Oct-Dec-04

There is a lot of misunderstanding regarding who and what represents Zion. Since there are many biblical references of Zion being connected with the God of heaven, Jerusalem and the Temple, some believe that Zion is a spiritual representation of all churches, or of just one particular denomination; still others believe that Zion only represents those who are connected to literal Jerusalem, or only those who embrace the Israeli faith.

This lack of understanding is leading many of God’s honest followers into bondage and captivity to error, and possible loss of their eternal life. Thus it is important to have a clear understanding of this subject: and there is no better place to gain this than by going to God’s word and starting with the basics.

Zion or Sion was literally a mountain or hill of Jerus (see Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Hebrew word #6726 & Greek word #4622). The actual meaning of the word “Zion” is derived from the Hebrew words #6725 & #5329, and signifies a conspicuous eminent monument, or guiding pillar, or permanent capital, that glitters from afar. This meaning is appropriate because the peak of Mount Zion is 772 meters or 2,533 feet and thus stands out.

The first Biblical reference to Zion occurs during the time of King David, when he searched for a new capital city for the united kingdom of Israel. After searching for a while, David found a suitable city and then captured it from the Jebusites. This city was named Jebus, and was actually a castle or strong hold which was built upon the north side of this mountain or hill of Zion. After David captured this fortress upon Zion, he then renamed it Jerusalem–the city of David (see 2 Samuel 5:6-9; 1 Chronicles 11:4-7).

Now it is extremely important to understand that Jerusalem was not Zion, and Zion was not Jerusalem. Since both Zion and Jerusalem are mentioned so often together, the distinction between these two tends to become blurred, and they are seen as being one in the same. But when you understand the truth that Jerusalem was a fortress city that was not Zion itself, but was only built upon the mountain of Zion, it helps to clear things up.

King David was not satisfied that God should dwell in a humble Sanctuary, and so he, along with Solomon his son, looked for a more suitable place to erect a magnificent temple to the God of heaven. Just east of Mount Zion, through a once deep valley called Tyropean, was a distinctly separate mountain called Moriah. This was the same mountain that had figured so prominently in the past leading of God’s people. This was the place where Abraham had offered up Isaac (Genesis 22:1-18); where Jacob had his vision of the ladder reaching to heaven (Genesis 28:10-22; Great Controversy, p 18-19); and where the flames of the altar that David built had turned aside the sword of the destroying angel (1 Chronicles 21:14-28). It was upon this mountain that king Solomon, after the death of his father David, built the great stone Temple and Sanctuary to God (2 Chronicles 3:1).

The actual meaning of the word “Moriah” is derived from the Hebrew words #4179, 7200 & 3050, and signifies that this hill or mountain will be looked upon and seen of the eternal Lord God. The elevation of the bedrock outcropping where the Temple was built upon Mount Moriah was 741 meters or 2,431 feet. This made the Temple about 30 meters or 100 feet lower in height than Mount Zion to the West, and thus when one came to worship at the Temple they could not help but see Mount Zion in the distance.

At some point, the original walls of the city of Jerusalem were enlarged to include Mount Moriah, and since the Temple was built upon this mountain, it then became included within the city limits of the now enlarged Jerusalem. Thus the city of David, the strong hold of Zion, which was Jerusalem, was no longer built just upon the mountain of Zion, but now was also built upon the mountain of Moriah where the Temple was located. Also, the once deep Tyropean valley which separated Mount Zion and Mount Moriah became filled in with debris as the years went by.

Now it is also extremely important to understand that just as Jerusalem was not Zion, and Zion was not Jerusalem, so the Temple was neither Jerusalem nor Zion, and neither was Jerusalem nor Zion the Temple. Since the Temple was located in the enlarged part of the city of Jerusalem, and the original city of Jerusalem was called the city of David, the stronghold of Zion, the distinction between these three tends to become blurred, and they are seen as all referring to one in the same. But when you understand the truth that the Temple was not Jerusalem itself, nor was it Zion itself, but that it was only built in the enlarged part of the city of Jerusalem and upon a different mountain, it helps to clear things up.

With this historical picture in mind, I believe you can begin to see how easily misunderstanding crept in when people began referring to these three sites. Many who were ignorant of this history innocently began to refer to Mount Moriah and the Temple of God as being part of the original stronghold of Zion–the city of David–Jerusalem, when such was not the truth at all.

When individuals were going to the city of Jerusalem–the stronghold of Zion, instead of being clear with their words, they declared that they were just going to Zion; and when individuals were going to worship God in the Temple in the city of Jerusalem, instead of being clear with their words, they stated that they were just going up to Jerusalem to worship God. And soon Zion, Jerusalem, and the Temple all came to be synonymous with one another. Just as the Tyropean valley became completely filled in with debris, thus removing the distinction between Mount Moriah and Mount Zion, so the distinction between the Temple, Jerusalem, and Zion became covered up with misunderstanding and misconception.

So the Bible declares that Zion is at Jerusalem, but is not Jerusalem or the Temple itself; and God is jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion, showing again that they are not one in the same but are separate entities. Yet this is not the extent of the Bible showing the distinction between these.

Again we can see that the Bible shows a distinction between both Zion and Jerusalem–including the Temple, because it has different messages and promises for each. Although they are closely connected, yet they are not one in the same entity, but separate. Just as Mount Zion and Mount Moriah were closely linked together through their common connection with the city of Jerusalem, and yet they were both distinct and separate from one another, so the Bible continues to reveal this distinction throughout its sacred pages.

This distinction is further revealed in the fact that both Mount Zion and the Temple on Mount Moriah were higher in height than the city of Jerusalem. This forced all the city inhabitants to look up in order to see these two entities, and thus would serve to reinforce the fact that Jerusalem was not the Temple, and neither was it Zion. And just as the Temple upon Mount Moriah was built about 100 feet lower in height than Mount Zion, thereby forcing all, as they worshiped God looking West, to notice Mount Zion rising higher than the Temple, so this would serve to reinforce the fact that the Temple was not Zion, and Zion was not the Temple.

