BITS and PIECES
A random collection of news and views compiled by Frank McClelland for the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
211th Edition – October 6, 2024
AN AMAZING PROPHECY
“Babylon…shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be inhabited from generation to generation” [Isaiah 13:20].
Babylon was the most magnificent and famous city of the ancient world. It was founded as Babel by Nimrod over 2000 years before Christ [Genesis 10:10]. The Greek historian, Herodotus, described its walls as very high and about sixty miles in circumference. Under Nebuchadnezzar it was a powerhouse in the world. [See Daniel’s prophecy].
Amazingly, Isaiah prophesied its total destruction 160 years before the enemies ever set foot in it. He said it would be destroyed and added that the site would never be dwelled in again. Can you imagine someone today forecasting that in 160 years Toronto would cease to exist and would no longer have a single dwelling?
A dear friend, Jim Bredin, who was a great spiritual help in my young Christian years, served in the British Army in WW2. He was stationed in the Middle East and was able to visit the site of Babylon. He told me that it was exactly as Isaiah had foretold and that “neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there” [Isaiah 13:20].
Saddam Hussein attempted to rebuild Babylon but was executed before he could realize his dream. There are prophecies like this one that have been fulfilled, and there are many still to come. May God give us wisdom to understand His prophetic Word.
“BABYLON THE GREAT IS FALLEN”
Does this verse [Revelation 18:2] mean that Babylon will be rebuilt to fall again? No. The origin of Babylon is Babel, which means ‘confusion.’ The tower of Babel was where God confused the language of the people [Genesis 10:10]. There are certain marks of the old Babel that apply to our world today.
Babel was a people unifying movement but a God defying one. There is a strong political urge today to unify the nations of the world. The United Nations is one evidence of this. There is also a desire among some to establish a one world church or religion, as evidenced by the ecumenical and syncretic movements of today.
The common desire is to establish a one world political entity and a one world religion. True Christians need to remember that God was opposed to Babel and is opposed to “Mystery Babylon” [Revelation 17:5].
God’s instruction to His redeemed people is clear. “Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord” [2 Corinthians 6:17].
A NEPALESE CAUTION
The government of Nepal has passed legislation to make it illegal to try to convert people from the traditional religions of Nepal. This puts foreign missionaries to Nepal somewhat at risk.
The Ulster Mission Board has asked that, to protect our missionaries, their names should be removed from any written documents. Personal prayer for them can be made as a matter between you and the Lord. Thankfully, antagonistic laws cannot reach what goes on in the heart of a believer.
SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER
William Walford was a woodcarver, and also the owner of a small trinket shop in England. He was also a devout Christian and often spoke in churches in his area.
One day, in 1842, the Rev. Thomas Salmon stopped at the shop of his friend. Instead of showing the minister his beautiful carvings he showed him some words he had just composed. He asked Salmon to write the words down. They started like this.
“Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer that calls me from a world of care.”
Fourteen years later the famous composer, William Bradbury, lifted the words in a beautiful melody that soon sped around the globe, and in a short time were sung by millions. Walford asked Salmon to write the words down because at that time he was blind, physically but not spiritually. With rare insight he wrote a meaningful and blessed spiritual song. [From an article by the Rev. James McClelland]
