Devotional For The Week - 19 January 2003
Extended New Year Greetings Dear Friends
May we constantly behold the face of Jesus Christ that we may be changed from glory to glory into the same image. (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The Bible states that where sin abounds, grace abounds even further. As we experience trials and temptations, let us hold onto the promise that Christ will find us a way of escape. (1 Corinthians 10:13).
You may remember Scott who had been struggling with drug addiction and Masonry, and his wife and two children who had left him several months ago. As his wife and two children are now in Japan, the wallet that Scott had was ever so precious to him as it contained photos of his two children including the recent birth of his second child. Scott has also been more responsive toward the working of the Holy Spirit, attending our church activities on Sabbath afternoon, including wholesome fellowship lunch plus an afternoon study seminar. Scott attended recent meetings and we had a profitable discussion on those things that were upon his heart and his desire to learn more about Christ. By grace, we hope to see Scott again on 25 January. However, something happened...
Have you noticed when individuals decide to take their stand for Christ, how the Devil often tries to remove the carpet from under their feet, so to speak ? Al spoke to Scott yesterday, and was alarmed to hear the following...
Scott stated that he was walking in the middle of Camden Town during the daylight hours, busy with shoppers. All of a sudden, he was set upon by four muggers who had guns, who proceeded to manhandle Scott, punch him black and blue, steal Scott's mobile phone and wallet that contained little money, but had the precious photos of his children. Scott cried out for help but not one person on the busy street assisted !They simply watched the whole incident. Scott gave chase but to no avail as the criminals escaped with his belongings. Although Scott suffered this mugging, his response to the situation took us by surprise. Scott shared that his predominant thought was that he was thankful that his life was spared to see another day.
Friends, the Devil is roaring like a lion seeking whom he may devour. At times, it may appear that we are in the Lion's den. Typically, the Devil cowardly attacks the weak and lowly like the thugs above, however, God's angels excel in strength and power and assist in constantly saving us from far worse situations. (Psalms 91 & Hebrews 1). Like Scott, we ought to boldly chase the Devil and his imps with the Word of God - "submit your will to God, resist the Devil, and he will flee from you". We may receive cuts and scars in the process, but Christ has engrained us in the palm of His hands. When we are at our weakest point, it is when God is more close to us.
The Great Controversy will soon be over. Bio-terrorism sweeps the world bringing forth fear, confusion and distrust. (Did you know that Christians who believe in the Revelation prophecies are regarded by the FBI and other security worldwide bodies as potential terrorists ? Click here to read the alarming Project Megiddo - An FBI's Strategic Assessment. Read also the Breaking News below). Nevertheless, The Devil will meet his Match in Christ. Together with the wicked angels and his sympathisers, he will be thrown in the lake of fire - a place fit for bullies and thugs and all those who choose to remain transgressors of God's Law and despisers of His grace. (1 John 3:4).
May you be blessed by this week's study that will look at The Great Controversy and the Fall Of Adam, followed by prayer requests and current breaking news.
(The devotionals will be posted on a fortnightly basis until services can resume at the previous weekly pace.)
Blessings & Maranatha
Al, Ana & Abi
His Ministry Of Healing Resources
www.ministryofhealing.org
[Print Study For Easy Reading - Share With Your Family & Friends]
.::. Part 2 - Christ Our Righteousness - The Great Controversy & The Fall Of Adam .::.
"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him". (Revelation 12:7-9).
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them" (Genesis 1:27)
"THE GREAT CONTROVESY"
The Scriptures declare that "God is love". (1 John 4:16). The great conflict between good and evil, from the time it first began in heaven to the final overthrow of rebellion and the total eradication of sin, is a demonstration of God's unchanging love.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God." (John 1:1. See also Revelation 19:11-16). Christ, the Word, the Only Begotten of God was one with the eternal Father - one in nature, in character, in purpose - the only being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God. The Bible further declares that "unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6). "But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2. See Note 1).
