Jan-Feb-12

Multitudes of people honestly believe that when they die they will either go straight up to heaven if they were basically good in life, or straight down to hell if they were bad. Hell is believed to be a place of fiery everlasting torture where its unfortunate victims are doomed to burn, but will never die or be consumed, and so will suffer intense agony for eternity.

The word “hell” itself is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and before it was used in English translations of the Bible, it simply meant “to cover, to conceal” (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, under word “hell”). For example, the act of burying potatoes in a pit dug in the ground to protect them through the winter was calling “helling” the potatoes, but helling these potatoes didn’t mean they were roasted over a fire. Putting a thatch roof on a house was called “helling” the house, but it didn’t mean that the house was set on fire. So then exactly what does the word “hell” mean?

In the Old Testament there is only one word that is translated as “hell” in the King James Version of the English Bible. That word is “sheol” (#7585 in Strong’s Exhaustive Hebrew Concordance), and it translates and means “hades or the world of the dead located in a subterranean retreat, grave, hell, pit”. This word appears in the Old Testament a total of sixty-seven times. It is translated as “hell” thirty-one times, “pit” three times, and the remaining thirty-three times as the “grave”.

You will notice that all these meanings for “sheol” refer to being underground. A subterranean retreat for the dead, grave, hell, pit, all indicate being concealed under the surface of the earth. So there is nothing Biblically wrong with using the word “hell”, as long as its meaning is understood to simply mean being concealed underground.

As this is true, then where did this idea of hell meaning something more than just being covered over and concealed underground originate from? To find the answer, we have to go way back into history to the beginning of the first civilization of the earth just after the flood, or to the plains of Shinar or Babylon, with its tower of Babel (see Genesis 10:6-10, 11:1-9).

The Babylonians believed that a person was made up of a body and an immortal spirit, and that when they died, their spirit would enter the “Netherworld” or “Underworld”, or in other words “Hell”, as a ghost or a shade (Epic of Gilgamesh, tablet XII, col 1, Line 70, at http://looklex.com/textarchive/mesopotamia/gilgamesh12.htm, accessed 12-11-11). They believed that the place of Hell itself was located within “a great cavern” deep within the earth (Books on Egypt and Chaldea, Volume IV, titled Babylonian Religion and Mythology, p 35, by Leonard William King, published by Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co., Ltd., London, 1899, at http://www.archive.org/details/babylonianrelig00kinguoft, accessed 1-18-12).

Hell was thought by them to be “the land of darkness”, “the house of shadows” (Descent of the Goddess Ishtar Into the Lower World, taken from The Civilization of Babylonia and Assyria, by M. Jastrow, 1915, http://www.sacred-texts.com/ane/ishtar.htm, accessed 12-14-11), and “a place full of horrors” (The Religion of Babylonia and Assyria, p 581, by Morris Jastrow, Jr., Boston, 1898).

The Babylonians also believed that the Underworld of Hell was ruled over by a pantheon of gods of the dead, the two highest being the male god Nergal, and his co-ruling wife, who could be very brutal (Examining the Afterlife in Early Babylonian and Assyrian Religions, p 2, by Paula Marie Staunton, 2007, at http://www.helium.com/items/378814-examining-the-afterlife-in-early-babylonian-and-assyrian-religions, accessed 12-3-11), was the goddess Ereshkigal, who was also known as Allatu (Examining the Afterlife in Early Babylonian and Assyrian Religions, p 1, by Paula Marie Staunton, 2007, at http://www.helium.com/items/378814-examining-the-afterlife-in-early-babylonian-and-assyrian-religions, accessed 12-3-11; and Wikipedia, online Encyclopedia, under word Nergal, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nergal, accessed 2-1-12).

Nergal was known as the "raging king", the "furious one", and he was also the god who presided over and controlled fire (Wikipedia, online Encyclopedia, List of War Deities section, under word Mesopotamia, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_war_deities). As such, Nergal was known as "the burner" (Wikipedia, online Encyclopedia, under word Nergal, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nergal, accessed 2-1-12). So Nergal, this “fiery god of destruction” (Wikipedia, online Encyclopedia, under word Nergal, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nergal, accessed 2-1-12), this furious and raging king, was the god who ruled over all the inhabitants of the dead within this Hell, and so if any of the dead should happen to get on the wrong side of “the burner” then they would obviously feel his hot fiery displeasure.

These two gods of the dead also had helpers, which included both “male and female demons” who were depicted as bird-like beings (Myths of Babylonia and Assyria, Chapter IV titled “Demons, Fairies, and Ghosts, p 65, by Donald A. MacKenzie, 1915, at http://www.sacred-texts.com/ane/mba/mba10.htm, accessed 12-3-11). These gods and demons were obviously not friendly to their dead subjects, but could “brutally and sadistically” assault and torture them at will (Examining the Afterlife in Early Babylonian and Assyrian Religions, p 2, by Paula Marie Staunton, 2007, at http://www.helium.com/items/378814-examining-the-afterlife-in-early-babylonian-and-assyrian-religions, accessed 12-3-11).

So the Babylonians, whose religious beliefs began along with the formation of the tower of Babel just after the flood, believed that when a person died, they did not simply rest in the grave, but their immortal spirit went down to Hell. Hell to them was a place of darkness, shadows, horror; a place which was ruled over by the god of fire and destruction and his brutal wife; and was a place where hideous looking demons could sadistically assault and torture the living dead at any time.

After the events at tower of Babel, this Babylonian concept of Hell was spread into all portions of the world, including into Egypt, India, Arabia, the Americas, etc., and was taught in all languages, thus becoming the common foundational belief of all who chose not to follow the God of heaven.

This common belief in Hell and the immortality of the soul remained largely limited to all these pagan civilizations for some 2000 years, until it gradually began to creep into the beliefs of Christianity about 170 years after the birth of Christ (Proof: "[W]e [Christians] are persuaded that when we are removed from this present life we shall live another life, better than the present one....Then we shall abide near God and with God, changeless and free from suffering in the soul...or if we fall with the rest [of mankind], a worse one and in fire; for God has not made us as sheep or beasts of burden, a mere incidental work, that we should perish and be annihilated." Plea for the Christians, p 31, by St Athenagoras – early church father, about 177 A.D.).

At first, the Roman Catholic church tried to stamp out all paganistic beliefs and practices, but found that it was a never ending battle. So the church changed her strategy against the pagans, decided to adopt certain of their paganistic beliefs, and then blended these in with the Christian faith – which corrupted it.

"The [Catholic] Church took the pagan philosophy and made it the buckler of faith against the heathen.” Paschale Gaudium article, by William L. Gildea, published in The Catholic World (a Roman Catholic weekly magazine), vol 58, March, 1894, p 809.

"The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, ‘eternal fire.’" Catechism of the Catholic Church, Article 12, #1035, at http://old.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art12.shtml, accessed 2-2-12).

And this has been the Catholic Church’s belief for some 1700 years now, and all the early church councils and synods confirmed and reaffirmed this belief in Hell! Pope John Paul II himself stated: "In point of fact, the ancient [church] councils rejected the theory...which indirectly abolished hell....Is not Hell in a certain sense the ultimate safeguard of man’s moral conscience?” Crossing the Threshold of Hope, p 185-186, by Pope John Paul II, Knopf Publisher, Canada, 1994.

As the original purity of the Christian faith had been compromised with this and other Babylonian doctrines, this allowed pagans to essentially keep their same pagan beliefs, and still be able to unite with the Catholic church in order to avoid being persecuted. Thus they essentially remained pagans, while being members of the Roman Catholic Church! And with this compromise of faith and resulting apostasy complete, the Catholic Church itself saw a dramatic increase in her popularity and membership.

Then in February of 380 AD, the Roman emperor Theodosius the Great “issued a decree...in favor of the faith of St. Peter and Pope Damasus of Rome...to be the true catholic faith” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, vol 23, p 259, under Theodosius, editor Thoman Spencer Baynes, C. Scribner's sons publishers, 1888). Once the faith of the Pope of Rome was declared to be the true catholic faith, he thus became the guardian of this one true faith, and all rivals had to capitulate to his authority. And after obtaining control over all the major nations of Europe by 538 A.D., this Catholic faith was the only state approved religious belief throughout all of Christendom for nearly the next 1200 years! So by the time that the Bible began to be translated into English, beginning around the fifteenth century, this pagan-papal-Babylonian idea of Hell being an underground place of torment for the immortal wicked dead, had become universally accepted by almost all Christianity. So now you can understand why the translators of the Bible into English would use this word “Hell” in 31 of these 67 verses which had the Hebrew word sheol.

But if “sheol” really did indeed mean the common understanding of Hell being the place of eternal torment, then why did these same translators change their mind and in the other 36 verses use the words “grave” or “pit” instead, which obviously meant something completely different in the minds of the people? This inconsistency doesn’t make any sense, and has obviously added to the confusion existing in the public mind regarding the real condition of those who have died.

One of the reasons why these Bible translators did not use the word “Hell” in every instance of translation of the Hebrew word “sheol” is because they found it impossible to do so. For if they did, they would have put some of the most faithful servants of God mentioned in the Bible who had died into a place of eternal torment. So they just switched back and forth from the word Hell to grave as suited their purpose best.

For example, the very first time the word “sheol” appears in the Old Testament it is used by the good patriarch Jacob. He supposed that his beloved son Joseph had been slain by wild beasts, and was broken-hearted and devastated over his great loss. Mourning for Joseph he said, “I will go down into sheol unto my son mourning” (Genesis 37:35). In this text the translators have given us the word “grave,” for otherwise it would have revealed that Jacob believed Joseph was in Hell, and that he expected to go there himself when he died. So with the pagan-papal-Babylonian meaning of eternal torture being attached to the word Hell, this would have been too much for the average reader to accept, and so the translators instead used the word grave.

The prophet Job prayed to go to “sheol”, but in translating this prayer the translators gave us the word “grave” instead (Job 14:13). Job had been going through much hardship and suffering. It had gotten to the point where he felt he couldn’t endure life any longer, and so he asked God to let him go to “sheol” where he knew he would be at rest (Job 3:17-19). Had the translators given us the word “Hell” in this instance, readers of the Bible would have soon learned that the hell of the Bible is not a place of eternal torment, but is just the grave where the dead rest. This is because they would obviously know that Job did not ask to go to a place where his suffering would be increased, and where it would even last forever, but to instead have his misery come to an end when he would die, and be buried to rest in the grave.

Another Old Testament prophet defines “sheol” for us in no uncertain words, stating, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with they might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, now wisdom, in sheol, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). What a wonderful revelation of truth this text would have been had the translators here have used the word “Hell” to translate “sheol”, instead of using the word “grave”, as they did! It would have undermined the whole pagan-papal-Babylonian meaning attached to the word “hell”, and thus would have worked to restore the true Biblical meaning of the word!

The point to realize is that “sheol” is the only “hell” of the Old Testament, the only “hell” that the people of God were told about throughout a period of some 4,000 years until the birth of Christ. And what kind of place was it? All the Old Testament prophets and inspired writers taught that “hell” is just another meaning for the grave, which is a place of quietness and rest to which both the righteous and the wicked would go to when they die. And all these dead righteous or wicked individuals would rest in their graves until the time arrived when they would be restored back to life in the resurrection through the divine power of God – their Creator.

The facts concerning the definition of hell as they unfold in the New Testament are fully in harmony with what is revealed in the Old. The New Testament was written originally in the Greek language, and one of the Greek words for “hell” is “hades” (Strong’s, word #86), which translates and means “unseen, the place or state of departed souls, grave, hell”.

Now we saw earlier that the Hebrew word “sheol” corresponded to the Greek word “hades” in Strong’s Concordance. And this is further backed up by the fact that the Apostle Peter, in the sermon which he preached on the Day of Pentecost, quoted a text from the Old Testament in which the word “sheol” appears, and in doing so, the Hebrew word “sheol” was translated as the Greek word “hades”.

In Acts 2:27, Peter quoted Psalms 16:10 which states: “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” This text was a prophecy dealing with the death and resurrection of Jesus, declaring that the soul of Jesus would not be left in “sheol”. As we have already noted, the Hebrew word “sheol” refers to the grave and not some underworld place of the immortal dead. So Jesus went to the Old Testament “hell” when He died, which in the Greek was “hades”. This then proves that the Old Testament hell is the exact same as the New Testament hell.

With this being true, the Bible translators were caught in somewhat of a dilemma, for if they had used the correct meaning of the word hell as being the grave then they would have put Jesus’ soul resting in the grave, which, of course, would have been quite correct. But this truth would plainly contradict with the pagan-papal-Babylonian doctrine concerning the immortality of the soul where the souls of the dead do not rest in the grave, but go on living in the underworld, and so the translators used the word Hell instead.

Now we should be glad that Jesus did go into the Biblical hell or the grave when He died, for by doing so He provided redemption for those who are there. In Revelation 1:18 Jesus Himself makes a very interesting statement in this connection, stating, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore....and have the keys of hell and of death”. The use of this term keys is Jesus’ way of assuring us that He has the power to unlock the prison-house of the grave (key of hell) and set its captives free to never die again (key of death). And this meaning is quite in harmony with the very last two verses in the Bible which use the word “hell” in: “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead with were in them...And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” Revelation 20:13-14.

Here John the Revelator tells us that hell will give up its dead; and that after this, hell will itself be destroyed. The symbol used to describe the destruction of hell is that of being cast into a lake of fire. Now there are many people who generally supposed that the “lake of fire” is itself the hell of the Bible, but this is not correct because hell itself is cast into this lake.

But how can death itself, being a condition, be thrown into this lake of fire? Also, will hell itself actually be tormented in this fiery lake? No, because the Bible tells us that the lake of fire is the second death, and that in it, death and hell will be destroyed. Fire is one of the most destructive elements known to science, as it will completely destroy to ashes what it burns, and so the Lord employs it in His Word to picture total or complete everlasting destruction. So all who are thrown into this lake of fire will become burnt to ashes, and once this process is completed then there will never be any more death, no more graves or hell, and thus the lake of fire would have fully and completely eliminated both of these forever.

Now there is another Greek word in the New Testament which is translated as “hell”, and that is the word “Gehenna” (Strong’s, word #1067). Gehenna translates and means “valley of the son of Hinnom; a valley of Jerusalem, used figuratively as a name for the place or state of everlasting punishment, hell”. This valley the son of Hinnom or this Gehenna was actually a deep ravine just outside of the ancient city of Jerusalem, and which was anciently used as a place for the disposal of the garbage and waste products of that city. Fires were also kept burning continuously in Gehenna in order to effect the destruction of whatever was thrown into this valley.

So because of these circumstances associated with Gehenna, and also because Jesus knew that the people of His day would understand the import of what He was saying to them, He used Gehenna as a symbol of destruction that would occur to those who could not give up sin through Him, or who would not honor God by obeying Him. Gehenna did not refer to the pagan-papal-Babylonian understanding of Hell being a fiery place of torment, but was simply a symbol used by Christ to represent total destruction. Besides, nobody was ever tormented in Gehenna as it was used exclusively for destructive purposes. And also, the Jews were prohibited from the use of torture of any kind, including even of animals.

The fact is, Jesus used Gehenna for the purpose of symbolizing destruction, and nothing more. This is also clear from His statement to His disciples, when He said, “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna” (Matthew 10:28). Now the translators gave us the word “hell” here as a translation of Gehenna, and it is rather strange that sincere readers of the Bible have overlooked the fact that Gehenna is solely a place of destruction, and not of any torment, and so cannot possibly be used to try and support the common understanding of Hell. This just shows us how powerful these pagan, papal and Babylonian teachings have on the human mind; how trusting people are of what their church leadership tells them; and sadly how many people really do not take the time to study for themselves and truly ponder on and think over exactly what the Bible is trying to teach them.

Now in another reference to Gehenna, Jesus intensified this picture of destruction by referring to the ever-present worms which infested dead carcasses. Speaking of worldly attractions which might come into a Christian’s life to draw him away from serving the Lord, and which would become so attached to and important to them – just like their hands and eyes, Jesus said that it would be better to cut off one’s hand, or pluck out one’s eye, rather than to be cast into Gehenna, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched (see Mark 9:43-48). So what exactly does this mean?

As we have seen, fires were kept burning continually in Gehenna, so that everything that was cast into the valley was destroyed. But in the event that a carcass thrown into the ravine should not reach the fires, but perhaps would get lodged on one of its jagged sides, these would instead be devoured and destroyed by the worms which appeared never to die as they were always present. Thus by these powerful illustrations, Jesus confirmed the universal teaching of the Bible, that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), not eternal torment in everlasting fire.

Now in telling us that the wages of sin is death, the Apostle Paul does not leave us with the thought that all hope of ever living again is lost. But he also declares that the “gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). This shows us plainly that even though the dead will rest in their graves, yet this will not be forever because there is the glorious hope of a resurrection from the dead unto life eternal for all who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, and saved by His righteousness. But also know that all those who refuse to be saved by the righteousness of Christ, and who reject His gift of redemption through His precious blood, will in the end be cast into this lake of fire where they will burn until they are everlastingly destroyed into ashes, never to live again.

So then since the belief that Hell is an underground place where the immortal spirits of the wicked dead are tortured in fiery agony for ever has been proven to be solely a pagan belief directly from Babylon, even though millions of honest and sincere Christians have been taught through Catholicism that it is really true, then what exactly does the Bible teach about what happens when a person dies?

TRUE CHURCH WEBSITE: The Lord is continuing to bless our TrueChurchofGod.info website. In the month of November we had 12,286 hits, which were generated by 1,919 visitors. In these Visitor Sessions, 4,441 documents of Present Truth were viewed, and over 564 million bytes of information were downloaded.

LTBL MINISTRIES WEBSITE: The Lord is also abundantly blessing our LightMinistries.com website! In the month of November we had 122,203 hits, which were generated by 20,253 visitors. In these Visitor Sessions, 30,373 documents of Present Truth were viewed, and over 14.07 billion bytes of information were downloaded.

SPANISH BIBLE STUDIES: We have our Bible Study Lessons translated into Spanish and available on-line for any Spanish speaking people who are interested in learning more of what the Bible teaches. The actual link to these important studies is: http://www.lightministries.com/id1875.htm

NEW BOOKLET: Our newest booklet titled “And Michael Spoke These Words” is available in print, as well as being on-line for free reading and download. The actual link is: http://www.lightministries.com/id1876.htm This booklet brings before the reader the glorious subject of Michael being the one God who was directly involved with the children of Israel. It was Michael, and not God the Father, who led and guided the Israelites in all of their experiences, including being the God who gave them the 10 commandments at Sinai. And this God Michael eventually was born into humanity as Jesus Christ. This booklet is all written strictly from the Bible, and thus would be an excellent evangelistic tool in reaching out to the world with this truth about the pre-existence of Jesus Christ and the law He gave for the benefit of mankind. If you would still like to have a complementary copy of this booklet, please write us.

TO OUR SUPPORTERS: Please know that "Let There Be Light" Ministries is not using your support to build itself up into a kingdom, nor are we trying to acquire expensive video, TV or shortwave facilities. But we are trying to spread the truth as quickly and economically as possible. Please also know that you have played an important part in helping spread the Present Truth into various parts of this world, including through the printed page, through the living full-time workers and ministers we sponsor, and also through our Web Sites on the internet. This is how the Loud Cry of the third angel will be spread, and is now being spread! If the Lord impresses you to help in these endeavors, your donations and prayers will be greatly appreciated, and not just by this Ministry. MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU!

"Let There Be Light" Ministries is committed to the spreading of the full present truth gospel message worldwide, and has been doing so since 1986. This Ministry has operating expenses covering the areas of: printing, publishing, and writing of present truth books, booklets, tracts, and other literature; DVD, video and audio taping, production, and distribution; supporting several ministers and workers in foreign Countries; mail order – both domestic and foreign; traveling to hold meetings – both locally, nationally, and internationally; answering correspondence and questions regarding the message of truth; offering National and International Bible studies; sending free present truth literature to contacts in many poor Countries; etc.

Your gracious prayers and support is greatly appreciated and needed. Without the Lord's guidance, blessings, and your support, this Ministry could not continue to reach out worldwide with the precious message of Revelation 14:6-12 & 18:1-5.

May our God and Saviour continue to lead and guide all those who have helped us reach souls who sit in darkness with the precious light of gospel truth. May our supporters remember that they share in each and every soul who has been reached by this Ministry and converted to the Lord and His present truth!

We are currently supporting several workers in many different Countries on a monthly basis. We check into the economy of each area and supply a base support which is adequate depending on their situation, but not extravagant. This base support is to ensure that the monthly needs of each worker and family is met for that month so that the worker may devote full time to the ministry work. In addition to this, we are sending extra materials for evangelism, and money for printing, publishing, holding meetings, traveling, and other necessary areas in spreading the Present Truth in their Country. And as the work extends, especially will the expenses for evangelism expand. Whatever you can send to help in this necessary and vital area is greatly appreciated.

The work of spreading God's present truth is not to be limited, but must extend world-wide to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people before our Saviour can come (Matthew 24:14). What better way of spreading the Present Truth Gospel than by having workers who speak the native language, who reside in that particular Country, who can live and preach the truth, visit the interests in their homes, and spread the printed truth translated into their native language!

"Our publications should be printed in other languages, that foreign nations may be reached. Much can be done through the medium of the press, but still more can be accomplished if the influence of the living preacher goes with our publications....The Lord has moved upon men of other tongues and has brought them under the influence of the truth, that they might be qualified to labor in His cause." Testimonies, vol 3, p 204-205.

Please financially help us to continue supporting our current ministers and workers on a consistent basis, so that the spreading of the truth will not be interrupted but can quickly lighten this dark world with the glory of God.

"Every opportunity should be improved to extend the truth to other nations. This will be attended with considerable expense, but expense should in no case hinder the performance of this work. Means are of value only as they are used to advance the interest of the kingdom of God. The Lord has lent men means for this very purpose, to use in sending the truth to their fellow men." Testimonies, vol 3, p 208.

Please be sure to mark all donated monies for any of the above Ministry or Foreign Mission needs. 100% of all donated monies will go where specified. Unspecified donations will go where needed. Thank you very much for making this evangelistic work possible, and may God's richest blessings attend you and yours.

I have read with awe and joy the message in the Newsletter. It can't be more appropriate. Surely the cities have become much like the very Sodom and Gomorrah. What's more, even the villages today have all been engulfed and steeped in the spirit of the cities. HOWEVER THE LORD'S COMMAND CAN NOT BE IMPROVED ON; IT IS ONLY FOR US TO OBEY WITHOUT LINGERING ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CONDEMNED CITIES.

Many Christian greetings from Tanzania. I take this opportunity to write this e-mail. It is a long tome since I wrote to you. I have been carrying out the Loud Cry to all parts of Tanzania the whole of last year – 2011.... The situation has not been smooth based on the fact that I do not have enough funds to travel here and there. However, with the small amount that I can generate through operating a sanitarium; I have done a lot.

Dear Sessler, my hectic schedule does not allow me to write a long e-mail. However, let me stick to the point. 1. The Lord has blessed me with both souls plus persecution from the SDA Church. 2. I conducted an evangelistic meeting in the beginning of 2011 which had few souls – In March 2011, I had another which gathered in about 85 souls from the SDA Church and they are still doing well. 3. In September 2011 we had another big evangelistic meeting in the Western part of Tanzania – ____ and five souls were baptised. 4. We began operating a sanitarium in the city of ____ since August 2011, and it is doing well to attract both SDAs and non-SDAs to get drug free treatment plus the Present Truth.

Dear Sessler, in the beginning of 2012 (January 10) I was rewarded by the Devil for stealing the sheep from his fold. SDA leaders organised with the government authorities that I was operating without permission. For the first time in my life I was put in the jail – 26 hours. After getting a bail from my colleagues, I was asked to submit the identifications. I submitted the registration certificate and all important papers plus preaching at the police station. I was set free and the RB cancelled. I insisted to the police to take the case to the court of law, but they refused and stated that they cannot take there religious hatredness.

Dear Sessler, I thought that was the end. In the beginning of February 2012, my colleague who was canvassing in the city of ____ was arrested and put in the jail. The SDA union leaders took an RB and accused us of selling the books of Ellen G. White without permission from the SDA Church since they have the trademark for producing, selling and distributing them. After getting a bail, my colleague was set free and investigation is going on. I was called to the police station in ____ city. I had to travel the long way – 13 hours from ____ city. On the 20th February 2012, I gave a statement to the police authorities – ____ city. We are accused of copywriting/plagiarism. I told the police that we are selling the original books of Ellen G. White whereas the SDAs are selling the revised/re-edited ones. Since the original books expose their apostasies; that’s why they hate us. I got a bail from my fellow and we have to appear in the court of law on ____/2012. Who did this? The SDA Union leaders (Tanzania) are the accusers.

Dear Sessler, the police in ____ were not so harsh to me as those in ____. I told them that the SDA Church has apostatized and is forcing its members to remain in its fold even by using the government authorities. They told me that the court is a good place to defend myself...[and] they seized the books of Ellen G. White...The books seized and which need defence are: 1. The Desire of Ages, 2. The Great Controversy, 3. Patriarchs and Prophets, 4. Ministry of Healing, and 5. Christ’s Object Lessons....

(Combination of 2 letters) We have been in the western parts of our beloved country for one week now. It’s a very promising field; it a kind of virgin area, [as] the Sabbath & it’s kindred truths has not been widespread here. We were welcome into their houses freely & we shared the truth peacefully. O how God's people have long been kept in darkness.

In the afternoon we held public witness at the market & distributed truth-filled tracts & pamphlets. I witnessed souls hungering for the pamphlets. It was so sad to see souls come for papers when we didn’t have any more to give! O that men would make a covenant with God by sacrifice to support the tract-publishing ministry!

“You, my brother, my sister, may not be able to go into the Lord's vineyard yourself, but you may furnish the means to send others...Your means can be used to send forth & sustain the messengers of God, who by voice & by influence will give the message: Matt.3:3 [quoted].” 8T33.1

We look forward to seeing God’s blessing to this ministry to arouse those sleeping in the darkness of ignorance. “Now is the time to give the warning message. We are stewards, entrusted by our absent Lord with the care of His interests, which He came to this world to serve. He has returned to heaven, leaving us in charge, and He expects us be faithful to our trust, lest coming suddenly He find us sleeping.” 8T37.5.

In August we had three camp meetings - ____, ____ and ____ (Western). The enemy is not asleep yet, but He who overcame and still overcoming will finally overcome. Have you ever done a study on election, predestination and being chosen? An idea is coming up that Jesus died only for the elect and chosen ones only and not for everyone; that one's choice as a free moral agent does not account; that God knew who could be saved who could be lost...Ridiculous! Yet people are teaching so.

We now have private studies with those interested; we had one at ____ at the end of the camp, and they now need us for another round. From 28th this month we shall have an effort near the border with Uganda. It will run for one week.

We have another invitation to ____, Uganda, in December though we are yet to confirm this. Our prayer is that God might use us as simple instruments to accomplish His great good. To pray for us thus is of great benefit to us....

This time round I have been lazy in writing that many troubles have been experienced, especially my health. The kidney is still a problem, tried different treatments and even right [now] I’m taking some herbs [and] hope to get better.

The brothers and sisters in our home Church contributed towards publishing of the tracts and many others in different places are willing to do the same, save amidst our progress the same problem appeared, caused by a rat eating cables, caused some considerable damages, so I’m waiting for my support to see that some one comes to fix the machine.

By Gods grace some one who had given himself to the abuse of strong drink whose appearance has been that of unwashed clothes and torn shoes or the finishing work of Satan on the human soul, he is turning to the finishing work of immortality even the Saviour of every man who is born of woman, Jesus Christ, this new friend’s names are ____.

Thanks for the support and your earnest prayers, which helps us to move on amidst the hordes of the enemy who is attacking us from all angles spiritual and physical sides our lives making it more difficult in this pilgrim journey....

Got a service person who put right the printing machine though it is expensive. It helped in that I did good printing work [and] several tracts were printed out ready for outreach purposes. The enemy [of] souls has been too much for me in that almost all things I put my hands [on] are failing, just like the apostle Paul in 2nd Corinthians 12:8-10 - “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” This seems to be the only voice from the Holy One of Israel...

At the present I have run out of paper and ink. This has been an up hill struggle [and] it is like from difficulties to heights, painful moments and stress has have consumed me, the rodents have been on it they don’t allow the machine to work past a day [and] the next day will be eaten cables. I have tried to seal them off, [but] it seems to this end I have not done a fair job. This situation has pushed me to learn how to do simple repair and service for every time some one is brought to do the fixing job I watch and study how it has been. So by Gods grace I can now handle some things.

Many are getting our truths and am getting many invitations for the same work. The issue of accomondation [is] in the hands of the Lord upto now. We need to build a house this coming year as a plot has been bought. Help us in prayers and with any means to start this programme....

Soon after a successful camp meeting held for the first time in our country, I then resorted to visit our brethren in ____ on my mission to edify the church. As I was there, I thought the best idea to discuss some of the issues that were concerning me most, that is the name issue and church organization. I had the hope of having a free dialogue with them and had not at all expected that this issue would seperate us up until today. Brother and sister Shumba were prejudiced to hear such matters coming to them again. I was ordered to come in the open concerning the position I was taking.

I, however, requested to them to give me at least a month to verify my position and in October I then gave them my position through e-mail. I am really disturbed by the position my brethren took. That same time I went around some of our brethren in ____ and ____ trying to arouse them to the importance of observing Gospel Order. Especially in ____ where I had an all night study in September and of which meeting was attended by 8 SDARM members and a week of revival in the capital to [a] zealous sister. I have steadfastly maintained my duty, however some booklets (The Abomination of Desolation) was destroyed in the open as a way of showing their rejection of the message by a class of SDAs and SKAs.

My brother I am currently experiencing the most bitter times in this work. Things have just fallen apart for me and my household and am only found at the mercy of a few brethren remaining at my side. I need all the support possible so that the cause of the Lord may prosper here in Zimbabwe.

But, on the other hand, I am thrilled to hear that our fellow brethren of Namibia are prospering under Gospel Order and I wish if the Lord would enable me to attend their launching of the office as well as their envisaged meeting on the 29 th of December this year. May the Lord lead His people in this final work that it may close in a glorious manner, is my prayer....

Its sad to hear that you are receiving less and less donations at the time when the cause of Lord is not to suffer for lack of means. I have not ceased to plead to the Lord to sustain His work and will continue to do so. However it appears the Lord is permitting this shortage for a purpose. He knows better than us. It is also His will that this Gospel of the Kingdom should be preached to all the nations that the end should come. I hope He will be with us and will supply sufficient resources for the work. Otherwise continue to remember me and the work in Zimbabwe. This is also coming at a time when I have been deserted by most of my fellow brethren due to name issue.