It is extremely important to remember these facts of truth showing Jerusalem, the Temple, and Mount Zion to be distinct from one another and not one in the same. When you read statements declaring that “Jerusalem is the Temple”, you will know that Jerusalem is not really the Temple, but that the Temple was within Jerusalem. Or when you read statements declaring that “Jerusalem is Zion”, you will know that Jerusalem is not really Zion, but that Jerusalem was build upon Zion. So in remembering these facts of truth you will not become so easily confused. It is because these facts of truth are not understood, or maybe even ignored, that many innocent followers of God end up being led into error by false interpretations. Especially is this the case in regards to the dwelling place of God and His place of worship.

Prior to the Temple being built, the ark, along with the presence of God, was found within the most holy place of the Tabernacle of the Congregation. This humble tent Sanctuary was built completely and only by those whom God had inspired to carry out His commands (Exodus 36:1-4). But why? Because God desired to dwell among His people (Exodus 25:8). David had brought this tent Sanctuary within the original city of Jerusalem which was on Mount Zion (2 Samuel 6:12-19; 1 Chronicles 15-16). This particular place continued to be the dwelling place of God while king David continued to rule on the throne.

But after David’s death, king Solomon moved forward in carrying out plans to build a new Sanctuary for the ark, along with God’s presence, to dwell in. This grand stone Temple was not built completely and only by those whom God had inspired, but it was built in union with the heathen (2 Chronicles 2:7-14; 1 Kings 7:13-40). When this magnificent stone Temple was completed, the ark, along with the presence of God, was taken away from Mount Zion, moved eastward out of the Jerusalem–the city of David, and was now found on Mount Moriah within the most holy place of the stone structure (1 Kings 8:1-11). The Bible makes this point very clear:

“Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the Lord was finished...Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is [on] Zion....And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord into his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims.” 2 Chronicles 5:1-2, 7.

So the ark, along with the presence of God, was taken out of the humble tent Sanctuary, out of Jerusalem–the city of David, out of Mount Zion, moved east, and brought up to and placed in the magnificent stone Temple which was built upon Mount Moriah. God did consent to the request of Solomon to dwell in this new stone structure built for His glory, but only upon condition of obedience (1 Kings 9:1-9; 2 Chronicles 7:1-3, 12-22).

Now why is this important to note? Because it shows that God dwelt in two different types of Sanctuaries: one was humble, while the other was magnificent; one was built only by God’s inspired people, while the other was built in union with the heathen; one was established on Mount Zion, while the other was established on Mount Moriah; and one was due to His desire, while the other was because of His consent upon obedience. Which one of these two do you think was God’s special and favorite dwelling place–Mount Zion or the stone Temple at Jerusalem?

So we can see that God desired to dwell upon Mount Zion and within the humble tent Sanctuary established upon it in the city of Jerusalem. These above passages cannot be interpreted to mean that God chose and loved to dwell in the stone Temple built upon Mount Moriah. This is because all the above passages were written while king David was alive, and the stone Temple was not built until after his death.

So we can see that even though God consented to dwell in the stone Temple upon Mount Moriah, yet God still favored His dwelling place upon Mount Zion more. This fact of truth is vital to understand! God favored His humble dwelling place upon Mount Zion more than the great and magnificent stone Temple He consented to dwell in! Yet, even though this is true, the literal city of Jerusalem, the Temple, and Mount Zion became corrupted and ruined because of apostasy.

“Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us. Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house [Temple] as the high places of the forest.” Micah 3:9-12.

“The Lord hath cast off his altar, he hath abhorred his sanctuary, he hath given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces...Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity: but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment....the mountain of Zion, which is desolate...” Lamentations 2:7, 14, 5:18.

This destruction to Zion, Jerusalem, and the Temple, was because of the determined, unrepentant, and wicked leaders of the church who chose apostasy against God instead of obedience and righteousness. But all the while they were teaching the people that God was still in their midst, that the Temple could never fall, and that they would be delivered from all their enemies if they would just remain within Jerusalem and not separate from her even though Christ had commanded all His followers to do so (Matthew 24:15-22; Mark 13:14-20; Luke 21:20-22).

Yet even in their destruction, the Lord shows a distinction between all three! Zion–was plowed and became desolate, the city of Jerusalem–was laid in heaps, and the Temple upon Mount Moriah–was leveled without one stone remaining upon another (Luke 21:5-6). This clearly reveals that, from their beginning and all the way through to their end, Jerusalem, the Temple, and Zion are not one in the same, but are distinct from each other!

Because of determined and consistent satanic resistance to God, His will, and rejection of His Son Jesus Christ, literal Zion, Jerusalem, and the Temple were ruined, and God had stated that “he will no more regard them” (Lamentations 4:16). Christ made this sad fact clearly evident. He chose to ascend, not from Jerusalem, not from the Temple on Mount Moriah, nor yet from Mount Zion; but from a higher mountain east of Moriah called Mount Olivet (see Acts 1:9, 12). And when Christ returns in the air, He will not return to Jerusalem, nor to the Temple on Mount Moriah, nor to Mount Zion, but to the same Mount of Olives from whence He ascended (Acts 1:11-12). This clearly reveals that none of these three literal sites, including Mount Zion, has any further significance in the plans of God because He regards them not!

Since this is true, and neither the city of Jerusalem, nor the Temple on Mount Moriah, nor even Mount Zion, has any further significance in the plans of God, yet the Bible does have several prophecies dealing with all three sites! This then forces Bible students to try and discover what, if anything, is the spiritual meaning to these three entities.

The disciples of Christ asked Him the following question: “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Matthew 24:3. In reply, Christ blended all these events together without giving distinction between the destruction of Jerusalem–including the Temple and everything else within its walls, and the end or destruction of the world. So Christ was connecting Jerusalem and the world together. Thus the Biblical representation of the city of Jerusalem would symbolize the world today in a spiritual sense.

“God would have us realize that by the city of Jerusalem a world is represented. Christ's utterances regarding the destruction of Jerusalem are ever to be connected with the more terrible destruction of the world.” Review and Herald, December 13, 1898.

“Jesus did not answer His disciples by taking up separately the destruction of Jerusalem, and the last great day of His coming. The city of Jerusalem represented the world, and the utterances regarding its destruction are to be connected with the world's more terrible destruction.” Signs of the Times, February 20, 1901.

As the Temple of Jerusalem was the place where God’s professed people met together to worship Him anciently, so the various churches and denominations of today are the modern place where God’s professed followers meet together to worship Him.

