THE CHURCH HAS WORK TO DO!!
From "Acts" magazine March/April 2012 - a publication of the
General Council of the Churches of God (seventh Day), Meridian,
Idaho, USa.
ARE WE CONQUERING OR AN OCCUPATION FORCE?
by KEN WALKER
WHAT MUST I DO?
Most Bible students will immediately say that this is an easy
question to answer. Jesus specifically told us to occupy. Jesus
taught us in the parable of the 'talents' in Matthew 25:14-30 and
the 'pounds' in Luke 19:12-27 what He expects out of us here on
earth until His second coming. It is in the parable of the
'pounds' that Jesus used the words "...OCCUPY till I come" (Luke
19:13). However, before we go into the parable and determine what
Jesus meant by the word "occupy," we should understand the basic
principles involved in the concept of being an occupier or a
conqueror.
If we go to our friendly Webster's Dictionary, we find that an
"occupation" means a temporary possession of enemy territory by
the victor (conqueror). The word "conquer" means to be
victorious, prevail, and overcome or - to put it simply to take
possession of an enemy's property. As an example, the property of
the enemy could be just an item or it could be a person or a
nation.
As we consider these terms, let us think of an example of these
terms in use. Let us use an example that should be very real and
familiar to us. Before we come into the wonderful salvation that
God has offered to us through Jesus Christ, we are the possession
of Satan. Satan owns us and is also our enemy in this life. Jesus
conquered Satan for us in their battle on this earth.
When Jesus was victorious over Satan, Jesus gave freedom to the
possessions of Satan (you and me) if we want it. We are now free
to make our own decision. We are no longer a slave of Satan
unless we choose not to follow Jesus. We can choose to become the
property of Jesus Christ and, through Jesus Christ, conquer our
enemy, Satan. We see Jesus Christ in the role of CONQUEROR in
this situation.
We understand that we enter into our salvation and the presence
of God by the victory of our conquering Savior, Jesus Christ (See
John 3:16 / 1 Corinthians 15:57 / Romans 8:35-39). When we enter
into the salvation of God through Jesus, we realize that we are
saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-10). However, we are still living
on earth, waiting for the second coming of Jesus. When Jesus
comes back to earth to rule for 1,000 years, we will receive the
permanent redemption of our bodies (Ephesians 1:14 / 1 Peter
1:3-9 / Revelation 22:12). When that change to immortality
happens, our salvation is complete. "Death is swallowed up in
victory!" as 1 Corinthians 15:54 explains to us.
God does not do anything that is not complete. Therefore the
grace of God teaches us how to conduct ourselves in the
occupation of this body that has been redeemed by the blood of
Christ until Jesus comes back again (1 Thessalonians 4:1-4 /
Titus 2:11-12). God not only teaches us how to conduct ourselves
here on earth as we live, but God also gives us help to live a
holy life while we wait. How does God do this wonderful thing for
us? The Holy Spirit and Jesus dwell within us after we accept
Jesus Christ as Lord and master of our lives (See John 14:16-23 /
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 / Ephesians 3:17 / Colossians 1:27). Here
we see Jesus Christ as an OCCUPIER.
We should all understand that our Lord set the example for us to
follow. That means that the Church needs to be both a conqueror
and an occupation force. A conqueror usually has in mind a plan
for an occupation force and how he will set it up. An occupation
force usually has no plan to conquer other areas. We need to
understand the fact that if we consider ourselves as only an
occupation force for Christ then we are severely limiting our
vision and our abilities to do our job as a Christian.
We need to remember that we are soldiers for Christ (2 Timothy
2:3) in a BATTLE with one goal in mind. We need to conquer more
of Satan's territory (people) for Christ. We do this by reaching
more people with the knowledge of the freedom in Christ that is
offered by God. The Apostle Paul talked about the many battles in
which he was involved. Paul told us that he FOUGHT a good fight
(2 Timothy 4:7). Paul also told Timothy, his understudy, that he
was in a war and that he needed to make his fight good (1Timothy
1:18).