The Father wrought by His Son in the creation of all heavenly beings. (Colossians 1:16). Angels are God's ministers, radiant with the light ever flowing from His presence and speeding on rapid wing to execute His will. (See Hebrews 1:7, 14; Daniel 7:9, 10; Revelation 5:11; Luke 2:9 & Matthew 28:2,3). However, the Son of God who is the express image of God, holds supremacy over them all. (Hebrews 1:2-6).
There was perfect harmony throughout the universe of God. God desires from His creatures the service of love - service that springs from an appreciation of His character. He takes no pleasure in a forced obedience; and to all He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary service. These celestial beings delighted in reflecting God's glory.
Who had been most honoured of God, being made highest in power and glory
among the inhabitants of heaven ? How does the Bible describe this person
?
"Son
of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus* , and say unto him,
Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom,
and perfect in beauty.
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone wast thy covering,
the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the
sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy
tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou was created.
Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou
was
upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of
the stones of fire.
Thou was perfect in all thy ways from the day that thou wast created, until
iniquity was found in thee."
(Ezekiel 28:12-15. *See Note 2).
Satan, then called Lucifer, was a covering cherub distinguished by his excellence.
He was covered in the most precious stones and had great musical capabilities.
His exalted position was next in honour to Christ and as covering cherub, he beheld the glory of God as no other angel in heaven.
He was created perfectly in all his ways, holy and undefiled.
As an angel endowed with special privileges, how did Lucifer eventually betray
his exalted position ? Of what in particular did he begin to covet ?
"Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness...thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God" (Ezekiel 28:17,2).
Not content with his position, though honoured above the heavenly host, he ventured to covet homage due alone to the Creator and the glory with which the Infinite Father had invested His Son, power that was the prerogative of Christ alone. (See Colossians 1:18.19). The perfect harmony in heaven was now broken. Lucifer allowed his jealousy and envy of the supremacy of Christ to prevail. Thus began the great controversy between Christ and Satan.
What term does the Bible use to describe Lucifer's disobedience ?
"
By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with
violence, and thou hast sinned ...iniquity was found in thee." (Ezekiel
28:16,15).
The Bible explains that Lucifer had sinned. Sin is defined as "the transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4). The Law of God, which reveals God's justice, is the foundation of His government. God's justice is combined with His mercy. (Read Exodus 34:6,7 for a description of God's name or character in dealing with sin.) God's law may be found in the "ark of his testament" in the heavenly temple. (Revelation 11:19). The apostle Paul describes this law as "holy, and just, and good". (Romans 7:12). This law, otherwise known as the ten commandments, is also known as the "royal law" or "law of liberty" (James 2:8,12). It is Christ's mission to draw humanity to these commandments as it highlights our duty to love God supremely and also to love our neighbours as ourselves. (Matthew 22:36-40). Therefore, if Christ's righteousness represents obedience to God's will, then sin or iniquity must represent disobedience to God's will.
As Lucifer cherished the desire for equal authority with the Son of God, what event occurred in heaven which involved all the heavenly angels ?
"And there was a war in heaven: Michael* and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels." (Read Revelation 12:7-9. See *Note 3).
Lucifer went forth to diffuse the spirit of discontentment among the angels. He began to insinuate doubts concerning the laws that governed heavenly beings. He urged that changes to the law of God was necessary for the stability of the divine government, while secretly fomenting discord and rebellion. Lucifer, "the light bearer", the sharer of God's glory, the attendant of His throne, by transgression (or sin) became Satan, "the adversary" of God and holy beings. God permitted Satan to carry forward his work until the spirit of disaffection ripened into active revolt. Then there was war in heaven. (See Note 4).
