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The Bible records or alludes to scores of earthquakes. They include past earthquakes that happened at various times during Creation, Noah’s Flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, the collapse of the Jericho wall, God’s appearance or revelation to Israel’s prophets, Christ’s crucifixion, Christ’s resurrection and the first-century apostolic ministry, as well as future ones that will occur as part of the signs of the end times, the Great Tribulation and the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact, the biblical records of those past earthquakes are also evidenced by other historical, geological, archaeological records.

Do the earthquakes which destroy cities and villages, buildings, roads and bridges, kill hundreds and thousands of people, and leave behind devastation, chaos and sorrow attest to the deists’ belief that God is uninvolved in the catastrophic events of the world? Is it true that God has very little to do with catastrophes like earthquakes? Are they simply mere phenomena resulting from the natural laws? Or are earthquakes part of God’s sovereign, providential dealings in this world?

In the articles that will be published over the next couple of weeks, I would like to share what I have come to understand about earthquakes through the study of God’s Word. May the Lord be pleased to enlighten and strengthen you through these articles concerning the earthquakes that terrify and confound people.

God Reigns Over the Earth

The Bible records that God sovereignly reigns over the earth, even presiding over the fearsome, devastating earthquakes. As the Almighty King, God rules from heaven even over the earth. He owns them – "the earth is the LORD'S" (Exodus 9:29; Psalm 24:1; 1 Corinthians 10:26, 28). Exodus 19:5 says, "… for all the earth is mine". Deuteronomy 10:14 reminds us, "Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is."

As the Creator of the earth (Genesis 1:1; 2:1; Psalm 89:11), He not only owns it, but also rules over it. God is the sovereign Head over heaven and earth – "Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all" (1 Chronicles 29:11). Consider the following Scriptural declarations:

• Psalm 47:2 – "For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth."
• Psalm 47:7 – "For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding."
• Psalm 95:3-5 – "For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land."

Earthquakes do not happen because God has lost control or because God has no more interest in the affairs of this earth. Even when the earth shakes and tremble, God is there, acting as its just King. God is still on the throne. While describing God’s matchless greatness, power and authority, Job said that God, as the great Judge, shakes the earth - "He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger. Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble" (Job 9:4-6). So, when the earth quakes, it isn't happening because it is outside God's power and control. Instead, earthquakes are part of His sovereign purposes concerning the earth and the universe which He has created and is directing.

The Bible clearly shows God’s design and purposes of the earthquakes that are recorded in the Bible. The Bible not only speaks of the localised earthquakes that had occurred in the past, but also predicts increasing number of massive, devastating earthquakes, culminating in a global earthquake like never before towards the end of the Great Tribulation. Then at the end of it all, at God’s final judgment, the earth and heaven shall pass away.

So, instead of pointing to a powerless god who is detached from the events of the earth, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, etc. point to a God who reigns over the earth, even over the earth’s calamities. God is not a helpless bystander. He is not a frail being who is unable to handle the forces of nature. He is the all-powerful, the Omnipotent, who reigns supreme over all the events on earth, including its tragedies.

We may speak scientifically about those phenomena and explain the earthquake as the result of a fault beneath the earth’s crust, or as being caused by the top of the earth’s crust moving in one direction while the levels under the earth’s crust move in the opposite direction. To be sure, these are the intermediate causes that God, the ultimate Cause of such events, uses for His purposes. He rules through intermediate causes and at times by direct intervention, but either way, He is in charge!

So, we sing with Isaac Watts:
There’s not a plant or flower below,
But makes Thy glories known;
And clouds arise, and tempests blow,
By order from Thy throne.

---

Testimony from Youth Retreat 2018

Moses Lee

I thank God for the precious lessons I have derived from God’s Word faithfully expounded during this youth retreat. Pastor has truly elucidated the differences between regeneration and adoption, and reiterated our obligations as "Children of the Most High".

Isaiah 53:5 states "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Christ has redeemed us through his atoning death on the cross. He has emancipated us from sin’s galling fetters and ensnarement. He is our Mediator and Intercessor, whom we know has removed all enmity and reconciled God and man. Having received the gift of salvation, it is imperative that we "put off the old man with his deeds; And put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him" (Colossians 3:9-10).

Adoption not only encompasses regeneration, an important facet of soteriology, but also further establishes our position in relation to the Father. It changes our attitude towards Him. As sinners saved by grace, elected to be heirs of a wonderful inheritance, we cannot be fixated on the ephemeral things of this transient world. Each day, I am still learning to be more Christ-like in spite of all the seemingly insuperable challenges I may encounter along the way. In my pilgrim’s progress, I must learn to be more submissive to God’s will and not yield to the flesh. Putting God first in this morally deficient and decadent world may be difficult, but I put my trust in my Saviour – my Refuge and Strength. Although our steps may falter, we must humbly seek Him and repent, for the Lord is judicious in his chastisements, which are commensurate to our transgressions.

