Jan-Feb-00

In our last Newsletter we examined the issue on the nature of Christ and clearly understood, through the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, that Christ took upon Himself our fallen, sinful nature. We will now examine the issue of Christ's flesh. This issue is similar to what we studied regarding the nature of Christ, but it has more ramifications.

The main point at stake with this issue is whether Christ lived His human life on this earth in sinless or in sinful flesh. Many will admit that Christ took man's fallen nature upon Himself, but believe that He did not also take and live in the sinful flesh of man. They believe that He was somehow protected from accepting this sinful flesh at birth and lived only in sinless flesh, which we, as human beings since the fall of Adam, know nothing about.

So Christ was born from the seed of David according to the flesh. And what kind of flesh did David possess in which he would pass on to all of his offspring? David did not have sinless flesh to pass on to his children, but only sinful flesh. Thus what kind of flesh was Jesus born with and chose to live in? It was not sinless flesh, but sinful flesh.

It is important to understand that Jesus did not commit sin in order to obtain the sinful flesh of humanity, but He voluntarily took upon Himself the fallen nature the sinful flesh at birth. Another way in which you could state this same fact is that since Jesus did not commit sin in order to obtain our sinful flesh, He took upon Himself the same likeness of sinful flesh which all the offspring since Adam's fall, including that which Abraham, David, and Mary possessed. So Christ took the likeness of sinful flesh upon Himself, but it was still the very same sinful flesh that you and I possess and know about.

"The Redeemer of the world clothed his divinity with humanity, that he might reach humanity; for, in order to bring to the world salvation, it was necessary that humanity and divinity should be united. Divinity needed humanity, that humanity might afford a channel of communication between God and man, and humanity needed divinity, that a power from above might restore man to the likeness of God. Christ was God, but he did not appear as God. He veiled the tokens of divinity, which had commanded the homage of angels and called forth the adoration of the universe of God. He made himself of no reputation, took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of sinful flesh. For our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich." Signs of the Times, February 20, 1893 (vol 3, p 24).

Christ chose to bridge the gulf that sin had made between humanity and God by taking our fallen, sinful nature upon Him and living in sinful flesh. Thus Christ is the connecting Link between God and humanity. Jesus did not just pretend when He took upon Himself sinful flesh, he did in reality take it upon Himself and live in it. And what consequences did this bring to Him?

So Jesus, the spotless lamb of God was willing to be treated as you and I should have been treated. He was willing to unite Himself and eternal interests with fallen, sinful humanity--to become human. Brothers and sisters, understand that Jesus was willing to become one of His own creation. What love is this! What immense love does this show to you and me?

"He humbled himself to pass through man's experiences, and he would not turn aside from the plan by which salvation could come to man. Knowing all the steps in the path of his humiliation, he refused not to descend step by step to the depths of man's woe, that he might make expiation for the sins of the condemned, perishing world. What humility was this! It amazed the angels. Tongue can never describe it. Pen can never portray it. The imagination cannot take it in. Sinless and exalted by nature, the Son of God consented to take the habiliments of humanity, to become one with the fallen race. The eternal Word consented to be made flesh. God became man." Signs of the Times, February 20, 1893 (vol 3, p 24).

Tongue can never proclaim this love in it's fullness; pen can never describe it in it's entirety. Christ's love amazed the angels; it amazed all the unfallen universe; and it should amaze all the human race that Christ would consent to go step by step all the way down to reach us where we were that He might bring us up and connect us with the Father. God became man. Christ chose to become one of His own creations!

Now lets look at an example. What if you had the power to create worms? And you saw that these worms were heading straight for a cliff. And if they fell over it they would be destroyed. Would you, out of love for the worms that you created, consent to be made a worm yourself in order to speak their language, feel what they feel and are going through, in order to reach them where they were? Would you be willing to be made one of your own creation in order to save just some of them from certain destruction?

Brethren, Christ was willing to be made a worm in order to save us--see Psalms 22:6. He was willing to go however far it was necessary to save you and me from sin and destruction. What an infinite love--a love that can never be sounded to it's depths! And that love is freely given for you and me.

Now some believe that even though Christ took our fallen nature upon Himself, and even though He chose to live in sinful flesh, they adamantly teach that Christ did not feel or have to repress the inward sinful tendencies and desires of sinful flesh like we experience. Thus they strongly proclaim that any temptations which Christ experienced were always from without, like Adam before the fall, and were never experienced from within, like all humanity since the fall of Adam experience when we are tempted.

