March-April-98

The word "Babylon" literally means confusion. In Bible prophecy, Babylon spiritually represents a church which professes to be following God and claims to be the true church, but which is really following darkness and Satan. In the real issue of determining whether or not our church has become a part of this spiritual Babylon, there are many different theories one could listen to. It is almost impossible to try to find the truth by giving ear to every theory on the subject. So God has mercifully given His honest followers a never-failing way to determine what is the truth in this as well as other issues:

God tells us "that which hath been," or that which has already occurred in history, "is now" or is presently reoccurring now. And "that which is to be," or that which is yet future, "hath already been" or has already occurred in history. So if we look at historical events, and pay close attention to the details of what was taking place at that time, then we can know what is taking place presently and what is facing us in the near future. With this in mind, in order to find out if our church is part of spiritual Babylon, let us look at history to determine how a once chosen church of God became a church of Babylon. And for such purpose, we will closely examine the history of Protestantism surrounding the years of 1840 to 1844, paying particular attention to the details outlined in the Spirit of Prophecy--an inspired source of history.

"Those who received the great blessings of the Reformation did not go forward in the path so nobly entered upon by them. A few faithful men arose from time to time, to proclaim new truth, and expose long-cherished error; but the majority, like the Jews in Christ's day, or the papists in the time of Luther, were content to believe as their fathers believed, and to live as they lived. Therefore religion again degenerated into formalism; and errors and superstitions which would have been cast aside had the church continued to walk in the light of God's word, were retained and cherished. Thus the spirit inspired by the Reformation gradually died out, until there was almost as great need of reform in the Protestant churches as in the Roman Church in the time of Luther. There was the same spiritual stupor, the same respect for the opinions of men, the same spirit of worldliness, the same substitution of human theories for the teachings of God's word. Pride and extravagance were fostered under the guise of religion. The churches became corrupted by allying themselves with the world. Thus were degraded the great principles for which Luther and his fellow-laborers had done and suffered so much.

"As Satan saw that he had failed to crush out the truth by persecution, he again resorted to the same plan of compromise which had led to the great apostasy and the formation of the church of Rome. He induced Christians to ally themselves, not now with pagans, but with those who, by their worship of the god of this world, as truly proved themselves idolaters. Satan could no longer keep the Bible from the people; it had been placed within the reach of all. But he led thousands to accept false interpretations and unsound theories, without searching the Scriptures to learn the truth for themselves. He had corrupted the doctrines of the Bible, and traditions which were to ruin millions were taking deep root. The church was upholding and defending these traditions, instead of contending for the faith once delivered to the saints....

"God saw that many of His professed people were not building for eternity; and in his care and love he was about to send a message of warning to arouse them from their stupor, and prepare them for the coming of their Lord. The warning was not to be intrusted to learned doctors of divinity or popular ministers of the gospel. Had these been faithful watchmen, diligently and prayerfully searching the Scriptures, they would have known the time of night; the prophecies of Daniel and John would have revealed to them the great events about to take place. If they had faithfully followed the light already given, some star of heavenly radiance would have been sent to guide them into all truth." Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p. 194-96.

The Protestant churches were considered by God to be "His professed people" at that time. Did God leave His people in this wretched condition? No. He was going to send them a message of warning to try and arouse them from sleep and see their true condition.

"Jesus sends his people a message of warning to prepare them for his coming. To the prophet John was made known the closing work in the great plan of man's redemption. He beheld an angel flying 'in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his Judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.'...

"Jesus saw His church, like the barren fig-tree, covered with pretentious leaves, yet destitute of precious fruit. There was a boastful observance of the forms of religion, while the spirit of true humility, penitence and faith--which alone could render the service acceptable to God--was lacking. Instead of the graces of the Spirit, there were manifested pride, formalism, vainglory, selfishness, oppression. A backsliding church closed their eyes to the signs of the times. God did not forsake them, or suffer his faithfulness to fail; but they departed from Him, and separated themselves from his love. As they refused to comply with the conditions, His promises were not fulfilled to them.

