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SWORD is published to bring the unchanging word of God to the people of
God and through them to the nations of the world
Church as ‘letter’
We define prophecy as the ‘forthtelling’ of the Word of
God – in particular, God’s Word concerning His Son, Jesus the Messiah of
Israel and Saviour of the world. The One who was the horizon of ancient
Israel’s prophets1 is the central message of the apostolic
Church in every age.2 The Jesus-centred Church is God’s prophet
to the world – a letter from Messiah.3 Jesus intends His Church
to proclaim His word and reveal His Living Presence to the world,
empowered by the Holy Spirit.4 Prophecy is God’s gift to
strengthen the faith of His people,5 by shining heaven’s
constant light on earth’s changing realities.6 ‘Foretelling’ is
God’s business, and any that purports to originate with Him must be
subject to the whole counsel of Scripture and the severe tests laid down.7
Divine help
God’s nature is unchanging.8 He still
communicates through the Holy Spirit as in biblical times. As the full and
final revelation of God, Scripture can neither be added to nor taken away
from.9 Without the Holy Spirit we are left with only our
rational minds to interpret the written word.10 With the Holy
Spirit’s help, the written Word of yesterday becomes the living Word of
today, revealing everything necessary for godly life and salvation.11
One answer
In all the nations today, an anti-God spirit is
dismantling nationhood, destroying family life, promoting lawlessness, in
favour of centralised – and unaccountable – global control, seeking to
overthrow God’s moral and social order, and threatening worldwide
destruction. To all this, the Gospel is the only answer.12
One restored race
Jesus is the ‘last Adam’,13 the ‘firstborn
of many brothers’.14 Thus His disciples are ‘a colony of heaven
on earth’, His guarantee of the survival of humanity – redeemed and
restored. We are commanded by our Master to love all men – including our
enemies.15 Acts of cruelty, terror, inhumanity, racism and
prejudice are contrary to Jesus’ instruction and therefore anti-Christian.
The Gospel is good news for all races,16 but it spreads by
faith and love, not by coercion.17
Offence?
We intend no offence to any person of any race or
religion. However, our Gospel is offensive18 to human pride and
sin – for individuals and nations cannot save themselves. This is the
merciful work of God.19 The Creator sent His Son to remove sin
and condemnation from all who believe.20 Unbelief therefore
forfeits forgiveness, and fellowship with God.21 As God wills,
we urge all men to be saved and discover the truth in Jesus.22
To all who believe, He gives the right to become His children.23
Get ready!
The most urgent need for the nations is not to hear the
opinions of men, but to hear the Word of God. It is as a contribution
towards the Church’s prophetic fitness that SWORD is published.
Though much trouble lies ahead, the day of Jesus’ return is near.24
This ministry’s primary message to believer and unbeliever is ‘Get Ready’!25
Israel
Because God is unchanging, His covenant promises hold
firm to all generations.26 His choice of Israel was based, not
on favouritism but on unmerited favour, not to reveal human prowess, but
divine purpose.27 This ministry holds the permanent efficacy of
God’s unconditional covenant with Abraham,28 and of the New
Covenant inaugurated with the sinless Blood of the Lord Jesus.29
He called Israel, by Law and Prophets,30 to be the prototype of
all who receive His unmerited favour – humanity restored!31 In
His time, all Israel will be saved.32 Today, the Church –
grafted into but not replacing Israel33 in this covenant
relationship with God – extends divine favour to all of any race who
believe that God’s Son, Jesus the Messiah, is the Saviour of the world.34
1 Romans 1:2;
1Peter 1:10
2 1 Cor 15:3
3 2 Cor 3:3
4 Acts 1:8
5 1 Cor 14 :3-4
6 Heb 12:2; 2 Cor
4:18; Col 3:1
7 Deut 18:21-22;
Acts 1:7
8 Mal 3:6
9 Deut 8:3; Rev
22:19
10 1 Cor 2:14
11 John 14:26
12 Isaiah 45:22;
Acts 4:12
13 1 Cor 15:45
14 Romans 8:29
15 Luke 6:27
16 Luke 2:10
17 John 3:16-18
18 1 Cor 1:23; Gal
5:11
19 Eph 2:8-10
20 John 3:17
21 Eph 2:11-13
22 1 Tim 2:3-5
23 John 1:12-13
24 Luke 21:5-36
25 Matt 24:36-44
26 Deut 7:9; Ps
100:5
27 Deut 7:6-8;
Isaiah 62:1-3
28 Gen 12:1-3;
29 Luke 22:20
30 Matt 5:17; Acts
24:27
31 James 1:18
32 Romans 11:25-26
33 Romans 11:1-36
34
John 4:42
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