Outside The Camp

He was our sin offering, our scapegoat. All our sins were laid on Him. He took them outside the camp and there they remain.

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My husband and I were enthusiastic campers in our younger days. We started off in tents but then we upgraded to various camper vans, which, to be honest, is not real camping but we like to kid ourselves it is. We love that sort of holiday, where we can go out in the day but then really look forward to coming back to the campsite, where it was familiar and relaxing. Sometimes we don’t even go outside the camp, choosing to stay in the familiar and comfortable surroundings. 

The letter of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians. The writer reminds these Christians of something in their Jewish past, to encourage Jewish members of the Church to maintain their faith in Jesus Christ and not to return to their former ways as some of them were doing. They were being tempted to go back to a place that was familiar and where they felt comfortable. In Hebrews 13:11-14 it says: The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

Each year in the Jewish calendar on the Day of Atonement the nation would gather and the high priest would offer a bull in sacrifice for his own sin. Then he would take two goats and present them before the Lord. He would choose one of them by lots to be sacrificed and the other was the scape goat.

He would sprinkle the blood of the animals on the mercy seat. Then he would lay his hands on the head of the living goat and confess all the sins of the people of Israel. Then an appointed man would take that goat out into the wilderness and let it go. The goat symbolically carried with it all the sins of the people which had been confessed. The priest would take all that was left of the sacrificed animals, and bring the remains outside the camp and there he would burn them. 

That was the event that the author of Hebrews was relating to the Jewish Christians in the above scripture. He wanted them to realise that Jesus was the fulfilment of all that God had intended for the people in the annual Day of Atonement.

The area “outside the camp” was a “no-man’s land.” Apart from the place where they discarded sacrificial carcasses, it was the place where foreigners lived, it was the place to which they banished the leprous, infirmed and suffering. Anyone who was ‘unclean’ had to live outside the camp. It was a place where the rubbish was dumped and it was a place of execution for those who had broken God’s laws. 

When the Jewish religion centred around the city of Jerusalem, outside the city walls became the ‘outside the camp’. This is the place where our Saviour was crucified. Jesus went “outside the city gate” to identify with anyone who was rejected. Isaiah 53:12 prophesied that part of Jesus’ substitution judgment for sin was that He was numbered with the transgressors. He went “outside the city gate” to the place where criminals were crucified. He went “outside the city gate” because He was our sin offering, our scapegoat. All our sins were laid on Him. He took them outside the camp and there they remain. We carry them no more. We are set free by the blood of the One who bears the guilt of our sin

In the above scripture the writer of Hebrews goes on to say that we too must go to Him, outside the camp and endure the reproach He endured. If Jesus died outside the camp, then why would we think that Christians should be spared the experience of going through the same thing? As Jesus put it in John 15:18-20 ‘If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.’

Jesus said that the attitude of the world toward believers would be hatred because they are different from the world. In John 12 it talks about people wanting to cling to their dead rituals and their Temple worship, because that’s what made them comfortable. That sort of religion is no threat to the world. If our faith doesn’t challenge or threaten them, they can accept and tolerate it but if we are brave enough to make it clear that Christ is the the only hope then they will turn away or balk against it.

We are not meant to isolate ourselves from the world. Jesus said we must be an influence of salt and light to the world around us but we must not begin to adopt the same goals of the world, we shouldn’t be immersed in the things of the world, we shouldn’t talk and have the same priorities as they do. If that happens, we have become comfortable “inside the camp”. Paul said in Romans 12:2, ‘Do not be conformed to this world.’  No, we need to be sanctified, which means set apart. 

There are many examples in the Old and New Testaments where people have left their relatively easy life to step outside the camp. Moses left the Egyptian palace to lead the Israelites to the promised Land. Esther was a queen but she interceded on behalf of her people, the Jews, and saved many lives. Paul gave up his life and suffered many hardships bringing the Good News of Jesus to the Gentiles.