"Love for Christ and faith in his coming waxed cold. Such is the sure result of neglect to appreciate and improve the light and privileges which God bestows. Unless the church will follow on in his opening providence, accepting every ray of light, performing every duty which may be revealed, religion will inevitably degenerate into the observance of forms, and the spirit of vital godliness will disappear. This truth has been repeatedly illustrated in the history of the church. God requires of his people works of faith and obedience corresponding to the blessings and privileges bestowed. Obedience requires a sacrifice and involves a cross; and this is why so many of the professed followers of Christ refused to receive the light from Heaven, and, like the Jews of old, knew not the time of their visitation." Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 199-201.

It is important to realize that God considered the Protestant churches to be, not only His professed people, but also His church on the earth at that time. But what was the condition of God's church and His professed people at the proclamation of the first angel's message?

So God's church and His professed people were represented as being Babylon "at the proclamation of the first angel's message!" What year did the first angel's message basically begin? 1840. It really started in 1833, but it did not gain momentum until 1840. So at least by 1840, God's church had become Babylon and His professed people were numbered with Babylon!

"The close relation of the church to Christ is represented under the figure of marriage. The Lord had joined his people to Himself by a solemn covenant, He promising to be their God, and they pledging themselves to be His, and His alone. Said Paul, addressing the church, 'I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.' But when her confidence and affection were turned away from Him, and she sought after vanity, and allowed the love of worldly things to separate her from God, she forfeited the privileges included in this peculiar and sacred relation. By the apostle James those who assimilate to the world are addressed as 'adulterers and adulteresses.'" Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 233-234.

God's church is supposed to be married to Christ alone. Now when a married woman departs from her husband and first love and unites herself with another or many entities, she commits adultery or harlotry. It was because of this harlotry, that God's church became Babylon!

"Babylon is also charged with the sin of unlawful connection with 'the kings of the earth.' It was a departure from the Lord, and alliance with the heathen, that the Jewish church became a harlot; and Rome, corrupting herself in like manner by seeking the support of worldly powers, receives a like condemnation." Great Controversy, p 382.

The Jewish church--which was once God's pure church and His professed people--by departing from His side and uniting herself with the heathen world, became a harlot of Babylon. And Rome--which was once God's pure Apostolic Christian church and His professed people--by departing from His side and uniting herself with the pagan world, also became a harlot of Babylon. And now the Protestant churches--which were once God's pure church and His professed people--have followed the same history of departing from His side and uniting herself with the world, and became an harlot of Babylon.

God did not cast off His Protestant churches and professed people in 1840 after they departed from Him and became an harlot of Babylon. But He gave them a merciful chance and opportunity to repent--a period of probation in which to decide if they would continue to unite closer to the world and Satan, or if they would come back to the side of Christ. This was the reason why the first angel's message was given.

This heavenly message was designed to bring His wandering bride and woman back to His side. It was designed to separate her from her harlotrous union with the world so that she would become Christ's faithful partner once again, and to do His bidding and not the bidding of anyone else.

So the first angel's message was designed to break the church's marriage and connection with the world; breaking their harlotry; bringing them away from corruption and from being Babylon, and back to Christ's side as a faithful and pure bride.

The first angel's message was a message to repent and to rid sin from the life. It was designed to separate the people and church away from being contaminated and corrupted by their connection with the world so that the image of the Saviour could be reflected in them. You can see the infinite love and mercy of God in giving that message to His wandering church and people. It was to bring them back to His side and to give them an experience they would never have had before if they would only accept, repent, and act upon it.

"In every age, God has called his servants to lift up their voices against the prevailing errors and sins of the multitude....The majority are usually to be found on the side of error and falsehood. The fact that doctors of divinity have the word on their side does not prove them to be on the side of truth and of God. The wide gate and the narrow way are sought only the few.