Finally, I cannot forget the privileges of our eternal glory and blessings in being a part of God’s kingdom. I pray the Lord may use this ministry to the youths mightily for the extension of His kingdom.

Dear brethren, I would like to share the following exhortation based on Acts 19:20, which says, "So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed." As believers, we must know the divine power that we receive through the Word for our personal spiritual growth and for the ministry of the church.

When the apostle Paul and his team arrived in the city of Ephesus, they preached the Gospel to the Jews first. Paul went into the Jewish synagogue and "spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God" (Acts 19:8). But some of the hearers "were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude" (v. 9). He was forced to move out of the synagogue, and thereafter taught in the school of Tyrannus. The hostility notwithstanding, Paul undauntedly preached the Word, influencing the Jews as well as the Greeks in that city and its surrounding region (v. 10).

Another giant obstacle to the Gospel advancement in that city was its enchantment with sorcery and witchcraft. Ephesus was renowned for the statue of Artemis and her temple. The statue had mysterious engravings on the crown, girdle and feet. Those mystical writings, referred to as "Ephesian scripts", were considered to have magical power. Sorcery was part of the Ephesian culture. Some of the Jews also practised wizardry, as revealed in Acts 19:13 – "Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth." When seven sons of Sceva, the chief of the Jewish priests, tried to exorcise some demons in the name of Jesus, they were violently attacked by the demonic man. This incident brought much fear among the people.

Nonetheless, the preaching of the Word of God turned many away from their diabolical practices. "And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver" (Acts 19:18, 19). Mightily did the Word of God grow and prevail in that city, where unbelief and fierce demonic activities stood in its way.

In our own day, many dabble with horoscopes, tarot cards, crystal balls, Ouija boards, séances and other mystical and demonic activities, which are dangerous to their minds and emotions. If the church is preaching the Word faithfully and fervently, we will see some people being delivered from unbelief, and the enticement and enslavement of the devil. The preaching of the Word shall prevail over all demonic powers!

DVBS 2018 Testimonies

Rufus Wang Ze Min (with my Mummy Yuting)

I would like to thank God for a very enriching DVBS. I would like to thank Pr Kelvin and his team of teachers (Pr Dennis, Bro. Cornelius, Sis. Sarah and Sis. Sharon), as well as helpers (Bro. Amoz, Bro. Jordy, Sis. Dorcas, Sis. Kamala and Sis. Rhodora) for preparing Bible lessons, songs, art & craft, food and games.

My friends and I learnt 6 important lessons about the Bible:

1. The Bible is given by the inspiration of God;
2. The Bible is preserved by God;
3. The Bible contains instructions for us, as God’s children, to live godly and to produce good works;
4. The Bible tells us about God’s love for man in John 3:16;
5. The Bible is perfect and has no mistakes;
6. The Bible is eternal.

We also learnt many hymns. The three hymns that remain in my mind are: "The Bible Stands" (theme song), "This is the Day the Lord hath Made", and "John 3:16".

I pray that God will keep the fire of faith burning in me long after DVBS, as I continue to learn more about the Bible, and sing hymns in church and at home.

Elizabeth Teong

I learnt that the Bible contains "God-breathed" instructions to help me be perfect as God our heavenly Father, and also to help me produce good works.

Testimonies from Youth Retreat 2018

Eunice Choy

Praise God for the privilege to attend last year’s youth camp. As in every youth camp, there are so many precious lessons taught and gleaned, of which I would share a few.

We are children of the Most High – elected, called, justified, forgiven, adopted and reconciled to God. God draws us to Himself – this is the highest privilege one can have. It is not the accolades of the world, nor the worldly ambitions that attract us; rather, the joy and peace that we are children of the Most High. No Christian is an orphan, for we are sealed by the name of God and are called the sons of God.

Our Most High King and Master has transferred us from the world to God. Hence, I pray that we will live no more after the flesh, nor in fear, but have full trust and dependence upon God who has so mercifully and graciously saved and loved us. We must not let the threatening things enslave us but rejoice in the sure hope of glory that each child of God has in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Dorcas Koshy

Prior to this camp, the aspect of Ordo Salutis (Order of Salvation) that charmed my soul most was Election, i.e. how God sovereignly had mercy & compassion on me, independent of my willing and running. Regeneration, i.e. having tasted that deadness in trespasses & sins, to be quickened by Him alone who is able, was a wondrous truth that occupied my mind too.