THE FALL OF ADAM
"
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." "And
God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness" (Genesis
1: 1, 26). Before the Fall, not a cloud rested upon the minds of our first
parents to obscure their clear perception of the character of God. They
were perfectly conformed to the will of God. Man was capable of comprehending
divine things. His affections were pure; his appetites and passions were
under the control of reason. (See Note 5). Adam and Eve were holy and happy
bearing the image of God. (See 2 Corinthians 3:18. See Note 6). For a covering,
a beautiful light, the light of God, surrounded them. (See Revelation 16:15.
Compare Isaiah 30:1 with Psalms 109:29). The Lord visited the holy pair,
and instructed them through the works of His hands. Nature was their lesson
book. In the Garden of Eden the existence of God was demonstrated in the
objects of nature that surrounded them. "For the invisible things
of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood
by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead..." (Romans
1:20). However, this state of perfect bliss came to an end through the
disobedience of Adam and Eve.
How did man come into existence and what happens to man at death ?
"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7).
Notice, that man (a living soul) = dust of the ground + breath of life.
Also, King Solomon was inspired to therefore conclude that when man dies, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." (Ecclesiastes 12:7). It is clear that when life departs from man "the dead know not anything". The dead are therefore neither conscious, nor do they exist in ghostlike spirit form. (See Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10 & Job 33:4).
Although Adam had sinned by disobeying God's requirements, what were the two gifts of God that our first pair were permitted to bring with them through the gates of the Garden of Eden ? (Read Genesis 2:1-3, 21-25).
The Sabbath was the seventh day of creation week where God and His creatures rested in memorial of the six days of creation. "God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it". This record of the example of the Creator, was to encourage man also to rest upon this sacred day, that he may look upon the heavens and the earth, and reflect upon God's great work of creation with gratitude, and to be reminded that there is a living God. (See Exodus 20:8-11 & Hebrews 4:4,9,10).
The marriage of Adam and Eve was the first to take place on the newly created earth. Both were beautiful and noble in form. Eve was taken from a rib from the inside of Adam. (Genesis 2:21). Adam and Eve were made man and wife. (Verse 25). The Scriptures declare that "marriage is honourable in all". (Hebrews 13:4).
What method did the Lord use to test and prove Adam and Eve's loyalty and love toward Him ? (See Genesis 2:16,17).
Of what disguise did Satan use in tempting Eve to disregard God's requirements by partaking of the fruit ? (See Genesis 3:1).
The serpent is described as being "more subtil than any beast of the field". It is understood, that in ancient kingdoms, the serpent, prior to the Fall, was one of the most beautiful creatures of the earth and had wings for flight ! (Read Genesis 3:14 & Isaiah 30:6). Notice how beauty and wisdom were also characteristics that Satan possessed before his fall from heaven. (See Revelation 12:9 & Exodus 28:17). In regard to the temptation, the Bible states that "Adam was not deceived" but Eve was. (1 Timothy 2:14). We may therefore conclude, that at the point of temptation, Adam's love for Eve was greater than his love for God. Eve was deceived but Adam deliberately chose to disobey God by listening to the voice of his wife. (Genesis 3:17).
What did Satan promise Eve if she partook of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil ? (See Genesis 3:4,5).
"And
the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth
know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened,
and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."
(Genesis 3:4,5).
Satan's first sermon - "ye shall not surely die" - was the first preached upon the immortality of the soul. This belief is echoed from many Christian pulpits today. Does the Bible teach such a doctrine ? (See 1 Timothy 6:13-16, Ezekiel 18:20 & Romans 6:23). This belief of itself forms the foundation of the doctrine of the dead being tormented with fire and brimstone in an eternally burning hell, so that the sinner would live in eternal misery. Does such a concept of God exist biblically ? (See Note 7). Also, what Satan could not obtain by fraud and force, he tempted our first parents in believing they could obtain; namely, to become like God by possessing greater wisdom and obtaining a higher state of existence. Instead, both parents fell into sin, misery and self-justification; Adam blamed Eve (Genesis 3:12) and Eve blamed the serpent (Genesis 3:13). The knowledge which God did not want our first parents to have was a knowledge of guilt.