So let us, like them, go to Him, who suffered outside the city walls for us. Let us bear reproach for the sake of the lost. 

Help us Lord to come to You outside the camp. Help us not to conform to this world but to be set apart for You. Help us to step outside our comfort zone as You stepped outside of Yours by coming into this world to shed Your blood for us. Amen

I will end as usual with a quote from Charles Spurgeon on the subject:

‘The highway of holiness is the highway of communion. It is in this way we shall hope to win the crown if we are enabled by divine grace faithfully to follow Christ “outside the camp.” The crown of glory will follow the cross of separation. A moment’s shame will be well rewarded by eternal honour; a little while of witness-bearing will seem nothing when we are forever with the Lord.’

Author: Thelma Cameron

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Love your neighbour as yourself

God is very merciful, He protected us and brought everyone out of danger, including my friend and her children.

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Jesus said to love people as yourself, “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”(Mark 12:29-31), but surely each of us knows how difficult it is sometimes to do this.

With the beginning of the war in my country, in Ukraine, the concept of love has become very acute. People have been divided into those who are ready to give their lives for others and those who are indifferent to someone else's grief. 

I want to share a story that happened to me personally and how everything that happened challenged my Christian values.

It was a cold morning in March 2022. My town had been surrounded by Russian invaders the day before and fortunately on this gloomy morning our troops managed to open one way to the west. The forces were unequal, so we knew that we did not have much time to leave and stay alive. We very quickly left the town on our friends' mini bus. We are several families, mainly women and children. 

 A few days before that, almost every day, I called my friend, a mother of three children, and asked her if she wanted to go with us if there was such an opportunity. In response, I heard ''I don’t know, I’m not sure, I don’t know what to do'', etc. In the conversation, I convinced her that staying in the occupation or under shelling was deadly dangerous, but in response I heard the same thing again. I said again that it might be too late and irreversible, but everything was to no avail…

So, we left my town without my friend and her children. We were driving at a very high speed. Behind us we could hear explosions, the sounds of Russian helicopters and other weapons. Ukrainian fighter jets were flying rapidly towards us. It was terrible, scary for the children. We prayed all the time, waiting for us to pass this front line and the horror would end. 

Suddenly the driver's wife's phone rang. She abruptly answered the caller that it was too late, there was no way to return. It was my friend who called, she asked to pick her up with the children and help her get out of danger.

My mother, who was with us, persuaded the driver to stop and wait until someone from our family could bring my friend and her children to us. My mother also persuaded my cousin by phone to bring this family to us. We stopped. Absolutely everyone was at risk. We waited on a field road among black trees and bare fields. The waiting time seemed like an eternity, unbearably long. 

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Looking ahead, I will say that everything turned out well. God is very merciful, He protected us and brought everyone out of danger, including my friend and her children. The worst was behind us. It would seem that everyone  should be happy, and me as well, but I admit honestly, in my heart resentment and anger increased from the fact that due to someone's indecision, several families could have died, including mine. 

I had to fight it. We left Ukraine all together abroad. My friend and I worked together. I helped with understanding the language and in many other ways. I tried to pretend that everything was fine, but my resentment still lived in my heart. I justified myself in every way and prayed at the same time to get true freedom. And you know what? The merciful God did the unthinkable. It so happened that it was my friend, a year later, who was able to help me in a very crucial and important matter for me. She  seemed  so indecisive and shy, but she was able to do what others could not. 

If then in March of 2022 we did not stop and did not wait, no one would certainly condemn us. Perhaps there will be many who will fully understand my offense and justify me because it is so natural for us people. Fortunately, this is not the nature of our Lord. The Bible, his message of love, teaches us completely differently. 

Now I am free from all anger and I love my friend dearly, not because she helped me in an important career matter, but because my God made me understand that I asked Him for salvation from death (from eternal death) and I was also unsure and indecisive about it for a long time, and Jesus died because of me, because of my sins.