"Of course, Jesus was born different. He had a sinless human nature, the same as Adam had before his fall...Therefore it was natural for Jesus to be good. I was born with a sinful nature, and it's natural for me to be bad...Jesus had the absolute, perfect, sinless nature of Adam before he fell....Jesus never had to go through the sinner's struggle [of overcoming temptation and sin]..." Salvation by Faith and Your Will, p 86, 93, 96.

In other words, the SDA church is teaching that since Jesus was born different and did not have to struggle with the inner urgings towards sin, then Jesus did not really receive a fallen nature or sinful flesh from Mary. This doctrine leads directly into the Catholic doctrine that Mary was also born sinless, or the teaching of the immaculate conception of Mary.

Thus Christ chose to live in sinful flesh so that He could condemn sin, not outside of His flesh, but so that He could condemn sin in His flesh. And since Christ condemned sin in His flesh, this means that He experienced all the inward, downward pulls and desires towards sin, which are innate, or originate naturally from the fallen nature and sinful flesh which He took upon Himself. This means that Christ was tempted from within, exactly how every human being since the fall experiences temptation.

"Adam was tempted by the enemy, and he fell. It was not indwelling sin that caused him to yield; for God made him pure and upright; in His own image. He was as faultless as the angels before the throne. There were in him no corrupt principles, no tendencies to evil. But when Christ came to meet the temptations of Satan, He bore `the likeness of sinful flesh.'" Signs of the Times, October 17, 1900 (vol 4, p 153).

Adam yielded to sin, not because there was an inside urging or desire to commit sin, but he did so without any inner desire. But when Christ came to this earth, He experienced these inward, downward pulls toward sin, but He never once gave into it. But why did Christ have to stoop so low as to take our fallen, sinful nature upon Himself? Why did He have to live in sinful flesh? Why couldn't He have lived in sinless flesh and yet still save us? Why did He have to humiliate Himself and stoop so low for our salvation?

So God, who possesses an unfallen and sinless nature, cannot be tempted with evil. Yet the scriptures tell us many times that Christ was tempted to do evil. So while Christ lived on this earth, He did not live in the nature of His Godhood. He did not live in sinless flesh with an unfallen nature, because He would not have been able to be tempted with evil if He did and thus He could not know what we are experiencing. Christ did not live on earth as a God. He chose to live on earth as a man. Christ came as a man and thus He was tempted like every man is tempted. And how is that?

The Greek word for lust used here is #1939 in Strong's Concordance, and it means "desire". So every man, including Jesus, is tempted when they are drawn away by their own lust, or are drawn away by these naturally occurring inward desires and inclinations that originate from the fallen, sinful human nature and sinful flesh, and then they are enticed or urged to give in to these inward desires and to commit sin. But, praise God, Christ never once gave in to these enticements. He never once committed sin.

"In our humanity, Christ was to redeem Adam's failure. But when Adam was assailed by the tempter, none of the effects of sin were upon him. He stood in the strength of perfect manhood, possessing the full vigor of mind and body. He was surrounded with the glories of Eden, and was in daily communion with heavenly beings. It was not thus with Jesus when He entered the wilderness to cope with Satan. For four thousand years the race had been decreasing in physical strength, in mental power, and in moral worth; and Christ took upon Him the infirmities of degenerate humanity. Only thus could He rescue man from the lowest depths of his degradation." Desire of Ages, p 116-117.

Only by taking man's fallen nature and living in sinful flesh could Christ rescue you and me from the lowest depths of our degradation. But Christ never once committed sin so He did not have any sinful desires of His own making. But because He voluntarily took our sinful flesh and fallen nature upon Himself He did, in consequence of this, experience all the strength of these naturally occurring inclinations and desires. Christ continually had to deny these tendencies of the fallen nature. Why? Because "the fallen nature of Adam always strives for the mastery." Adventist Home, p 205.

Hence the fallen nature which Christ took upon Himself, and the sinful flesh which He chose to live in, always strove for the mastery. But Christ never once gave in to these downward pulls and desires to sin. And praise God that He didn't. But how much suffering did Christ experience when He denied these inward tendencies toward sin? It caused Him intense, internal suffering.

So what caused Christ internal suffering? It was by being tempted. Why would temptation cause Christ suffering? Because He always resisted it and never committed sin. Then where did these temptations originate from? From without His person? No, because there would be no suffering by resisting temptations outside of the flesh. But temptations originating from within the flesh through the fallen, sinful nature would indeed cause suffering when they were resisted.