The Church of God needs to first think in terms of CONQUERING.
Another term that we can use for conquering that is easy for us
to comprehend is EVANGELISM. The terms should mean the same thing
for a Christian. It seems, however, that the Church of God has
lost its EVANGELISTIC spirit. If we meditate upon that fact we
will realize that the Church of God has ceased to grow as a
result. A CHANGE IS DESPERATELY NEEDED.
In the parable of the talents we find that the nobleman (the
ruler) traveled into a foreign country (enemy territory)
evidently to conquer the land. He was successful in conquering
the land and defeating the enemy ruler. The nobleman then turned
over the rulership of the conquered territory to his servants and
told them to "occupy," or rule, the land until he returned (Luke
19:13). The citizens of this conquered territory did not want the
nobleman to rule over them (Luke 19:14) and the citizens
evidently rebelled. This sets the stage for the main point of the
parables.
The nobleman returns to claim his territory and calls his
servants to give an account of their activity in this occupied
territory that they were to control while the nobleman was gone.
Remember that the nobleman had given all that he had to his
servants. They lacked nothing and knew what the nobleman required
of them.
We understand that they knew what was expected of them because of
their confession in Luke 19:20-21. The nobleman in verses 22, 23
of Luke 19 repeats the servant's own confession in the following
statement.
"Thou knewest that / was an austere (strict, severe) man, taking
up that / laid not down, and reaping that / did not sow;
Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my
coming / might have required mine own with usury?"
For the servants of the nobleman, there was no excuse. They knew
that they were guilty.
For the servants who fulfilled their duty, there was a reward.
For those servants who did not do what they knew they were
supposed to do, there was severe punishment and were called
wicked in Matthew 25:26. We understand that they lost their place
in the kingdom because in Matthew 25:30 the nobleman had those
wicked servants stripped of their belongings and they were thrown
out of the Kingdom and ended up in outer darkness. That is not
the place to be.
There are many lessons to learn from these parables. However, the
main point that Jesus was teaching in these parables is that he
expects a gain from His investment in His servants. If we do
nothing with what the Lord has given to us and we give Him no
gain on our gift, there is big trouble ahead for us. We stand a
very real chance of losing what we expect to have. That is not a
comforting thought for any of us.
A TRUE HOLY WAR!!!
JIHAD is a term that we hear often in our society. Within the
Muslim society it means a war or struggle against unbelievers
(infidels) or as it s commonly called, a HOLY WAR. The term God
can also mean the spiritual struggle within oneself against sin.
As a society we are constantly struck with the thought of a
Muslim JIHAD. That idea of a Jihad has put many plans in motion
for war strategy, peace strategy, and defense strategy against
attack. In our society, however, it appears that we have
forgotten that OUR GOD CAN WAGE A HOLY WAR.
Let us look at some simple facts. Our God is currently waging a
HOLY WAR all over the earth, and that includes our own cities and
towns. Right now there is a battle for souls that is raging, even
as we sit in relative peace and quiet and talk about it. God is
fighting battles through His children on several fronts because
God's desire is for everyone to be saved (2 Peter 3:9). However,
from the Book of Genesis to the Book of Revelation the Bible
positively teaches that A FALSE GOSPEL CANNOT SAVE ANYONE!!!
Every child of God should feel the urgency of the situation that
the world is in because we know that the world is full of false
religions and false promises of salvation.
In the battle for souls that is raging around us, we must
understand that Satan is fighting hard for our lives and our
children. Satan has created a FALSE DOOR that LOOKS LIKE the
GATES OF GLORY but it leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13). That
wide, all-inclusive false door that promises salvation is owned
and controlled by Satan. In 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 we find that
some of Satan's soldiers are made to appear as 'ministers of
righteousness'. Through this strategy, most people do not
question the false door that Satan uses because Satan uses people
who look and sound like 'ministers of righteousness.'
