O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness

CHRIST’S RETURN IS IMMINENT!

          All the things that are happening in the world indicate that we are getting close to the return of Christ. The nation of Israel was resurrected out of non-existence 76 years ago, and preparations have been made to build a new temple. However, hostility to Israel has grown to historic levels. This is setting the stage for the End-time events.  

          In His Olivet discourse, Jesus mentioned that before He comes “ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars…” (Matthew 24:6). Global military spending soared to US$2.4 trillion in 2023 amid rising geopolitical tensions, and it is set to rise further this year. Wars have been happening in the world for centuries. But they are no longer confined to countries where there are conflicts, but also exported right to the doorsteps of peaceful countries in the form of cyber-attacks and terrorist attacks.  

          In Matthew 24:7 Jesus mentioned that there will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes. These are the ‘beginning of sorrows.’ When a mother goes into labour, the contractions tend to increase in frequency and intensity as the time of birth draws nearer. The same thing is true of the End times. Although natural disasters have been taking place throughout history, it is evident that they have increased in frequency, severity and economic cost. Because of increased travel, infectious diseases are spreading around the world much faster than ever, and new diseases are emerging at unprecedented rates. 

          There are many other signs that Jesus will return soon, but the most significant one mentioned in this chapter is the worldwide proclamation of the Gospel. Jesus said, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (v.14) Modern technology has opened up plenty of opportunities for global evangelism. With online communication and translation tools, people groups that were once isolated can now have access to the Gospel message. 

          In verse 33 Jesus says, “When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” We cannot close our eyes to the things that are happening around us. While we should not go to the extreme of setting dates and causing false alarms, we must be very watchful because of the signs of the times.

What Should We Expect to Happen? 

          Before Jesus returns, several powerful empires and nations will rise and fall, culminating with a very powerful rule of the whole world by one person called the Antichrist. He will make a peace treaty with the nation of Israel at first. The Jews will be able to re-establish their sacrifices in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. But after some years he will break this treaty and will demand to be worshipped as God in that temple. He will also require everyone to receive a mark on their forehead. Those who refuse to receive this mark and worship him will be persecuted in the Great Tribulation. They will not be able to buy or sell without his mark. This will be a time of great suffering for all true believers in the world.  

          However, their days of affliction will be cut short when Christ comes and takes them and all believers who had died away from the world, in new perfect bodies. They receive their rewards from Christ and then enjoy sweet fellowship with Him at a grand marriage supper in heaven. 

          While this is happening, God will send supernatural plagues to punish the whole world (the seven bowl judgments of Revelation chapter 16). But the Antichrist only keeps up his ungodly campaign with the help of another end-time figure called the False Prophet. They will respond with miracles of their own done by the power of Satan, one of which may be a counterfeit resurrection of the Antichrist. 

          In the midst of all this turmoil, the greatest military offensive in all history will be launched against Israel at the Battle of Armageddon. And just at the moment when everything seems bleak, Christ will return to earth as the King of kings and Lord of lords to save Israel and defeat the Antichrist and the False Prophet and cast them into the Lake of Fire. Then Satan will be bound for a thousand years in the bottomless pit.  

          During this thousand-year period (also known as the millennium) Christ will rule on earth together with all the raptured and resurrected believers. All Israel will be saved and will worship Christ in a new temple described in Ezekiel 40-46. This rule of Christ from Jerusalem will result in the most perfect peace, order and harmony that this world has ever known. This peace and harmony will even extend to nature: Lions will eat straw instead of meat, children will be able to play with snakes which will no longer be poisonous.  

          At the end of the millennium, Satan will be released to stir up one final rebellion against God on earth, but once again God will defeat him. This time Satan will be cast into the Lake of Fire and brimstone to burn forever. All the dead who are not saved shall be resurrected, judged and cast into the same lake. The old heaven and old earth will then be destroyed with extreme heat, and a new heaven and new earth will appear in their place, together with a city called the New Jerusalem where God’s people will dwell forever with the Lord. 

          The above is the result of taking all the prophecies of the end times found in the Scriptures plainly and literally. It is known as the premillennial view of Christ’s return because in this view, Jesus returns before the thousand years. This is the view taken by Life Church.

What Should We Do? 

          Firstly, we must get ourselves prepared to meet our Lord Jesus Christ. To learn how to do this, please come for our church camp which will be held in Batam on 17-20 June. This is a golden opportunity to explore the letters of Christ to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2-3. 

          Secondly, God has given us an important role to play – We are to warn unbelievers to flee from the wrath to come. It may not be long before the end-time plagues and judgments descend upon the world and they will be engulfed by them. It may not be long before the Antichrist subdues the whole world to worship him, and they will be deluded into receiving his mark on their right hands and foreheads. It may not be long before Christ descends for His final battle against all unsaved humanity. The door to enter into God’s kingdom may soon be shut for them. Can we just sit by and do nothing for them?  

          No, we cannot. We should be doing all that we can to warn them that the End is near. We need to make them realize the seriousness of their situation. We need to tell them that “now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) – Pastor

Shorter Catechism Question 36

36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption and sanctification?