But just as the stone Temple was built in union with the heathen, so not everyone who worshiped at the Temple of Jerusalem were really true followers of God. You had those who outwardly appeared true, but who were really corrupt and wicked heathen at heart (Matthew 23:1-33); and these were mixed together with those who were honestly serving God with all their heart! So today not everyone who gathers in all the various denominations and churches to worship God are really true followers of God at heart. And would not Christ, if He personally came to all the various denominations and churches of today–including the Seventh-day Adventist church, set about to cleanse them all as He set about to cleanse the Temple of Jerusalem? Thus the Biblical representation of the Temple of Jerusalem would symbolize all the various churches and denominations today in a spiritual sense.

“Were Jesus to enter the churches of today and behold the feasting and unholy traffic there conducted in the name of religion, would He not drive out those desecrators, as He banished the money_changers from the temple?” Great Controversy, 474.

“How can God move upon the churches to contribute their hard earned means to be handled by men who are self_sufficient, selfish, and so arrogant and over_bearing that the frown of God is upon them? Our [SDA] institutions need cleansing as did the temple when Christ was upon the earth. Man lords it over men's consciences', man dictates to his fellow_men as God. Everywhere throughout the field this spirit is leavening hearts with the same narrow and selfish purposes. Reaction must come, and who shall then set things in order?” 1888 Materials, p 1400-1401.

As Mount Zion was God’s favorite choice of habitation, His holy mountain, and the place which He loved to dwell in, so only those who have truly accepted God as their Father and Jesus Christ as their Saviour; only those who have completely embraced the new covenant and have been born again; only those who have fully surrendered themselves to follow God and keep His word and commandments in His strength; only those who are honestly walking uprightly in all the light and truth which God has allowed to shine across their pathway; only those who truly love God and His Son Jesus Christ with their entire soul, mind and strength; only these people are His Mount Zion of today! Their hearts have become God’s favorite choice of habitation, His holy mountain, and the place which He loves to dwell and abide in!

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings...And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” John 14:23-24; 1 John 3:24.

“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isaiah 57:15.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit...For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of God, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness....For if we live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall life. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:1, 6-10, 13-14.

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14, 16-19.

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another....If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit....Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:10-14, 15-16.

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them....They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God....For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.” Psalms 84:5, 7, 11-12.

Thus the Biblical representation of literal Mount Zion–the dwelling place of God–would spiritually represent the hearts of only those who are true and faithful to God and who remain such. This spiritual representation goes beyond the boundaries of all denominations and churches, and includes all followers of God who truly love and follow Him with all their being regardless of nationality, race, church membership, and gender.

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God....put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” Colossians 3:1-3, 10-11.

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye are Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:27-29.

Yet many will reject this spiritual interpretation of Zion. Some will declare that the presence of God can only be found in the modern stone structures of today–being the various denominations or churches or cathedrals, etc. Still others will declare that God’s presence only dwells in one particular denomination or church to the exclusion of all others. Yet these beliefs are shown to be erroneous.

Just in case some have not yet noticed that we have changed our website at www.LightMinistries.com we again mention the following. When visiting the site you will see the first area is for non-SDAs. In order to visit the SDA area, find the link "For SDAs" which appears in the right-hand link section of the opening page. When you click on this link, you will be taken into the SDA section (the actual URL address is http://www.LightMinistries.com/SDA). We solicit your prayers that many more non-SDAs will be encouraged to visit the site, and will be led to understand and choose to follow the present truth as it is in Jesus before it is too late.

For those who have business websites, and have wondered just what to do with their on-line business during the Sabbath hours, then we have a hosting service just for you. It is operated by fellow brethren, who have worked out a program so that any visitors to your website during the Sabbath hours will be told why your site is not available during this special time. They will also be given options on learning more about the Sabbath, taking free Bible Studies, and a list of other websites where they can learn more of the present truth. For more information, please visit www.e-Sabbath.com.

The Lord is continuing to bless our LightMinistries.com Web Site! In the month of July we had 91,577 hits, which were generated by 13,811 visitors. In these Visitor Sessions, 47,941 documents of Present Truth were viewed, and over 4.5 billion bits of information were downloaded.

In the month of September we had 98,450 hits, which were generated by 15,676 visitors. In these Visitor Sessions, 45,088 documents of Present Truth were viewed, and over 4.43 billion bits of information were downloaded! So for these 3 months alone, over 13 billion bits of information were downloaded from our Present Truth Web Site by over 44,000 visitors! MAY GOD'S HOLY NAME BE PRAISED FOR EVER!!

On our TrueChurchofGod.info Web Site, in the month of July we had 13,215 hits, which were generated by 2,723 visitors. In these Visitor Sessions, 8,120 documents of Present Truth were viewed, and over 528 million bits of information were downloaded.

In the month of September we had 12,461 hits, which were generated by 2,632 visitors. In these Visitor Sessions, 6,643 documents of Present Truth were viewed, and over 610 million bits of information were downloaded! So for these 3 months alone, over 1.73 billion bits of information were downloaded from our Gospel Truth Web Site by over 8,700 visitors!

TO OUR READERS: For those who are not able to have a home church to attend and who miss the benefit of fellowshipping together with others of like faith, there is an on-line home church which meets every Sabbath at 12:00 noon Central Time. This is a live broadcast of one of our separated Home Churches in Indiana which is pastored by brother Nicholas. Please feel free to come and fellowship with others of like faith and enjoy the spiritual uplifting experience, and also be able to chat with some after church! If you would like to fellowship, go to www.RemnantofGod.org/pogmchat.htm.

"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 operating expenses covering the areas of: translating, printing, publishing, and writing of present truth books, booklets, tracts, and other literature; 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 and blessings and without 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 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 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 common 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.

"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.

My name is ____ from New Jersey. I e-mailed the elder in regards to finding your website & want to start donating to your ministry & be added to any newsletter you have. I home church with my family of four & would like to gain your trust that you can someday tell me of others supporting you from New Jersey who would welcome fellowship & worship together to break the cycle of "forsaking of assemblance together." (Editors note: any of our brothers or sisters in New Jersey who would like to contact this dear brother for fellowship, please let me know).

Keep on the good work. Signs are everywhere in the world. It wont be signs anymore we need, for we are right at the close of time (borders). But we are greatly anticipating to hear the trumpet sound of His soon coming in the clouds with all celestial angels upon His return when we shall change at the wink of an eye into incorruptible state. Then we shall be home for endless ages of eternity.