The false door of salvation that Satan has created is made up of
false doctrines mixed with some truth. Satan has used the battle
plan of lies and truth mixed together with great success from
creation down to our time in history (John 8:44). Satan
understands that the best way to fool mankind is to use the truth
of God in the wrong way mixed in with some lies.
Satan's false door of promised salvation leads to death and
destruction. It does not matter what it may look like to us or
how good it may sound to us. As fancy and inviting as it may look
to us, if we stay on the nice wide highway that Satan has given
to the world, it will not lead us to the Kingdom of God. Satan
does not have any keys that will fit in the door that opens God's
Kingdom. Jesus gave the keys to God's Kingdom to his servants and
that includes us (Matthew 16:19).
There are two completely different doors and two different keys.
One door leads to eternal life and the other door leads to
eternal death (Romans 6:23). We must always remember that we are
in a war and the battle that we are in is a life-and-death
struggle. If Satan had a key to open the door to God's Kingdom,
he would not use it for our benefit. Instead, we see Satan using
his keys every week to deceive people. Despite the fact that God
specifically asked us to remember His commandment to keep HIS
seventh day Sabbath holy, Satan has convinced the world that it
is okay to worship God on Sunday instead of Saturday. All Satan
had to do was convince the religious world that the Law of God
was done away with and that sets mankind free to make up rules as
they please. We stand and watch as people go in Satan's false
door of deception and death. Shall we continue to stand by and
just watch? Is that our job? Is that what we have been called by
God to do?
Shall we continue to have meetings and seminars to talk about our
job and then go back home and do nothing, again? When we do not
try to do something about what we see happening every week, isn't
this like burying our talent in the EARTH as described in Matthew
25:14-30. Didn't Jesus have something to say about the people
that have that kind of attitude in the Matthew 25 passage?
After a simple, quick look at the condition of this world, we
quickly understand that the curtain of life is closing on this
world as we know it. That fact alone should show us the need to
understand something. As a body we need to understand that this
may be the last chance that WE will have to share the TRUE GOSPEL
of Jesus and the Kingdom of God (Matthew 24:14) to a dying world.
This may be the only chance that many potential new converts will
have to be able to hold and read the Holy Bible and some of our
tracts on salvation and learn to live a holy life for God through
Jesus Christ.
Jesus gave HIS FOLLOWERS a command in Luke 10:1-2. It was not
just a suggestion. Jesus commanded His followers (that includes
us) to PRAY to God to send MORE WORKERS INTO HIS HARVEST OF
SOULS. Jesus said to the disciples when He walked the earth that
"The HARVEST truly is GREAT but the LABORERS are FEW:" With all
of the false doctrines that our world is flooded with right now,
it is probably even MORE NEEDFUL today.
Let us do what Jesus commanded us to do.
"PRAY YE therefore the LORD OF THE HARVEST, that He will SEND
forth LABORERS INTO HIS HARVEST' (Luke 10:1-2).
Think about this for a minute: After we do what we are commanded
to do and pray for more harvesters into God's vineyard, are we
then free to fold our hands and maybe take a nap or something
like that? We can search the Bible from end to end, but we cannot
find scriptures to back up a doctrine of sleeping when we
absolutely should be hard at work.
If we are part of the body of Christ and God answers our prayers
and provides laborers to send into the harvest, then the body of
Christ (the CHURCH) needs to provide the means to send the
laborers. Think about it this way: Christ is the head of the body
(Colossians 1:18). What if the head of the body (Christ) tells
the body to go to Nigeria or Kenya for example? If the body is
asleep, nothing is going to happen. The body has to do what the
head tells it to do or else--as in this case--the harvest will
fall to the ground and die a needless death.
What good is the body of Christ if it will not do what Christ
commands it? We know that the whole body of Christ cannot, and
will not, travel to a far off place. However we also know that
everybody has a mouth with which to speak. So if God wants the
body to help in some far off place, the body of Christ can send
the mouth and thereby fulfill the scriptures (Romans 10:14-15)
and also fulfill the wishes of our Master.
We need to remember that this same Jesus told us in Luke 19:40
that God could make the stones to cry out. We would have to
assume that if God could make the stones to speak, the stones
would say what God wants to be said. This means that God could
accomplish what He wants to have done with simple rocks from the
ground. Instead God chose us to fulfill His command. That thought
should make us ashamed. The real lesson for us in all of this is
this simple fact: The body of Christ needs to get busy and do its
part in the harvest of souls. Whatever that part may be, it is
important to God and IT IS OUR JOB!
HELP WANTED-GREAT BENEFITS!
The passage in Luke 10:1-2 tells us of the urgent need for
workers to HARVEST SOULS FOR THE SOON COMING KINGDOM OF GOD. The
GREATEST and most rewarding work that anyone can do is to help to
save a soul from death. We all rejoice when we hear of a 'Good
Samaritan' that rescues a complete stranger from death. How much
more should our joy be when we see a stranger rescued from
eternal death? It is the greatest joy we can have if we truly
love God. Even the angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner who
repents (Luke 15:10). Should we not be the 'Good Samaritan'?
Sharing the TRUE GOSPEL and GIVING GOD'S FINAL WARNING in these
last days includes more people than just the preachers. In
Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:15 the words "GO YE' includes EVERY
child of God. This includes old and young in God's family.
Jesus gives "to EVERYMAN (and woman) His WORK" (Mark 13:34). We
are all AMBASSADORS for Christ and the LOVE of CHRIST begs us to
SERVE in some way and to HELP RESCUE THE PERISHING that Jesus
died to save. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 and remember that WE ARE
THE AMBASSADORS. IT IS OUR JOB! If we do not act, then it will
not get done.
In Matthew 20:1-13 Jesus gives another parable about the work of
the church. It matters not whether we are young or old. There is
always the call to SERVE in God's vineyard. "For the Kingdom of
heaven is like unto an house holder, which went out EARLY to HIRE
LABORERS into HIS VINEYARD." And when he had agreed with them for
the wages, "he sent them into His vineyard."
Now we know that not everyone has been called by God to preach,
and not everyone can preach. However, EVERYBODY can teach Holy
living by word and example. EVERYONE can support others who do
teach and preach, as God opens the door.
"And he went out the third hour (about 9 AM) and saw others
STANDING IDLE in the marketplace, and HE SAID unto them; GO ye
also into the vineyard and whatsoever is right I will pay thee."
They went to work. (Verses 3-4) Then about the sixth hour (about
noon) He did the same and hired more workers (verses 5-6).
Even at the ELEVENTH HOUR (close to quitting time - which is our
time in this world) he did the same "....and found others
STANDING IDLE, and he saith unto them, WHY stand ye here all the
day IDLE?" There was only one hour left to work but he hired
them. At day's end they all received the same wage.
This parable has a great LESSON FOR ALL Christians regardless of
age. When we accept Jesus and serve God, we all will receive the
CROWN of ETERNAL LIFE when Jesus comes, if we are faithful,
REGARDLESS OF OUR LENGTH OF SERVICE. The key is to go to work
harvesting the vineyard for that is what Jesus commands.
This leaves NO place for RETIREMENT in God's WORK or in His
vineyard. In fact, old age can be a very fruitful time to serve
God - even after we have retired from our regular jobs because it
gives even more TIME TO DEVOTE to God's work. If health is a
problem, remember that God's work NEEDS PRAYER WARRIORS! There is
no excuse and there is no place or time for idleness.
WHOM SHALL I SEND?
We have the "GREAT COMMISSION" as we are fond of saying of
Matthew 28:19-20. However, we must remember that Jesus started
off this COMMAND (not a suggestion) with these words, "ALL POWER
IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH" (Matthew 28:18). The job
of reconciling this entire world to its Creator, God, was given
to Jesus (Romans 5:10 / 2 Corinthians 5:18). Jesus then gave to
His followers--you and me included--the RESPONSIBILITY to carry
out this work that He started.
The Apostle Paul explained the transfer of responsibility to the
followers of Jesus in a very easy to understand scripture found
in 2 Corinthians 5:17-20. We know that this sinful world needs to
be reconciled to its wonderful Creator, God. The process of
reconciliation is done through Jesus. While He walked on this
earth, Jesus showed us how to go about accomplishing the work of
reconciliation. Then Jesus turned the job over to His followers
and that includes ALL OF US.
We find further confirmation of the transfer of power and
responsibility in the command given to Paul by Jesus in Acts
27:15-18. The Jews were trying to get rid of Paul and they
brought false charges against him. Paul ended up before King
Agrippa. At his trial, Paul told King Agrippa what Jesus had
commanded him to do when Jesus struck him down on the road to
Damascus. Here in Paul's testimony of his CONVERSION, we find
that PAUL WAS COMMANDED to turn the people from the POWER OF
SATAN TO THE POWER OF GOD. This turn of events in a person's life
can only happen through salvation as Colossians 1:12-14 explains
to us. When we accept the salvation that is freely given to us by
God through Jesus we are "...delivered from the power of
darkness..." (vs. 13) and we enter the kingdom of Jesus. This
would mean that Paul would have power over Satan available to him
to accomplish what God wanted. Was this power given? The Bible
clearly states that Paul was given the power to change peoples'
lives through preaching. This victory over Satan's power comes
through the Word of God and its proper use. What about other
people like you and me?
In Luke 10:18-20 we find the fact that Jesus transferred power to
His followers and that would include us. Listen as He talks to
the 70 disciples.
"Behold, I GIVE UNTO YOU POWER to tread on serpents and
scorpions, and OVER ALL OF THE POWER OF THE ENEMY..." (Luke 10:
19).
Power over the enemy of mankind is wonderful news, but it is not
the most important thing over which to rejoice. The most
important thing that we should rejoice about is that God accepts
us and we are part of God's Kingdom (verse 20). Responsibility
comes with the power and authority that God has given to us; we
must use it.
In Matthew 16:19 Jesus said "And I WILL GIVE TO YOU THE KEYS OF
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN...." Jesus tells us in this passage that
the KEYS UNLOCK THE DOOR OF SALVATION, the gates of the Kingdom
of God. To put it simply, when you lead someone to Christ you
have just used the keys to the Kingdom of God. What a powerful
thought. There is another very powerful thought to consider: When
you support someone who is leading souls to God's saving grace,
you are also using the keys to the Kingdom of God.
Satan has been battling God since creation for the keys to the
Kingdom and humanity is the battleground where Satan challenges
God. Satan used ancient Babylon to put forth his false doctrines
of salvation and the worship of God until Satan was defeated here
on earth in a battle with Jesus Christ. After his defeat, Satan
made a bold move through the false doctrines of salvation and the
worship of God that were put forth by the Catholic Church (she is
the beast of Revelation 13) and her claim to control "THE KEYS OF
THE KINGDOM". Satan's strategy and craftiness has put the world
into a tragedy of epic proportions.
Meditate upon the current religious situation in the world for a
moment. Satan is using his lies (false doctrines) through his
false church system to bring about death and destruction. Satan
uses his influence and followers (2 Corinthians 11:14-15) to
promise liberty and freedom through salvation in Christ, but
Satan cannot and will not deliver this promised deliverance. (2
Peter 2:19). Satan has managed to fool millions of people with
his lies that he has spread all over the world through his false
prophets. (2 Peter 2:1-2). It is heartbreaking to realize that
most Protestant churches follow the false doctrines of salvation
and worship of God that Satan managed to give to this world
through his "Harlot Church" of Revelation 17. Shall we sit IDLE
and let them die?
Jesus said, "...THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM SHALL BE PREACHED IN
ALL OF THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD" (why?) for a witness against
them, "AND THEN SHALL THE END COME" (Matthew 24:14). Jesus
specifically said that HIS GOSPEL of obedience to the will of
God, and the Commandments of God, would be preached (Matthew
24:14).
Matthew 7:21 and Revelation 22:14 tell us in plain language that
to be saved you must obey the will of God and keep the
Commandments of God. When we put these words from Jesus from
these two scriptures together, we find that Jesus meant that a
GOSPEL OF OBEDIENCE TO THE WILL OF GOD AND THE COMMANDMENTS OF
GOD shall be preached in the entire world before the end.
THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN!
About this time we usually justify our lack of action by the
simple thought that Jesus has not called me to go. If Jesus does
not send me then I cannot be held responsible, Right? WRONG! It
is also a NEW TESTAMENT COMMAND for us "...NOT TO MUZZLE THE OX
that treadeth the corn" (1 Corinthians 9:9-14 / 1 Timothy 5:18).
Paul clarified exactly what he was talking about in verse 11 of 1
Corinthians 9.
However, let us look at how the Church was divinely set up to
help us understand what this scripture means.
The Bible gives us this simple truth. The Gospel is spread by
MOUTHS (Romans 10:14). However, as the head of the body, the mind
(Christ) tells the body where to go and the mouth what to say.
Then THE BODY TAKES THE MOUTH to the place that Christ has sent
it. Another way of putting it is that Jesus directs His followers
to go to certain places and preach, but the body of believers
supports and sends the ministers to the different places where
they are needed. Therefore, we have a New Testament COMMAND for
us "...NOT TO MUZZLE THE OX that treadeth the corn..." (1
Corinthians 9:9-14 / 1 Timothy 5:18).
To those who sit home and breathe a sigh of relief that they have
not been called to go to preach and teach, the Bible has this to
say:
YOU ARE THE BODY. Your part is just as vital to the success of
the ministry as the preacher (the Mouth) is. The preacher can not
go without you. God may have set you into a place where you could
support His work in a very generous and helpful way. When this
happens, you share in the blessings equally with the preacher.
If God blesses us with things of this life, it is not for us to
build bigger and better barns in which to store our riches.
Jesus had something to say about that in Luke 12:16-21. The
result of that kind of thinking is not a pretty thing. Every part
of the body is needed to complete the task that is set before us.
1 Corinthians 12 explains to us that God puts us where He wants
and needs us, so that the Body of Christ will be complete,
healthy, and functional.
"Ye have not chosen me but I HAVE CHOSEN YOU THAT YE SHOULD GO
AND BRING FORTH FRUIT AND THAT YOUR FRUIT SHOULD REMAIN..." (John
15:16).
"Herein IS MY FATHER GLORIFIED. THAT YE BEAR MUCH FRUIT: SO SHALL
YE BE MY DISCIPLES" (John 15:8).
Are we not supposed to be disciples of Christ and teach others to
be disciples also? If we are disciples, then this command is for
us. Just like we found in the parable of the talents in Matthew
25, Jesus expects a return on what we have been given, and if
there is no return, then there is trouble ahead for us.
MACEDONIAN CALL
Not everyone is called to the mission field but EVERYONE is
called to support the spreading of the gospel. God may be
blessing you so that you can help those whom He has called and
placed into the front battle lines of the war against Satan. In
this way, you are giving the Lord back a return on His investment
in each of us. Together we will all hear those wonderful words,
"WELL DONE THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT."
We know that not every place is always receptive to the Gospel.
Jesus was even handicapped in Israel because some areas were not
receptive to His message (Matthew 14:58). America is VERY HARD
HEADED to the TRUE GOSPEL right at this moment, but we must not
stop trying to spread the true Gospel in America because that is
our job until the end. However, there are areas of the world that
are receptive and God is working in a wonderful way there. We
need to be in tune with God and work with Him WHERE AND WHEN He
opens doors. God's vision is worldwide. There are places where
the Gospel is spreading rapidly and is cherished.
