by Rev. J.A.T. Van Dorp, Gisborne
The prophet Isaiah clearly saw the church as a divine institution that is very prominent, i.e. the mountain of the Lord’s house. The prophet Daniel viewed this mountain as small but supernatural and powerful in its beginning and world-embracing in its progress. The commencement he saw as no less than a stone mysteriously cut out without hands and the increase so powerful and progressive as to fill at last the whole earth. When we consider that this extension of the gospel mountain is full of blessing to perishing sinners, how urgent David’s prayer should become in the 20th century — “let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen and Amen.” (Ps. 72:19).
One aspect of modern times is the availability of air travel which is a comfortable way of travelling long distances. When however, this modern invention becomes a helpmeet to the gospel, it attains a significance that is immeasurable. Was the apostle John referring to this in Rev. 14:6? “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred and tongue and people.” That John was referring there to modern long-distance travel was the opinion of a godly man in a previous century. When commenting to a friend about this verse he said it must refer to ministers of the gospel for angels do not preach; also it must refer to a very unusual mode of travel that is not yet known to us. Whilst air travel was not known then, it has very much become part of the present scene.
It is a development for which we should be glad. It has enabled and is enabling church deputies to spare a portion of their time to labour in other parts of the vineyard; some as far away as Australia and New Zealand. “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Mat. 24:31). The Old Testament joyful sound of the trumpet in the year of jubilee is an apt type of the gospel trumpet. “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.” (Ps. 89:15). Let us hear the great sound of the gospel trumpet with the hearing of faith and we will experience that Jesus Christ sets poor sinners free by his infinite power.
The speed of modern travel also enabled myself to attend the meetings of Synod this year, for the first time. With only two ministers in the Australia and New Zealand Presbytery, it is not easy to be away for a long period. “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Mat. 9:38). After having preached in Gisborne on Sabbath 26th April, it was possible to conduct a service in Paramatta, Sydney, on Tuesday 28th April, at a distance of approximately 1500 miles. The next stage of the journey brought me to Grafton, New South Wales, for the communion season there. The six days went like a weaver’s shuttle.
When I arrived in Scotland, Glasgow was getting ready for a Luis Palau campaign as was evident by posters plastered all over the city. Palau campaigns, as Billy Graham campaigns, have their conversions and that is unspeakably sad for obvious reasons. I personally know people who claim to have experienced such a conversion and yet lack even the smallest degree of the grace of sanctification. A popular phrase is: “but they are sincere”. That may be so but we must be made sincere by the teaching of the Holy Spirit. That teaching embraces the blessing of effectual calling and the inseparable but distinct benefits of justification and sanctification.
What a need there is to heed the truth. “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:4,5). The religious scene worldwide is one of carnality: modern versions, revival campaigns, after-church rallies, massed choirs, carnal music and women’s prayer meetings, etc. One thing is obvious — all the carnal noise has not made the least impact on the immoral and godless scene of the space-age. The impact that Paul made was not by carnal means but by the simple gospel of Christ. Therefore he had occasion to say: “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation.” (Rom. 1:16). He was concerned about “all the counsel of God”. “I have not shunned to declare all the counsel of God.”
In the midst of all the religious turmoil the church stands out clearly as a mountain of truth. Many travel round the world just to look at mountains. The most wonderful sight for a Christian is to see the church, Mount Sion, standing unshakeable as a kingdom that cannot be moved, whether in New Zealand, Australia, Britain or wherever this mountain is represented by Christ’s disciples.
The main purpose of my travel to Scotland was to attend the meetings of Synod. In doing so I saw Mount Sion stand most beautiful, upholding the truth, all the counsel of God. We do not see numerous conversions in our age, at least up to the present time. However, we do see the enemy as a flood and we do see treacherous winds of doctrine. What a havoc winds and floods can make. It is a wonderful sight, in the midst of onslaughts and religious turmoil to see the church being preserved. “Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
One aspect of my visit to Scotland was the number of former countrymen I met. Some were visiting Scotland on holiday as those I met in Dingwall after a service. Others are living in Scotland and appreciate the preaching of the truth they find in our denomination. I was able to converse with them in my native language. Also I had the opportunity of meeting Mr Reijers and Mr Nieuwenhuizen, the Dutch deputies who brought greetings on behalf of the Mbuma Zending to our Synod. They did not come to see the Scottish mountains. It is love of Mount Sion that brought them such a long distance to convey greetings from Holland. In times when darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people, we do well to consider the words of Samuel Rutherford: “I am confident Zion shall be well; the bush shall burn and not consume, for the goodwill of Him that dwelt in the bush.” In New Zealand and Australia we see something of the feast prepared in this mountain—”a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.” In Scotland I saw other aspects with which I was less familiar in the public and private sederunts of Synod.
Christ’s kingdom is a mountain which cannot be moved. Daniel saw the beginning of it as a stone cut out without hands which at last became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. May we as a church continue to stand firm in the truth that is according to godliness, as we are represented throughout the world, and we shall continue to experience the goodwill of Him that dwelt in the bush. “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Heb. 12:28).