Thus when Christ denied and resisted these inward inclinations and desires toward sin, which originated naturally through the fallen, sinful flesh and nature, it caused Him great internal suffering. But what did this internal suffering signify? It signified that instead of doing His own will, He chose to do the will of His Father, and thus showed that He had gained the victory over that temptation by resisting it's downward pull, and this victory made His character perfect without the slightest spot of sin.

"Temptation, however strong, is never an excuse for sin....Cry unto the Lord, tempted soul. Cast yourself, helpless, unworthy, upon Jesus, and claim His very promise. The Lord will hear. He knows how strong are the inclinations of the natural heart, and He will help in every time of temptation." Testimonies, vol 5, p 177.

"It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man's nature, even when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden. But Jesus accepted humanity when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin. Like every child of Adam, He accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity. What these results were is shown in the history of His earthy ancestors. He came with such a heredity to share our sorrows and temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life....

"...into the world where Satan claimed dominion God permitted His Son to come, a helpless babe, subject to the weakness of humanity. He permitted Him to meet life's peril in common with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss." Desire of Ages, p 49.

"He (Christ) knows by experience what are the weaknesses of humanity..." Signs of the Times, October 7, 1897 (vol 3, p 421) (see also Bible Echo, February 24, 1896; Signs of the Times, September 30, 1889 (vol 2, p 235); Review and Herald, January 28, 1909 (vol 5, p 491); Review and Herald, April 4, 1875 (vol 1, p 161-62).

"Our Redeemer perfectly understood the wants of humanity. He who condescended to take upon Himself man's nature was acquainted with man's weakness....Christ took upon Himself our infirmities, and in the weakness of humanity He needed to seek strength from the Father." Review and Herald, October 11, 1881 (vol 1, p 289) (see also Signs of the Times, January 15, 1885 (vol 1, p 480); December 3, 1902 (vol 4, p 271).

So Christ was in all points tempted just like you and I are tempted, yet He chose not to give in to these inner urgings to commit sin. He chose to resist these. But if Christ did not take our fallen, sinful nature and flesh upon Himself, then He could not really be our Substitute and thus we would be hopelessly lost. But praise God that Christ chose to reach down to where we were found and become one of us that He might raise us up, become our Substitute and we could thus find help in every time of need.

"...(Christ) clothed His divinity with humanity, that He might take on Himself the weakness of human nature....He was to suffer being tempted in all points upon which fallen men are tempted, that by His own experience He might become acquainted with the temptation of humanity, and know how to succor those who are severely tempted." MR, vol 17, p 29-30.

"Alone He (Christ) must tread the path; alone He must bear the burden. Upon Him who had laid off His glory and accepted the weakness of humanity the redemption of the world must rest. He saw and felt it all, but His purpose remained steadfast. Upon His arm depended the salvation of the fallen race, and He reached out His hand to grasp the hand of Omnipotent Love." Desire of Ages, p 111.

Our beloved Saviour chose to live in and experience all that is common with those who have fallen nature and sinful flesh. Christ has felt and knows by personal experience all the natural passion of humanity, all the downward inclinations of the natural heart, all the hereditary tendencies toward sin, all the infirmities, all the weaknesses, all the afflictions, all the temptations, all the strength of Satan's power which humanity experiences and knows all about. Christ has felt it all. There is no experience which we can go through when tempted that Christ has not already experienced and overcome.

He is a perfect Saviour, brothers and sisters, and in uniting ourselves with Him, and with Christ united with the Father, then we have all the divine power necessary to escape from sin and destruction. It is a solemn reality that Christ became just like those He wished to save, just like you and me, and thus Christ understands everything we suffer and go through when tempted.

What type of an identification? A partial identification? An identification that does not know what we experience when tempted? No. A complete identification--one in which nothing is lacking in understanding what we experience with fallen nature and sinful flesh. May our Father and Jesus Christ be praised forever and ever for all that they have done, for all that they have suffered through in reaching down to the lowest degradation of fallen humanity that we might be raised up and be connected with God through our Saviour. Praise Them forever for all that They have endured for unworthy you and me.

"It should be to us a cause of continual gratitude and rejoicing that Jesus knows our weakness and is acquainted with our temptations. We are too much in the habit of thinking that the Son of God was a being so entirely exalted above us that it is an impossibility for him to enter into our trials and temptations, and that he can have no sympathy with us in our weakness and frailties. This is because we do not take in the fact of his oneness with humanity. He took upon him the likeness of sinful flesh, and was made in all points like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God. He has engaged himself to save every son and daughter of Adam who will consent to be saved in God's appointed way." Signs of the Times, May 16, 1895 (vol 3, p 207).

