will be the guiding principle of life!

We remember when the disciples of Jesus came to him and asked for an explanation of “the parable of the weeds in the field” [Matthew 13 v.36]  that he said, “The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law breakers … then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom … “ [v.41.43]  It is evident that “love” with be the motive power for that shining!

Then the Spirit will be seen in all its “goodness” for the Spirit gifts are “the powers of the age to come.” [Hebrews 6 v.5]   Let us beware of those who make claims they have such powers now. The gifts then were to provide strength of conviction in the believers until the gospels and apostolic letters were in circulation.  They, and the other Scriptures, are the foundation of our strength today.

This is what Paul told the Corinthians!  Why must there be factions?  Our reading of 1 Corinthians 11 today is quite challenging!  But this is part of the ways of God!  He challenges us to fully understand his ways and his purpose.  Our world is full of challenges – many of them are temptations to choose the wrong ways.  Making right decisions is a vital part of character development.

Paul told the believers in Corinth, “when you come together … I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.” [v.18/19]  That is one of the main points Paul is making.  God’s word challenges us to serve our Creator – and His son – our Saviour – both truthfully and truly. It is our Lord who will recognise and acknowledge those who are genuine – but the fruits of that recognition will not be apparent until our Lord returns – and how close are we now to that time!

We are nearing the end of Jeremiah’s awesome experiences – and how few remained faithful in that godless time when Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed –  we fear the comparison with today is very close!

Paul, as well as stressing to the believers in Corinth about the true way to come together and keep what we call ‘the Lord’s supper’- warns them!  He tells them to make sure they keep it in a “… worthy manner” and not be “guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.” [v.27]

He says “anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.” [v.29]   And “the body” means “the body” of believers!  Look at ch. 12 and note v.25 & 27.

The principle behind his point applies to our whole lives!  Coming together to keep “the Lord’s supper” is the highlight of our lives.  What a wonderful privilege it is to have this fellowship together, Jesus told his disciples, “wheretwo or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” [Matt 18 v.20]

Back in our chapter today in Paul’s letter, we must meditate in our hearts on v. 31,32. “if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.  But … we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.”

This takes our minds to Proverbs ch. 3 v.11,12 “do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,  for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”  May he truly love and delight in you and I.

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Russia and NATO need new rules to cut risk of war

World | Wed Aug 26, 2015 Related:World  BRUSSELS | By Robin Emmott

Russia and NATO must agree common rules to handle unexpected military encounters to reduce the risk of inadvertently triggering a war between Moscow and the West, a group of former foreign and defence ministers said on Wednesday.

With both Russia and NATO intensifying military exercises because of the crisis in Ukraine, incidents such as mid-air face-offs between rival military jets are on the increase.

Calling for a high-level NATO-Russia meeting, the group of 14 — including former Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov, ex-German defence minister Volker Ruehe and colleagues from Britain, France, Spain and Turkey — said rules for communication at sea and in the air were paramount.

“The situation is ripe with potential for either dangerous miscalculation or an accident that could trigger a worsening of the crisis or even a direct military confrontation,” they said in a report published by the European Leadership Network.

The London-based think-tank, which this month said both sides were training for the possibility of war, said it had recorded 66 “close military encounters” between Russian and NATO military forces, and between Russia and neutral Sweden and Finland, which NATO counts as partners.

It has been keeping count since March 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine. The following month, a separatist war broke out in eastern Ukraine between pro-Russian rebels and government forces.

NATO rejected any suggestion that its military exercises make war in Europe more likely and said even before any new agreements were made, Russia could take steps to ease tensions.

“Russia has many tools already available to avoid unintentional conflict, to reduce tensions and to increase transparency, ranging from arms control agreements to voluntary measures,” NATO’s chief spokesperson Oana Lungescu said. “It should … focus on implementing its existing commitments.”

Russia denies its exercises pose any hazard.

The group of former ministers said an agreement, possibly based on a similar pact between the United States and China, would set out actions to avoid, such as attack simulations near the other side’s military vessels and aircraft.

