10 Reasons to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will return

Md. Abdul Ahad Khan, CC BY-SA 4.0,
via Wikimedia Commons

1. His Personal Promise: in John 14:1–3 Jesus explicitly promises his disciples, "I will come back and take you to be with me."
2. The Precedent of His Ascension: Acts 1:11- Angels declare to the witnesses of his ascension, "This same Jesus ... will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
3. Completion of God’s Creation Plan: 2 Peter 3:13 and Revelation 21:1–5 - Scripture describes his return as the initiation of a "new heaven and a new earth," restoring physical creation.
4. Fulfilment of Prophecy: Matthew 26:64 and Isaiah 9:6–7 - Jesus himself confirms his future return "on the clouds of heaven," fulfilling the pattern of precise prophetic fulfilment established at his first coming.
5. The Final Accounting of Justice: 2 Thessalonians 1:6–10 and Acts 17:31 - Paul writes that God will bring ultimate justice and relief to the oppressed when Jesus is revealed from heaven.
6. Rescuing Creation and Humanity: Matthew 24:21–22 - Jesus states that his intervention at the end of the age is necessary, noting that "if those days had not been cut short, no one would survive."
7. The Resurrected King: Revelation 1:17,18 - Because Jesus holds "the keys of death and Hades," his resurrection gives believers confidence that he possesses the ultimate authority to return.
8. Reclaiming What Is Rightfully His: Revelation 11:15 and Philippians 2:9–11 - Prophecy states that "the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah," where every knee will bow.
9. Source of Eternal Hope: 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 - Paul outlines the mechanics of the Second Coming to encourage believers, concluding with the instruction to "encourage one another with these words."
10. A Call to Holy Living: 2 Peter 3:11–12 and 1 John 3:2–3 - The text argues that the certainty of his return should directly influence daily behaviour, stating that everyone who has this hope "purifies himself, just as he is pure."

10 British Prime Ministers Alive Today

Sergeant Tom Robinson RLC/MOD, OGL v1.0OGL v1.0,
via Wikimedia Commons

At the cenotaph yesterday, besides Andy Burnham, there were nine former prime ministers. That is the most ever alive at oone time. 

They are

1. John Major
2. Tony Blair
3. Gordon Brown
4. David Cameron
5. Theresa May
6. Boris Johnson
7. Liz Truss
8. Rishi Sunak
9. Keir Starmer
10. Andy Burnham

Bedwas Mural

See here - https://caerphilly.observer/news/1050373/welsh-mythology-inspires-latest-valleys-street-art-project-in-bedwas/

I went through nearby Bedwas the other day and was struck by this impressive mural, representing the Welsh legend Rhiannon.

Lord's Day November 8 2026

I was preaching yesterday at Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Hilperton. I took two obscure verses from Ezekiel (41:22 and 39:3) and spoke to the thirty or so present inclding several new people. A good day. (You should be able to find the sermons here on thier website)

Recent Pics

Where are the songs of spring? Ay, Where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too (Keats)

Can I forget the sweet days that have been (W H Davies)

Avondrood

 Vlammengloed 

Bloedbad in het westen (Deelde)

Lord's Day November 1 2026

It was a good day yesterday, listening to the word preached and sitting at communion in our new church, Emmanuel. The pastor Paul Whiteley preached morning and evening. In the morning he preached on David and Goliath. It was an explore Sunday and so we also had, as well as the children's talk, a word of testimony from a woman in the church, Mary. Numbers seemed to be down a little. In the evening he preached on why we believe Christ is coming again. He gave five reasons which was enough though I'm sure there must be more.

The Burning Coals of the Broom Bush

Fer López, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Psalm 120:3, 4 we read of the burning coals of the broom bush ("coals of juniper" in older versions). 

What will he do to you,
and what more besides,
you deceitful tongue?
He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows,
with burning coals of the broom bush.

These are the hot, long-lasting embers and charcoal produced by the roots and wood of the broom shrub (Retama raetam), a hardy desert plant native to the Middle East and North Africa.

The thing about these coals is the intense heat they produce. The wood, stems and thick roots of the broom contain natural resins and oils that allow it to burn extremely hot - reaching temperatures over 750 ° - and produce a very fierce fire. Also, there are long-lasting embers. When covered with ash or made into charcoal, the wood smoulders slowly and retains its internal heat for many hours, even days. Bedouin tribes and desert travellers historically gathered broom wood and roots to forge metal items like arrowheads, to cook food or to keep warm during cold desert nights.

