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Thought for the day (May 23rd.) “I WILL PUNISH THE WORLD FOR ITS EVIL” May 23, 2026

Show notes

Today’s readings.. (Joshua 9), (Isaiah 13), (1 Timothy 4,5)

Isaiah ch. 13, todays’ reading, appears to have a double application: it tells us [v.1] it is an “oracle concerning Babylon,” but much of its content is remarkably parallel to the ‘Babylon’ described in the book of Revelation. It is enlightening to note that the word ‘Babylon’ in the Hebrew is actually ‘Babel’; part of this chapter appears to be about the ‘Babel’ of the last days.

In the days of Isaiah Assyria was the enemy Israel feared, Babylon was not yet a nation to be feared. Isaiah is caused to write of “The sound of the uproar of kingdoms, of nations gathering together! The LORD of hosts is mustering a host for battle … the weapons of his indignation to destroy the whole land” [v.4,5] What “land” is to be destroyed? The same Hebrew word (eretz) is translated as “earth” in v13, “the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the LORD of hosts in the day of his fierce anger”. To our way of thinking it should be understood as “earth” in both places.

We note the context, look at v.9 -11, “Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger …the sun will be dark at its rising and the moon will not shed its light. I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity” This describes a far greater calamity than when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and brought to an end the kingdom established under David and Solomon. We must seriously consider how it describes the world today, with its’ world-wide ungodliness when “every way of man is right in his own eyes” [Prov, 21 v.2] and there is no thought that an all-seeing Creator even exists.

Are we to expect physical signs – will the sun “be dark” and “the moon will not shed its light”? Jesus made some awesome prophecies, that “there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven” [Luke 21 v.11] But he also said, “there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation … if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose …” [Mark v.19,20]

Make sure you are among the elect – for “he will send out the angels and gather his elect … from the ends of the earth” [v.27] An utterly awesome divine forecast of events – we close our eyes to it – at our peril.

Thought for the Day (May 22nd.) “YOU WILL SAY IN THAT DAY” May 22, 2026

Show notes

Today’s readings.. (Joshua 8), (Isaiah 12), (1 Timothy 1-3)

We usually have a reasonable idea of what we are going to talk about as today progresses, also some of the things that are likely to be part of our thoughts and conversations tomorrow – but it is invaluable to meditate on what the 6 verses that make up the entire 12th chapter of Isaiah told Israel and tells us of what “you will say on that day.”

How utterly wonderful to be among those who will say, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD God is my strength …” [v.2] Of course, believing in God and his Son should always be the foundation on which our “strength” rests – it is not physical strength is it! What strength of mind do you have? How much does your mind meditate on the ultimate future?

In v.3 we read “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation”. This takes our thoughts to what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well, “… whoever drinks of the water that I will give him …(it) … will become in him (or her) a spring of water welling up to eternal life” [John 4 v.14] We link this saying with his words “on the last day of the feast” that the one “who believes in me … out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” [7 v.38] After Jesus left them, “the Spirit” [v.39] was to flow out of the heart of the disciples to produce more of the words of God – on which we can (and must) feed our minds.

Now back to Isaiah, the last 2 verses vividly picture the time when the redeemed will “Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously … Shout and sing for joy. O inhabitant of Zion. For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” These words take us to “the song of the Lamb” in Revelation 15. Let us live so that, by the grace of God we will be there to experience and sing this “in that day”

“Great and amazing are your deeds O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! … For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” [v3,4] At the moment they have been concealed – except to those who read and mediate on God’s word and prepare themselves for what they “will say (and sing) in that day”

Thought for May 21st. “AN EXAMPLE TO IMITATE” May 22, 2026

Show notes

Today, more than ever before, we live in a herd environment, a human herd. Mass advertising in a great variety of media confronts us hour after hour, this creates a herd mentality. We reflected on this as we read Paul’s words this morning. He told the Thessalonians that we “give you in ourselves an example to imitate.” [2 Thess. 3 v.9] What do we imitate? What or who do we take as our examples in life? An equally important question – why do we see them as examples that we might feel inclined to imitate? Bad examples surround us! But there are other things that are in some aspects good, but are dangerous in other ways! In these cases we need to acknowledge the good but be conscious of the potential for danger, seeing the aspects that could be deceitful, as Paul did.

