Quarterly Newsletter 2008/2 (Apr – Jun)
Eschatology I: Life After Death
(Chapter 7 of Fundamentals of Christian
Faith)
By Rev (Dr) Jeffrey Khoo
WCF XXXII:1-3, “Of the State of Men
after Death, and of the Resurrection of
the Dead,”—The bodies of men, after
death, return to dust, and see
corruption: but their souls, which
neither die nor sleep, having an
immortal subsistence, immediately
return to God who gave them: the
souls of the righteous, being then
made perfect in holiness, are received
into the highest heavens, where they
behold the face of God, in light and
glory, waiting for the full redemption of
their bodies. And the souls of the
wicked are cast into hell, where they
remain in torments and under
darkness, reserved to the judgment of
the great day. Beside these two
places, for souls separated from their
bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth
none.
At the last day, such as are found
alive shall not die, but be changed:
and all the dead shall be raised up,
with the self-same bodies, and none
other (although with different
qualities), which shall be united again
to their souls forever.
The bodies of the unjust shall, by the
power of Christ, be raised to
dishonour: the bodies of the just, by
his Spirit, unto honour; and be made
conformable to his own glorious body.
The Intermediate State
The intermediate state is ―that realm
or condition in which souls exist
between death and the resurrection‖
(Boettner). For the Christian, to be
absent from the body is to be present
with the Lord (2 Cor 5:8). The
reprobate, on the other hand, is now
in a place of torment till the judgment
day (Luke 13:27-28, 16:2324, Jude 6-
7, Rev 20:11-15). At this point in time,
those who have passed away, be they
believers or unbelievers, are said to
be in their intermediate state. The
intermediate state is described by
Jesus in the story of the rich man and
Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). The
following is a description of the
intermediate state:
i) The souls of the departed are truly
alive, and fully conscious.
ii) The wicked are experiencing
tremendous pain, and suffering.
iii) The redeemed are said to be in
―Abraham’s bosom.‖
iv) Verbal communication is possible.
v) Heaven and hell are separated by
a great chasm.
vi) The souls of men are waiting for
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 the resurrection of the body
(Luke14:13-14, John 5:29, Rev
20:4-6).
vii)The departed cannot return to
communicate with the living (cf
Exod 22:18, Lev 20:6, 27, Deut
18:10-12).
False Doctrines on the Intermediate
State
Soul Sleep
This view says that when a man
dies, his soul enters into a state
of unconsciousness. Taught by
Seventh-day Adventists, it contradicts
Luke 16:19-31, and 2 Cor 5:8.
Annihilation
This view says that when the finally
impenitent dies, he will cease to exist.
There is no such a place called hell.
Taught by Jehovah ’s Witnesses, and
now by so-called evangelicals like
Clark Pinnock and John Stott, it
contradicts Eccl 12:7, Matt 25:46,
Rom 2:8-10, Rev 14:11, 19:20, 20:10.
Purgatory
This view says that those who die
without being thoroughly cleansed of
venial sins (i.e. forgivable sins), will
have to undergo a process of
purification in a ―half-way house‖
before they can enter heaven. Taught
by Roman Catholics; it contradicts
Luke 23:43, 2 Cor 5:8-10, Heb 9:12,
14, 22).
WSC Q 37: What benefits do
believers receive from Christ at
death?
A: The souls of believers are at their
death made perfect in holiness, and
do immediately pass into glory; and
their bodies, being still united in
Christ, do rest in their graves, till the
resurrection.
Eschatology II: The End of the
World
WCF XXXIII: 1-3, “Of the Last
Judgment,”—God hath appointed a
day (which word in Scripture in
reference to the last things may
represent a period of time including
the thousand years following the