The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.

Appointments for the Week

Monday, Feb 24

        7.30 pm     ERBL: Counselling in the Local Church (Mr Joel Seah)

Tuesday, Feb 25

        8.00 pm     Prayer Meeting (Eld Heng Shao Sheng)

Wednesday, Feb 26

      10.00 am     SF Meeting

Thursday, Feb 27

      10.00 am     Ladies’ Prayer Group

        7.30 pm     ERBL: The Epistles of Peter (Rev Bendick Ong)

Friday, Feb 28

        7.30 pm     MM Meeting

Saturday, Mar 1

        3.00 pm     LTF / YLM  / MM

Sunday, Mar 2

  8.00 am Entering into Our Rest Hebrews 4:1-11 (Eld Michael Ong)

  8.00 am Choir Practice

  9.15 am Library (Sanctuary Balcony)

  9.40 am Sunday School / Catechism Class

10.15 am Coffee Corner

11.00 am Entering into Our Rest Hebrews 4:1-11 (Eld Michael Ong, with Holy Communion)

11.00 am Children’s Ministry

11.00 am Chinese Service (MPH)

12.15 pm Library (Sanctuary Balcony)

  2.30 pm Thai Service (LMH)

  4.00 pm Indonesian Service (Rm 1-6)

  5.00 pm In-Person Church Prayer Meeting (Rm 2-1)

Announcements

Vacation Bible School (VBS) 2025

VBS is back this year for N2-P6 children!  
Save the Dates: 4-6 June (Wed-Fri)
Details on how to register will be coming your way soon—stay tuned!

Door to Door Evangelism

2 March 2025 

Meet in Beulah Room 2-11, 12.30pm

Contact: Desmond or Amos 

Traffic Warden Service

We welcome all church members to join in this work. Our TW’s role is to provide godly service to facilitate worship. We need help in following time slots for Sunday: 7.30-8am or 10.30-11am with a frequency of once or twice a month.
Please contact Dn Chan Yong or Bro Kelvin. 

Library Ministry

Members are invited to serve in the Library Ministry. If you are available on Sunday, please contact Sis. Mimi Sim  or Bro. Paul Cheong for more details.

Mailbox Club Bible Correspondence Course (MBCC)

Another Church Outreach Ministry invites Lifers to register their young children, teens, or grandchildren with our MBCC. Those whose loved ones, friends or colleagues who are either young in their faith or being non-believers, are interested to know and explore more of Christianity, are also invited to register with us by filling in the registration forms which are now available at the Church front counter and post them to:

Life B-P Church

No.10, Gilstead Road

Singapore 309064

Attention: Mrs Ong Chuay Ying

Thanksgiving

Jessie and her sons Kelvin and Samuel Teo and their families would like to thank pastor, session, church and lifers who comforted them during their recent bereavement on the passing of the late William Teo.

Condolences

Our condolences to:

(1) The family of the late Mr William Ong  (68 years old) on his homegoing on 17 February 2025.

(2) Dr Lai YC and family on the homegoing of his father, Mr Lai YY (96 years old), on 19 February 2025.

(3) Mr Joseph Tan and family on the homegoing of his mother, Mdm Sim Chew Lan (103 years old), on 20 February 2025.

Gospel Sunday

English service:
Topic: Is there more to life that I'm missing? (Luke 15:11-32)
Date: Sunday, 30 March 2025
Time: 8:00 am & 11:00 am
Speaker: Dn Lim Chien Chong
Venue: Life B-P Church Sanctuary, 9A Gilstead Road, Singapore 309063

Senior Fellowship Medical Seminar: Coping with Critical Illnesses

Date: 26 April 2025

Time: 4-6pm

Venue: Beulah MPH

Speaker: Dr Loh Keh Chuan

Register by 13 April https://www.lifebpc.com/sfseminar

Gospel Sunday Choir Presentation

The Life Church Service Choir will be presenting the song “Grace of God” for Gospel Sunday on 30 March 2025. The practices will be held at Beulah 4-2 from 0830 – 0930 hrs on Sundays 9, 15 and 23 March

We welcome all church members to join us for this presentation! Please contact Yoong Chiang for more details.

Ladies’ Fellowship

Invites all ladies to join us in our various areas of fellowship. Please contact Sally or Gillian for more information or if you are interested to join us.

Church Camp 2025

Save the date! Please mark your calendars for our upcoming church camp!

Theme: Are We Prepared to Meet Christ?

Dates: 17-20 June 2025

Venue: Radisson Hotel, Batam, Indonesia

Speaker: Rev Ian Goligher, Retired Pastor of Free Presbyterian Church in Cloverdale, BC Canada.

Join us for a blessed time of spiritual growth and fellowship as we explore the messages from the letters of Christ to the seven churches in Revelation.

Camp registration will start from today, 19 January 2025. You may go to the church's website at https://www.lifebpc.com/church-camp-2025 to register online. Availability will be on a first come first serve basis. Please do register early to avoid disappointment. If you require any assistance with registration, please contact Josiah Seah at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For any questions about camp, please contact Dn Chen Wei'an.

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