How did Adam and Eve respond when God called them after they had sinned against Him ? (See Genesis 3:7,8).
Adam and Eve attempted to make themselves aprons by sewing fig leaves together. They tried to cover their nakedness with their own garments. They knew that they could not meet the eye of God and holy angels unclothed. The Bible states that "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags". (Isaiah 64:6). We also, like our first parents, attempt to cover our deficiencies and defects with our own righteous acts or by justifying ourselves. We hide from God because of the sense of our nakedness and the fear of appearing in the presence of our Creator unclothed by the garment of Christ's righteousness. (Revelation 19:8, Jeremiah 23:6 & Revelation 6:16). It is to meet this need that the three angel's messages focus on the proclamation of the righteousness of Christ, which is to be received by faith. (Romans 3:22). "Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked and see his shame." (Revelation 16:15).
What is the result of sin ? As a result of sin, into what helpless condition did man come ? (See Romans 6:23; 3:9-18, 23; 5:12, 19).
What was God's promise to Adam and Eve in regard to a solution to the problem of sin and suffering entering this world ? (See Genesis 3:15).
This sentence, uttered in the hearing of Adam and Eve, was to them a promise. While it foretold war between Christ and Satan, declaring that the power of the great adversary would be broken, it also foretold the enmity that God foretold would exist between the serpent and the seed of the women - between Satan and his subjects and Christ and His followers. (See Note 8). Christ "humble himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross...that through death he might destroy him that had power of death, that is, the devil." (Philippians 2:8 & Romans 2:14). The Son of God would suffer on behalf of the sinner. The whole plan of redemption centres on the idea of a substitute dying in man's place - the innocent suffering for the guilty. Christ alone was able to take the sinner's place, to bear the full load of his guilt and to pay the full penalty.
NOTES:
1) It is interesting to note here that the location Ephrath is also called Bethlehem. (See Genesis 35:19 & 48:7). From out of this town of Judah, was promised to emerge the ruler of Israel. Christ was of the tribe of Judah (See Revelation 5:5) and born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-6). Christ will also rule over the house of Jacob, also known as Israel (See Genesis 32:28 & Luke 1:31-33).
2) The king of Tyrus represents Satan, who then was known as Lucifer, son of the morning. (See Isaiah 14:12). He is represented as the king of Tyrus flourishing in might and magnificence. The word Lucifer means shining one or day star. Christ is also known as the "bright and morning star". Therefore, God made Lucifer good and beautiful, near as possible like Himself. (Revelation 22:16). God normally applies a name to a person to denote the characteristic of the person. For example, look at the names of Christ in Isaiah 9:6.
3) The Bible states that Satan fought against Michael. Who is Michael ? Michael means who is like God ? By comparing verses Jude 9, Daniel 12:1 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16, you will discover that Michael was the name given to Christ. Christ is like God; He is the express image of God the Father.
4) The question may be asked, why did not God destroy Satan at the commencement of his rebellion ? Had Satan been blotted out of existence, the inhabitants of heaven and other worlds would then have served God from fear rather than from love, as they would have been unable to see the justice of God in this act. For the good of the entire universe through ceaseless ages, Satan must fully develop his principles, that his charges against the divine government might be seen in their true light by all created beings, and that the justice and mercy of God and the immutability of His law might be forever placed beyond all question. Thus the history of this terrible experiment of rebellion was to be a perpetual safeguard to all holy beings to prevent then from being deceived as to the nature of transgression, to save them from committing sin, and suffering its penalty. He would want us to know firsthand that "just and right is He." (Deuteronomy 32:4).
5) It is important to distinguish here those acts or characteristics that are either inspired of God through the Holy Spirit (e.g. love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness & temperance) or those that originate from Satan through the flesh (e.g. adultery, fornication, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulaions, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkeness, revellings). It is God's will to cleanse or sanctify our entire being that we may represent Christ in truth and character. In the experience leading upto this mark (Philippians 3:14), we may go through the same trials as described in Romans 7. However, the Bible points out that the faith of Christ through us may overcome the lustful and passionate desires in the world, and hence gain the victory over all sin. (See Galatians 5:16-25, 1 John 5:4 &. 2 Peter 1:4).