"If ministers and people had really desired to know the truth, and had given to the Advent doctrine the earnest, prayerful attention which its importance demands, they would have seen that it was in harmony with the Scriptures. Had they united with its advocates in their labors, there would have resulted such a revival of the work of God as the world had never witnessed....

The Protestant church leadership refused to accept the first angel's message. They refused to break their harlotrous love affair with the world and to come back to the side of their Saviour. They refused to hear the truth that would have corrected their errors, and instead started looking for pegs to hang their doubts upon. They started searching for every kind of fable with which to quiet their consciences that their church was really a harlot of Babylon and that they needed to dissolve their marriage and union with the world. The leadership also were unwilling to hear more, and determined not to allow any of their membership the privilege of hearing or accepting this truth either by using any tactics or lies to accomplish this purpose.

"...men belonging to the different companies and revered by them passed through, some with pleasing words, and others with wrathful looks and threatening gestures, and fastened the cords which were weakening. These men were constantly saying, 'God is with us. We stand in the light. We have the truth.' I inquired who these men were, and was told that they were ministers and leading men who had rejected the light themselves, and were unwilling that others should receive it." Early Writings, p 241.

"Unfaithful watchmen hindered the progress of the work of God. As the people were roused, and began to inquire the way of salvation, these leaders stepped in between them and the truth, seeking to quiet their fears by falsely interpreting the word of God. In this work, Satan and unconsecrated ministers united, crying, Peace, peace, when God had not spoken peace. Like the Pharisees in Christ's day, many refused to enter the kingdom of Heaven themselves, and those who were entering in, they hindered. The blood of these souls will be required at their hand.

"Whenever the message of truth was proclaimed, the most humble and devoted in the churches were the first to receive it. Those who studied the Bible for themselves could not but see the unscriptural character of the popular views of prophecy, and wherever the people were not deceived by the efforts of the clergy to misstate and pervert the faith, wherever they would search the word of God for themselves, the Advent doctrine needed only to be compared with the Scriptures to establish its divine authority.

"Many were persecuted by their unbelieving brethren. In order to retain their position in the church, some consented to be silent in regard to their hope; but others felt that loyalty to God forbade them thus to hide the truths which He had committed to their trust. Not a few were cut off from the fellowship of the church..." Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 226-27.

"Ministers occupied themselves in gathering up damaging reports, absurd and malicious fabrications, and dealing them out from the pulpit. Earnest were the efforts put forth to draw away the minds of the people..." Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 218-19.

You can clearly see that there was a battle going on for the MINDS of the people! And this battle was being fought over the truth of the church being Babylon. God's faithful messengers were stating the truth about the church, while the church leaders and ministers were tying to keep this truth from reaching their people by using mind controlling tactics!

"Angels of God were watching with the deepest interest the result of the warning. When the churches as a body rejected the message, angels turned away from them in sadness. Yet there were in the churches many who had not yet been tested in regard to the Advent truth. Many were deceived by husbands, wives, parents, or children, and were made to believe it a sin even to listen to such heresies as were taught by the Adventists. Angels were bidden to keep faithful watch over these souls; for another light was yet to shine upon them from the throne of God." Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 227.

"God sent his professed people a message that would have corrected the evils which separated them from his favor....But Babylon scornfully rejected the last means which Heaven had in reserve for her restoration, and then, with greater eagerness, she turned to seek the friendship of the world." Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 236.

So Babylon, or the Protestant churches as a body, refused to receive, spurned, and rejected the last message of mercy that would have brought them back into connection with God, and with greater eagerness they continued on with their adulterous love affair with the world. They used their probationary time, that was mercifully granted them, increasing in apostasy and rebellion against God, instead of repenting and following God and His will. Thus God could not save them from the results of their choice.

"When the churches spurned the counsel of God by rejecting the Advent message, the Lord rejected them. The first angel was followed by a second, proclaiming, 'Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.'" Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 232.

