Preparing for an Evil Day

February 2025

“Unto the elect lady and her children” (2 John 1)

Most commentators on God’s Word through the ages have been satisfied that the aged Apostle John meant a church, not a lady. It shows that it was no longer possible to call a spade a spade, such was the paranoia over Christ amongst the rulers of the Roman Empire. It needs no comment.

Our delight and work from the Lord is to prepare ourselves and the flock of God. An evil day is coming. We honour those who make a stand against the incoming tide of laws against Christ and His Word. We pray with them earnestly that these statutes will never be enacted. But mark my words, in the end there will be no evading. Evil is on the march. The issue of the day will be decided by individual Christians. Each will have to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. This battle will be decided by numerous single-handed contests, by champions, as was the Reformation.

You see how the Apostle teaches us to fight. He strengthens the little churches of believers. Show me a petition the Apostles organised to the Emperor. Quote me a march, a protest, a rally the Apostles joined in! No, John loved the elect lady and her children. He fought in prayer, teaching by pen and mouth. His aim was that at the pinch she and her children would die rather than compromise. The New Testament contains not one letter to the authorities. It has many exhorting us to stand firm.

Take no notice of those who seek, however honourably, to deflect us. Did we start this Church of England (Continuing) without the Lord? We were the slowest of all the multitude of Continuing Churches to launch. My father fought, so did I through most of my life, within the Established Church. Have we kept the Prayer Book and Articles and made our stand for the purity of God’s Word as hindering baggage? No, to honour Christ!

Yes, we need to grow. We would love more members, more workers, more clergy. But remember what Dr. Dale of Birmingham said, “the favourite word is ‘broad’, the general result is thin.” The growth we aim for is attractive, evangelising Christians.

At the time of the Reformation many went back when faced with the consequences of believing. Let us not make Peter’s error, “though all men forsake thee, yet will not I.” Pray that ye enter not into temptation, but take no evasive measures. Ask grace.

(Editorial by the late Edward Malcolm in The Journal Issue 35, October 2006, see our Journals page on the main website)