We have been enjoying our home church experience in studying the booklet (Quarterly) in Genesis that (pastor) Nelson Criswell compiled from the Spirit of Prophecy. (Editors note: if any of our readers would like to have these excellent Quarterlies to study from for their Sabbath-School program, please contact Word of Hope Ministries, PO Box 489, Gerrardstown, WV 25420. We appreciate what our pioneer brothers and sisters have gone through upholding truths. I appreciate truth given to us by the Lord.

May the Lord bless you and your staff in a mighty way. We cannot express into words what an encouragement the first publication of the Seventh-day Remnant VOICE has been to us....Praise the Lord for all the articles that were in the VOICE. (Editors note: for those who are not aware of this excellent magazine and would like to get on the mailing list, please write Seventh-day Remnant Publishing Association, Att. Jim Snipes, VOICE editor, PO Box 1283, Lincoln, CA 95648-1283.)...

I also received Seventh-day Remnant VOICE, and I am interested in the subscription. I have families who needs to hear the message of the hour, so I will send a few names to add to the mailing list to Seventh-day Remnant Publishing Association, shortly....

Because of the demand from the people that they wanted the booklet the "Latter Rain and the Loud Cry of the Angel of Revelation 18" to be translated into Fijian language, I have come to agree with them. The work of translation on this booklet had already started. This booklet will change a lot of people inside the church as it will shows them the truth. They have been given the wrong messages about when the Loud Cry and the Latter Rain should begin. According to them it will start at the time of the Sunday Law. No matter how much we tell them, they have been told by their Pastors that it is the truth. This is why the booklet must be translated....

My home is getting small now to house the people who comes there on every Sabbath. It is now about 2 years since we have been studying the subject of the Righteousness of Christ, that is why I have been asking you if you do have any study on this subject please send us some.

An elder in my old church comes home now and then and he is very interested in the subject of the righteousness of Christ. Sometimes he joined us on Sabbath day. He has told me that he is trying to convince his wife to come over and join us. The work in Fiji is moving forward and I praise the Lord for that.

Two nights ago in our television the Prime Minister of Fiji was announcing to our nation that his Political Party will be trying to make Fiji as Christian State. I am sure that comes from the Methodist Church Conference which is going on today in ____ for 3 weeks.

From last week, this week and next week all our works will be concentrated mostly in the ____ areas. Last week we distributed a lot of tracts, booklets and other literatures in the place where they (Methodist) are having their conference.... Thank you very much for Magazine “The Seventh Day Remnant”. Thank you for the very beautiful articles you have written. I really enjoyed reading it. Yes my brother the signs is here and I am sure that the closing of Probation is very near indeed and people are still sleeping....

In Andhra Predesh state brother ____ and his father ____ have gathered the people from 150 villages and they are all gathering on every Sabbath morning for the worship. We have to conduct meetings in this areas for few days....These new areas should not be neglected as the people are asking me to come and conduct meetings there. The baptisms and communion services are also in pending with not solemnized. We pray for the Lord should provide more funds for our works in these areas. The brethren will surely support us in Lord I hope.

I was in the town of ____ where our bible worker works there with the support of my tithe money. Some of the ministries from USA has given him a booklet about the wrong concept of Godheads. I gave him bible study and returned my home today early morning. I have promised him for sending him the booklet of our ministry says about Godhead. We thank God here for the SDRC works are started. We also pray for the work we have started to be strived among the remnant must be blessed by our living God.

Went on successfully in ____ from 27 June to 11 July being blessed by the opposition from outside and from within. We received kicks, slaps, clubbed, but praise God 8 souls were buried in deep water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Despite the opposition there is still great need there, but time and means is greatly needed.

____ is the home ground of ____, whom the Ministry is supporting. Those who were in the squad were 6 men and two ladies. The ladies did an appreciative job of making sure that we were filled and clothes clean. ____ heading the Prophecy and I was presenting the gospel. The Lord stood and many show and knew who was Jesus and His Sabbath.

Brother Sessler, there is great need from different places, but we cannot make it because means are not there. This is because the economy in Kenya is poor, fair high, commodities high, so may you raise the assistance, prayers are mostly need. Need for your visiting is highly welcomed to encourage us, and counsel all of us here.

We [are] here at ____, have been for the last two weeks going now. This, as I had early told you, is a Catholic/Protestant area. The common people are receiving well the message, altho not without resistance...We have had to contend with demons in form of men thru' drunkards, but have still witnessed God's hand in the work. We shall finish on Sabbath, when we shall see the outcome. But I will still remain to continue grounding them in truth. I specifically need your prayers in this difficult task. Efficiency is of the Lord.

We urgently need the booklet "Why are Protestants Bowing to the Pope", Bibles -- especially the local language, as many families we have met have Bibles to remain referring the truths. We also translated "The True Church" into Kiswahili, and are trying to do the same with the other tracts. With funds we have these into circulation, and so much the better for the Kiswahili only readers....

Just received your mail. It is the devil [who] is on a serious onslaught on God's dear people; but God will always come victor. I'm just from home after the funeral for ____'s dear son. And I received your packet of "Why are Protestants..."; thanks. But we need more of this here.

Work is going on well here with a few more souls [are] embracing the message. Our effort meeting went on well and a total of eight souls were baptized. But one has since been frustrated by the parents who have not come to the faith. But we trying to talk with them to see if they can grant the boy his freedom to worship. The rest are still going forward with studies. We have designed to go round their houses studying with them and encouraging them to go forward. We are also doing house to house evangelism by which we more close opportunity to share our precious faith, and are coming to appreciate our efforts. What we need more in this are the local Language Bibles and Kiswahili tracts. We hereby make plea to well wishers to send in help in this precious field to help us reach many souls. More [than this], we need much prayers that the Lord might open many a door for the gospel....

In the month of June I was largely in my area of operation at the moment, ____. Together with brother ____, we went from house to house presenting the message in preparation for the effort scheduled between June 27 through July 11. We could not have a public announcement [meeting] for lack of PAS as the one that there is was involved somewhere. The evangelistic effort took place and servants of God moved on a door to door program in the morning and pubic meeting in a market place in the afternoon. There were also evening discourses running till 9.00 P.M which were well attended. At the end of it a total of eight souls were baptized. Except two, they are still active and interested students.