The departure of the Protestant churches from the side of Jesus and their union and marriage with the world, made them a harlot of Babylon with the chance to repent. God mercifully sent them a message and granted them precious time to come back into His waiting and loving arms. But "Babylon scornfully rejected the last means which heaven had in reserve for her restoration" to become God's faithful and chosen church once again.

When God's church, as a body, refused to listen to the voice of God through His messengers, who were giving the last message of mercy to them, but continued on in their harlotrous love affair with the world, the Lord rejected them from being His professed people and church in the earth. The probation of God's once favored and chosen church closed corporately, and Jesus denounced them as being Babylon fallen.

But, who raised this heaven endorsed message that probation had closed upon God's once favored church, they were now Babylon fallen, and all of God's true and honest people must willingly and completely separate themselves from her in order to be with Jesus outside? Did God Himself, with His own literal voice, proclaim this message? No! Did a literal angel proclaim it with his own voice to the people? No! Then who raised this message?

This message, that God's once pure and favored church was now Babylon fallen and all God's true and honest people must physically separate from her, was given by God's true people! But how did they come to the realization that this message was the truth and that it was now time for it to be given? There was no Bible text stating in these words; "The churches of Protestantism in 1844 are now Babylon fallen, come out." There was no plain "thus saith the Lord" that they could use to remove all doubt which stated; "the church of the Baptists, or Lutherans, etc., has now become Babylon fallen and its time to separate." So how did God's people know that it was time to leave and to give this message?

It was by hours of prayer, study, and enlightenment of God's Spirit, and by examining the fruits being produced by their church, that they realized that their church could not in any way constitute the true church of God--the pillar and ground of the truth--but that it instead fit the description of Babylon fallen. They agonized with God over this issue, and He led them to understand that this was really the truth. God mercifully gave them sufficient evidence to base their faith upon, and He filled them with His Spirit to obey and raise their voices in loudly proclaiming this Babylonian message far and wide.

Why did God call for His true people to physically separate themselves away from their corrupt church? They loved their churches and were loath to separate from them. So why did God consider it a necessity for them to separate from the church? God, in His unerring wisdom, saw that His honest people would lose their purity by their continued membership in, and association with, their corrupt church! God saw that His people would become corrupt by remaining connected with the corrupt church, and thus they would lose everlasting life.

"...very many were weighed in the balance and found wanting. They loudly claimed to be Christians, yet in almost every particular failed to follow Christ. Satan exulted at the state of the professed followers of Jesus. He had them in his snare. He had led the majority to leave the straight path, and they were attempting to climb up to heaven some other way. Angels saw the pure and holy mixed up with sinners in Zion, and with world-loving hypocrites. They had watched over the true disciples of Jesus; but the corrupt were affecting the holy... Angels viewed the scene and sympathized with the remnant who loved the appearing of their Lord." Early Writings, p 246-247.

"I saw Jesus turn His face from those who rejected and despised His coming, and then He bade angels lead His people out from among the unclean, lest they should be defiled. Those who were obedient to the message stood out free and united. A holy light shone upon them. They renounced the world, sacrificed their earthly interests, gave up their earthly treasures, and directed their anxious gaze to heaven, expecting to see their loved Deliverer. A holy light beamed upon their countenances, telling of the peace and joy which reigned within. Jesus bade His angels go and strengthen them, for the hour of their trial drew on. I saw that these waiting ones were not yet tried as they must be. They were not free from errors. And I saw the mercy and goodness of God in sending a warning to the people of the earth, and repeated messages to lead them to a diligent searching of heart, and study of the Scriptures, that they might divest themselves of errors which have been handed down from the heathen and papists." Early Writings, p 249-250.

This message, that probation had closed upon God's once pure church and it was now Babylon fallen with no chance of ever reforming back to God, and that all of God's honest people were to physically separate from her or become defiled and unclean by their continued connection with the church, was represented as being something special directly from heaven.