He is Love, He is the path, and his ways are the best.  He told us to follow when He commanded: love your neighbour as yourself. Sounds beautiful, doesn't it?

Author: Alla Hunt

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What time are we now in?

It’s clear, that though we’re in the birth pains, the gospel of the Kingdom has to be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations….then the end will come.

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Jesus told us to read the sign of the times and gave us this warning:

Matthew 24:4-14

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The wars and rumours of wars are increasing at a rate like never before. There are about 80 wars or so currently going on in the world at the moment, and our eyes can be so focused on these or at least the ones constantly on the news channels, that we forget the real war isn’t in the physical realm but the spiritual realm from where despots of the world are driven. And yet we’re told not to be alarmed, (easier said than done!) as such things must happen. ‘But the end is still yet to come.’

Nation is rising against nation, famines and earthquakes as well as other natural/man made disasters are increasing. How far are we into the birth pains?

Christians being persecution and handed over to death is prevalent in different parts of the world and even in the UK the persecution is growing, and we are definitely hated because of our love and stance for Jesus, by those who don’t accept the gospel or have chosen to water it down and become more like the world.

This is resulting in many being led astray or simply turning away from the faith because of false teachers, especially in the so called established or state churches, as it seams to me that they find it easier to follow what tickles their ears instead of the truth of the gospel.

The other thing we’re seeing is a rise in wickedness. Cars being driven into crowds of people with the intent of killing as many people as possible. Gun and knife crime on the increase. Witch craft, fortune telling and free masonry are on the increase. Many of our children and youth with an identity crisis, because they’re being falsely told they can be and identify as anything they want to be, and all this is being accepted as normal.

Satan really is blinding the eyes of the unbeliever and it would seem is deceiving the believer? (If that were possible). It baffles me how someone can claim to believe and follow Jesus and then so easily deny Him or the truth of the gospel, His Word.

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But there is hope. For the one who stands firm to the end they will be saved. And for those who aren’t yet saved there’s still time. But how much?

It’s clear, that though we’re in the birth pains, the gospel of the Kingdom has to be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations….then the end will come.

How far off are we from this? Who knows? But what we can be sure of, is none of us knows if we have tomorrow and that Jesus is coming back for His church.

So, what time are we now in?

* Time for the church to wake up from it’s slumber.

* Time for individuals to put down their baggage and pick up their cross.

* Time to realise that we are all responsible for our own growth in Jesus.

* Time to stand on the Word of God and not be swayed by the world view.

Mark 13:32-33

''But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.''

Brothers and sisters, whatever else happens, stand firm to the end, pray for one another, hold fast to the gospel, keep your eyes firmly fixed on Jesus and be ready in and out of season. And let the LORD build the house.

The LORD bless you

    and keep you;

25 the LORD make his face shine on you

    and be gracious to you;

26 the LORD turn his face toward you

    and give you peace.”’

(Numbers 6:24-26).

To God be the Glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Author: Kevin Hunt

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It's Time to Grow Up!

There is a huge difference between being childlike and childish: one blesses a church, the other drains a church. One is spiritual, the other is carnal.

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Spiritual growth and maturity is an essential characteristic of a true Christian, yet infant behaviour seems rampant in so many churches. It was A. W. Tozer who said that the visible Church of Christ includes at least four classes of people: First, average people who come to church regularly but are never converted. They enjoy church, their friends are there, but they have never passed from death to life. Second, those who have trained to be Christians, but are not. They have learned the language, give the impression they are a Christian and others think of them as such. Third, there are those who are true Christians, but carnal and are still as they were when first saved. Finally, there are true Christians but ‘unfortunately these seem to be the minority in most churches’. Tozer’s comments make sad reading, but his challenge cannot be ignored. A similar picture is found in the New Testament where Paul refers to the Corinthians as ‘mere infants’ and ‘spiritual babes’; 

1 Corinthians 3:1-2 ‘Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready’. The writer to the Hebrews speaks of believers being ‘slow to learn’; Hebrews 5:11-12 ‘We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food’! There is a huge difference between being childlike and childish: one blesses a church, the other drains a church. One is spiritual, the other is carnal.

