In many countries people value the right of ‘free speech’. But free speech can be dangerous. In the US the right-wing activator Charlie Kirk was recently murdered, probably for his well-known and somewhat controversial views.

This sort of thing is not new. In the first century the apostles were openly defiant of the Jews’ order not to preach about the risen Jesus (Acts 4:15-20). But, as a result, many were persecuted and some lost their lives (Acts 7:45-60, 8:1-3, 12:1-2). These apostles were falsely accused of blasphemy.

In the Law of Moses the punishment for blasphemy was indeed death (Leviticus 24:10-16), but the apostles were telling the truth. Blasphemy laws were revoked in the UK in 2008. They are considered an infringement of human rights and free speech. But God still hates blasphemy. God does not like some forms of ‘free speech’.

In fact, in most countries, including the UK, ‘free speech’ is qualified. This means that there are restrictions. For example, citizens are not entitled to threaten national security or public safety, and should not encourage disorder or crime. Inciting hatred is not allowed. Ironically, in many places, people have to be careful about how they present Bible teaching, because people are still arrested and convicted for what they say.

In many ways, however, in this age of social media and widespread access to the internet, we have more free speech than ever before. But free speech can be ‘weaponised’. It can be used to aggravate or irritate and can lead to embarrassment, humiliation, inappropriate action and even violence. We have seen, and still see, examples of this. Free speech can do harm.

Another consequence is that ‘fake news’ and misleading information abound. If we cannot evaluate the validity of what we read or hear, then this too can be dangerous.

For example, a UK doctor is currently under scrutiny for making public his personal views. Doctors are, under the regulatory terms of their profession, required to ensure that what they say is accurate and so not misleading. They must not present opinion as fact, and must make sure that they take reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of what they say. This is because their role is to promote good and not harm. Disinformation could lead people to do unhealthy or dangerous things or not to do healthy things.

Doctors need to be careful because most people are unable to evaluate the medical literature and research results. They are unlikely to have access to things like primary research data.

And that brings us to the Bible. Much is said and written about the Bible. Preachers should take special care to ensure that they speak accurately, that they do not misrepresent the Bible, and that they clearly distinguish between their own opinion and fact. But many do not. Consequently, much of what is in the public domain is disinformation and fake. Unlike medical data, most of us have access to a Bible. It is therefore critically important that we check the Bible to evaluate what people say about it.

Disinformation from a medical doctor can lead to death. Disinformation about the Bible can lead to eternal death.

So let us value what the apostles did, risking their lives so that we could have the Bible. And then read it for ourselves, checking what it actually says. And take notice of what it says.

It has been a turbulent few weeks in UK politics, and many people are critical of the government, saying that it is now ‘in crisis’.

That may well be true. However, given the apparently intractable and unpredictable problems both nationally and internationally, it is doubtful that any government, however well-intentioned, could succeed. Furthermore, many people are disillusioned with the over-ambitious and over-confident claims of politicians which turn out to be mere ‘rhetoric over the door’.

What is going wrong?

Well, in fact, the bad news is really good news. This is because the Bible tells us that God has a plan for the earth. A wonderful plan, when all the problems of this current life will end. Contrary to what many churches teach, this will not be achieved by mass religion or preaching. It is to be achieved by the return of Jesus Christ to the earth to set up God’s kingdom. And nobody will be able successfully to challenge the authority of Almighty God or his ruling king Jesus. God keeps His promises.

But Jesus told his disciples of a time of trouble, before the Son of Man (Jesus himself) came to save people.

And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Luke 21:25-28

Years earlier, the Jewish prophet Daniel had said similar words ( where ‘Michael’ refers to Jesus).

At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above;and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:1-3).

There are many such prophecies about a glorious kingdom, but also stark warnings of a time of unprecedented distress beforehand. So the current crises are in fact heralds of the return of Jesus as king.

We need to make sure that we are prepared. We need to be true disciples of Jesus looking for ‘redemption’. We should want our names written in ‘the book’, so that we can be ‘wise’, and given ‘everlasting life’ in the new order of things. If we are like this, then although the current and futureworld problems are extremely distressing, we can ‘raise our heads’ in hope.

No human beings can put things right: we need a divine government. And right now we need to trust in God, not in humanity, find out what He asks us to do, and thus prepare for His kingdom. The ‘bad news’ is a warning to us.

Let us pay serious attention to these things while there is still time.

In the Middle East people are being freed after being held captive during the ravages of war: Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages. This is a cause for celebration. Rays of hope in the morass of despair. Miles away in Poland, Europe, the king of England joined other dignitaries on Holocaust Memorial Day, 27 January. It is now 80 years since more than 7,000 people were freed from the horrors of the Auschwitz concentration camp in World War II. While there is an element of celebration in this, it is primarily a remembrance of the massive death toll of that era. Many were liberated but the vast majority had perished.

It is good to reflect, to remember, and to learn from these horrific events.

We are all, however, naturally in a state of captivity leading to inevitable destruction. But we need not despair. Jesus said to some Jews who had believed him:

If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free

John 8:31-32

And he went on to elaborate:

Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slaveto sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

John 8:34-36

We are by nature ‘slaves to sin’. We disobey God all the time. And as a result, we all deserve to die. This is what the Bible calls the ‘law of sin and death’.

But we can be made free ‘in Christ’.

For the law of the spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:2

Those ‘in Christ’, those who have truly believed and committed their lives to following Jesus, have escaped and have a sure hope of eternal life. They are ‘free’.

In relation to these people it is said that:

Jesus Christ …loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.

Revelation 1:5

It is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that can make us truly ‘free’. And Jesus asked his followers to remember this great release and freedom:

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood”.

Luke 22:19-20

The death of this lovely man achieved the ultimate freedom. Surely this is the most important death to remember: the ultimate hope and freedom to obtain and celebrate.