We have a story in the Bible that gives us a perfect example of
allowing God to lead and not following our own thinking. The
Apostle Paul was very special and a very powerful evangelist. In
Acts 16:1-10 we find the story that teaches us that it is God's
work and God will direct us if we allow Him to do it. Salvation
is a matter of the heart and God knows the heart of everyone
(Jeremiah 17:10). God knows where the souls are ready and where
the door is shut for the moment. We don't ever like to say that
the door is shut in some places because we like to think that we
know better.
In Acts 16 we find that Paul and Silas were going around visiting
churches and strengthening them. They were very successful and
were "adding souls daily" as verse 5 tells us. The Holy Spirit
had told them to stay out of Asia as we find in verse 6. In verse
7 we find that Paul and Silas wanted to go into Bithynia, but the
Holy Spirit told them not to go. They continued on and while they
were at Troas, the Holy Spirit told them to go into Macedonia
(verses 9-10). In verse 10 it also tells us that they went and
they knew that GOD WANTED THEM TO GO THERE.
With God leading them, Paul and Silas traveled into Macedonia and
ended up at Philippi. There they met Lydia and the rest is a
history of success as verses 14-15 tell us. We must always
remember that it is God's work; God knows where the door is open
and where He wants us to labor. Perhaps it is not where we think
it should be.
This should absolutely not stop us from being a witness and
light wherever we are. But, we need to remember that we are God's
servants and our boss is Jesus Christ.
As this world comes to a close, we know that some areas are
closed to the Gospel. There are other areas of this world that
are open, but it is only a matter of time before the door - for
them and for us - will be shut. This is a battle between God and
Satan and they are both very serious. Satan is truly a roaring
lion and he knows that his time is short. Satan is working at a
feverish pace with anger and hatred; he is working to shut off
the Gospel in all nations.
We need needs to answer the call for the Gospel in the areas that
are open while the opportunity is available.
Reliable contacts in Kenya and Nigeria have been established by
month-long missionary trips. We have found out who can be
trusted. The GENERAL COUNCIL CHURCHES OF GOD (Seventh) DAY has
not sponsored the missionary journeys due to financial concerns.
Others in the body of Christ have stepped up and sponsored the
missionary journeys.....God told Ezekiel thousands of
years ago that if the people believe or if they do not believe,
it was not Ezekiel's problem (Ezekiel 2:5-7). Ezekiel's job was
to preach the truth (Ezekiel 3:11)......
..........
This article finishes by saying how the work is going forth from
the General Council of the Churches of God (Seventh Day),
Meridian, Idaho.
God's work I can tell you is going forth boldly in India. I have
been and am, in contact with a few of God's ministers in India.
They and those with them have translated a number of my studies
into the local dialect language, and are always busy distributing
them wherever they can. A number of church congregation have been
raised up - congregations that keep the commandments of God and
the Festivals of the Lord.
The doors today are open to us like as never before, with the
Internet and Youtube, and basically free for the taking as they
say.
Please pray that God will bring more people to find the website I
have, and also my Youtube, where the books of the New Testament I
read and comment on.
WHILE THEIR IS DAY WE MUST PRESS ON POWERFULLY TO SEND
THE GOSPEL OUT TO THE WOLRD, AS JESUS SAID, THE NIGHT
COMES WHEN NO MAN CAN WORK. WE, ALL OF US, ARE CALLED
TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL IN THE WAY THE FATHER HAS GIVEN
US, SO MORE AND MORE PEOPLE CAN FIND CHRIST AS THEIR
PERSONAL SAVIOR AND BE IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION, AT THE
COMING OF JESUS, AND TOGETHER WITH HIM, BRING THE
KINGDOM OF GOD TO ALL NATIONS AND PEOPLES DURING A
GLORIOUS 1,000 YEARS AGE TO COME.
Keith Hunt
Navigation List
|