6) We are told in 2 Corinthians 4:4 that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, may also shine upon us.
7) The Bible states that "God is love" (1 John 4:8). "As I live, saith The Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked: but that the wicked turn from his way and live". (Ezekiel 33:11. See also Isaiah 28:21). Although the Bible uses the terms "eternal fire" and "tormented with fire and brimstone", there is no indication of an eternal hell. For example, "the Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven...set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire". (Genesis 19:24 & Jude 7). We may ask the following question; are these fires still burning ? The Bible also adds that God turned "the cities of Sodom & Gomorrah into ashes". (2 Peter 2:6). In other words, these terms describe a fire that can not be extinguished until everything is consumed. At the end of the great controversy, Satan and his followers will experience the same judgement as the cities of Sodom & Gomorrah, "and they shall be as though they had not been". (Obadiah 16. See also Jeremiah 17:27, Revelation 14:10,11 & Revelation 20:10). Also, notice how God prevented our first parents from becoming immortal sinners by barring them from gaining access to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:23).
8) The seed referred to in the third chapter of Genesis, is also repeated in Genesis 17:19,8. The seed referred to in both texts is Christ. (Galatians 3:16).
.::. Prayer Requests & Praise Reports .::.
1)
PSubj: Prayer Requests
Date: 05/01/03 19:32:50 GMT Standard Time
From: Agtzkc
To: AlEcMaran
Would you please be so kind to pray for the following things: They are all
somewhat urgent in nature:
For My Uncle, Robert Lee Hamilton for immediate and complete healing. For
My Mom, Mary Ann for financial help and prosperity. For myself Art and
my team of sales people for our success. I thank you SO much and God Bless YOU for your kind and unselfish prayers
for others!!
2) Please keep Celine's father in your prayers as his mind opens to the working of the Holy Spirit.
3)
DSubj: dear prayer friends
Date: 13/01/03 09:23:08 GMT Standard Time
From: mhmail@hetnet.nl (Herman en Mirjam de Groot)
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
May this email find you in good health and may this year be full of God's
blessings. If you are receiving this you have sent a reply to my prayer request
I had posted or sent in prior and/or because you are a member of the same
prayer lists I am a member of.
Thank you for your kindness and your prayers. Two Sundays ago Herman has
had another seizure. Again it took place in the middle of the night (six
o'clock), but it was milder than the previous one. The medicines are working,
but that may take some time and I wonder if the evening dose is enough
to keep him seizure free throughout the night. I also am having a conflict
with my inlaws. They have said a lot of thigs that are not true. More and
more I find that people do not approve my way of dealing with this situation
and even friends tell me that I do it all wrong. Some say I am leaving
him alone and that I am only thinking about myself. I do not want him to
have another seizure not only for himself, but also because they have scared
me so. I am so tired of defending myself. Yesterday we had my parents over
for a visit and later on Herman had a conversation with his friend Steven
over the telephone. Steven emailed me yesterday (I just read his email)
saying exactly the same things my inlaws have said. My parents are more
supportive and they do not judge me. I will not answer that email. It only
upsets me and I am upset easily. I am being accused of victimising myself
while it is my husband who is ill. Yes, I am afraid and so are my inlaws.
I have to live with him day and night and others do not. So they do not
have the right to tell me what to do, think or feel. I do not do such a
thing with them, because I am not in that position, no matter who they
are. Both of us are having a hard time. Please pray for this situation
and the people around us.
Grandma is doing well. They have started the radiation last week and my
mother says she is not as tired as they expecterd her to be. Grandma is
bearing off bravely. Please pray for her and her children that God will
carry them through this situation. She has her dog back and will move to
a house on the terrain of a home in April or May depending on the weather.