Do you remember what he wrote about sin in Romans ch. 7? Verse 11 challenges our understanding. Paul wrote, “For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me …” Yet, the next verse says, the “law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.”

What does he mean? It appears to us that in studying the law and keeping them they became proud of their righteousness, that pride, deceived them! Now he was a follower of Christ, Paul sees life through Christ’s eyes, he now has what we might call, a down to earth perspective. He writes, “you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it … that we might not be a burden to you.” [v.7,8]

So we need to ask ourselves – are we pulling our weight, doing our share? We live in a world (in the west in particular) where getting something for nothing is the aim of quite a percentage of the population. Some have seen a career in ‘Christianity’ as a means of making a living with very little hard work attached to it. This is sometimes evident in India, especially if some overseas organisation is pouring in money.

In this country the degree of ‘social welfare’ encourages some to try to live ‘idle’ lives, but the true believer must have an attitude that is the very opposite. Soon we will be reading the letter to the Hebrews where it is stated, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” [13 v.7] They did not have the blessing of a Bible to read every day and we cannot help but think that, if they had, they would have read it every spare moment – and made as many such moments as possible. Today with so many Bibles available, it is vital we ask ourselves what part does God’s word take as we live each day?

One of the smallest “books” in the Bible is the 3rd letter of John. Let’s take our final point from what he wrote at the end of his long life. “Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.” [v.11] What will you do today that you would call “good”? We should read the Bible with such dedication of mind that we “see” God.

Thought for May 20th. “YOUR FAITH IS GROWING ABUNDANTLY” May 20, 2026

Show notes

Today’s readings.. (Joshua 5,6), (Isaiah 10), (2 Thessalonians 1,2)

Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians shows he now has greater confidence in them, in their faith and love, this causes him “to give thanks to God … because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.” [1 v.3]

He commends their “steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions” [v.4] We are aware that there are true believers in some countries of whom this can be said today – and this is true of every generation. As Jesus said in his message to Smyrna, “I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) … Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.” [Rev.2 v.9,10] Let us all be “rich in faith.”

Ukraine is much in the news these days – and there are true believers there today and we pray specially for them and for those in Iran – and we know that Stalin wiped out our community of believers in Ukraine in the 1930s.

We ponder the reference in the 2nd chapter to a particular “man of lawlessness” and that there will be a “rebellion”. We see just about everyone, in a sense, rebelling against any meaningful belief in their being a God. The “day of the Lord” then occurs. The leader of this rebellion is “against every so-called god or object of worship” [v.4] In a sense the ‘doctrine’ of evolution fulfils this, being against any concept of their being a God, a Creator whom humans should worship and serve.

Humans are also worshipping money – and Jesus said, no one “can serve two Masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” [Luke 16 v.13] Nearly everyone is devoted to the things money can buy today.

Finally we note Paul’s warning that “those who are perishing” will do so because “they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” [v.10] James wrote [2 v.5], “has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him” Let us be “rich” in the things our Master approves making sure we truly “love him” and that our “faith is growing abundantly”.

The Christadelphians - #11 The Christ - whose son is he? - Harry Tennant May 19, 2026

Show notes

**YouTube Summary/Description**

**Video Title:** The Christadelphians - #11 The Christ – Whose Son Is He? – Harry Tennant

**Description:**

Join us for this outstanding and thought-provoking exposition as we explore one of the most profound questions in Scripture: Whose son is the Christ? In this wonderful presentation, Brother Harry Tennant guides us through an insightful, verse-by-verse examination of the sonship of Jesus.