I had a call from an SDA elder to attend their effort from July 11 through July 25 and give prophecy studies. But once there the guest speaker, a conference pastor refused [my preaching] claiming that prophecy would impair their relationship with the Catholics. Immediately [I] quit the place for I had no more work there. That was a Catholic dominated area, indeed throughout the two week effort, no prophecy discourse or study was ever given. That in itself is now acting a good springboard and eye opener to many to whom I had spoken to on [about] the church and the world. The elder extended the invitation that I should now give him lessons in his house where he is grooming a family church. God is helping them they shall see the truth eye to eye....

Meanwhile there are the others in ____ town who need our studies especially on the present truth, some of whom [are] recent converts from Sunday keeping churches. However due to demanding schedules here and there, we have not adequately studied with them. Please be remembering such in your prayers.

Another call came from another separated group that I give prophecy lessons on their camp meeting between August 8 through 15. I heeded the call and attended the camp meeting at ____ in ____, after which brethren there requested us to arrange to meet them that we may study present truth with them and what can be done as to working in harmony. We are praying God to open this channel because so much confusion had been in the area over the Babylon issue.

After this I embarked on the main camp meeting August 15 through 22. Yet again God blessed us much in this camp meeting, enjoying His peaceful presence. At the end of it, three souls, previously prepared, were baptized and crowning it all, we shared the holy communion together, the first after a row of battles here and there interludes with extremes and fanatics. Thanks to God’s gospel order, there is now harmony. We left there, ____ and myself on Monday 23.

While there, we observed God’s blessings on their progress in the health facility, through which there is now a former Lutheran minister studying this present message. He has even decided to celebrate Sabbath at his home. Recently, on invitation to give a discourse in a well attended Methodist Church in ____, he took the whole church to challenge on the eight laws of health till some conceded that they had disgraced from God’s plan so far. God knows what it shall result to. Remember this too in your prayers....

Back from ____ camp meeting, brethren ____ and ____ reported of the great death that is afflicting God’s people there. The government and NGO food distribution is greatly deficient. And this call was picked up by the ____ and ____ Home churches to donate towards the same church is still very minimal. The call has gone to all other of our home churches to help in this monthly cause and by extension, any other brother or sister who, like the Philippine church will be touched to send donations to the same project, it will be greatly appreciated.

Lastly as the fourth movement takes shape, and we see daily the great moral fall in the churches coupled with Papal movements to establish a one world church, may God’s dear people see in this God’s last appeal to “go forward”. Caleb’s and Joshua’s are yet again called for now to encourage the people to go up at once and possess the land ”for we are well able to overcome it” Num 13:30. All by Grace. God bless you all and hold fast.

To follow Christ is not freedom from conflict. It is not child's play. It is not spiritual idleness. All the enjoyment in Christ's service means sacred obligations in meeting oft stern conflicts. To follow Christ meant stern battles, active labor, warfare against the world, the flesh and the devil. Our enjoyment is the victories gained for Christ in earnest hard warfare. Let us think of this. The peace that Christ calls His peace, is an internal rather that an external. For without are wars and fightings through the opposition of avowed enemies, and the coldness and suspicion of those even who claim to be friends. As surely as christians approach the Christ-like model, so surely will they experience the strength and venom of that old serpent the devil.

At ____ effort we worked under great pressure for the enemy assailed us each day with much threats and some of us were being beaten, machine wires were cut. Perseveringly we finished the two weeks which we were to work there and God blessed the work with eight (8) people being baptized. After one week ____'s son died and buried on 26th of July, 2004. This is an incident which gathers a good number of people from various beliefs. So we managed to see them listen to the word of God and take our booklets and tracts. This year has become a season of sowing in tears and weeping, bearing precious seed. Pray for us please.

Medical Report: enemas - 4 people; emetics - 4 people; night mares - 3 people; convulsions - 1; colitis - 1; insomnia -1; thyroid - 3; digestive disorders - 6; flu - 1; lungs and mucous membranes - 3; heart stimulants - 1; infection - 4; night sweats - 1; aching - 2; pains - 3; flatulence - 4; fever - 1; angina - 3; eyes - 2; motion - 2.

Thanks for the support which has helped me buy the following herbs: kelp 1 pc 320.00; Natrodale Brewers Yeast 1 pc 320.00; Pot Barley Grains 1kg 200.00; H/A Siberian Ginseng 100ml 2pc 980.00; Golden Seal tincture 490; Astragalus tincture 50ml 1pc 360.00; Bee Pollen 1000; Myrrh 1 pc 490.00; Ginkgo Biloba 50ml 600.00; Total 4,740 Kshs.

I praise and thank God for the good He is going with each one of His ministers. Although this work must hold great challenges to our littleness, it will nevertheless increase by growth as the tree from mustard seed! I pray that God shall continue to enlighten our eyes that we may cooperate with Him by doing the right things demanded by the growth process. I am so thankful to the American brethren who have continued to support and hold our hands in this work.

The work of the gospel in Kenya is well pushing ahead, yet some very basic or ground things are greatly lacking, thus challenging our very being. Many of our people, if not all, have no books, our few congregations have no worship houses of their own meetings, they are forced to worship under that tree now, and somewhere else some other days.

Our children are endangered and destroyed in the public schools! It has now in Kenya become a crime to have a home school! Although even our poor situation can not permit. All children must go to some registered schools where immoral and untruthful things (ideologies) are forced home in the young elastic minds of our children! We as a people and ministry are not legally registered or known in the Kenyan government, it is by God’s grace that we have existed all these years. But we can not do anything legally as a people; even some of our ordinances like marriage are illegal. These things retrograde our efforts!

Kenyans are now opening their eyes to alternative natural medicines, even the government will soon co-opt that faculty in the Ministry of Health. These things are at an advanced stage, I know for I have been attending or following some of the national meetings where such things have been discussed. I know this is a great opening for our work of the gospel -- for medical missionary work is the right hand to open doors for the body. For instance in ____ town, where we have a small naturopathic clinic, a great interest has been created, many people are demanding that we give them classes or studies. Some of the leading personages have recommended our work, the area Member of Parliament and the County Council Chairman have so far signed that we must be given some ground (land) for this work establishment. On Monday this week the town physical planner gave us a land parcel ____ which the government has reclaimed from unserious developers that we may present it to the council as it sits next few days. For it seems that God has moved them [and] we anticipate more than 20 acres to be given us when the council sits. What will we do with such opportunities? May God help His work.