So Christ was made just like you and me with the same fallen, sinful nature, living in the same sinful flesh. There was not a single principle of humanity in which Christ was different from us in regards to the fallen, sinful nature and sinful flesh. If the ladder, which represented Christ, would fail by one step to reach down to where we are, we would be hopelessly lost.

Those who continue to deny that Christ took upon Himself our fallen nature and lived in sinful flesh, those who deny that Christ felt the same desires and downward pulls and inclinations toward sin which we experience when tempted, are actually believing and teaching a doctrine which is opposed to Christ and His gospel of salvation. They are not following God, and are guilty of robbing a perfect and complete Saviour from others.

Now the flesh that it is talking about here is not just the fact that Jesus was born in human flesh, even the anti-Christian Roman Catholic Church teaches that. But this is talking about Christ having the same sinful flesh as you and me. And yet Christ resisted all these downward pulls and inclinations and urgings toward sin thereby experiencing the keenest internal suffering so that we could be provided with a way of escape from having to give in and commit sin.

"He was subjected to the fiercest assaults of Satan, but not for a moment did he yield to the terrible temptations brought against him, or become discouraged in his work of bringing redemption to the race. He gave his life for the salvation of a fallen race. Who can understand the depth and the breadth of love so amazing!" Review and Herald, January 3, 1907 (vol 5, p 305).

"More than we could possibly endure Christ endured in our behalf. Sinless to the last, he died for us. Justice demanded not merely that sin be pardoned; the death penalty must be met. The Saviour has met this demand. His broken body, his gushing blood, satisfied the claims of the law. Thus he bridged the gulf made by sin between earth and heaven. He suffered in the flesh, that with his robe of righteousness he might cover the defenseless sinner." Youth's Instructor, April 16, 1903.

So Christ was subjected to the fiercest assaults which Satan could cast at Him. Christ endured inexpressible anguish so severe that there are not words to describe it. He has endured all that it is possible for any human being to bear, and thus He has bridged the gulf that sin had made between God and us. Christ chose to leave heaven and to come down to this evil world to become one of His fallen creation and voluntarily taking upon Himself our fallen sinful nature and sinful flesh, thereby feeling everything we feel when tempted to sin. All this was so that we, through His strength and righteousness, might be connected back to our God. Out of infinite love Christ eternally humbled Himself in order that He might cover and shield us, and instead bear the wrath of God for our sin!

But after everything that we have so-far covered, there is still a question remaining. Why did Christ voluntarily take upon Himself our fallen nature and sinful flesh? Why did He choose to condemn sin in the flesh instead of outside His flesh? Why did He choose to suffer internally by being tempted? Why did Christ choose to feel all the inward inclinations and desires toward sin? Why did He choose to experience all the strength of Satan's fierce temptations? Why did Christ take, "our nature, and in it lived a life of perfect obedience" (Signs of the Times Jan. 25, 1899)? Why was there not a single principle of fallen, sinful human nature in which Christ would violate? Why did He take everything that is common to humanity in fallen nature? We are told why in Romans 8:4:

So why did Christ go through everything that He did? Why did He condescend to humiliate Himself by taking our fallen nature and living in sinful flesh? So that we would have no fear, when we experience these same inner urgings from our fallen nature and sinful flesh, that we could not overcome these and be able to keep God's law!

We finally have our Ministry Web page on line on the internet!! We thought that we would have it on line before the New Year, but it was not possible to do so. Those who have personally developed a Web Page know what I am talking about. Through all the troubles, all the unexpected problems with the computer, files, modem, graphics, etc., it is finally available for anyone from around the world to view and download any information they desire. For those who are able, we invite you to visit our Web Page at www.lightministries.com. We are the first to admit we are a novice in Web Page production and layout. The Web production program we used limited our capabilities and plans--especially in the area of pictures and graphics. What we wanted to do the program would just not allow us to do, and so we had to settle for less than what we desired--at least at this time. Yet, we still would appreciate your comments and constructive criticism after viewing our Web site. We are not finished with it yet, and nothing is set in concrete that we will not consider changing, but will continue to upgrade this site in both graphics and present truth literature--especially as more of our booklets are translated into foreign languages. We extend our gratefulness to sister Ella for allowing us to use her Bible Study Lessons in our site, and one of our workers is busy right now translating these lessons into Chinese!

