Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 7

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - GOD & LOVE

 

GOD & LOVE

One of the most profound statements in the Bible is the one that states:

He who does not love does not know God, 

for God is love. 

(1 John 4:8)

Now we often read the Bible without considering the change in meaning and context that occurs when one word can be exchanged for another. When we read about love in Scripture, it is often as it may be between persons and not as it may be with God. So, let us take a portion of Scripture and substitute God for where love appears in the script. It does make a difference in meaning.

Let’s take 1 Corinthians chapter 13 and see what difference the change makes.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not [God],

I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understanding all mysteries 

and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, 

but have not [God], I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, 

and though I give my body to be burned, 

but have not [God], it profits me nothing.

[God] suffers long and is kind; [God] does not envy; 

[God] does not parade Himself, is not puffed up;

does not behave rudely, does not seek [His] own, 

is not provoked, thinks no evil; 

does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

[God] never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; 

whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, 

it will vanish away.

For we know in part and we prophecy in part.

But when that which is perfect has come, 

then that which is in part will be done away.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, 

I understood as a child, I thought as a child; 

but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. 

Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, [God], these three; but the greatest of these is [God].

Substituting God for where love normally is in the chapter gives a similar meaning as the original but in an entirely different context. It does give much more of the impression that truly… 

…God is love.

(1 John 4:8)

And that is something we all should continually be thinking about. 

 

Pastor Matthew Trott July 27, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 6

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - SUNSET-SUNRISE

SUNSET-SUNRISE

And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises…

(2 Samuel 23:4)

In John, Christ spoke, saying:

“I am the light of the world. 

He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness

but have the light of life.” 

(John 8:12)

“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 

(John 9:5)

But as it says in Job:

He is driven from light into darkness

And chased out of the world. 

(Job 18:18)

The sun is the secular light of this world just as the Son is the Spiritual light. But there is a correlation between the sun and the Son in the same way there seems to be a conflict between light and darkness.

In a way, the light was “chased out of this world” when Christ was crucified. This occurred during the latter part of the afternoon as…

…from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over the land. 

(Matthew 27:45) 

So at the crucifixion of Christ the dying of the Son was paralleled by the fading away of the sun. And as the light left, darkness enveloped the earth. Without the Son, darkness reigned. And it has been so ever since.

But the sun doesn’t stay down forever, for in the morning it returns and once again darkness flees and light shines forth. It was about that time of day when the Son arose and demonstrated the light of eternity to the world. And as the sun returns each day, so shall the Son return once more to drive away the darkness forever. 

The sunset corresponds to the Son being driven into darkness and the sunrise to Christ returning in His glory. Therefore, no matter how difficult events may seem now, there is always morning on the horizon and the promise of the Son’s return. As it says in the Psalms:

…Weeping may endure for a night, 

But joy comes in the morning. 

(Psalm 30:5)

And that is always something to think about.

  

Pastor Jasmine Trott July 20, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 5

Strawberry Fest - July 27th

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - KNOWLEDGE-WISDOM

KNOWLEDGE-WISDOM

Probably the first decision man ever had to make was when mankind was tempted by Satan who asked the question:

“Has God indeed said?” 

(Genesis 3:1)

The answer mankind gave to the question of God’s authority at that time has reverberated through history, for man is continually confronted by that same question. Is man to follow God’s instructions or has he the right and freedom to choose his own path and therefore control his own destiny? History has shown that for the most part we have chosen the latter course of action.

This has taken place in spite of warnings to the contrary in Scripture. We are told to:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding.

(Proverbs 3:5)

Thus mankind, as a whole, developed and progressed and seemed to do more by himself. Through discoveries and invention, there seemed to be less need for God and His help and so we relied more and more on our own knowledge and ingenuity rather than following the directive of the Bible. As countries become more sophisticated and advanced, it seems that they needed to rely less and less on God and more on their own abilities. But as their knowledge increased, it has become apparent that their wisdom did not keep pace with what they know. Knowledge is an acquaintance with facts, truths or principles;* whereas wisdom implies a knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgement as to action.* Again we are told that:

The fear of [or trust in] the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…

(Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 9:10) 

…But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

(Proverbs 1:7)

So the Bible, without stating it directly, implies that we are fools to rely on our own understanding and knowledge rather than trusting in God. And after all, how much do we really know? How accurate is our knowledge? Every year, what is true seems to change and is replaced by a new truth. The Bible itself implies this when it states:

…We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up…

And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, 

he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.

(1 Cor 8:1-2)

We don’t know all that we think we know or that we ought to know. As Thomas Edison stated:

We do not know one-millionth of one percent about anything**

This may have changed a little from when it was first stated but it still indicates that using incomplete knowledge without wisdom is far from ideal and certainly, to at least some extent, is responsible for the mess the world is presently in. 

Certainly something to think about.

*from dictionary.com

**The Evidence Bible, p.g. 1499

 

Pastor Matthew Trott July 13, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 4

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - RELATIONSHIPS

RELATIONSHIPS

In Genesis, we read these words:

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother 

and be joined to his wife, 

and they shall become one flesh. 

(Genesis 2:24)

In Canada, the Christian religion is believed to be the religion of greater than 50% of the population. Worldwide, about 29% of the population identify as Christian whereas almost 26% identify as belonging to the religion of Islam.

However, true Christianity is really a relationship and not a religion, so the true question is how many nominal Christians have that relationship and not just a religion? A religion is a group of beliefs and practices which people utilize in an attempt to reach and please God. A relationship, on the other hand, implies God reaching down to meet man and man accepting what God offers instead of man’s attempt to please a divinity.

In the past, religious activity has often been associated with a sacrifice on the part of man to placate or to please the gods. This could take the form of anything from child or youth sacrifice, to duties one had to preform, or chores that a person had to undertake to fulfil the requirements that please the gods. The Christian relationship, on the other hand, means fully accepting the grace and mercy [gifts] offered by God to us - an entirely different situation.

The Bible essentially begins with the relationship between two people who become as one and ends essentially with further relationship between God and man [the church] in what is referred to in this manner:

Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, 

for the marriage of the Lamb has come, 

and His wife has made herself ready. 

(Rev 19:7)

…Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb… 

(Rev 19:9)

The entire Bible, in one way, is about the relationship between God and man[kind] as represented by the relationship between a man and woman in a courtship and marriage. How do you develop a relationship with God? The same way a relationship develops here between people - you fall in love and want to know about the other.  You want to understand their likes and desires, to do or encourage them in what they want to do, to go where they want to go, and to suffer their sorrows with them. It’s the same with God. To get to know Him, you have to understand what He likes and do what He wants you to do. You develop a relationship with God the same way that you develop a relationship with your betrothed here. If you are truly in love, it’s not a sacrifice, it’s not a trouble but pure joy.

A relationship with God is something we should not just think about; but truly develop.

Steve McCabe July 6, 2025

Pastor Caroline Barclay July 6, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 3

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - LIGHT

LIGHT

The world is full of colour. Light bathes everything in its rays and that which is not absorbed by an object, is reflected and gives that object its colour. Thus, the colour of any object is that part of the light spectrum that the object does not take in but gives back so that the eye can receive it. Therefore, a red object is so because the red part of the light spectrum is not absorbed while the other parts are. So, it is with other colours. A white object reflects all light and a black one none of the light that hits it.

Now the Bible tells us that:

…God saw the light, that it was good,
and God divided the light from the darkness.

(Genesis 1:4) 

In a way, God made the world so that it would reflect all his being and not just part, but even though…

The people who walked in darkness 

Have seen a great light… 

(Isaiah 9:2)

Unfortunately, the result often is that…

this is the condemnation, 

that the light has come into the world,

and men loved darkness rather than light, 

because their deeds were evil.

(John 3:19)

Again, the result of loving darkness instead of the light is that…

those who leave the path of uprightness

walk in the ways of darkness… 

(Proverbs 2:13)

eats in darkness… 

(Ecclesiastes 5:17)

[and comes] and departs in darkness, 

and its name is covered with darkness. 

(Ecclesiastes 6:4)

Now, if darkness results from all the light that falls somewhere being absorbed, then those who walk in darkness are those who absorb all and give little and end up having little. If one never gives out the love that resides in them, then love will likely not be given to them. A person will never be rich if he holds all that he has and never shares wealth to some extent. And a person will never be blessed or happy if he never gives blessing and happiness to others. A flower is only admired for its beauty if it reflects at least some of the light that shines upon it.

This is why Jesus said that:

 

…I am the light of the world. 

He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, 

but have the light of life. 

(John 8:12)

…whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 

(John 12:46)

For you were once darkness, 

but now you are light in the Lord.

Walk as children of light… 

(Ephesians 5:8)

He also said that:

As long as I am in this world, I am the light of the world.

(John 9:5)

And, referring to His followers, He also said

You’re the light of the world… 

(Matthew 5:14)

and so…

Let you light so shine before men, 

that they may see your good works

and glorify your Father in heaven. 

(Matthew 5:16)

If we are to let our light shine, we must try to give back much of what God has given us; only then will we be walking in the light and not immersed in darkness. It's only what we give away of ourselves and our abilities that make us truly healthy, wealthy, and wise. By doing that, we walk in the light of the world and not in its darkness. 

Something we all should think about. 

 

Blake Storey June 29, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 2

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - TWO VISIONS

 TWO VISIONS*

In the book of Daniel, we are told of two visions which were revealed to the prophet. In the first, Daniel interpreted the meaning of a gigantic statue that came in a dream to Nebuchadnezzar. He revealed the statue’s form to the king:

 

[T]his image’s head was fine gold,

its chest and arms of silver,

its belly and thighs of bronze,

its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and…clay.
(Daniel 2:32-33)

Each piece of the statue’s form represented, in turn, a different kingdom. The head of fine gold was Babylon, the chest and arms of silver a second kingdom, the belly and thighs of bronze a third empire, and the legs of iron and a fourth kingdom respectively. These in turn apparently represented the empires of Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome with the feet of iron and clay indicative of a future kingdom yet to come.

This vision was felt to portray the future of human history, as it tended to show the major players in coming world events with the ten toes of iron and clay indicating the strength and weakness of the end times of a future type of Roman Empire. We do not hear as often the end of the prophecy where a…

…stone cut out without hands, 

which struck the image on its feet of 

iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 

(Daniel 2:34)

This stone is believed to refer to Jesus, who will come back at the end of time and topple the last empire. It also tends to show that man’s dominion on earth began more as gold and ends with dust.

But there was also a second vision as recorded in Daniel 7. In this case creatures came from the sea.

The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings…

And another beast, a second, like a bear…

and there was another, like a leopard, 

which had on its back four wings like a bird… 

…a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. 

It had huge iron teeth…and had ten horns. 

It was different from all the beasts that were before it… 

(Daniel 7:4-7) 

Again, the creature like a lion was felt to represent Babylon, the second creature to represent Persia, the third - Greece and the fourth, the old Roman Empire and a civilization in the future. But no shattering of this last civilization in this instance.

It is interesting that Daniel used the names of familiar animals to describe the first three creatures but not the last. The word he used to describe the final beast is the Hebrew word “shainah” which means different or altered or changed. 

Does this then mean that the civilization of the end time will be different or altered from those of previous times, that it will be more unnatural? That it will be a civilization, at odds with the normal creation and so, then, with God’s creation. Those, then, who live in those times must be willing and able to stand against this altered creation and creature if one is to survive. And this all must come before the stone, cut without hands, breaks into pieces the civilization at the end times.

If one looks around, it is not hard to see that right now we are living in a civilization at odds with creation and God’s order. And that should be enough to make us all concerned.

Certainly something for us to think about.

*Adapted from The Book of Mysteries by Jonathan Cahn, p.g. 114 

Pastor Matthew Trott June 22, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 1

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Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - APOSTASIA

                                                                                                

                                                                                                       APOSTASIA

The above word is from the Greek language and is composed of two root words “apo” which means “to depart from” and “stasis” which means “the stand or state of.” So, apostasia means to depart from one’s stand or state. In the Bible, it is translated as “falling away.”

In 2 Thessalonians, it is written:

 

Let no one deceive you by any means; 

for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, 

and the man of sin is revealed… 

(2:3)

This falling away is often considered to refer to the abandonment of faith and the Word of God with ramifications that are mentioned in other parts of Scripture.

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, 

boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, 

unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, 

slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 

traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than 

lovers of God. 

(2 Timothy 3:1-4)

And for these reasons, we are told to:

…take up the whole armour of God, 

that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, 

and having done all, to stand. 

(Ephesians 6:13)

But the falling away does not just mean the departure from the faith in the moral and spiritual sense but it also refers to the falling away from ones’ state or stature. Our place in creation has been defined by God as revealed in His Word and, therefore, as we fall away from the Word we also tend to fall away from our state in creation. As the Bible states:

…God created man in His own image; 

in the image of God He created him; 

male and female created He them. 

(Genesis 1:27)

Thus, the further we fall away from the word, the further we fall away from the state in which we were made. As Jonathan Cahn puts it:

“…there will not only be a falling away from faith, but a falling away from being…

the departure of men from the stasis or state of manhood, 

the departure of women from the stasis or state of womanhood, 

of fathers from the state of fatherhood, of mothers from the state of motherhood, 

and of man from the stasis and state of humanity.”*

Man was created by the Word and is supposed to live by that same Word. As we fall away from the Word, we tend to lose our state and become among other things - more lovers of ourselves and money; lacking in self-control and morality. A true apostasia.

When you look at today’s world, it is not hard to see how we are fast approaching the falling away mentioned in scripture.

That should be enough to make us think seriously about it.

*The Apostasis, The Book of Mysteries by Jonathan Cahn (p.g. 270)

 

Peter MacLaren June 15, 2025

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - BREVITY

BREVITY

There are many passages in Scripture which emphasize the brevity of life. For example, Psalm 90 states that:

The days of our lives are seventy years; 

and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, 

Yet their boast is only labour and sorrow;

For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 

(Psalm 90:10)

So teach us to number our days,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 

(Psalm 90:12)

Similarly, Job and Samuel say:

Oh, remember that my life is a breath! 

(Job 7:7)

For we will surely die 

and become like water spilled on the ground, 

which cannot be gathered up again. 

(2 Samuel 14:14)

There are many other verses revealing just how short life is on this earth. Yet consider just how much effort we put into planning just what our life here might be like. If we consider the five years or so we live as children, then we spend, on average, between 18 and 23 years getting prepared for doing what will be our life work.That leaves about 55 years left, of which approximately one-third is spent in sleeping and eating, leaving, on average, 38 years to work, play, have a family and recreational time, and retire as we get older. Much of the time we do spend working seems to be to gain houses which are too big, cars that are too expensive, and toys which are rarely used. And often this is financed by debt which turns out to be too much for too long.

Is this really what life was meant to be? We spend all this time and effort for an existence which may last 70 or eighty years and then it’s over.

But what about eternity? If we really believe what the Bible tells us, then a long time awaits after we die here if we have the faith to believe it. But how much time do we take to prepare for eternal life? If we take about 20-25 years to prepare for a job that may last 30 years, do we do anything to prepare for what eternity may offer?

Life here may be just a breath but what comes after lasts much longer. And did not Solomon say after all he had done and accomplished in his life that:

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God, and keep His commandments:

for this is the whole duty of man. 

(Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV) 

For we are His workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus for good works, 

which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 

(Ephesians 2:10)

It is really not possible to fear God and keep His commandments or to do good works if we are not prepared to know Him, His words, and at least do what is needed to prepare for eternity - just we tend to do for our life here on earth. And also, we never know when our time for eternity may come, for, as James states:

…you do not know what will happen tomorrow. 

For what is your life?

It is…a vapour that appears for a little time 

and then vanishes away. 

(James 4:14)

So, let us prepare for what is eventually coming. For any of us, it may be sooner than one may realize.  And it is truly something we all should all be thinking about.