She will be independent, but the house will be smalller and in case something
is wrong, she can ring for a nurse. My grandparents have been on the waiting
list for three years and with the passing of my grandfather the need for
a place where help is around the corner has grown. Except for this cancer,
grandma is healthy. She is very active for a woman her age, drives her
own car and baby sits her grandchildren (the younger ones).
I have not heard or read anything from Norbert-Jan since the weekend after
Christmas, although he knows about this new seizure. I think of going to
Hardenberg next week to visit my friend Everdine. I do not know whether
I will go and visit Norbert-Jan or not. I have been there in November and
he does not understand my reaction either. He would handle it differently.
Well, probably every one would handle it differently when they are not
confronted with this. I have to be strong through all trials and I am not
allowed to even blink when I am confronted with something I find dreadful.
Norbert-Jan is still in freemasonry, otherwise he would have told me so.
Please keep praying for his eyes to be opened to the truth and for him
to be lead to a healthy church to detox his mind of all the unbiblical
ideas (from conversations I know there are many of them he is believing
to be right). I do not know where he got them from (lodge or church), but
please pray that he will find friends who can show him the way and lead
him towards the True Light of the world and away from the one who pretends
he is an angel of light. Keep praying for Felix healing and for peace in
this household.
I do see blessings through these trials. I have become more open towards
my parents and other people, my relationship with them has improved considerately
and I have matured. My marriage is getting stronger by this and although
we have not slept together for a while, we have a close relationship. It
is the weekend nights I am afraid of, not the weeknights, so perhaps we
could start from there and then go step by step back to sleeping next to
him the whole week. On January 22 we have another appointment with the
neurologist. I have a lot of questions I would like to ask him and we will
get the results back from the EEG. This week I have an appointment with
my counsellor in church (Marga) and I will ask her whether a psychologist
would be helpful or not. Our church has been so wonderful to us and they
are praying for us as well. Another blessing is my little group of prayer
friends (you) who have been so nice and supportive. Many times that has
kept me standing, also before the epilepsy returned and we were only dealing
with Norbert-Jan. I have been through hard times because of that battle.
Pray for our protection, since every time I make a move in the 'case' of
Norbert-Jan, we get attacked in our health, our relationships or otherwise.
Pray also for our faith and trust in God that we will not lose it through
the difficult times we now are going through.
God be with you,
Mirjam de Groot
4)
Subj:When you were offline...(via LivePerson)
Date:18/01/03 14:12:16 GMT Standard Time
From: gs002b6959@blueyonder.co.uk (emma martin)
To: webdesign@7starwebservices.com (Alecmaran)
my stepfathers niece is seriously ill and needs a operation to mend her heart. chances are very slim that she is going to survive from this and i was wondering if you could say a prayer for her as she and her family need every bit of help they can find. thankyou, her name is Daniella Tomkins aged 9.
.::. Current Breaking News .::.
> ANTI-TERROR
POLICE ARRESR THREE AT GATWICK -
AOL News 18/01/03
by Ananova
"Three men have been detained at Gatwick Airport and later arrested under anti-terrorism legislation.
Immigration officials at Gatwick Airport held the men, aged 28, 29 and 30 at about 2pm on Thursday while they were "in transit".
Officers from Scotland Yard's anti-terrorist branch and Sussex Police then arrested the men at 7pm on Friday.
It is understood the arrests are not being linked to the recent arrests in north London, where traces of the poison ricin was found in a flat, and Manchester, where a Special Branch officer was stabbed to death.
The three men are being held under the Terrorism Act 2000 at an unnamed police station in central London.
Police refused to disclose any further details, including the men's ethnic origin and whether they were leaving or arriving in Britain at the time they were stopped.
The Terrorism Act 2000 allows police to detain suspects for seven days."
The
Sun of Righteousness has healing in His wings. Let us pray for His ministry
of healing today.
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