So only about 50 out of the total group of about 50,000, or 1/10 of 1%, proved themselves true to God when their faith was tested. While 49,950 proved themselves to be unfaithful to the Lord and His truths. It was shown that many had only based their faith upon the words and opinions of others instead of studying it out for themselves, or "proving all things." When trials, temptations, and especially peer pressures came to try and get them to give up their belief in the truthfulness of these heavenly messages, the majority gave in and began to doubt that their church was really Babylon fallen. They finally admitted that they had been wrong in separating from her, and denounced their past experience and belief as being from the devil which they had ignorantly followed, and thus gave up their faith.

"Others rashly denied the light (Midnight cry) behind them, and said that it was not God that had led them out so far. The light behind them went out leaving their feet in perfect darkness, and they stumbled and got their eyes off the mark and lost sight of Jesus, and fell off the path down in the dark and wicked world below. It was just as impossible for them to get on the path again and go to the city, as all the wicked world which God had rejected." Word To The Little Flock, p 14.

Those who flatly rejected the idea that their church was Babylon fallen and that they needed to willingly separate from her, were lost! The door shut upon them and their probation closed forever--at their final decision to disobey God and these truths. Also those who believed and accepted the truth, that their church was Babylon fallen, and who willingly separated from her, but afterward renounced their faith and pronounced these truths to be error and their experience a delusion, were also lost! The door shut upon them and their probation closed forever--at their final decision to renounce their faith and pronounce their belief in these messages of truth as error. They had sinned against and blasphemed the Holy Spirit, and though they might have a form of godliness, and profess to still be followers of Christ, and may even preach some of the truth to others, they are but deceivers rapped in the delusions of Satan! Truly, many followed the same history of the Jews, in loving and worshiping their idol church above God and obedience to His truth (see Early Writings, p 198).

These messages of the first and second angel and the midnight cry--or to willingly separate from all your personal sins, from connection to the world, and from your corrupt and fallen church to be completely free in Jesus--were the last messages of mercy, or the shut door messages, to all those who had the privilege of hearing them at that time. Their individual decision against either one of these messages, especially after they had already accepted them, closed the door of their probation forever without any second chance remaining open to them. It was impossible for them to recover and accept the truth again!

Now this is just history that we have gone over. But can this same history, which the Jewish, Apostolic, and Protestant churches followed, be repeated today? Is there any chance that our church which we love could repeat this same history and become Babylon fallen like those churches before her?

We have been very busy in the Ministry for the past several months, and no slowing down is in sight! What a great privilege it is to be engaged in awakening the sleepy eyes of my brethren in America as well as around the world! And this privilege is not alone for the ministers, but is for every one who has united themselves to Christ.

We have mailed off 7 boxes filled with various Present Truth materials to our workers in Kenya for them to pass out and fill requests. This is just a small amount of what is needed, as the need is great and urgent. Please keep our workers and the cause of God in Kenya in your constant prayers.

Our worker in Togo has just informed us that he has made contacts in Nigeria which need many boxes of English booklets. These "silent preachers" can go into far to reach places which would be nearly impossible for a living preacher to visit. We are sending him several boxes to start with, and more will be needed. Please keep him also in your prayers for the cause of God to flourish in Togo and in the surrounding Countries.

Efforts are already under way to greatly restrict our liberty of belief and freedom of religion in America, as well as around the world. Plans are already laid to greatly curtail our ability to reach out with the Present Truth to other Countries, as well as to those across America. Bill HR #1865 was recently introduced into the House of Representatives which calls for the setting up of a Federal Office to Monitor Religious Persecution. This office would establish guidelines which every religious organization, every minister and Ministry, and every church must abide by. If any choose to preach or teach something which differs from what this Federal Organization determines as appropriate, or if any minister is not credentialed by an approved religious organization on this Federal list, then varying degrees of punishment will be administered--including seizing of all bank accounts and property of those engaged in "unauthorized religious activities." What we do now must be done quickly, because time is very short! WAKE--UP and WORK WHILE IT IS DAY, FOR THE NIGHT IS COMING ON FAST!!!

