REACH OUT TO THOSE WHO NEED THE LORD

(June 02, 2025) Norman and Margaret Moss share another precious meditation…

As a young pastor fresh from Bible college one of the duties expected of me was that I should regularly visit not only members of our church, but also any possible friends and connections that offered opportunities of bringing comfort or Christian witness.

And so it was that ond day I found myself visiting an elderly lady in her home at about 4pm one day. On arrival I was somewhat surprised to find that her room was full of birds.

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MILLENNIAL ANIMAL BLOOD SACRIFICES?

(May 31, 2025) Dr Robert McQuillan shares…

I had a question of my own recently when I read what someone had written about animals being sacrificed by converted Jews after Jesus returns. Quoting scriptures from Ezekiel and several other Old Testament prophets, it was concluded that these millennial Israelite sacrifices will be a graphic honouring of what Jesus accomplished in His previous visit here… ultimately leading to His crucifixion. That on genuine repentance only the blood of Christ can atone for sin.

Could this be so, I was wondering. Maureen suggested that I query it with renowned Bible scholar friend Dr Jim McClure who regularly contributes Teaching category articles to our E-Mag. (Do read his challenging new series this month— Malachi-prophet who revealed God’s answers to people’s questions-part 1/… it’s so timely!).

The following is Dr Jim’s reply (which I trust will bless many):

Hi Robert. Thanks for the question you sent. I hope my reply helps in some way…
Dispensationalism within the church has led to multiple sensationalist interpretations. Clearly the scriptures reveal that God has interacted with humanity in multiple ways both before and after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ— and obviously that interaction continues today and into the future. 

Various Bible books contain insights into some of those events yet to come. 

  • However, unravelling the accurate meaning of those revelations has led to many different/speculative/ spectacular interpretative theories. 
  • Among the more common ones are found in three opposing categories— Premillennialism, Postmillennialism and Amillennialism.
  • Also, the different theories regarding animal sacrifice are presently rather confusing (and often the product of a lively imagination) so I hold the position of ambiguity.

Regrettably among many Christians there has been reflected what I would describe as an unhealthy fascination (and also, in some, an obsession) in ‘End-Time’ events. Indeed, some preachers make such preaching a dominant aspect of their preaching and teaching!

My personal view is quite simple— I just don’t know precisely what will happen, the order in which it will happen or when it will happen!  Certainly we have been given insights into the future within the Bible and in some of those insights there is an extensive use of symbolism.  And with regards to the question of whether or not there will be animals offered in sacrifice when Jesus returns, I have no opinion!

Consequently, I await with eager anticipation the glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. I don’t have all the information or a full understanding of that wonderful coming event, or about all that will happen after the event.

The ‘information’ that the Bible contains will, I believe, make perfect sense when the various events occur. I may lean into some interpretative suggestions more than some others, however, I hesitate fully to embrace or to affirm any interpretative exposition as absolute truth.

So, I wholly agree with the hymn writer Dora Greenwell (1873) who wrote:
I am not skilled to understand
what God has willed, what God has planned;
I only know that at His right hand
is One who is my Saviour!

Shalom! Jim

Footnote: Dr Jim’s comments above blessed me. Regarding the three opposing categories he mentions above, decades ago I personally decided not to be any of these but to be a Panist. In other words, ‘It’ll all pan out in the end!’ (According to God’s will of course!).
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Got a question for Dr Robert or Pr Maureen McQuillan? Email: OnlinerConnect@gmail.com
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MALACHI— The prophet who revealed God’s answers to people’s questions (Part 2)

(May 31, 2025) Dr Jim McClure continues this very relevant series…

As mentioned in Part 1 22 questions are to be found in Malachi (My Messenger) who wrote about Israel’s false accusations against God.

Here I share on seven of those questions— false accusations made that God did not love them and His response.

(1) Doubting God’s Love
Malachi came along at a time when the people were struggling to believe that God loved them (Malachi 1:2).

The first question was addressed to God by a cynical people, ‘How have you loved us?’ (v2). Over many centuries and in so many ways God had demonstrated His love for His people— despite their repeated ingratitude and disregard of Him and their failure to recognise the evidence of His loving provision and protection!

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MALACHI— Prophet who revealed God’s answers to people’s questions (Part 1)

(May 30, 2025) Dr Jim McClure begins a series that is so relevant today!