Another instance which shows up challenging opening: I gathered my few personal books from my house and we placed them in our clinic that whoever visits may have something to read. This has turned to a library, that so far many even registered nurses have enlisted themselves, to be borrowing and reading these books at a period of 1 weeks or a fort night.

Among these is one man of high learning but humble and teachable. He is a Lutheran Church Volunteer minister. After reading these books for some few months, we made visits with him and he has now decided for the truth. This forthcoming Sabbath will be his third day to worship God on His holy day. He is preparing for meetings to diffuse this new found truth to his congregations and family members. To get success and victory I am praying with him daily at 5.00 am. This is a small thing but now demanding much more attention! Could not these and other things be providential openings (leadings) that we should think to start some school?

But with what means? “There are places which now are a moral wilderness, and these are to become as the garden of the Lord. The waste places of the earth are to be cultivated....New territories are to be worked by men inspired by the Holy Spirit. New churches must be established, new congregations organized.

"It is the very essence of all faith to do the right thing at the right time. God is the great Master Worker, and by His providence He prepares the way for His work to be accomplished. He provides opportunities, opens up lines of influence and channels of working. If His people are watching the indications of His providence, and stand ready to co-operate with Him, they will see a great work accomplished. Their efforts rightly directed, will produce a hundredfold." 6T24

I pray all is well with you and yours. I am writing to let you know that I received the ____ USD that you have just sent. My hearty thanks also goes to the faithful brother the Lord is using to forward His work here. May God continue to reward him accordingly.

I am thankful to God that the support came at the right time when I am preparing to send 92 parcels to various individuals that wanted to study Bible or Health correspondence courses with us. Believe it or not, half of this fund would be spent on postal charges. Without it, the work could be retarded, so I praise God for providing us means to carry forward His work thru your efforts and that of the faithful brother who is being used each month.

I will not fail to remind you that as much as I appreciate your efforts, prayers and this monthly support being sent each time, it is imperative also to let you know that the monthly support is not enough for the work and the living. The cost of postage has increased and the price of other things we’re buying is daily skyrocketing but the monthly support remains the same.

I want you to calculate how much remains after using half or more than the half (as the case may be) for the post office charges, from the support being sent, and this has to be done twice each month. In addition to these, I needed funds for the stationeries, electricity bills, cost of equipment repairs and servicing, staff stipends, personal stipend and the consumables for the equipment each month. The good Lord has helped us to secure a good Projector but has not been utilized as it ought to be. I ought to be seriously engaged in several public meetings with it but for the lack of means, one’s hands are tied.

God is my Witness, the support is not sufficient, elder Bob....I pray that God will continue to provide means for His work everywhere, kindly remember me here. There is much that could be done for our Lord which could not be accomplished for the lack of funds. Please make it a matter of prayer as well....

The Bible and Health correspondence work is also going forward. Just last week sister ____ asked me if we have also received some request thru the ministry’s email address. I told her we have received more than 30 requests that want to study Bible and Health correspondently and this dated back to June and up to date that I have not gotten enough time to reply to. Since their arrival on July 7, 2004, I have been extremely busy with them concerning the enormous printings of 4 different pamphlets and Conflict of Ages series. Her husband’s illness also came in between. All things work together for good. I have the opportunity to concentrate on the replying of long and many requests to study correspondently.

I have just received my copy of the new magazine (SDR VOICE). I praise and thank God for His leadings in this great movement. I also appreciate your articles and that of others. All of you have done a tremendous job in putting those articles together. May God continue to bless you all. I am proud to be among and part of Seventh Day Remnant movement. It is truly a befitting name for us! May God help us to be faithful to the end so that we can be truly church triumphant is the earnest prayers of your brother in Christ....

I am now swarmed with the workload of replies to more than hundreds of Bible and Health correspondence requests that I was not able to attend to when they were around including those forwards that I received from you. We have also received over 40’s lesson study booklets to grade and return back. I really need your earnest prayers to tackle this enormous job...

I hope the new method you have decided to send my support will be a blessing. Quite often, I have to wait for funds to send lots of envelopes that are packed with study materials. With the new method, there would be no delay again. Thanks and my deepest appreciation goes to the dear fellow believer. I pray that the Lord continue to bless him in all his point of needs....

Brethren remember, where ever I travelled for gospel purpose, I never missed the street or public preaching in big and small towns, market places as long as people crowded. I commit most of my time doing street preaching because its an easy and simple fields to convert many souls in truth than any other fields. Today thousands of men and women converted from the street are rooted firmly in Christ by upholding self supportive SDA faith and seriously they are awaiting for the Lord's soon return.

We organized ourselves to stand and warn the people on the busy street. Revelation 17 banner was displayed on 4x4 sheet banner in full colour. This was the great attraction to the people. I educate public more about the end-time prophecies.

Brethren, comparing the crowds in the church and here on the streets, we got huge crowd of all classes and churches. People sat quiet in open air, noiseless but papers and biros in their hands noting down the important thoughts from the prophecy studies. Have been eye witnessed, most of the senior people shed their tears when they come to understand the full knowledge of Rev-17. To most of the listeners, it was their first time to heard such truth.

The ____ city was shaken at the root of the protestant churches, many innocent people discovered that Catholic church is the mother of harlots feeding her poisonous wine of error unto her daughters (protestants) and lead all back to Rome (hell) not heaven. "COME OUT OF HER."

Conference church workers all over PNG, more than 1000 workers, gathered in ____ on the same week of ours (meeting). Some rumors said, They were gathering for two purposes. 1) To discuss the "Go One Million Evangelism" project. 2) To accepting their wages from the state as of August, 2004.

The Lord direct us with ISA-58:1. We hit the forehead of the conference organization saying, Catholic church is the mother of harlots and she is feeding you (SDA) with her wine of fornication, you (SDA are) drunk and mad. Right now, Come out of Babylonian system. I continue saying, Fellow workers, how can you preached on REV-14, 17 & 18, to people saying come out of her, because you are in her (Catholic church) system now? God is now withdraw His blessing from you and given to the humble hearted preachers.