visible, personal and premillennial
return of Christ), wherein he will
judge the world, in righteousness, by
Jesus Christ, to whom all power and
judgment is given of the Father. In
which day, not only the apostate
angels shall be judged, but likewise all
persons that have lived upon earth
shall appear before the tribunal of
Christ, to give an account of their
thoughts, words, and deeds; and to
receive according to what they have
done in the body, whether good or evil
[words in italics added by the
Bible-Presbyterian Church].
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The end of God’s appointing this day
is for the manifestation of the glory of
his mercy, in the eternal salvation of
the elect; and of his justice, in the
damnation of the reprobate, who are
wicked and disobedient. For then shall
the righteous go into everlasting life,
and receive that fulness of joy and
refreshing, which shall come from the
presence of the Lord: but the wicked,
who know not God, and obey not the
gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast
into eternal torments, and be
punished with everlasting destruction
from the presence of the Lord, and
from the glory of his power.
As Christ would have us to be
certainly persuaded that there shall be
a day of judgment, both to deter all
men from sin; and for the greater
consolation of the godly in their
adversity: so will he have that day
unknown to men, that they may shake
off all carnal security, and be always
watchful, because they know not at
what hour the Lord will come; and
may be ever prepared to say, Come
Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen.
Time of the Second Coming of Christ
We do not know the exact time of the
Lord’s coming (Matt 24:36). However,
we can know the nearness of it (Luke
21:31, 1 Thess 5:2-6). In any case,
the Lord’s coming is always imminent.
Signs of the Second Coming of Christ
The following signs indicate the
nearness of Christ’s return:
i) False Christs (Matt 24:5, Mark
13:6, Luke 21:8),
ii) wars and rumours of war (Matt
24:6-7a, Mark 13:7-8a, Luke 21:9-
10),
iii) natural calamities (Matt 24:7b,
Mark 13:8b, Luke 21:11),
iv) persecution (Matt 24:8-13, Mark
13:9-13, Luke 21:12-19),
v) evangelisation of the whole world
(Matt 24:14, Mark 13:10),
vi) apostasy (Matt 24:11-12, 23, 24,
Mark 13:9-11, Luke 21:22-24; cf 2
Thess 2:3, 1 Tim 4:1-2, 2 Tim 3:1-
5),
vii)the regathering of Israel (Isa 11:11-
12, Zech 10:9-12; cf Matt 24:32-
33).
The Great Tribulation
Taught in the OT as:
i) the day of the Lord (Isa 2:12, 13:6,
9, Ezek 13:5, 30:3, Joel 1:15, 2:1,
11,
31, 3:14, Amos 5:18, 20, Obad 15,
Zeph 1:7, 14, Zech 14:1, Mal 4:5),
ii) the day of God’s vengeance (Isa
34:8, 63:1-6),
iii) the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jer
30:7),
iv) the 70th week of Daniel (Dan 9:27).
Mentioned in the NT as:
i) the day of the Lord (Acts 2:20, 1
Thess 5:2, 2 Thess 2:2, 2 Pet
3:10).
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ii) the great day of His wrath (Rev When Christ returns, He will do
6:17), i) personally (Acts 1:11),
iii) the hour of His judgment (Rev ii) physically (Acts 1:11, Rev 1:7),
14:7), iii) visibly (Matt 24:27, 30, 26:64, Col
iv) the end of the world (Matt 13:40, 3:4, Titus 2:13),
49), iv) suddenly (Matt 24:37-44, 1 Thess
v) the tribulation (Matt 24:21, 29). 5:2-3, Rev 3:3, 16:15),
v) gloriously (Titus 2:13),
vi) victoriously (Rev 19:11-16).
The Rapture
The Rapture refers to the sudden
catching up of the saints from this
world when Jesus returns in the
clouds. This doctrine is found in the
OT through the following cases: the
translation of Enoch (Gen 5:24), and
of Elijah (2 Kgs 2:11).
In the NT, the doctrine is taught by the
Apostle Paul in 1 Co 15:51-53 and 1
Thess 4:13-18.
When will it happen? There are 5
views on the rapture:
i) pre-tribulational,
ii) mid-tribulational,
iii) post-tribulational,
iv) partial,
v) pre-wrath.