But this camp has given me a newfound love and appreciation for Adoption. It is a joy to know that it is He who bought us over, and likewise declared our new legal status – gladly on behalf of us, His powerless children – to the unbelieving world. Truly, it is not our entrance into, but His welcoming, sealing & safekeeping of us in this new, holy beloved family of His that makes adoption the highest point, even the greatest experience of salvation on earth.

As the new year draws closer (and I know not what to expect in 2019), I pray that I will stop being indebted to the flesh, having learnt that I don’t owe the flesh anything, but instead be a submissive child, a partaker of my inheritance, even if it entails persecution or chastisement.

Joy floods my soul for Jesus has saved me,
Freed me from sin that long had enslaved me
His precious blood He gave to redeem,
Now I belong to Him;
Now I belong to Jesus,
Jesus belongs to me,
Not for the years of time alone,
But for eternity.

Brethren,

In the last church weekly, I have briefly written on how we should maintain solemnity in our worship services. It is unfortunate that there are some among us who tend to become negligent of the need for reverential conduct in the worship of God.

What truth is in us if we say that we believe in the supremacy and holiness of God, and yet act irreverently before Him? Should not our faith concerning our God make a difference in our attitude when we come before Him in worship? Can our mannerism be unworthy of God’s greatness and grandeur, especially as we gather to worship Him? Are we acting indifferently to the doctrine of God that we have confessed?

It is an unspeakable tragedy if anyone acts irreverently amidst the congregation that gather to call on the great God as the object of their worship. Let us not be oblivious towards God when we come into His presence.

There is no worship until and unless our whole being is fully focused on the praise and glory of God. Our body and soul must be wholly fixated on God. No part of our being should wander from God when we worship Him. Neither should our conduct be a distraction to others. If anything distracts us, we must turn our attention back to God at once. We must make conscious efforts to yield ourselves fully to God to praise Him and to hear His voice in faith and submission.

It must also be said that if we participate in the elements of worship without being wholly fixated on God, we are not truly worshipping. True worship is not merely being present in the worship service, or clasping our hands and closing our eyes during prayer while our thoughts are directed elsewhere. Enjoying the singing without our thoughts being directed towards God, cannot be considered worship! Jesus and the Scriptures condemn such frivolous involvement in worship of God - "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:7-9; cf. Isaiah 29:13; Mark 7:6).

If we come to God to worship Him as He has taught us in His Word, great spiritual richness and joy will fill our hearts. When God becomes our hearts’ main fixation, worship becomes a wonderfully exhilarating and blessed experience. Sunday after Sunday, we will find Him to be inexhaustible! Our desire to know and worship Him will further increase. So, let us sing with Robert Robinson:

Come, Thou Fount of ev’ry blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it - mount of Thy redeeming love.

Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS) 2018

Kelvin Lim (on behalf of the GCM Committee)

The Gethsemane Children’s Ministry (GCM) thanks the LORD for bringing last year’s DVBS to pass. We thank the LORD for watching over the various aspects of the planning and execution of last year’s DVBS, which is special as this is the first time we have online registration for DVBS.

Last year’s theme – "The Bible" – was formulated to remind the children and us of the significance of God’s Word. The participants were taught six lessons from various passages in the Scriptures. One of which was John 3:16, whereby the love of God was taught with the hope that one or more souls may be added unto the kingdom of God!

The LORD has been good to GCM in providing a venue in the premises of Berean Bible-Presbyterian Church. This is our first time using the premises of another church for our DVBS. We used the worship hall for the combined activities, such as singspiration, indoor games and lunch; it also doubled up as the classroom for the Nursery-Kindergarten Class. An upper-room was used for the Primary 1-3 Class while the office was used for the Primary 4-6 Class. As such, we want to thank God for the kindness of Rev. Tan Kian Sing and the Session of Berean B-P Church for allowing us to use their premises.

The LORD sent us 41 children, of whom 14 were from outside our church! While heartened by this outside group, we nonetheless hope that more of our members would be encouraged to send their children to receive God’s blessings through our annual DVBS! Among those 14 "outside" children who came, some were invited by our members while others came as a result of their parents’ online search for school vacation children’s activities. May the children be blessed with memories of the truths learned during the DVBS last year!

During the three-day event, we managed to have two days of outdoor games despite the wet weather forecast by National Environment Agency. More importantly, we also thank God for granting us safety, especially when crossing the roads to the park where the games were organised.

Lastly, thank God for moving the hearts of 17 brethren who serve as volunteers together with us in the committee, as well as 5 brothers who serve as teachers. Furthermore, praise God that Pastor was able to come daily to exhort the children and adults from the Bible, particularly from Psalm 19:7 – "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple."