While students of prophecy are occupied with historical signs of the approaching advent of Christ, there are three spiritual portents that should be carefully taken note of.
1. A phenomenal world-encirclement of the Gospel. Never before has there been such a sovereign movement of God to see that "every nation" has had the Sound of salvation in Jesus Christ registered in it "for a testimony". By persons, radio, and literature this outreach and "Sound" is a mark of our time which just cannot be mistaken for its range. It may only be the essential fact of salvation in and by Jesus Christ, but again "their voice is gone into all the earth".
Jesus said that it would be so of necessity, "and then shall the end come".
2. The filling up of the cup of iniquity. It is a question whether, in so short a time, there has ever been such a landslide of iniquity. Iniquity is now legalized in those countries which have the greatest history and tradition of the evangelical faith. Israel's release from Egypt synchronized with the "iniquity of the Amorite" being full. May it not be so for the Church?
3. A deep and largely hidden spiritual movement on the part of a "Remnant" for something more real in the knowledge of Christ.
Disillusionment and spiritual hunger are making many seek food and reality with the result that - as Billy Graham has said - many circles of hungry Christians are seeking spiritual fullness outside of organized Christianity.
First published in "A Witness and A Testimony" magazine, Nov-Dec 1967, Vol 45-6
In keeping with T. Austin-Sparks' wishes that what was freely received should be freely given, his writings are not copyrighted. Therefore, we ask if you choose to share them with others, please respect his wishes and offer them freely - free of changes, free of charge and free of copyright.
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T. Austin Sparks (1888 – 1971)
He was ordained as a Baptist pastor at the age of 24, and from 1912 to 1926 led three congregations in Greater London. During these years, he was also closely related to Jessie Penn-Lewis and her publication and speaking ministry, the "Overcomer Testimony."Among the many books that he wrote, at least three are regarded as Christian classics: The School of Christ, The Centrality and Supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ and We Beheld His Glory. The primary theme of Sparks' books is the exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ. He mentored Watchman Nee for many years and was very influential in his understanding of the Church Life.
Recommends these books by T. Austin Sparks:
Daily Open Windows: Excerpts from the Messages of T. Austin-Sparks
Discipleship in the School of Christ by T. Austin Sparks
More of Christ: From "The Stewardship of the Mystery" by T. Austin Sparks
"Mr Sparks", as he was affectionately known, was born in London, England in 1888. He came to know Christ as a teenager and later became a Baptist pastor. However, his "ecclesiastical" career took a decidedly different direction when a physical crisis brought him to a place of brokenness.
At the same time God also delivered him from his previous prejudice against anything that was related to the "deeper life". As a result, he joined Jessie Penn-Lewis in the ministry of the spiritual growth of believers; a ministry to which he devoted his life and which also cost him his reputation and his career in the denominational circles of England.
He was based in southeast London at Honor Oak Christian Fellowship which is where Watchman Nee met and fellowshipped with him during a visit to England in 1933. Nee's refusal to disavow Austin-Sparks later became the grounds for him being disfellowshipped by the Taylor Brethren. It has been said that Watchman Nee considered Austin-Sparks as his spiritual mentor, and their fellowship appears to have been rich and fruitful.