Brother Gary and sister Elizabeth Cain of Warning! Last Call Ministries also have recently developed a Web Page of their Ministry in both Spanish and English. Please be sure to visit their Ministry Web Site at www.warninglastcall.com and give them your comments as well. They would love to hear from you. We encourage all our readers and supporters to keep both these Web Sites in their prayers--especially for God to lead honest seekers for truth from around the world to visit these sites and become enraptured with the beauty of God's pure message of truth.

Now we have some sad news to report to our readers. In the third week of January, we were forced to place brother Grover, who was one of our workers in the Philippines, on probation. The next day he chose to resign his position with us and is no longer being supported by our Ministry. We still consider him a brother in the same faith, and are praying for him, as well as the rest of the workers in that Country, to continue strong in the Lord and busy in the work of spreading His Present Truth far and wide. We solicit your prayers as well.

With most all of our time being devoted to finishing the Web Page, we were not able to get this Newsletter completed and mailed out on time, nor were we able to print up any new tracts to include in with this Newsletter. We have almost exhausted all our available ideas in the area of printing new tracts, and so we would appreciate your comments on which areas of truth still need to be addressed in tract form. Again, all our tracts are available for only $.08 cents each! The tracts we currently have available at this time are: THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON; THE BEAST & LITTLE HORN; THE CURSE OF THE LAW; 10 COMMANDMENT/SABBATH; IS DEATH TO BE FEARED?; THE FINAL JUDGEMENT; GOD'S LAST MESSAGE OF MERCY TO THE WORLD; GOD'S LOVE FOR YOU AND ME; GOD'S SANCTUARY AND DWELLING PLACE; GOD'S TEMPLE NEEDS CLEANSING!?; THESE LAWS RESTORE HEALTH; THE RISE AND FALL OF WORLD EMPIRES; 100 FACTS ON THE SABBATH QUESTION; THE SEAL OF GOD & THE MARK OF BEAST; THE SECRET RAPTURE AND THE RETURN OF CHRIST; HOW DID SIN ORIGINATE?; SUNDAY HOLINESS; THE TRUTH ABOUT HELL; TWO LAWS?; and WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Recently we received two new booklets translated into Chinese from our worker! These booklets are Jeremiah: The Message Then is the Message Now! and The Wheat and Tares. Our worker in Uganda has also informed us that our booklet The Last Message of Mercy is almost finished being translated into Luganda. Our worker in Fiji is also busy translating the same booklet into Fijian, and our worker in India has already finished translating this same booklet. We urgently solicit your prayers for God to greatly bless this important translation work of the Present Truth message!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude for all the donations unselfishly sent to this Ministry throughout this past year, and we say thank you to God and to you our supporters for allowing us to continue working for God in extending His Present Truth message more fully throughout this world. We also say a special thank you for the gracious donations recently made to this Ministry which have allowed us to fund important projects in our Foreign Mission Work. Eternity alone will reveal the amount of souls won to the Lord Jesus through all the gracious self-sacrificing gifts donated to this Ministry.

"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 ministers/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; ongoing National and International Bible studies; sending free present truth literature to contacts in many poor Countries; etc.

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 11 workers in 8 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 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 and visit the interests in their homes, and spread the printed truth translated into their common language! Please financially help us to continue consistently supporting our current ministers and workers, so that the spreading of the truth can quickly lighten this dark world with the glory of God.

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 wanted to say, "Thank you" for the Sept/Oct (News)letter I received last week. I have kept it in my purse for the quiet moments in my life. Well, today was the moment! It was just what I needed to read to help me back on track with the Lord about eating between meals. It is so easy to get off-track, and go back to the old habits of eating all through the day.

Today, I'm at work and I have spent most of the day reading and reading and re-reading the words on this letter. They are "Words of Life". Since Sunday, I have gained victory moment by moment. I have not had a drop of food except my breakfast and my lunch....Wow! God is so wonderful to fulfill His promises to His children that are really SERIOUS with God. I just thank Him so much! Every victory prepares me for a higher step up the ladder....

Thank you for those pamphlets (tracts) you sent last year (Nov - Dec, 1999). The folks in Northern Luzon, Philippines used them for the church and for Bible Study among new interests and newly baptized members. They are a light into their path...They wish to have more reading materials such as those important topics for spiritual growth to attain Christ's righteous character....

Greetings in the precious name of our Saviour Jesus. Thank you so very much for the many ways you communicate to us. The Missionary Reports are very encouraging. I look forward to receiving them like a friendly letter. May God help each one of us wherever we are that we will share in the closing work....

We so much appreciate your Newsletter which make us know that we are not the only ones who are by themselves trying to spread the message. The small leaflets (tracts) that you send with your Newsletters are very good to recopy & put out in places when we go to town. There are so many places to place them wherever we go....