Brothers and sisters, there is need for more money to print, mail and distribute these Present Truth materials, not just in America, but around the world. And there will never be a better time to spread these materials than NOW! Please consider sacrificing more for the cause of God, not just in means, but in your time and efforts to spread the Present Truth yourselves. What a privilege it will be to see our crowns studded with more stars so that we can gladly place it all at the feet of our Saviour, recognizing that it was only because of Him who died for us that we, and those whom we lead to Him, have heaven as our eternal home! Oh, to be faithful to the end so that we may have such a glorious reward of spending eternity with the Godhead and unfallen beings!

May God help each one of us to comprehend the eternal weight of glory which will be our reward if only we will unreservedly give Him our full undivided heart obedience, and work for the saving of souls and the upbuilding of His kingdom of righteousness while we can.

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

The Lord's blessings and guidance, along with your gracious prayers and support, is greatly appreciated and needed. Without such, 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 this Ministry reach out to 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 5 full time ministers/workers in 3 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 adequately met for that month so that the worker may devote full time to the ministry work. In addition to this, we are sending extra money for Evangelism--which includes printing, publishing, 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 vital area is greatly appreciated.

We are also investigating other full-time ministers/workers whom we are praying over and considering for support. These potential workers are from 6 different Countries. 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, and spread the printed truth translated into the language of the common people!

If God so impresses your heart, please help us to continue supporting our current full-time ministers/workers, supplying enough for Evangelism, and the supporting of other foreign workers, so that the spreading of the truth can take place and lighten this dark world with the glory of God.

Last Sabbath, 2 ladies who had a flat tire on their way home from church came to my house (the nearest refuge) as they were frozen. After giving them a warm lunch, we had the opportunity of going through your article on Temptation, the Why and the How to resist and overcome all temptation and sins. We read every page and we kept in our hearts, minds and soul the 4 keys to successfully overcome--R.P.S.R. Thank you brother for these deep thoughts of Recognizing, Praying, Submitting and Resisting temptations. Through prayer, we are sure, we can have the strength, power and grace through our Saviour to overcome to His glory....

We just received the box of books and we also got the two videos. We got to see the one "Christ Versus the Churches" and we thought you told it very plain regarding the SDA church becoming another Babylon. You also made a very good appeal to make a total separation from the apostate church. We surely hope that it caused many church members and Independent leaders to comply.

We also read your two books "Wheat and Tares" and "Rev. 18"...explaining things the way they actually are. We intend to distribute the books to the Adventist people we know and believe they will do much good. Thanks a lot for your good service.

Brother ____ and myself have experienced some hardship from the ____ (SDA) Central Church leadership. They have instructed us not to share the message with their members. This instruction came from the leaders of the SDA University students after we had spent some time sharing with them the three angel's message and in particular the separation message....a leader of this church left the pulpit from which he was preaching his sermon on a Sabbath morning and proceeded to where brother ____ was standing to assault him for having requested that he (____) read a quotation from TM to the church. Were it not some members of the church, brother _____ would have been assaulted right there in the SDA church....

We were at last instructed not to share the message with their members. But we cannot respect fallible human being above God and we believe the message must go whether they want it to or not....I was approached by the elder of this church...instructing me to stop preaching about the 3 angels message. I was approached by a lady from his church that I conduct with them a series of sessions on the 3 angels message. I conducted the first study but after the second meeting, the elder approached me in fury...that I must stop what I was doing. He assured me that he would involved the Field President, and indeed three months later, they visited me at my home demanding to know what I was teaching.

I laid my materials, open the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy before them and demanded from them to tell me where my wrongs were, but they could not and later left. They were five in number. Their President, pastor, head elder and two more elders.

As I write this letter _____ is printing 10-15 thousand tracts to be distributed to Visyas and also the pamphlets...especially the Visayan version. We have also printed the Bible Correspondence Course and distributed it already to all home churches so that everybody could work. Last Sabbath we have a meeting (all workers), to encourage each other, counsel with each other as we go again to our respective field of labor....We must trust in the Lord that He will direct this work and bring it to a successful finish....As of now, some of the youth are doing [giving] the series of Bible studies to some non Adventist....