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There is something very tragic about an adult being childish. John Ortberg tells of a man called Denny who regularly attended church all his life, yet didn’t like the music and called in the local authority about the volume. Everyone guessed who had complained and laughed it off. However, Ortberg said it was no laughing matter as this guy was 60 years of age, his children couldn’t tolerate him, he stayed cranky and no one expected him to be any different. Those comments remind me of some words from Juan Carolos Ortiz, who said, ‘We have a phenomenon in the church today which I call the Eternal babyhood of the believer. We have members of our churches who, after years of hearing messages are just the same. They continually need a minister to keep after them, changing their diapers, putting talcum on them, and checking their milk isn’t too hot’. Perpetual infancy is not allowed in the Kingdom of God! Childish behaviour has to be addressed and confronted.

Immature, childish believers have these unhealthy traits:

• Self-centered – everything has to revolve around them.
• Influenced by their feelings – one minute they’re happy, the next           they’re screaming!
• Easily attracted by externals – a new sound or rattle quickly gets their   attention.
• Prefer play to work – unproductive apart from making work for others.
• Don’t take responsibility for their actions and behaviour.
• Live on a restricted diet, preferring to be spoon-fed and dependent.

Pastoring isn’t pampering! Growing as a Christian is a command not an option. Spiritual growth is a matter of attitude, not age. God has provided everything we need for growth, and maturity should be our burning ambition. If you’re wearing a small jacket, make sure you’re growing out of it!

Author: Alan Hewitt (re-issue)

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Alan Hewitt (re-issue)

Kiss the Son

Many people might offer a kiss and a cuddle to the cute baby in a manger, but may be less keen to give homage to the King Jesus when He returns.

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Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way,

for His wrath is quickly kindled.

Blessed are all who take refuge in Him. (Psalm 2:10-12)

A kiss is a demonstration of affection, but can also be an act of reverence and submission. In the ancient middle east a kiss could ratify a covenant or seal an agreement. It could also be a sign of subjection, respect and allegiance, as is a vassal/suzerain relationship, in which loyalty and service by the lesser partner was given in return for protection and security by the greater.

Many people might offer a kiss and a cuddle to the cute baby in a manger, but may be less keen to give homage to the King Jesus when He returns. He is the Faithful and True, whose eyes are flaming fire and who comes with righteousness and justice to make war on His enemies; the One who will strike down nations and rule with a rod of iron. (Revelation ch.19) This is the Son, whose anger will one day spill over into wrath against those whose hearts are not yielded to Him, yet whose blessing is granted to those who run to Him for protection. 

This is the Advent of Jesus, predicted by David the psalmist, king, and ancestor of the King of kings. His first advent began meekly. He taught, suffered, died, was raised and returned to heaven. In his second advent He will come with infinite power and authority to rescue the righteous and condemn the wicked. The Hebrew idiom for his anger is a 'burning nose' which in turn will burn all who refuse reverence and submission to the Son.

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So there are only two ways to go. We can pay respect and reverence, obeisance and obedience - 'kiss' - the Son of God, take refuge in Him, and know everlasting blessing. Or we can reject Jesus, provoke His wrath, and perish. 

Returning to the context of the Psalm, we find that though the message is for all people it is particularly directed at people in power. Rulers of the earth are warned to serve the Lord. Throughout history many arrogant and aggressive rulers have come and gone, and those who strut and dictate today will be no different. God is setting up a Kingdom that will never be destroyed, and will break in pieces all other kingdoms and bring them to an end, and this Kingdom will stand forever. (Daniel ch.2)

We should fear the Lord, not with fright that makes us flee but with reverence that seeks sanctuary in Him. All who take refuge in God's Kingdom are blessed forever.

Author: John Plumb

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