The rapture of the saints will occur

before God judges the world with His
wrath during the 7-year Tribulation
period. This dreadful period is called
―the great day of His wrath‖ (Rev 6:17,
11:18, 15:1,7, 16:1,19, 19:15). Paul
assures us, ―For God hath not
appointed us to wrath, but to obtain
salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ‖ (1 Purpose of the Second Coming of
Thess 5:9). Christ
Manner of the Second Coming of
Christ Jesus will return to

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i) destroy both the demonic and
human forces of Satan (Rev 19:11-
20:2),
ii) usher in the millennium (Rev 20:4-
6),
iii) judge the finally impenitent at the
Judgment of the Great White
Throne (Rev 20:11-15), and
iv) reward His saints at the Judgment
Seat of Christ (1 Cor 3:12-15, Col
3:24, 2 Cor 5:10).
Church means Church. There is a
distinction between Israel and the
Church. There are many promises in
the OT given to national Israel
especially with regard to the Promised
Land which can only find fulfilment in
the millennium (Isa 11:1-9, Jer 31:31-
36, 33:14-26). It is wrong to
spiritualise or allegorise away God’s
promises to Israel and make them
apply to the Church.

The Millennium God promised David a kingdom that

The word ―millennium‖ is derived from will last forever (2 Sam 7:12-23). This
the Latin ―mill e‖ meaning ―thousand,‖ kingdom has a physical aspect (Zech
and ―annus‖ meaning ―year.‖ Thus, 14:9). The Son of David will be King
―millennium‖ means ―a over all the earth.
thousand years.‖ In This obviously was
theological terms, not fulfilled by
when correctly Solomon. It will be
understood, the fulfilled only by
millennium is Christ’s Christ (Luke 1:31-
rule on earth for 1,000 33, Acts 1:6). Christ
years after His return will sit upon the
(Rev 20:4, 6). throne of his father
In our study of the David and rule over
Bible, it is important the whole world
that we observe this from Jerusalem (Isa
basic rule of 24:23, Jer 3:17, Mic
interpretation: ―When 4:2). God will keep
the plain sense of His promise to
Scripture makes Israel (Ps 89:34-
common sense, eek no other sense‖ 37). There will be a physical reign of
(David Cooper). Unless there are Christ for a millennium right here on a
compelling contextual reasons against rejuvenated earth (Rev 5:10, 20:4, 6).
taking a word in its literal sense, we
should understand a word in its most
natural or common sense. Thus, Characteristics of the Millennium
1,000 years means literally 1,000
years. Israel means Israel, and

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The millennium will be characterised
by: At end of the millennium, Satan will be
released from imprisonment for a
i) A recognition of God’s authority. short season to deceive the world for
Christ—the King of kings, and Lord one last time. Satan and company will
of lords—will sit upon the throne of be defeated, judged at the Great
David (Isa 11:1-5, Jer 33:14-17). White Throne, and cast into hell
He will govern the whole world (Mic forever (Rev 20:7-15). The old heaven
4:1-2) with absolute power and and earth will finally face a fiery
authority (Ps 2:9, Rev 19:15-16). destruction (2 Pet 3:10). We will then
ii) Righteousness and peace (Isa 2:4, be ushered into eternity, glorifying the
11:4-5). Christ will rule with justice Lord, and enjoying His presence in a
and equity. There will be peace in new heaven and a new earth forever
the world. However, during this (Rev 21).
period, the sinful nature of man is
not yet eradicated. We know this
because at the end of the
millennium, many of the earth’s
inhabitants will join with Satan to
rebel against the Lord Jesus Christ
(Rev 20:7-9).
iii) A universal knowledge of the Lord. Rev (Dr) Jeffrey Khoo is the Elder of True
Everyone will know who Jesus Life B-P Church and Academic Dean of the
Christ is (Isa 11:9, Hab 2:14). Far Eastern Bible College
iv) Harmony between mankind and
the animal kind (Isa 11:6-8), and
harmony within the animal kingdom
itself (Isa 65:25).
v) Productivity of the land (Isa 35:6-8,
43:19-20, 55:13, Ezek 34:26, Joel Get a copy of “Fundamentals of
2:21-24). the Christian Faith” by Rev
(Dr) Jeffrey Khoo at the FEBC
vi) Longevity. Man will live for Bookroom, 9A, Gilstead Road
hundreds of years (Isa 65:20).
vii)Worship (Zech 8:20-24). A
millennial temple is described in
Ezek 40- 46.

During the millennium, the glorified

saints will rule with Christ (1 Cor 6:2, 2
Tim 2:12, Rev 5:10, 20:4).