Symbolically, these broom-coals represent judgment and purification. The intense heat of the coals signifies the consuming nature of divine judgment, which purifies and refines. (The broom tree's ability to grow in desolate areas also perhaps symbolises resilience and survival amidst adversity, reflecting the spiritual journey of believers who endure trials and emerge purified.)

Theologically, the broom-coals underscore the dual nature of God's word and judgment. Just as broom-coals can provide warmth and sustenance, they can also consume and purify. This duality reflects the nature of God's interaction with humanity - offering both comfort and correction. The believer is called to recognise the purifying power of God's word, which, like broom-coals, can refine and transform the heart.

For believers today, the broom-coal imagery serves as a reminder of the power of words and the importance of truthfulness. Just as deceitful words can cause destruction akin to the burning of broom-coals, so too words of truth and love can bring warmth and healing. Christians are encouraged to speak with integrity and allow the refining fire of God's word to purify their hearts and minds.

Lawr Y Bae

We were down at the Bay last Wednesday - six grandchildren, two sons and a daughter-in-law. We had a little wander and went into the Norwegian church where Roald Dahl was christiened as a baby and the Senedd, which I'd been in before but not into the chamber. Impressive building.

Ashley0690, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

10 Reasons why I'm glad to be back in Wales

1. People are friendly
2. The water is softer (less shower gel, better tea or coffee taste, no limescale)
3. The views out are often good (the hills)
4. I can see more of the sky
5. When it rains, it often really rains
6. A little quieter
7. The singing in church is better
8. The Welsh language is everywhere, giving a different perspective
9. My family are nearer
10. These are my roots

Death of Barbara Homrighausen

It was a shock this week to learn of the death of my father-in-law's second wife, Barbara (Baerbel) Homrighausen. She had not been ill very long at all. We were thankful to God that my wife and her sisters were able to see her the day before her death. She is with the Lord, which is far better. More here on my wife's Facebook page.

Enfys Arall

 

Down at the castle this week God blessed us with another rainbow.

It was a double one actually.

Caerffili Area History 5 (Christmas Evans)

By William Roos, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Built 1866

Also by Jaggery, CC BY-SA 2.0,
via Wikimedia Commons

I thought I might be complete for now on Caerffili and its church history but I forgot that for two years (1826-1828) the renowned one eyed Welsh Baptist preacher Christmas Evans (1766–1838), often called the "Bunyan of Wales" due to his vivid, dramatic storytelling, spent a brief but powerful period of his ministry here.

In August 1826, after serving for over three decades as the "bishop of Anglesey" in North Wales, he accepted an invitation to become the pastor of the small, struggling Tonyfelin Chapel in Caerffili.

When Evans arrived, the Tonyfelin church had only about 65 members. However, his unique, highly imaginative preaching style quickly ignited a massive spiritual awakening in the area.

In his letters from Caerphilly, Evans famously wrote about the local awakening, stating, "the breeze is blowing". (See here).

Large crowds of people travelled across the surrounding hills from all directions on Sundays just to hear him speak and his two-year ministry transformed the small congregation, resulting in a wave of new conversions and outdoor baptisms throughout Caerffili and neighbouring Bedwas.

Despite his massive local success, Evans chose to leave in 1828. He had spent decades managing multiple churches at once and found it difficult to adapt to looking after just one local congregation. Additionally, structural tensions arose because the church deacons were accustomed to running internal affairs independently, clashing with Evans's leadership style.

Seeking a fresh start, he accepted an invitation to move eight miles down the road to the Tabernacle church in Cardiff.

Caerffili Area History 4 (Bowls Inn)

 

© Copyright http://Alan Hughes and licensed
for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Peter Wasp / Bowls Inn, Penyrheol, Caerphilly.

At the end of our new street, conveniently, is a Tesco Exoress. The Bowls Inn once stood there and only closed as a pub in 2013. Before that it had been a pub going back at least until 1825 and undoubtedly before that. The present structure only goe back to the 1980s.

Midweek Meeting October 28 2026

We were at the whle church prayer meeting again yesterday. Perhaps under thrty were there and Gareth again led, reminding us that Christ is building his church. A good time of prayer followed.

Caerffili Area History 3 (Watford)

National Library of Wales, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons 1912

No Swan So Fine, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On another trip we went to nearby Watford (not the famous one near London). First we found the Congregational Church, interesting enough (Grade II) but then Plas Watford (also Grade II) still lived in. A very kind lady and her husband asked us in to the parlour, wher we are aware the first meeting of the Calvinistic Methodists in Wales took place. She told us that Hwitefield alos had his wedding reception there after marrying Welsh widow, Elizabeth James, in 1741. This clip from YouTube is interesting.