Christian greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I received your letter quite safely and was very glad to hear from you. We are thankful to God for the information that we are receiving from you. Thats what is keeping us in these times. We are also sharing it with others and they too are bless(ed).

Last Sabbath I was invited by some of our friends from (Dream and Visions) to give them study. I spend the whole Sabbath with these people...I showed them where Jeanine Sautron went wrong, I explained to them that she is a false prophet and they should not follow her because she is from the Devil. I explained to them that as from 1844 onward to the coming of Christ, there will be no more "time" prophecy or "time" setting again for His people which is exactly the opposite of what Jeanine Sautron is teaching them. By the end of the Sabbath Day they all agreed with me, they throw away their Dreams and Visions books and now joined the Truth with Let There Be Light Ministry. I thank God for His wonderful Spirit who was with me that day who encouraged and strengthened me. I must also thank you too for your prayers. Please continue to pray for the work in Fiji.

____ is a Fijian lady...She was a member of the S.D.A. but when she saw what was happening in the church, she stayed at home and fellowship there with her family. She used to be a member of the same S.D.A. church I came from, that is why we know each other. When I explained everything to her she was very happy about it and now she and her family have joined us and I am now spending more Sabbath's with them. She has now brought another family to join us.

Chinese booklets were given out. They were accepted by the old ones only, but the younger generation they have other interests. Some of our brethren from the SDA church have now accepted our booklets and because they have now realized what is going on in the SDA church. We need your prayers here in Fiji for the work.

Last Sabbath while we were fellowshipping (at) home, a couple with their four children came (to our) home, wanting to spend the Sabbath with us. This is (the) result from house to house visitations. We spend the whole Sabbath with them. Praise God for His love and mercies. On Sunday the following day, another couple with their children were knocking at the door of our house. We welcomed them and shared the words with them (the) whole day, and they went home at about 8'o clock in the evening promising to come back (to our) home....

Let us thank God for providing us fund $3000 US dollars for purchasing computer and accessories, for fastening (hastening) our work in India....The Lord knows the right time to provide the needs for quickening His work. Our part is only to submit our will to His will and do what ever is possible to our hand....After crossing over many bitterest experiences God has brought me to this victorious stage....

Regarding giving messages through T.V. Media I'll consult my co-brother who is already in this T.V. and Cinifield. For the message outreach to non-Adventists, already I have prepared a series of sermons and given in many public meetings and succeeded. Along with this I am preparing research paper work upon the Hindu theology and their believes. I have gone into its depth and proved the Hinduism is a scientific man-made religion. This is what Apostle Thomas did in A.D. 59 in India....

The Abomination of Desolation booklet is translated in Tamil language and undergoing for print. Likewise we are translating all other booklets of "Let There Be Light" ministries. We hope in Lord, this booklet will be causing great awakening among the S.D.A. brethren of our India. So far we have made reach out of the booklet "Last Message of Mercy" to most of the S.D.A. leaders and Church pastors of our India. The secret disciples such as Nicodemus are meeting us.

A new call has come from a place called ____. A Seventh-day Adventist teacher came forward to heed our reformation message. I have given him the message. He is arranging for a Camp-meeting at this ____. The local Seventh-day Adventist School principal and few laymen are listening (to) our message. Let us pray that the Lord should open their heart. At the same time we are very cautious in accepting the S.D.A. members as our members in our Home Church (before we see that they have indeed embraced the full message of separation). The Ministry in India must be carefully done...since we are having unity and (do not want) diversity (division) caused by different (beliefs)....we have started giving Bible Study to a fisherman as well as automobile mechanic. He is attending our Home Church.

The work here in Kenya is extending greatly. At the end of last year we had one effort at ____ from 29 November to 5th Dec 99, then a camp-meeting at ____ Town from 5th Dec to 12th December 99. Lastly we finished the year with a camp at ____ Center as from 26th Dec - 2nd Jan of 2000. In both these meetings we saw the hand of God working greatly that most of the people who attended mostly the camps went their homes thanking God for the blessings they received and enjoyed.

We have made the schedule for this year (of all) the camps and efforts which will take place. We have planned for the whole year nearly every month is occupied. Finally we placed the program before the Lord and left for Him to lead us according to His will....MM 359 says "A sincere Christian will make no plans which the Lord can not approve."