We look at the two extremes of belief—from those who deny the virgin birth to the traditional creedal teaching of an eternally begotten Son. Neither, we believe, fully reflects the beautiful, consistent revelation of the Bible. Instead, we delve into what Scripture actually says: that Jesus is the uniquely begotten Son of God, born of the virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. This revealing study walks through key passages from Matthew, Luke, John, Paul’s letters, and Hebrews to show that Jesus worshipped His Father, that the Father is greater than the Son, and that Christ’s glory comes from His faithful obedience—not from a pre-existent divine nature.

This is a respectful, humble, and deeply Scriptural look at one of the most important doctrines of the faith. Whether you agree or disagree, this video will challenge and inspire you to return to the Word of God as the only foundation for truth.

**Chapters:**

00:00 – Introduction: Seeking to Know the Son

03:55 – The Virgin Birth: A Non-Negotiable Bible Truth

08:09 – Examining the Creeds: “Eternally Begotten” or Biblically Revealed?

13:41 – Old Testament Promises: Foreordained, Then Born

15:49 – Born as the Son of God (Luke 1:35, Galatians 4:4)

16:56 – Philippians 2:5-11 Explained: “Form of God” – On Earth or in Heaven?

24:40 – Jesus Worships God – Even After His Ascension

30:13 – Conclusion: Honouring Christ Without the Creeds

**Bible Verse Categories:**

📖 Colossians 2:3 – Treasures of wisdom hidden in Christ

📖 Matthew 1:20-23 – The virgin birth declared (Emmanuel, God with us)

📖 Luke 1:30-35 – The Holy One born shall be called the Son of God

📖 John 1:14 – The Word made flesh

📖 John 3:16 – God’s only begotten Son

📖 Galatians 4:4 – God sent forth His Son, made of a woman

📖 Acts 13:32-33 – “Today I have begotten you” (Psalm 2 fulfilled)

📖 Philippians 2:5-11 – Emptied Himself, took servant’s form

📖 John 20:17 – “I ascend to my God and your God”

📖 1 Corinthians 11:3 – The head of Christ is God

📖 Revelation 3:12 – “The name of my God”

📖 1 Corinthians 15:28 – The Son Himself will be subject to the Father

**Tags:**

Christadelphian, Bible study, who is Jesus, Son of God, virgin birth, Trinity examined, Harry Tennant, Biblical sonship, Philippians 2 explained, God the Father, Bible truth, Christian doctrine, respectful theology, Scriptural teaching

**Closing Statement:**

We are a Christadelphian team, Brothers and sisters of Christ, and we're passionate about delivering powerful, Scripture-based content to strengthen and inspire your faith journey. If this presentation resonated with you, help spread the encouragement—share it with a friend today!

Watchman Report: Iran News Today - Crisis and change as prophesied! May 19, 2026

Show notes

A @Christadelphians Video: Inspiring. Join us for a thought-provoking and insightful expositional Bible study on the current crisis in Iran. We examine the outstanding prophecies that reveal the future of Iran, Syria, and the surrounding nations, offering a wonderful biblical perspective on today's headlines. This revealing presentation connects scripture with global events, showing the sure hand of God in human history.*Chapters:*00:00 - Introduction: Iran in Crisis01:17 - Iran and Syria in Bible Prophecy02:40 - Daniel 11:40: The King of the North and South04:45 - The Identity of the 'Him' in Prophecy08:01 - Russia's Role as the Latter-Day King of the North10:39 - Mapping the Future Invasion12:38 - Proof 1: Iran in the Prophecy of Ezekiel13:44 - Proof 2: Persia in Ezekiel 38:515:49 - Proof 3: The 'Residue' in Daniel 719:50 - The Historical Empires and the Unconquered Land22:49 - Russia's Strategy and Current Movements25:37 - Summary of Three Key Prophecies27:47 - What We Should Look For Next30:16 - The Coming Catalyst: Global Economic Collapse32:36 - The Future of a Palestinian State & Israel's Peace34:11 - Conclusion and Call to Action*Key Bible Verses Discussed:*📖 Daniel 11:40-45📖 Ezekiel 38:5📖 Daniel 7:7, 11📖 Zechariah 14:2*Tags:*Bible prophecy, Iran prophecy, Middle East news, Bible study, Christadelphians, End times, Daniel 11, Ezekiel 38, King of the North, Russia prophecy, Biblical perspective, Current events, Scripture explained, Watchman Report, Bible teaching, Prophecy update, Faith building, Christian community, Religious study, Bible truthWe are a Christadelphian team, Brothers and sisters of Christ, and we're passionate about delivering powerful, Scripture-based content to strengthen and inspire your faith journey. If this presentation resonated with you, help spread the encouragement—share it with a friend today!