If such exercises or live weapons-firing did take place, there should be timely warnings and agreed radio frequencies and signals vocabulary.

NATO has suspended all practical and military cooperation with Russia but can still convene political meetings.

Russian snap exercises in March were one of the Kremlin’s biggest shows of force since the start of the Ukraine crisis. It put the navy’s Northern Fleet on full combat readiness in Russia’s Arctic North, close to Norway, a NATO member.

NATO has also held exercises — not on the same scale — mainly in eastern Europe and the Baltics. Along with its partners, the 28-nation alliance will hold its biggest military exercise in more than a decade from October, although they are taking place in Italy, Spain and Portugal and with a focus also any potential threat along NATO’s southern flank.

The report said an “action-reaction cycle” was now under way between NATO and Russia that could be hard to stop.

“History is littered with examples of international crises and tensions that developed a momentum of their own and resulted in conflict even when no one side intended it,” it said.

According to Bible Prophecy Europe and Russia will work together in fact Russia is termed in Ezekiel 38:7 as being “a guard” unto Europe, and together they will invade the Middle East just prior to Christ’s Return to Earth. 

According to Bible Prophecy the Leader of Russia at the time of the End is called “Gog” ie. a chief one a strong and authoratarian ruler.  Putin is very much fitting this description as today’s world news highlights.

Despite the current concern the EU has towards Russia at present, in time they will develop a close relationship, this could come from the present realisation of Russia that they can’t win against NATO, so if you can’t win you might as well join them.  This could very well happen as a result of the fall out when Britain leaves the EU.  Some leaders in Europe today have even been suggesting that Europe needs to work more closely with Russia.  Well Bible Students fully expect to see more developments on this over the next few years and especially when Britain withdraws from the EU.

Gog is also spoken of militarily as the “King of the North”.  Together the Bible says that Gog and the EU will invade the Middle East in the Last Days.  It may even be that Russia joins NATO as a result of a yet to develop British and American vaccum and that NATO becomes the EU confederated army of Ezekiel 38.

Yet again we see in Todays News Headlines words that show how the Nations are fulfilling the latter day alignment of Nations as Prophesied by the Bible. 

See these articles below to learn more about this and the latter day prophecies of the Bible. 

Learn why Britain must pull out of the European Union and why Europe and Russia will work together from the Bible

Alignment of Nations at the time of the END

Our Old Testament readings are long and rather involved today.  In 2 Kings ch. 2 we saw the drama of Elijah being taken away in “chariots of fire” [v.11] from Elisha who succeeds him.  Where he goes is not clear, but later a letter comes from him, see 2 Chron. 21 v.12.

Jeremiah ch. 50 is a long chapter about the fate of Babylon – the nation that had destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple.  The prophets’ message is “Flee from the midst of Babylon” [v.8]  In v.12 it is prophesied, “Behold, she shall be the last of the nations.”  We are intrigued that Babylon is a translation of the Hebrew word ‘Babel’!   We know how it figures prominently in the symbolic language of the Bible’s last book, Revelation!

“Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.” [Rev.18 v.10]  The whole world appears to follow the worship of Babel today! A final judgement is surely coming because of the worlds’ utter godlessness. Is the “single hour” just about upon us?

In the light of this, the point Paul made in today’s ch. 10 of 1st Corinthians jumped out at us. He observes that details of God’s judgements  “were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” [v.11]  The whole of the words God inspired have been written down for that reason! We ignore them at our peril.

The next point Paul makes should be implanted on our memory, ” Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” [v.12,13]

Meditate on how appropriate these words are for us today.  There are many forms of temptation around us.  According to our particular personality, some are stronger than others – but this is certainly the time of the latter day Babel. Let’s recall Isaiah’s words, ” Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes” [5 v.21] Let us be wise in the words that “were written down for our instruction” – they open up “the way of escape” for those that constantly feed their minds on them; they alone really believe and therefore know – in their hearts – that “God is faithful.”