We are from Camp-meeting at ____ where we realized full presence of the Holy Spirit softening hearts and drawing us closer together. Brother ____, as main speaker, dwelt on our present need of Christ, the power of God to accomplish the work, while bro. ____ gave the 1888 message: History and the message, in morning devotions. We were all so blessed.

On 29th December, Christian denominations--with Catholic and SDA together--together with Muslims, climbed Mt. Kenya to offer prayers for peace for Kenya and the world. Of particular interest, they slaughter a goat in this function and sent some youths to the top of the mountain to offer more prayers and "totems." Has Christianity degenerated to such a level as to demand fresh blood of animals as if time has emasculated the Saviour of the efficacy of His atoning blood? Come Lord Jesus.

Very pleased to receive your email message telling me that you will soon have our present truth on line, esp. we will soon have these in Chinese too, for more than two billion Chinese to access on line. If we move forward by faith, God will open the way to have other languages such as Japanese, Korean and etc., put on line too. Let's pray earnestly for this to be fulfilled not far in the future!...

By the way, pleased to inform you that I mailed to you printed copies of (the translation into Chinese of) Jeremiah and Wheat and Tares...I keep on translating "Why Are We Held Responsible for P,S, and C sin?" and also the Bible Corr. Course. Meanwhile, I keep on mailing out "Everlasting Gospel" booklets to non-SDA friends...

All are excited because the camp-meeting in ____ city is fast approaching. We are inviting everybody to attend. We are living in a time where prophecies are fast fulfilling, not only in our Country but everywhere. As the message of Revelation 18 is swelling and increasing in power, calamities, crime, wars, political and religious (and) economic strife also increases and strikes in quick succession. Truly, the repetition and globalization of the French Revolution is in our midst. Prepared or unprepared we must meet the crisis....

A month ago, one of the home church in ____ that affiliated with Steps to Life return to the fold. These families were related to Jimmy Tagala, president of Steps to Life Philippines (Church Organization). Just pray that they will endure the trials and be more established in the truth.

About the publishing, we have just printed and distributed 15,000 tracts and 25,000 more will be printed soon. We concentrated on these four topics namely: Sunday Holiness, The Beast, Battle of Armageddon and The Secret Rapture because of the excitement here about the so-called "big happening" in the year 2000....

We are on our way to print again these following tracts and pamphlets: Abomination of Desolation (Stands); Protestant History; Last Message of Mercy; Image of the Beast; Golden Calf Apostasy; Corporate Responsibility; Sunday Holiness; Everlasting Gospel; and other tracts that were translated into Visayan and Tagalog estimated to cost us 20,000 to 25,000 pesos (about $600 - $750 US). This includes the money that came from the home churches nation wide. These tracts and pamphlets will be distributed all over the country, especially Luzon. If there are still additional help on this area, please do so. We need to circulate this truth as fast as possible. May the good Lord shower us His abundance blessing that this work will be finished in God's own appointed way.

I was back to Ghana on the 21st where I took some booklets to be shared. I am hopeful the work will progress well here in Ghana. I have no intention whatsoever to cease my labors in the French areas. I am only waiting the arrival of the translated booklets to really set things in motion. I was overjoyed at the news of completed ABOMINATION (booklet in French). Cheers! God bless you....

Dear Elder, I had intended to spend the next Sabbath in Ghana...I had an appointment with a S.D.A. church at a city where I was to speak to about 200 peoples about Present Truth....I shall spend two weeks there to attempt setting up a group there. Thank you also for funds to purchase the French Testimonies....

When I returned from Ghana to Togo, I met more people turning to accept our message of separation. Most of them are wide awake to the truth. A very influential S.D.A. minister was in the locality when I was in Ghana. He brought arguments to refute my teaching about separation. But his arguments only led more members to decide for separation.

Just returned from some trips outside the country. How are you doing? Two weeks to the end of the year, I went through the groups and individual homes. There is always the need to visit with them. Many are those eager to get baptized. Before accepting their desire, I thought to meet with each one of them to see their stand on the truth I am spreading....Sometimes they seem to think we are all brothers with the S.D.A. church. This conception turns to lesson the power of the separation message....

The interest in Ghana is very encouraging. When last I was there, I shared some booklets with some S.D.A. church members. Then I left for Togo leaving (behind) my wife and children. In my absence, the interest grew so much they had to send for me. Even saying, I should settle entirely in Ghana. Presently, I have trained two people here in Togo to help with the French population....Meanwhile, I am sending my eldest son to Ghana this week with more booklets....