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Run to this heavenly Father!
(Thomas Watson, "The Beatitudes" 1660)
" Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the
God of all comfort;’ 2 Corinthians 1:3
Christians should look upon God under this
notion—the Father of all mercy, sitting upon a
throne of grace. We should run to this heavenly
Father in all conditions!
We should run to our Father with our sins, as
that sick child who, as soon as he found himself
ill—he ran to his father to help him, "My
head! My head!" 2 Kings 4:19
So in case of sin—run to God and say: "My
heart! My heart! O this dead heart—Father,
quicken it! This hard heart—Father, soften it!
Father, my heart, my heart!"
We should run to our Father with our
temptations. A child, when another strikes him,
runs to his father. So when the devil strikes us
with his temptations, let us run to our Father:
"Father, Satan assaults and hurls in his fiery
darts at me! Father, it is Your child who is
assaulted by this red dragon! Father, take off
the tempter!"
’Casting all your care upon him; for he careth
for you.’1 Peter 5:7. What a sweet privilege is
this! When any burden lies upon our hearts—
we may go to our Father and unload all our
cares and griefs into His loving bosom! "Cast
your burden on the Lord, and He will support
you; He will never allow the righteous to be
shaken!" Psalm 55:22
ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS!:
A Cheer and Challenge to FCMers
Past, Present & Future
Jason Liew
Onward Christian Soldiers: The
Experience
When I was initially approached and
asked if I had any articles to
contribute for this issue of FCM
newsletter, I was baffled at what I
should write. As I have the habit of
penning down the spiritual lessons
that I’ve learnt and putting to ink
issues of research interest, it would
have been easy for me to extract an
article for publication. However of late,
I have been too busy to write – partly
because I’ve been trying to get the
latest FCM CD out. Lo and behold, I
was no longer mind-boggled when my
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battalion was activated as part of the
armed forces’ concerted effort to
manhunt Singapore’s No. 1 fugitive –
Mas Selamat Kastari.
As you may have read in the papers,
it’s quite a big thing. Who would have
thought of participating in an actual
operation during his NS life? Certainly
not me. Because of this, my off days
and weekends were ―burnt‖ and to my
dismay, I was unable
to attend Thursday’s
night class and more
importantly the FCM
Combined Meeting
held on February 29,
2008. Thoughts like
―Why couldn’t he
escape after my one
week off or after I
ORD?‖ came to
mind. What I failed to
realise is that I was
caught off-guard and
that we have to live
each day at a time with a ―God willing‖
attitude. I was so ready to enjoy my
one week off and convicted that I
could attend the activities mentioned
above including YF and Sunday
Service but was deeply saddened that
I could not do so.
Still, “though he slay me, yet will I trust
in him: but I will maintain mine own
ways before him” (Job 13:15) – a
lesson I learnt from that Monday’s
night class. Sometimes, a soldier
must make sacrifices; even the
ultimate one. No sacrifice, no victory.
This is also true in the spiritual realm.
The believer must learn to obey and
sacrifice the loves and pleasures of
this world in order to live a triumphant
and victorious Christian life. As you
may have read in the Pauline epistles,
the apostle paints a picture of the
Christian in three vocations – athlete,
farmer and soldier – all of which
pontificates the idea of hard toil and
labour. However, ―peace-loving
Christians‖ will find it hard
to identify with the third
since the motif of a
soldier identifies them
with fighting battles and
war, a scene they are
unfamiliar with in this
post-modern age where
fundamentalism is on the
decline. These people
have the tendency to
reject truth, succumb to
falsehood (albeit
ignorantly) and promote a
kind of love and unity that
is not based upon truth and charity.
This is unacceptable because the
Lord commands us to “earnestly
contend for the faith which was once
delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3)
and be “a good soldier of Jesus
Christ” (2 Tim 2:3). It is on this note
that I would like to share with you the
story behind the hymn “Onward,
Christian Soldiers” and the motivation
behind the CD release of the same for
our edification and encouragement.
Onward Christian Soldiers: The
Hymn
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The Rev Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-
1924), MA, wrote this as a
processional hymn for Sunday School
children at Horbury Bridge, near
Wakefield, Yorkshire in 1865. It was
the practice of children in 19th Century
England to march from one village to
another celebrating the Festival of
Pentecost. Believing that the march
will be more successful if the children
sang a spirited marching song, the
author reportedly penned the lyrics to
this stirring and rousing hymn in about
15 minutes. He later apologised, "It
was written in great haste, and I am
afraid that some of the lines are
faulty." It was due to this fact that he
allowed hymnbook compilers to alter
the lyrics. However, Rev Baring-
Gould’s original words are used in
most modern hymnals. The hymn was
originally entitled, “Hymn for
Procession with Cross and Banners”
because the children marched behind
an elevated cross and carried
colourful banners. The tune was
originally set to the slow movement of
Hadyn’s Symphony in D, No 15. It
was first printed the same year it was
written, in an English church
periodical, Church Times, and later in
several books containing new hymns.
It did not receive wide acceptance,
however, until Sir Arthur S Sullivan
(1842-1900) wrote a new tune for it in
1871. This tune, St Gertrude, is the
tune that appears in Sullivan’s book,
The Hymnal. Paired with the new
tune, “Onward Christian Soldiers”
literally circled the globe within ten
years. The lyrics are as follows:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to
