In our lives whenever we strive in faithfulness and obedience to God to be good, the devil is there to deceive and destroy.
As we come to Christmas, remembering Jesus’ Birthday in the Year of Our Lord 2021, I constantly give thanks for our Covenant Nations, our Christian civilisations, our Christian heritage and ways of life. Again, I thank Almighty God for Britain (Ephraim) for the ministry and mission taking the Gospel to all colonies and territories for over 400 years. Without this faithful ministry we would not have known the truth of salvation only in Jesus.
At this time, I always reflect on the truth of His coming revealed in Holy Scripture:
Isaiah 7.14
“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
These words were recorded by Isaiah c700BC. We remember the gloom and distress suffered by Israel following captivity of the Northern Kingdom of Israel 722BC and of the Southern Kingdom of Judah 586 BC. Over the past six decades, and more intensely over the past 2 years there has been gloom and distress in all Covenant Nations and Territories. However, Christmas reminds us of Almighty God’s plan for relief, peace and salvation from distress, again prophesized by Isaiah:
Isaiah 9.1-7
“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honour Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
At this Christmas time, we remember Micah’s prophecy of Jesus’ coming:
Micah 5.2
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Micah’s prophecy was absolutely true:
Luke 2.8-15
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ (the Anointed One) the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Also, we remember with joy, that the prophecy of Isaiah, 700 years before, occurred as the Apostle Matthew records:
Matthew 1.21-23
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” –which means, “God with us.”
What a marvellous gift we have been given as we remember Christmas, that Jesus is the Way to the Father. Jesus has made the Father known. Jesus coming into our world has brought us and the Father back together. On our own we had no way to get back to God – no road to walk – but God made a way – indeed, not a way but The Way. We did not have to find The Way – God came to us – He came in the Person of Jesus His Son and He is with us now through the Holy Spirit – now and always when we trust Jesus. Jesus as the Son of God took the initiative.
This leads me now to a time where we have to get serious and truly see the failures in the faithfulness and obedience to Almighty God in our Covenant Nations. Again, I recall the Editorial Team’s recent article and Editorials.
The Editorial Team’s thoughts “In This Day and This Hour” [1] are timely and awesome: “It is beyond question that the integrity of the United Kingdom and the great company of Covenant Nations in all their aspects have been undermined during the past seven decades. What has happened by neglect and deliberate action is unacceptable and the voice of the People must now be heard. In the Western World we are a people in crisis, desperately looking for positive guidance and leadership that will remove us from the deepening quagmire of destruction in a spiritual vacuum.”
Positive Godly guidance and leadership is the key in this destructive ‘spiritual vacuum’.
As Covenant Nations let us remember how Almighty God has blessed us – certainly to the time mentioned in this recent Editorial: [2] “…that the time had arrived for Britain to resume her global vision and role after 47 years of displacement of The Queen being ‘deceived in her grant’– that is, the Realm betrayed at law by her Ministers to be subsumed by the pagan European Union…”
Covenant Nation Britain has been ministering for centuries. There is a teaching from Jesus which is totally relevant to our dreadful situation and those who are not repentant, and like them, in this teaching from Jesus, are trying to lead us astray:
John 8.12-36
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me… I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me…” Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come…” He continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one (the Anointed One, the Christ) I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins…” “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free…” “So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
This is an awesome warning. Within 34 years from Jesus’ words Jerusalem, and almost all Pharisees, died physically and eternally with the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70.
At this Christmas time, as Covenant Nations, we need to repent and be ‘refired’ remembering the heights from which we have fallen – and to love our ‘first love’ Jesus. Our hope and future is in Him only – remember God’s promises recorded by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 1.18-20and are all ‘yes’ in Christ.
The above Editorial truths are relevant for Covenant Nation Britain and Covenant Nation Australia. I am thankful to Richard Eason BEc (Hons), jssc, who advised me on the principles of Godly leadership and good government in our Westminster System[3]:
“The leader heeded the Words that God – the One True God of the Holy Bible – spoke through the prophets insomuch that it became established forever in the nation defined in the Coronation Service that a Godly, true Christian leader should:
- Profess faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord;
- Worship regularly with the Church;
- Be acclaimed by multitudes, as God’s appointed leader, before taking office.
- Promise to govern lawfully, justly and mercifully and to maintain God’s law and the true message of the Gospel to the utmost of his power.
5. Regard the Bible as the rule for the whole of life and government; as the most valuable thing that this world affords; and as the lively oracles of God.
- Acknowledge publicly that only a powerful anointing of the Holy Spirit can equip a leader for government and preservation of the nation in wealth, peace, Godliness, wisdom and justice.
- Seek that powerful anointing before accepting any of the trappings of power and authority by humbly participating in national Christian service of prayer and worship.
- Accept the responsibility to do justice, stop the growth of iniquity, protect the church, help and defend widows and orphans, restore and maintain things fallen into decay, punish and reform what is amiss, and confirm what is in good order.
- Desire that kind of sincerity and wisdom which attracts God’s protection and unites both leader and people.
- Publicly proclaim that the whole world is subject to the power and empire of Christ our Redeemer.
- Display the kind of leadership that is rich in faith, blessed in all good works and reigning with the King of kings.”
In Australia we actually have on paper, in our Commonwealth Constitution, this leader. The Leader is the Monarch. In Australia, an Oath of Allegiance or an Affirmation of Allegiance are required to be made to the Monarch of Australia. Oaths of Allegiance are usually made on a Bible, or some other book holy to the person, but the person may opt to make an affirmation in lieu of an oath.
How important it is in our Christian faith in our Covenant Nations to give allegiance to Our Leader – the Monarch who has given allegiance to Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Coronation Service. Why another Book?
Eason continues: “Section 61 of our Constitution says “The executive power (i.e. government) of the Commonwealth is vested in the Queen…” and she says it is all subject to the Power and Empire of Christ! What a glorious conception of government our forefathers had: a Royal line appointed by the One True God, publicly in submission to Christ the King of kings, serving the people and ably served by loyal advisers who are in turn responsible to a Parliament which faithfully represents the views of the people to the Crown.”
Remember Jesus said:
Matthew 24.4-5
“Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ, ‘ and will deceive many.”
Also remember that in the Bible Almighty God said:
Isaiah 45.5
“I am the Lord , and there is no other; apart from me there is no God.”
We have been living in peace in society – the Queen’s (the Monarch) Peace – in Covenant Nation Australia since Federation. Recently, there has been concern about those coming to Australia who refuse to assimilate. They claim discrimination and have established “no-go areas” in suburbs. Apathy, appeasement and complacency prevail as in England 1934-1938.
At this Christmas will we remember these Collects from the Book of Common Prayer 1662. The Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent:
O Lord Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee: Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
The Collect for Christmas Day: Almighty God, who hast given us thy only begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure Virgin: Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
The Apostle John records Jesus’ words:
John 16.33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
At this Christmas time it is awesome to remember what the Apostle John recorded about Jesus:
John 1.1-4, 12, 14
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” “…Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
The prophecies of Isaiah are absolutely true, for the Apostle Paul confirmed them:
1 Corinthians 2.7, 9-10
“…We speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.” “…as it is written; no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.”
[1] The Covenant Nations Vol 5 No 6, 2021
[2] Ibid
[3] While Australia Sleeps Rev. Dr Graham Whelan p 56 ff