I speak loud and specified all their (SDA) errors and apostasies creeping into their organization. In front of the thousands of listeners, the fear gone from me. The Lord blessed us with the message. A young conference minister stand among the crowd, shout to me saying, "Bro., preach it, preach it. You are telling the fact, our (SDA) organization is on the wrong tract now, preach it bro.".

Few of our members were scared and expecting the persecution from the conf/leaders because the message was voiced straight forward rebuke. Brethren, now it's not (the) time to beat around the bush, it's not time to voice peace and safety. REV-18:4....

A young man...came privately after the preaching and weep in front of me and said, "Pastor, I'm in great confusion & trouble. Myself & all my families are Catholic. Please, I want to copy all your sermons you preached through this week and some other books to have further studies about REV-17. Now it's my duty to rush my families out of apostate church. I have copied all my sermons & gave him. He got my address. I promise him to mail some of the books to him. I uphold him in prayer too....

Big result explode after great prophecy seminar on slide...After 5 weeks, ____ (another worker) the leading & active laymen from ____ reported. He said, 3 quarters of Nazarine church members did not attend their Sunday service. They went to (work in) their gardens. They said, Sunday is the first day of the week, its not a worship day. ____ added saying, half of them came to worship with us on the Sabbath. (Editors note: May God be praised!) Friends, this is amazing. Praise the Lord for His wonderful truth has penetrated deep into the hearts of His people, they accept the truth.

Meanwhile, the Nazarine church pastor was wrathful for been losing his members, and he summons ____ to release his members back to Sunday worship. Bro ____ & other laymens are courageous to faced the magistrate in court room. Also they are planning to extend their church building because more people are coming to worship with them. Let us uphold bro ____ & his team in our daily prayers...

In ____ province we have 19 churches established and another 2 now under construction, expected to be completed late this year....I organized with our church officers to run the revival meetings, to do visitation programs, solving the problems and also disciplining, etc. Before the program week, I was satisfied by visiting all the coastal churches and a few inland, that can be reached on my motor bike. During our revival program, we meet beautiful friends from all around the province. There we emphasized more about the UNITY IN TRUTH AND IN FAITH to meet the soon coming King....

Beloved, the persecuted church will be triumphant at last. For the sake of truth, you will be persecuted, you will be the most bitter enemies of the world. But sad to say, that many wonderful christians will leave their birth-right and will join the ranks of the enemies (see GC 608). As things happens in front of you and I and around the world (these will) remind us that Jesus is soon to come. Its not time to talk peace and safety. No time to talk division. No time to stay idle. Let us stand on our toes and move in unity as the soldiers of Christ. Let us go forth as a conqueror to conquer with the mighty leading hand of Christ....

Number of years ago, a group of Baptist church been protest and break away from their organization led by Pr. ____ the lecturer of pastors and evangelists. More than 30 Baptist churches in highlands regions changing their worship day from Sunday to Sabbath with higher excitement...

The present truth of the 3 angels message was pound at the root of the hearts of the hungry souls. The Lord has guide and strengthened us as we courageously uncovered the sins and the apostasies of the SDA conference organization...Followed by another eye opening subject, Antichrist and the One World Government based on R-17....

Many people shed their tears when they listened to the truth filled and heart breaking message. Hundreds of men & women took their stand and decided to be a part of our ministries or church group. People usually came forward for further discussions, during our discussion, most of the SDA conf. people admitted that they are in total confusion and in trouble for without knowing that already our enemies are grounded into SDA organization. With fear and anger they ask & really begged us for a church to be a part of our home church group. Also same discussions were made by protestants and innocent Catholic members. All different classes of people from different denominations privately came forth and bravely asking us, "Where are your churches? Where do you worship?" Sadly we answered them, "We...don't have any church here in ____." They begs us, "Please, set us the church building or shelter for us to fellowship with you."...

The reactions of men and women challenged and impressed me to appeal openly to crowds for any customary or private (person to) spare block to establish our church in the city. Before I appeal, we ask God in our daily & nightly prayers for week & half. We trust the Lord that He will do something to satisfied the needs of the hungry souls.

On Friday 24th, its our final day to present the message on the street, more than 2000 folks quietly surrounded us as I talked about the Mark of the Beast and the Seal of God. Before I closed my message, I appealed to the crowds for any spare or vacant land/block for establish our church. Meanwhile a senior man came forth from the crowds with full smile and shake my hand and he hand over a piece of paper to me and left away for other commitment. On the paper the note written, "Dear Revival SDA pastor, please contact me ____ for (1) town church land, (2) to establish this ministry in ____." Thank God, for Bible says in MATT-19:26 "...with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible....

I have received 4 boxes containing, The Image of the Beast and Why Are Protestants Bowing to the Pope has arrived on 22nd September. Thank God and appreciate for your commitment to rescue many lives of black races out of danger to great light. The Image of the Beast booklets will be given to SDA conf. churches. Protestants Bowing to the Pope booklets are plan to distribute on ____ in ____ city evangelism program....

On behalf of my ministry boys and families, we thank the Lord and Let There Be Light Ministries for your wonderful support of finance and booklets and your prayers to save the lives [of] black people here in PNG. Our living God will continually guide and bless you in His service.

I hope and pray above all thing that you may prosper in health spiritually and physically in the grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Through the help of the Lord the work here is moving forward. I am very thankful for all your support I am receiving for it helps me a lot to work, as I should in the vineyard of the Lord. May you and your family and our church there too may also be blessed as we are.

My labor for the month though I have not been able to travel as I should because I have exhausted my fund during our last camp meeting. Still the Lord blessed us here, for there is a new family of a Catholic who is worshipping with us now in our little home church here in ____. I am sorry I have sent to you my report on time because I just arrived here from my work out of town -- actually I just arrived on this 1 am in the morning. For another good thing, there are also two other souls accepted our Lord in the area where I have been. The one is a Catholic and the other is a SDA. They are very thankful for my visit to them. I hope and wish that may these souls be an instrument for the up building of the cause of truth here in the Philippines.

A call from ____ is still waiting for me, for still another soul have expressed that he is willing to learn of our faith, I will be there after I have organize my schedule because I also have schedule for ____ City. All these will not be done without the guidance and blessing of our Lord specially for protecting my family and me during my travels. Again I want to extend my deep appreciation for all your financial help and prayers for our success here too....