war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the
foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!
At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of
praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems
raise.
Like a mighty army moves the church of
God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints
have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
Onward then, ye people, join our happy
throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph
song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and
angels sing.
It is almost unbelievable that these
very words were written for children
and in 15 minutes by one of the most
brilliant, eclectic minds of Victorian
England! How many of us today are
able to feel the heartbeat of Rev
Baring-Gould when he penned these
lyrics? How many of us are able to
identify with the hope and assurance
that the children of that time had?
How many of us are able to imagine
what would it be like if we were one of
the children marching triumphantly
behind a lifted cross, carrying a
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myriad of banners and echoing this
processional hymn? What a scene!
Onward Christian Soldiers: The
Parody
George Verwer, founder of Operation
Mobilisation (OM), wrote a parody of
this hymn in his book, Hunger for
Reality: How to Escape from Spiritual
Pretence and Double-Living
(Authentic Media, 1997). He entitled it
“Backward, Christian Soldiers” and
here is how it goes:
Backward, Christian soldiers, fleeing from
the fight
With the cross of Jesus nearly out of sight.
Christ, our rightful master, stand against the
foe
But forward into battle, we loathe to go.
Like a mighty tortoise moves the Church of
God
Brothers we are treading where we've
always trod.
We are much divided, many bodies we
Having many doctrines, not much charity.
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms
rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus hidden does
remain.
Gates of hell should never 'gainst the
Church prevail
We have Christ's own promise, but think that
it will fail.
Sit here then ye people, join our useless
throng
Blend with ours your voices in a feeble song.
Blessings, ease and comfort, ask from Christ
the King
With our modern thinking, we don't do a
thing.
At first glance it would probably make
one snicker but upon closer
introspection, it should make the
Christian feel sad. These words ought
to be enough to make us ponder upon
―church‖ and the manner in which
others view us. You may be tempted
to react negatively, but touch your
heart and ask yourself seriously how
much of this is true? Many within the
church have lost sight of this
important truth, something evident by
their passive lifestyle. We have
become like the Dead Sea. It is dead
because it has water flowing into it,
but no outlet. The water has become
so salty so much so that a human
being cannot sink into it. Nothing lives
in it and no one can penetrate it… just
like the church today. If the average
church made as much noise about
God on Monday, as it makes to God
on Sunday, we would certainly see
revival. Is it not?
Martin Luther (1483-1546) rightly
observed this when he wrote, "If I
profess with the loudest voice and
clearest exposition every portion of
the truth of God except precisely that
little point which the world and the
devil are at that moment attacking, I
am not confessing Christ, however
boldly I may be professing Christ.
Where the battle rages, there the
loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to
be steady on all the battlefield besides
is mere flight and disgrace if he
flinches at THAT point." [Emphasis
mine]
Luther evidently walked the talk when
Piper astutely described him as such,
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"Luther was a churchman, not an after articles by scholars and leaders
ivory-tower theological scholar. He supposedly of the fundamentalist
was not only part of almost all the camp, it is absolutely absurd that
controversies and conferences of his those who love the Lord and defend
day, he was usually the leader."i His Word are then labelled as
―heretics!‖ What audacity! There is a
Onward Christian Soldiers: The real war going out there in the
Battle battlefield, my friends. We as
Christians must not be oblivious about
Where does the battle rage today? this fact and must always be
Where is the battlefield where our prepared.
loyalty to Jesus Christ may be
proven? Where is that point which the There is a saying that, “Evil prevails
world and the devil are at the moment when good men stand by and do
attacking? A brief survey of nothing.” However in Isaiah 59:19b we
Christendom at large, inclusive of our also read, “…When the enemy shall
very own Bible-Presbyterian come in like a flood, the Spirit of the
denomination would LORD shall lift up a standard
reveal very clearly to us against him.” We thank God
the answer – THE for lifting up a standard time
BIBLE. As if the and time again through
dissolution of the godly men and women who
Singapore B-P Synod in has responded to heed his
1988 due to the influx of call for there will also remain
charismatism and a faithful remnant. When the
ecumenism weren’t ecumenical World Council of
enough, the Bible- Churches (WCC) was first
Presbyterian Church formed in 1937, God raised
(BPC) today is plagued Dr Carl McIntire (1906-
with a debate which had 2002), founder of the
spanned half-a-decade: American B-P movement, to
The Verbal Plenary counter its unification
Preservation (VPP) of the Holy agenda by forming the International
Scriptures. Never before has the BPC Council of Christian Churches (ICCC).
seen anything of such sagacity since It is also for this godly cause that Rev
the synod dissolution twenty-years Dr Timothy Tow founded the BPC of
ago. Not only has the present-day Singapore in 1950. When Scripture
inerrancy and infallibility of the Holy Union (SU) devotionals begun
Scriptures come under incessant attacking the character of Christ and
attacks by books after books, articles making fun of the Bible, God raised Dr