The final book in the Old Testament was written by the prophet Malachi likely around 445 – 425 BC, about 100 years after the Jews had returned to Jerusalem from exile. He was likely a contemporary of Nehemiah, who as governor, oversaw the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.

The prophet identified himself as Malachi which in Hebrew means ‘My Messenger.’ We know absolutely nothing about him as he is not mentioned anywhere else in the Old Testament. Some suggest that ‘Malachi’ was not the prophet’s name but a title given to him.  In fact, the only place in the Bible in which the name occurs is in the first verse in this prophecy.

However, the same Hebrew word is repeated in Malachi 3:1 in which God promised, ‘See, I will send my messenger who will prepare the way before me.’  Jesus quoted this verse in reference to John the Baptist, ‘This is the one about whom it is written: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you”’ (Matthew 11:10). 

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GOT DIFFICULTY TRUSTING GOD?

(May 29, 2025) Robert and Maureen McQuillan encourage troubled hearts…

Well… be comforted in that you’re not the only one! Recently we’ve encouraging a number of believers to hang in there and not give their faith away just because they’re going through some rough times.

We also reminded them that for some three years Satan, our great enemy, has been spreading a cunning spirit of deception among us— and that sadly some have fallen for his trickery.

Then we stun them by challenging them to know that God hasn’t finished trusting them! Yes, you may be finding it difficult to trust God but He hasn’t turned His back on you! Know it… believe it with your mind… and heart!

And know also that if God is to trust us, He may allow us to be challenged in some way— even by Himself— as happened with some biblical individuals.

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MARKS OF MATURITY (Part 2)

(May 21, 2025) Dr Richard Winter continues his vital challenge that Christians should grow in Christ, maturing in their faith. In this Part 2, he shares on some marks of Christian maturity…

1. Participant not Spectator!
This a self-revealing truth! When you join any branch of the military— army, navy, air force, marines, space force— the day you take the oath of allegiance to serve, the day you put your uniform on, you are no longer a civilian or spectator.

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BLIND GIRL SEES AFTER PRAYER IN JESUS’ NAME

(May 16, 2025) GodReports shares more good news…

The indigenous people had long been suspicious of Pastor Kabir*, who came to their South Asian village on a regular basis to preach, pray, and fellowship with the handful of believers who lived there.

Most of the villagers were not only devout Hindus, but they were also superstitious. A Christian pastor was never a welcome sight.

In the village lived a young girl named Aama*. When she was five years old, her eyesight began to fade and soon, she was partially blind. Her parents not only sought treatment from hospitals, but they also took her to witch doctors and mediums. No one could help. Soon, Aama was unable to attend school and her education suffered.

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MARKS OF MATURITY (Part 1)

(May 16, 2025) Dr Richard Winter shares a vital challenge…

The Roman Catholic Church recently elected a new Pope and the eyes of the world are currently on him… Who is he really? What new changes will he bring about? Will he be backed up?

While his name is Robert from Chicago, he will be called Leo 14th. The world will be inquisitive about his family and his life before his election as Pope. For example, I wonder if his brothers ever called him Bob? No doubt many will wonder if they ever thought he would be elected Pope.

Position
Life in families is always interesting because sometimes we don’t know how our brothers will turn out. Come with me to another family from the first century… to Mary and husband Joseph’s.

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ANXIETY STEMS FROM MISPLACED TRUST!

(May 14, 2025) Mama Lava, sharing from her heart, reminds us of another great truth…

Hello again!

Trust is our theme this month, as we work on alleviating our anxiety. Specifically trust in God.

Think about this… we put our trust in many things every day. We trust that—

  • What we buy online will arrive as described.
  • The amount charged on our various bills is accurate.
  • Our cars will get us from point of origin to destination without breaking down.
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TWO THOUSAND IRANIANS TURNING TO JESUS EVERY DAY

(May 14, 2025) Charles Gardner reports…

The Bible Society, which operates around the globe, reports that more than 2,000 Iranians are turning to Jesus every single day! One 92-year-old believer, whenever she’s on a bus, pulls out a small book and asks her neighbour to help her read the tiny font.

In fact, she is secretly getting strangers to read the gospels. Every time she does it, the person sitting next to her ends up taking a New Testament home.

Christian Revival Focus
This is brave work in a land where leaving Islam is potentially punishable by death. But the Iranian revival is good news for Israel— and the Jews! For these dear people have been taught by their government and mullahs that Israel is their archenemy.

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