So many versions of the Bible...Why? #5B 'Textual Criticism' May 19, 2026

Show notes

A @Christadelphians Video: **Ai Summary**[Inspiring] In this thought-provoking and wonderfully expositional video, we continue our series exploring why so many Bible versions exist. This episode focuses on **textual criticism** (or “lower criticism”) – a careful, honest discipline that seeks to recover the original text of Scripture by comparing thousands of ancient manuscripts. We explain why we don’t have the original autographs, how scribal errors and intentional changes crept in, and why having over 5,600 Greek manuscripts (with ~400,000 variants) is actually a blessing, not a problem. Using outstanding examples like Matthew 17 (prayer and fasting), John 5 (the angel at Bethesda), the Lord’s Prayer doxology, and Mark 1 (Isaiah or the prophets?), we walk through the four-step process of textual criticism: determination, external evidence, internal evidence, and identification. We also reveal the difference between the Textus Receptus (behind the KJV) and modern critical texts like the Nestle-Aland/UBS (behind the ESV, NIV, etc.), and why about 50 verses (including the woman caught in adultery and the longer ending of Mark) are treated differently. This is a revealing, insightful journey that equips us to understand where our Bibles come from – so we can agree or disagree with textual critics for the right reasons. Ultimately, we want what God originally inspired. Join us as we grow in appreciation for the remarkable manuscript evidence God has preserved.**Chapters**00:00 - Introduction00:47 - What is Textual Criticism? (Lower Criticism)02:43 - The Goal: Recovering the Original Text03:18 - No Original Manuscripts? A Timeline Challenge04:31 - Why So Many Manuscripts? (And Variants)07:40 - The Four-Step Process of Textual Criticism10:48 - Internal Evidence: Examining the Reading Itself12:58 - Case Study 1: Matthew 17 (Prayer and Fasting)17:55 - Case Study 2: John 5 (The Angel at Bethesda)20:29 - Case Study 3: The Lord’s Prayer Doxology21:45 - Case Study 4: Mark 1 (Isaiah or the Prophets?)23:37 - What is a Critical Text? From Textus Receptus to UBS26:10 - Missing Verses? (Mark 16, Woman Caught in Adultery)29:02 - Why This Matters: Seeking the Original30:42 - A Privilege of Many Manuscripts31:24 - Conclusion & Next Time**Bible Verse Category**📖 Matthew 17:21 (prayer and fasting – variant)📖 Mark 9:28-29 (parallel passage assimilation)📖 John 5:1-9 (the angel stirring the water – variant)📖 Matthew 6:13 (doxology of the Lord’s Prayer – variant)📖 Mark 1:2-3 (Isaiah vs “the prophets” – correction)📖 John 7:53-8:11 (woman caught in adultery – not in earliest manuscripts)📖 Mark 16:9-20 (longer ending – not in earliest manuscripts)**Tags**textual criticism, Bible versions, manuscript evidence, lower criticism, New Testament manuscripts, Bible translation, Christadelphian, Bible study, original text, variants, Textus Receptus, Nestle-Aland, UBS Greek text, King James Version, ESV, NIV, why are verses missing, scribal errors, biblical inspirationWe are a Christadelphian team, Brothers and sisters of Christ, and we're passionate about delivering powerful, Scripture-based content to strengthen and inspire your faith journey. If this presentation resonated with you, help spread the encouragement—share it with a friend today!