11
SH Tow to initiate the Read, Pray &
Grow (RPG) notes in 1982. The FCM
was founded in 1986 by the same as
a standard lifted up against liberal and
neo-evangelical student organisations
such as the Campus Crusade for
Christ, The Navigators, etc found in
many institutions of higher learning
today. All these are only made
possible through Biblical Separation,
on which Rev Dr Gary Cohen wrote,
Here we are speaking of
“ecclesiastical” not “personal”
separation. That is, we are
dealing with church alliances
and support, not with an
individual Christian’s personal
separation from the things of
the world. Ecclesiastical
separation consists of a
believer or an organized
church not joining or helping
an apostate church; or, if he
or she is in one, they are to
come out of it. This also
implies that believing
churches and organizations
will not join, remain in, or
assist denominations or
groups who are not true to the
Christ of the Bible.ii
We see ecclesiastical separation in
practice through the founding and
formation of many of these churches
and organisations mentioned above.
The FCM is part of the big picture in
the battle against ecumenism, liberalis
m, modernism, neo-evangelicalism,
Romanism and New Age mysticism.
Will you not join us in this noble
cause? Fred Moritz also noted that,
"The Christian who understands the
Scripture's teaching about separation
will never apologise for being militant
in his defense of God's Word and in
exposing those who deny it and work
to destroy it."iii
Onward Christian Soldiers: The
Challenge
Ephesians 6:11-17 outlines the
challenge to each and every one of
us, “Put on the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to stand against
the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle
not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of
this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places. Wherefore
take unto you the whole armour of
God, which ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having
done all, to stand. Stand therefore,
having your loins girt about with truth,
and having on the breastplate of
righteousness; And your feet shod
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with the preparation of the gospel of
peace; Above all, taking the shield of
faith, wherewith ye shall be able to
quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked. And take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword
of the Spirit, which is the
word of God.” As you
may have realized, the
FCM logo is based on
these verses.
What better place to
equip yourself with the
Word of God than the
FCM? Put on the whole
armour of God, join our
FCM Bible Study Groups
and learn how one can
guard against these ―last
days deceptions.‖ On ―campus
ministry‖, David W Cloud, founder of
Way of Life Literature, testified,
If there is a specific university
that the Lord is leading you to
reach, I would begin by
making up some posters,
such as we've used here --
"FREE Christian Home Bible
Study Course and Bible
Literature" (white letters on
black background). Several
may call in response and we
follow up by sending them the
correspondence course and
some tracts along with
locations and times where we
meet for Bible study. In a few
weeks, we'll call them up and
ask how things are going with
the course and if they have
any questions we can help
with. We ask them if they
would like to join us for a
small group Bible study
and remind them of
where to meet.iv
In my opinion, I think Cloud
has shared with us some of
his interesting approaches
to reach out to tertiary
students of which we in the
FCM can emulate. He (1)
create posters, (2) distribute
Bible literature, (3) follow
up, (4) send tracts and lastly
(5) invite and remind them
of the Bible Study. These
are but some of the ways which we
can adopt.
May every true soldier of the Lord
Jesus Christ be challenged to put on
the whole armour of God in the
defense of the faith and at the same
time, win many souls to Christ.
Onward Christian Soldiers: The
Album
Thank God for the official release of
the latest FCM CD “Onward Christian
Soldiers” at the combined meeting on
February 29, 2008. At this juncture I
would like to say a BIG THANK YOU
to all of you who sacrificed your
Saturday mornings and coming down
to sing for the Lord.v Special mention
13
must be given to Melissa Mah, our Battle Cry” as “We’re Marching To
sound engineer, who has worked so Zion” with the prayer “Lead On, O
tirelessly to make us sound good. King Eternal”. Next arrives the theme
Thank God for Elder Boaz Boon for “Onward Christian Soldiers.” There
his support in this project as well as will be many who will join the
the opportunity to co-labour with marching, but really, “Who Is On The
brother Low Boon Siang of whom I Lord’s Side?” The answer is simple:
have learnt many things. I had Those who “Hold Forth The Word Of
intended to utter my gratitude during Life.” Having said this, the Christian is
the combined meeting itself but since I reminded of His refuge in God for “A
was unable to attend, I shall write it Mighty Fortress Is Our God” and that
here instead. “God The
Omnipotent” is
For your sovereign in his
information, life. And what
the track march is
listing is not complete
without without “The
purpose. The Banner Of The
CD begins Cross”? After
with an old hearing all
FCM favourite these, will you
“Is Your All not “Stand Up
On The For Jesus”? We
Altar?” The can win this
Christian is battle through
posed with faith for “Faith
this question Is The Victory.”
on the outset. For those who
He then are not yet
answers in there as with
the affirmative and asks God to “Take the saints of old, “Pressing On” and
My Life And Let It Be.” Once he has “Hold The Fort” encourage us to hang
consecrated himself to the Lord, he in there. Lastly, we must fight our
noticed the reality of Christian warfare battles on a daily basis i.e. “Day By
and reflects, “Am I A Soldier Of The Day” and not pride in our glorious
Cross?” and echoes “Lord Here I past. Before we know it, it is “Safely
Take My Cross” in humble Through Another Week.” “May The
submission. Having enlisted in the Lord Find Us Faithful.” The album
Lord’s army, he would “Sound The

