Stafford Christadelphians

The Christadelphian ecclesia in Stafford, England

News

We keep this page updated with the latest news about our planned events and other items of interest so please come back from time to time to see what's new.

Goodbye 2020!

4 January 2021

The year 2020 was an exceptional year. Covid-19 was not the only natural disaster in 2020. The year began with a series of bush fires in Australia that forced thousands to flee and killed at least 29 people and more than a billion animals. Swarms of locusts descended on East Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, threatening food supplies for millions of people in the spring. This summer, California experienced its worst fire season in terms of area burned, as well as the largest single wildfire on record. With worsening floods in the UK, where will it all end and what is the outcome? What lessons can we learn?

This is not the only time in history when so called natural disasters have happened to the detriment of mankind, examples are the plagues of Egypt and the flood which happened at the time of Noah.

The Biblical record tells us that

the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in his heart.

Genesis 6:5-6

Therefore the flood happened because mankind was disobedient to God and moved in a direction which grieved Him immensely. Likewise the plagues of Egypt took place because of the way in which Pharaoh was treating God's people, Israel.

Later in the history of Israel God warned His people that if they were obedient to Him they would be blessed and if they were disobedient they would be cursed (Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28). We find that this came true in Israel's history because during the reigns of good kings such as David, Hezekiah and Josiah the land and people were blessed and the opposite happened during the reigns of the bad kings. In the end the people were taken into captivity because of disobedience to God.

Looking at our day we find that during the last 100 years there has been a gradual diminution of people's regard for God and the general picture currently is that God is, at best, ignored so it is not surprising that we find that catastrophes are happening to such a wide extent.

There is a fair comparison between our days and those of Noah just before the flood so we can expect a change in world order similar to that experienced by Noah. In fact:

... as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be ...

Matthew 24:37

so we can expect Jesus to return to take over world rulership at any time. Other international events indicate that Jesus' return is imminent so there is not much time left to deliberate.

So what is the way out from all this? God is looking for any who will turn to Him and become true believers, wanting to follow and obey Him. This is an individual matter and begins with belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The rewards available in taking this path are immense and without comparison with the difficulties we are presently experiencing and well worth the effort and commitment in being obedient to God. After all,

Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

See the video “Pandemic, vaccination, What next? - God has a plan” here.

Pandemic, vaccination, What next? - God has a plan

If you would like to know more about how to avoid the present world debacle and enjoy being part of God's coming Kingdom you will find it useful to browse the remainder of this web site and we would be very pleased to answer any questions you may have via our Contact Us page.

Coming Peace in Israel

30 December 2020

Two of our members, Philip and Judith White, have a lifelong passion for the message of the Bible and especially for Bible prophecy. They are greatly excited by current world events as they see how they are fulfilling Bible prohecy leading up to the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of God's kingdom on earth.

During lockdown, in their own home and entirely unaided, they have produced a video to explain the relevance and importance of some of the most recent developments.
(Post-production of the video has been completed by others but the presentation is entirely their own work.)

The Presentation encompasses, with a light touch, and personal narrative, much of the tumultuous History of the Nation of Israel over the past 4000 years. Beginning with their first great leader and father - Abraham, the narrative encompasses the amazing survival and re-occupation, of their original homeland, Israel. The words of some of their prophets at notable junctures are examined, giving a sense of completion. These leave the impression, however, of “unfinished business”. How the future of the Nation, in the light of its considerable records and expectations, is yet to work out, is truly an enigma. Many of the people in the Land themselves, however, expect the “Messiah” to emerge and save them.

The Presentation concludes with its own challenge!

See the video here.

Abraham Accords — Peace in Israel?

1 December 2020

Here is a development of interest to everybody. Since the State of Israel was founded in 1947/48 there has been continuous conflict with the Nations in the region. Sometimes this has led to war and casualties on all sides with the Great Powers potentially involved. The good news is that there is now in the air the prospect of discussion and some formal Agreements for peace between many of the Governments.

On August 13, 2020, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, announced the UAE's agreement to normalise relations with Israel saying that his country wanted to deal with the threats facing the two-state solution, specifically annexation of the Palestinian territories, and urging the Palestinians and Israelis to return to the negotiating table.

This is leading to potential Agreements involving at least five additional countries together with the USA and other countries and jointly becoming known as the “Abraham Accords”. According to US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “Israel and the United Arab Emirates will fully normalize their diplomatic relations. They will exchange embassies and ambassadors and begin cooperation across the board and on a broad range of areas including tourism, education, healthcare, trade and security.”