Unscripted Conversations: Christadelphian Bib le Student John Owen Talks about his Faith May 19, 2026

Show notes

A Christadelphian Video: Christadelphian John Owen has had to overcome some major obstacles in his life, not least, having Cancer in his early years, he explains how being part of the Christadelphian Community really helped him in those difficult years. Accepting God into his life has made him realise how blessed and loved he is. He is now an international speaker declaring the True God of the Bible to all those who will listen.

Thought for May 19th. “GOD HAS NOT DESTINED US FOR WRATH” May 19, 2026

Show notes

Today’s readings.. (Joshua 3,4), (Isaiah 9), (1 Thessalonians 5)

We follow on from our thoughts yesterday about our “our hearts being established blameless in holiness” with Paul’s conclusion to his first letter to the Thessalonians where he stresses very strongly to them that “having put on the breastplate of faith … God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us …” [ch. 5 v.8-10]

The wonder of that salvation which those who truly serve God will experience is illustrated for us in today’s chapter in Isaiah (ch. 9) where there are words which have found a prominent place in the famous Oratorio ‘The Messiah.’

“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder … of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and uphold it with justice and with righteousness …” [v.6,7]

We took particular notice of the phrase, “the increase of his government” which implies the spread of his control – and noted Paul’s words today – that when “people are saying , ‘There is peace and ‘security’ then sudden destruction will come upon them” [v.3] People everywhere will feel a more urgent need than today for peace and security, and when they think they are achieving it, then – disaster!

But then, wonderfully, the child who was born, the “Son” of God, returns to rebuild life on earth on divine principles; a complete rebuilding will be necessary. “The increase of his government” indicates this as the general population recovers from the terrible experience of the “sudden destruction.” As we read on in Isaiah we will come across passages such as in ch. 34, of the time coming when “the LORD is enraged against all the nations and furious against all their host (armies); he has devoted them to destruction …”[v.2]

May we all live our lives so that we are among those of whom it will be true to say and experience that, “God has not destined us for wrath,” but to obtain salvation.

1. Thought for May 17th ' If you are not firm in faith ' Isaiah 7 9 May 17, 2026

Show notes

Today’s readings.. (Joshua 1), (Isaiah 7, (1 Thessalonians 3,4)

All 3 of our readings today provoke serious meditation about human reactions to God. We started reading Joshua and saw God’s challenge to him to take his people over the Jordan. He is told, “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land … [1 v.5,6]

In Isaiah (ch. 7] the prophet is told to “Go and meet (king) Asa” [v.3] and encourage him to face the threats from the north. He is to tell him, “Be careful, do not fear, and do not let your heart in faint …” [v.4] Then the king is bluntly warned, “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.” [v.9] It is not possible to have a sort of half-faith!

Ahaz feels he is putting God to the test if he asks with a full expectation God will preserve him, he says, “I will not ask, I will not put the Lord to the test” [v.12] Because of his lack of faith the LORD then gives, through Isaiah, messages to him of bad times to come when, among other things, “all the land will be briers and thorns” [v.24]

In the New Testament we started to read Paul’s 1st letter to the Thessalonians and saw how he is commending them on “how you turned … to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” [v.9,10]

These words as so meaningful for us today; let us be “firm in faith” that God means what he caused his servants such as Paul to write. May we, with full conviction in the word of God, “wait for his son from heaven’ sensing that “wrath” will soon be coming on our world because it has reached the stage of near total godlessness. Let us not neglect our regular Bible reading as it lays the foundation to being “firm in faith” and to “be strong and courageous” both now – and even more – when the promised “wrath to come” actually happens and the dramas we will read of tomorrow in Paul’s words actually takes place.

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