14
closes asking for the Lord’s blessing
in “Lord Dismiss Us.”

MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU

RICHLY AS YOU PRESS ON IN
FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT OF
FAITH AS A GOOD SOLDIER OF Who
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST UNTIL
HE RETURNS. AMEN. Did
i
Notes
John Piper, The Legacy of Sovereign Joy: God's It?
1. Who married his half-sister?
Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine, Luther, and
Calvin (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2000), 88. 2. Who dreamed that the sun and the
ii
Gary Cohen, "The Bible Presbyterian Position on moon and 11 stars bowed down to
Ecclesiastical Separation," The WRS Journal 11-2 (2004): him?
5. See also his book, Biblical Separation Defended
(Singapore: Far Eastern Bible College Press, 1997). First 3. To whom did God give the covenant
published in 1966.
of circumcision?
iii
Fred Moritz, "Be Ye Holy": The Call to Christian
Separation (Greenville: Bob Jones University Press, 1994), 4. Who led the Israelites into Canaan?
90.
iv 5. Who wrongly thought that
David & Linda Cloud, "Ideas for Evangelism" (Port
Huron: Way of Life Literature, 2003), 89. Abraham's and Isaac's wives were
their sisters?
v
The contributors of the CD consists of 7 pianists
(Michelle Chiang, Dns Alen Low, Elena Ang, Phoebe 6. Who sold his birthright for a bowl of
Choo, Ye Zuyi, Zhou YuHeng & Adrian Ho), 26 female stew?
singers (Angelyn Ho, Cindy Yeo, Debbie Tay, Eileen
Chee, Elena Ang, Esther Lin, Eulindra Lim, Eunice Low, 7. Who tricked Jacob into marrying his
Hazel Chen, Joanna Low, Jo-Anne Siew, Jocelyn Yong, daughter?
Joy Ng, Ko Ling Ting, Ong Qiaoyan, Phoebe Choo, Sarah
Yong, Sarah Lee, Serena Ng, Sharon Ng, Shirlyn Tan, Teo 8. Who stole the household gods of her
Junzi, Vanessa Lim, Yeda Ko, Ye Zuyi & Zhou YuHeng) father?
and 21 male singers (Adrian Ho, Aron Ong, Danny Quah,
David Poon, Elder Boaz Boon, Elvin Siew, Emerson Ang, 9. Who violated Jacob's daughter, the
Herbert Goh, Jason Liew, Josiah Tan, Joel Quah, Jonathan sister of Simeon and Levi?
Ng, Ko Ling Kang, Liang Zheqian, Lim Hong Zhuang,
Low Boon Siang, Luke Tan, Patrick Tan, Pr Ho Chee Lai, 10. Who violated Absalom's sister
Samuel Goh & Wong Wang Kai). Tamar?

Jason Liew, FCM Poly (2003-2006),

is a member of Truth Bible-Presbyterian
Church.

15

Special
FCM Camp 08
Announcements
Date: 26-31 May
Venue: Calvary Pandan
BPC
Day Theme:
Overcoming the Snares
of the World
Night The,me: A Life
of Contenetment
Speakers: Pr Dennis
kabingue
Eld William Seah
Dn Peter Phoa
Bro Joshua Yong
THE BEATITUDES (By J C Ryle)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they
shall be comforted. Blessed are the
meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and
thirst after righteousness: for they
shall be filled. Blessed are the
merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they
shall see God. Blessed are the
peacemakers: for they shall be called
the children of God. Blessed are they
which are persecuted for
righteousness' sake: for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye,
when men shall revile you, and
persecute you, and shall say all
manner of evil against you falsely, for
My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding
glad: for great is your reward in
heaven: for so persecuted they the
prophets which were before you”
(Matt 5: 1-12).
Would we know what kind of people
Christians ought to be? Would we
know the character at which
Christians ought to aim? Would we
know the outward walk and inward
habit of mind which become a follower
of Jesus? Then let us often study the
Sermon on the Mount. Let us often
ponder each sentence, and prove
ourselves by it.
Jesus calls those blessed, who are
poor in spirit. He means the humble,
and lowly-minded, and self-abased.
He means those who are deeply
convinced of their own sinfulness in
God’s sight. These are they who are
not ―wise in their own eyes.‖ They are
not ―rich and increased with goods.‖
They do not imagine that they need
nothing. They regard themselves as
―wretched, and miserable, and poor,
and blind, and naked.‖ Blessed are all
such! Humility is the very first letter in
the alphabet of Christianity. We must
begin low, if we would build high.
16
Jesus calls those blessed, who
mourn. He means those who sorrow
for sin, and grieve daily over their own
short-comings. These are they who
trouble themselves more about sin
than about anything on earth. The
remembrance of it is grievous to them.
The burden of it is intolerable. Blessed
are all such! ―The sacrifices of God
are a broken and contrite spirit.‖ One
day they shall weep no more. ―They
shall be comforted.‖
Jesus calls those blessed, who are
meek. He means those who are of a
patient and contented spirit. They are
willing to put up with little honor here
below. They can bear injuries without
resentment. They are not ready to
take offence. Like Lazarus in the
parable, they are content to wait for
their good things. Blessed are all
such! They are never losers in the
long run. One day they shall ―reign on
the earth‖ (Rev. 5: 10).
Jesus calls those blessed, who
hunger and thirst after
righteousness. He means those who
desire above all things to be entirely
conformed to the mind of God. They
long not so much to be rich, or
wealthy, or learned, as to be holy.
Blessed are all such! They shall have
enough one day. With the Psalmist
they say, ―As for me, I will behold Thy
face in righteousness: I shall be
satisfied, when I awake, with Thy
likeness‖ (Ps. 17: 15).
Jesus calls those blessed, who are
merciful. He means those who are
full of compassion towards others.
They pity all who are suffering either
from sin or sorrow, and are tenderly
desirous to make their sufferings less.
They are full of good works, and
endeavours to do good. Blessed are
all such! Both in this life and that to
come they shall reap a rich reward.
Jesus calls those blessed, who are
pure in heart. He means those who
do not aim merely at outward
correctness, but at inward holiness.
They are not satisfied with a mere
external show of religion. They strive
to keep a heart and conscience void
of offence, and to serve God with the
spirit and the inner man. Blessed are
all such! The heart is the man. ―Man
looketh on the outward appearance,
but the Lord looketh on the heart‖ (I
Sam. 16:7.) He that is most spiritual-
minded will have most communion
with God.
Jesus calls those blessed, who are
peacemakers. He means those who
use all their influence to promote
peace and charity on earth, in private
and in public, at home and abroad. He
means those who strive to make all
men love one another, by teaching
that Gospel which says, ―love is the
fulfilling of the law.‖ Blessed are all
such! They are doing the very work
which the Son of God began, when
He came to earth the first time, and
17
which He will finish when He returns holy living should always be its fruit.
the second time. And if we would know what holy living
is, let us often bethink ourselves who
Lastly, Jesus calls those blessed, who they are that Jesus calls ―blessed.‖
are persecuted for righteousness
sake. He means those who are
ridiculed, mocked, and despised
because they endeavor to live as true
Christians. Blessed are all such! They
drink of the same cup which their
Master drank. They are now
confessing Him before men, and He
will confess them before His Father
and the angels at the last day. ―Great
is their reward.‖