...by God's grace and mighty power, gospel order will be established in the U.S. and throughout the whole world, that all His people will be united in one mind and judgment. Lastly send our warmest regard to our brothers and sisters in the faith. It's all our prayer and wish to meet you on that great day of Christ return.

Here's the December 1997 report....In my November letter, I must have noted that December would be a busy month. Indeed it was. A friend informed me of a Hartland sponsored Seminar to be here in Kenya...I, together with _____ and _____ decided to go, see and hear what they have. The Seminar brought together SDA's from all corners of Kenya including delegates from Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda, a delegate from each of these Countries. The meeting laid much emphasis on prophecy and health, but had no place at all for the fourth angel's message. There were brethren there who have been mistreated by the structure, others have been denied to teach or hold any post in church because they speak the truth.

After classes, we held discussions on the fourth angel. Initially, we were met with an almost, "Shut Up!" "Jesus never separated Himself from the church," they came up [with], "Why should we?" But the Desire of Ages worked the miracle, [quoted from] the good page 232; and they were brought to listen to what we had to say. Remember, we [were] only three. The power of the Lord is indeed mighty--scorners turned students! I was especially touched with interest that arose from the brothers that came from outside Kenya....

Back at home, we could not hold the Maasai meeting due to the political turmoil I had earlier mentioned. The region was so violent and was even covered by VOA and BBC. It has not come back to normal yet. But we held another one at _____ in _____ District. In spite of threats from the structure church we went ahead with [the meeting, and] the hand of God leading all the way. In fact, a Pastor manning a station, displayed a badge that all Pastors will soon be having for identity, so that anybody found preaching without it, will be imprisoned. We are yet to see what happens, but we commit ourselves to the Lord. Have you such things there?

The meeting could not take off on [Dec.] 30th as scheduled for some unavoidable circumstances. We started on 31st with only fifty attending, very few SDA's attended because they had been forewarned. However, the number surged forward to 209 the second day; dropped to 75 on the third and rose to 330 on Sabbath. We recorded a total of 664 throughout the four day meeting. Eight souls took a step toward Christ, five of whom had the ordinance of baptism, and three joined the baptismal class. From the river, we went to _____'s home and broke the Lord's supper. The Lord's hand of protection was witnessed throughout our meeting, even the rains being held until after baptism--this is generally a rainy season here!...

I was at the post office this morning to mail translated Booklet "THE WILL." There I received your package of booklets and "TIDINGS OF HOPE" Sabbath school lessons. I returned home for joy, to have a look at them. Thank you for caring to prepare people for heaven.

I was in the capital city of the Republic of Benin, Cotonou to meet a group of S.D.A. who have separated and need help. I left ____ early morning Tuesday 24 with my car for 160 km journey east of TOGO. Benin lies between Togo and the giant of the region Nigeria. Before getting to Cotonou, I first visited a city, 60 km off road where I pastored an S.D.A. church 7 years ago. What a surprise, a group had been formed waiting my arrival. The words quickly went round the city that the "Pastor rebel" has come. The S.D.A. leaders were thoroughly alarmed. After a short discussion with them, we prayed and I continued my way to Cotonou, reaching there at 5 P.M. G.M.T....

Unlike Togo, 50% of Benin S.D.A. members are English speaking from Nigeria. I then saw the need to ask you to send in a quantity of Booklets in English to be shared there and [in] Nigeria. I have received a call also to visit Lagos. The whole S.D.A. church is now boiling up with questions about the "So called apostasy", as they put it.

My work is now getting wider. I will be in Cotonou again in a week's time to give out the booklets you've just sent, please send a whole carton, especially" "Bible History of Separation I & II," "Held Responsible," "The Golden Calf Apostasy," "Abomination of Desolation Stands," "The Image of the Beast," etc....