This last month of July, I have focused mainly on these areas of work, the work in ____, ____ and ____. In ____ City, I am still working to establish the work there through the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that our brethren there could stand in their own by God’s grace even without a minister or a worker. I saw that I should not leave them for now to stand for their own because they are still weak. Also last Sabbath we have held a large gathering here in ____ and a lot of brethren arrived, also the one I told you that I’ve been visited last time the 2 souls, they are now active in our church.

I’ve been also from ____ with my whole family to strengthen our church there. We have had many activities for this coming 7 months so I hope and pray that in this plan God will pour out His Holy Spirit to our church that He may prepare and use it in the closing of His work. For this groundwork approximately I’ve used more than $200 US dollars for our fares, foods, helping some brethren in their needs, for our communication, etc. I sent also the $100 US dollars for our co-workers.

Again I want to thank you with my whole heart for all this help that if without it, will not (be) easy for us to work to feed the flock of God and to sustain our labor. I also want to ask sorry for not sending to you on time my monthly report....

Bro Bob, my work for this month was confined on these two areas. My work in ____, ____ and the work that I’ve started in giving Bible studies through house-to-house here in ____. I am continuing my house-to-house missionary work here in ____ and more added souls are continuing to open their houses for Bible studies. Also the old hearers are still open for more truths and there are also some backslide SDA are beginning to revitalize their faith especially in the present truth.

I’m looking in the future to have a tent (evangelistic) effort here in ____ because I saw positive reaction from the people that they want to know about God and His word and His soon coming. You know while I’m giving a bible study in one house, gradually people are drawing closer to us to hear bible truths and participating with us in our study, and you will see that they are enjoying having a study of the Bible. Some times I work with my wife in my house-to-house work and she encourages those people to continue for Bible studies. I feel much happiness when I work with my wife in giving studies for she could open some listeners of truth specially the women with their husbands....

I received also the SDR Voice magazine. It is very beautiful not only the words therein written but also the united effort shown of you our brethren in states. [It] gave me much encouragement that we are all through the guidance of the Lord are making an effort for the advancement of cause of truth. May you continue to have it work. Till here for now God bless you all there!

Grace be unto you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank the Lord that all went well with our camp meeting here in ____. The Lord blessed each one of us who attended the meeting. It was so encouraging to see once again all our brethren who made an effort to attend to these gathering especially those brethren who came from other island as ____. Workers from ____ and ____ with their families arrived also together with two new converts. Though we were attacked by storm during the camp meeting, it did not hinder in any way our brethren to attend....

We thank the Lord that He made this camp meeting possible. Through the blessings and help of our God and through the cooperation of our brethren here in ____ it was being held. Every home church here - including my family home church - we gave donation amounting to $50 US dollar which is for the rentals of the campsite and for other expenses. Maybe without the help and blessings of our Lord and without the cooperation of all the home church brethren, this important gathering will not be possible and we will not receive God's spiritual blessings. Thank you also for all your prayers for this gathering to be successful....God is really worthy to be praise for all of His goodness and love towards us. He made this gathering possible because He knows that we need it as a people especially now that the end is near....

I have finished already the Golden Calf Apostasy. I edited them all from the beginning. I thank God for all His guidance in my translation work. This translations will follow after this letter. Just please let me know soon if you receive it already and if you have some corrections in it....

By this time I am doing forward the translation of the booklet entitled "Will You Answer Christ's Prayer?" I decided to make the Tagalog of this for I know that it is greatly needed by our home churches so that we will attain and answer Christ's prayer and we will become united in one and the promised blessing would be receive. Our brethren who hardly understand the booklet in English will be benefited by this....

For more than a month now, we are giving and sharing Bible studies to one family. This couple has six children of which three of them are teens and the other three are still young. They are Catholics but open for Bible studies. Every Sabbath, they went to our house and join us in our Sabbath worship. Their children are very happy and enjoy in attending our Sabbath worship. And during the week we went to their house, visit them and encouraging them and giving some short message. We are hoping that the Lord will continue bless this family and praying that they will stand and fully accept the truth....

As we went on home to home visitation we found 15 souls starving. I gave 20000= Ushs [about $13 US]. And another family had suffered night robbery - they where given some 25,000=. To date have many helpless persons that I help...we can’t just look [the other way], as heaven's representatives we are expected to preach wholesome gospel [by actions as well as words]....

At beginning [of] last month the ____ took some tracts for evangelistic purposes and Brother ____ also took to reach out to villages around ____, and more brothers and sisters have done the same. I believe God for great harvest after this supplies.

Allow me share the testimony of one ____. This brother was helped by brother ____ to know the truth for this time. It all started by questioning about the state of the dead, which ____ supplied the tract with that information. Then other questions, which [we] gave [him] booklets and tracts. It was ____ book which worked the needed miracle “United Brothers Under John 17’....What a God we have who has thousand ways of manifesting Himself.

The two months work has been very involving and costly. I was coordinating the arrangement for the international camp-meeting for the four countries which were to come together. In the same work I was communicating to all the brethren who were coming and also those around the country. Elder Bob I would want to praise God that I am still living. In the same work as I was also going round encouraging the brethren, I was almost involved in an accident that would have taken my life or resulting in paying for the damage of the van I borrowed which I was using. But praise God your prayers have saved me from all these bad situations. This was a week before the camp.

After all the communications was done, many brethren responded to the call and by the grace of God two brethren from South Africa; ____ and ____ came with those from Namibia; ____ and ____, Malawi; ____ and ____ and also the new brethren from Zimbabwe; the ____ family and three sisters came too. We had good and straight testimonies messages from all the brethren whom the Lord used. Br. Bob, this camp was one which opened most people's minds to see the true separation message and those in it. When the truth was presented by the brethren from Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, this brought fire to the brethren who came from Malawi....

I praise God the brethren from Zimbabwe humbled themselves so much, that they (had originally) just came for observations. But after the meeting they gave themselves to the Lord accepting the true separation, and 5 of them got rebaptized in our faith and are ready to be with us in this unity of John 17. I pray that you continue sending them the materials including the all truths. Besides these we had 4 who got baptized and took the Lord's supper with us.

Brs. ____, ____, ____ and ____ took the baptism programme. Elder Bob this family in Zimbabwe have asked me and some br. from Namibia to go and establish a home church there in Zimbabwe as soon as possible, as there are many more who want to hear from us on this very separation message. They said we need to be there in the first week of October, 2004. Therefore, if the support comes early it will do more good.