Such are the eight foundation-stones,

which the Lord lays down at the
beginning of the sermon on the
mount. Eight great testing truths are
placed before us. May we mark well
each one of them, and learn wisdom!
Let us learn how entirely contrary are
the principles of Christ to the
principles of the world. It is vain to
deny it. They are almost diametrically
opposed. The very characters which
the Lord Jesus praises, the world
despises. The very pride, and
thoughtlessness, and high tempers,
and worldliness, and selfishness, and
formality, and unlovingness, which
abound everywhere, the Lord Jesus
condemns. Above all let us learn how
holy and spiritual-minded all believers
should be. They should never aim at
any standard lower than that of the
Sermon on the Mount. Christianity is
eminently a practical religion. Sound
doctrine is its root and foundation, but

18
ANSWERS

1. Abraham

2. Joseph

3. Abraham

4. Joshua

5. Abimelech

6. Esau

7. Laban

8. Rachel

9. Shechem

10. Amnon

19
 FCM Poly
Contact Information & Bible Comprising students in Singapore, Ngee Ann, Temasek, Nanyang
Study Groups & Republic Polytechnics
Bible Study Leaders : Bro Lim Jun Sheng & Bro James
Overall FCM Coordinator Eld Boaz Boon (Calvary Tengah BPC)
Tan (Calvary Tengah BPC)
 9824 7681 
 sa_jurong@hotmail.com /
boazboon@mytengah.com
jamestty@gmail.com
Assistant Advisor Dn Peter Phoa (Calvary Tengah BPC)
Student Coordinator : Samuel Goh
 9758 1469 
 9181 7471
peterphoa@mytengah.com
 eleven_blue@yahoo.com.sg
FCM NUS Meeting Place : Dinner at SIM and Bible Study at
Comprising students in all the faculties of the National University of Ngee Ann Poly
Singapore Meeting Time : Every Wednesday. Dinner at
Bible Study Leader : Ko Ling Kang (Youth Leader, Calvary 6.15pm and Bible Study at 7.00pm
Pandan BPC)
 kolingkang@gmail.com
Meeting Place : NUS, Science Block S13, Level 5,
Room 03/04, 3 Science Drive 2, S117543 (Tutorial Room)
Meeting Time : Every Wednesday, 5.15pm

FCM NTU/NIE
Comprising students in all the faculties of the Nanyang
Technological University & National Institute of Education
Bible Study Leader : Rev Wee Eng Moh (Pastor, Berith BPC)
 emwee@singnet.com.sg
Student Coordinator : Teo Jun Zi
 9299 9501  teojunzi@gmail.com
Meeting Place : NTU, Hall of Residence 13, Blk 63,
#03-1255, 32 Nanyang Crescent, S637658 (Eld Sim’s Home)
Meeting Time : Every Wednesday. Dinner at
5.30pm and bible Study at 6.30pm

FCM SMU/UniSIM/LaSalle College of the Arts

Comprising students in all the faculties of the Singapore
Management University, SIM University & LaSalle College
Bible Study Leader : Eld Boaz Boon (Elder, Calvary Tengah
BPC)
 boazboon@mytengah.com
Student Coordinator : Jonathan Ng
 9190 0473
 jonathanng.2006@business.smu.edu.sg
Meeting Place : 1 Liang Seah Street, #05-01 Liang
Seah Place, S189022 (Take Lift Up Behind 7-Eleven)
Meeting Time : Alternate Wednesdays, 6.30pm

20
i

ii

iii

iv

21