Concerning the Y2K confusion, so far we have not heard of any problem....But one thing is sure, we are entering a decisive moment of the earth history. We should not allow the apparent calm to lull us into sleep. Just the first week of January the prices of things mounted incredibly. Fuel prices almost doubled....

I am committed to stand with you in this great work. Recently I went through very difficult periods I cannot explain to you. But I have learned to trust in divine help, and it came indeed. Thank you for your prayers. Please, kindly remember my numerous outings especially to Ghana. I need funds to make and respond to these calls.

On 10th I moved out for missionary work supplied our tracts to people around railway quarters still, from thither I visited a nurse with whom we have been sharing. She had questions on spiritualism, the Holy Ghost and the Sabbath. She was given the Great Controversy. Later (I) had a Bible study with 5 souls....

On 31st we set off for the Camp-meeting. The Heavenly Father accorded us safely to ____....During the Camp one old lady and her daughters were greatly interested upon the matters presented. Elder I fully register our heart felt appreciation for aiding us (to) set off the Camp-meeting for without which it would have not been possible....

On Sunday...I made another effort to visit ____. Once again I found (that) the devil had stolen a march upon these friends. Somebody presented to them the Sabbath as the most burdensome yoke ever given to man by God...and thus wrested the Scriptures to sustain them in their errors. I entreated them to make (a) deep Bible study and prayers to God, (and) not to sell their souls in a cheap market. The Pastor was left with Great Controversy.

On the Sabbath of 20th ____, two ladies visited us from the police barracks, one is constable, the other is student (to learn about truth). For this have been (This is the results of) the labours of Brother ____ ____. That afternoon we made a home to home visitation near our Home Church.

On the 11th we visited the hospital during the whole afternoon. Two patients gave their life to Jesus Christ. The next day we visited again another patient (who) believed the Sabbath. On 18th ____ ____ visited from Bunamwaya. She says the work is good save increased apostasy (with) Sunday services at head quarters of the SDA Church, Funeral service in the church, wearing of special dress by the church president. Etc. That same day a lady with a kid (goat) on her back was assisted (by me) back (to her) home after failure to get (any help from her) the relatives. On 27th had another hospital mission. Got an SDA whom I am now assisting in herb line of treatment....

I humbly salute you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ....I have indeed been working in and out of ____ to distribute the pamphlets and the booklets to the interested souls in different places and strengthening the brethren. Right now I writing, I am glad to let you know that another Home Church has been created North East of ____...and I have also been invited to the Prison nearby the main city of the place I went to - called ____ - to distribute those pamphlets and few booklets of Jeremiah and the "Plague" to thirsty Adventists who are coming out of the fallen and apostate SDA church.

Back at home, the videos you sent me are working very much. Every evening "MANY" Adventists from 2 main churches in ____ come to watch and listen to you speaking, preaching, admonishing on the screen. Many of these Adventists who regularly come have stopped going to their SDA church. We are with them, they are 6 that includes my brother (first born in my family) who was a church Elder, and his wife and his children are worshipping with us. He is also very influenced as (are) other Elders on (the) Biblical truths and the S.O.Prophecy based (studies), especially the (video on the) 10 virgins. That tape is really preaching (doing a good work). So I am planning to do the same (outreach program) in ____ (where) the new Home Church (is located)....

So dear Elder I really pray you this spirit to continue of your support and care (for the work here). I really appreciate (it). We intend to broaden and broaden this work as long as God allows....Many SDA's are now accepting this truth especially after being told by their top leaders that the SDA church will be celebrating for the Jubilee of year 2000 (which is a Catholic program).

Nevertheless, may I report to you that this month was one of the months in which a lot of Bible Studies were much conducted. These studies were based on the separation messages. And a lot were done especially in our beloved SDA churches where many of the members are now coming to understand these separation messages after going through our booklet WCC & SDA's. Due to a series of these studies, I am happy to report to you in presence of our Lord Jesus that Elder ____ who was the...second in command from the District Pastor or the Chairman has finally renounced his posts and has stopped to be a member of the SDA church, (which) has shocked the entire District. Praise God for the LTBL Ministry for (sending) the greatest light which is the Present Truth....

The trip to Malawi was good because I believe I was in your prayers and really God was with me. It was a three day journey and when I reached the destination I had found that the brethren were waiting for me....We had a ten day seminar and after that I was again requested to visit them in ____, 2000 if God willing. This time in ____, I will be able going around visiting the ten home churches and conducting Bible Studies too. The Home Church members and the people in Malawi generally wants this separation message very much. I took WCC & SDA and other booklets with me which these people need more. They requested me to send them many and different types of the booklets from LTBL Ministries....