Israel said there were, “no changes” in their plans to hold parts of the West Bank. Mr Trump said: “we take a major stride toward a future in which people of all faiths and backgrounds live together in peace and prosperity.” Further, that the Accords “will serve as the foundation for a comprehensive peace across the entire region”.

It is most appropriate that the “Accords” are named after Abraham, as he is the Father of the Jewish people. The Bible records that God made Promises to Abraham (two thousand years before Jesus Christ), which have not so far been fulfilled:

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Genesis 12:1-3 [NKJV]

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:7 [NKJV]

These quotations are selected from scores in the whole Bible, which speak clearly of the coming Kingdom of “peace on earth and goodwill toward men” which God has Promised.

UAE ‘Agreement for Peace with Israel’

9 September 2020

On August 13, 2020, the United Arab Emirates Minister of State, Anwar Gargash announced the Country's Agreement to normalise relations with Israel. He said that his country wanted to deal with the threats facing the two-state solution, and to return to the negotiating table. He indicated that he did not think that there will be any embassy in Jerusalem until after there is a final agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

This statement is probably not much different from dozens of similar pronouncements made in various parts of the world over the past 20 years. Viewed in a different light, however, the basic Agreement for Peace with Israel is utterly and outstandingly unique. Since its regathering out of many Nations in 1947, Israel has been the centre of attacks by Arab Nations. Iran has said, Israel is a “disgraceful blot” that should be “wiped off the face of the earth”.

In the New Testament, however, the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, 2000 years ago ring out for all to heed:

For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Luke 21:23-24 [our emphasis]

The possibility of peaceful times in Israel after 2000 years of fighting, indicates a new stage is within sight. This will also usher in a new age not only for Israel but for the whole world from pole to pole!

Learn what this can mean for you and your family!

Go here to request a free copy of the new book “The Coming Peace in Israel”.

Coronavirus (COVID19)

We have created a new page for articles and comments on the current crisis. Some items that were previously on this News page have been moved there.

Bible prophecy is being fulfilled in our time

22 February 2020

We have placed an advertisement in the local Express and Star newspaper to make people aware of the fulfilment of remarkable Bible prophecies happening in world events right now.

prophecy advertisement

Go to the prophecy page to find out more.

Extinction Rebellion

27 April 2019

The unfamiliar words “Extinction Rebellion” have led many Newspaper headlines during April. They describe the disrupting of traffic in various parts of the UK by climate change activists who believe that direct action is now justified. Present Government measures, it is argued, are insufficient to curb a catastrophic rise in atmospheric pollution such that by 2050 large parts of the world will be uninhabitable; urgent action is now needed.

Christadelphians know from their reading of the Bible that the world is indeed to go through challenging conditions:

men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Luke 21:26 NKJV

But equally the Creator’s Plan, described in Scripture, will win through in the end:

There will be an abundance of grain in the earth,
On the top of the mountains;
Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon;
And those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.

Psalm 72:16 NKJV

How is this to take place?

It is by the promised bodily return of God’s Son, the all powerful, immortal Jesus Christ to the Earth as World King:

And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’

Acts 1:10,11 NKJV

Oliver Cromwell, the Jews and the Second Coming - When?

19 March 2019

Two of our members have just produced a new 60-page book with the above title. It details how Oliver Cromwell, starting from humble beginnings, rose to become an MP at 29 years of age, eventually becoming the First Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland, until his untimely death in 1658.

The book tells how during this time Cromwell as Lord Protector was also engaged in negotiations to encourage Jews to return to England. The reason was not only he believed this would strengthen trade links, but also, somewhat surprisingly – if the Jews could be converted to belief in Jesus Christ, this would hasten his “Second Coming”. The Bible in English as a result of the Printing Press, had become more widely available and people were reading it – none more so than Oliver Cromwell himself, who was a devout Puritan. They were becoming aware of the central theme of God’s plan as being the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to the earth and the restoration of the Jews. Although Jesus Christ did not return to the Earth in 17th century as Cromwell and others expected, Bible Evidences are put forward for still urgently expecting it in these days and for being constantly READY.

The book is available FREE of charge. Contact us if you would like a copy.

Bible Hour Titles

See the list of future planned titles for Bible Hour presentations.

News Archive

A collection of some older news articles.

Contact Us

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