Jan-March-05

In our last Newsletter we discovered that 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 (see Colossians 3:1-3, 10-11; 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.

Before the Temple on Mount Moriah was first destroyed, the ark, along with the presence of God, was removed and was never returned (Prophets and Kings, p 453). Even when the Temple was rebuilt, the ark, along with the presence of God, was not found there. God’s presence only briefly returned to the Temple in the person of Jesus Christ when He walked into it. This clearly reveals that the presence of God today is not to be found permanently residing in any temple or church, no matter how sacred or righteous their calling, no matter how high or magnificent the structure, because the presence of God can only be found through Jesus Christ.

“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshiped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth...That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being...” Acts 17:24-28.

“God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’ (Matt. 18:20). Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ's church, for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church.” Upward Look, p 315.

Thus it is only the presence of Christ that can constitute a church of Christ, and this church of His knows no bounds of denominationalism, nationality, race, or gender! Hence if Jesus Christ is not found abiding in the heart, then that individual is not a true follower of God–no matter who they may be; no matter what outward appearance they may display; no matter by what exalted name they may call themselves by; and no matter what denomination or church they belong to! Profession alone is nothing with God! Thus God’s true church, His spiritual Zion of today, is not any denomination or church or professed people, but it is only those who truly love God and therefore obey Him completely and fully from an honest heart!

That is why the foundation of God’s true church, the spiritual Mount Zion which He has chosen and where His glorious and loving presence dwells, is not founded upon any denomination or church–no matter how long they have been in existence; it is not founded upon linage or nationality or race or person; it is not founded upon tradition or teachings of men; but it is founded upon Jesus Christ alone!

“If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore it is also contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient...” 1 Peter 2:3-8.

All denominations, churches, and religions throughout the entire world which take the position that they are God’s spiritual Zion, and that all followers of God must be connected with their particular structure or religious system in order to find God and eternal life, are placing themselves between God and His people; and they will fall–no matter who they make a covenant and agreement with to try and avoid destruction!

“Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us; for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste [be confounded]. Judgement also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.” Isaiah 28:14-18.

There is not a single denomination or church today which is 100% pure and undefiled, without the spot or stain of sin. That is why salvation and eternal life are not found within any denomination or church, temple or synagogue, shrine or holy site, but is only found in Jesus Christ alone! Thus it is only the faithful who embrace Christ as their Saviour and who fully trust and lovingly obey God who will not fall or be destroyed. These alone will abide forever because they make up God’s true church–His spiritual Mount Zion–which God loves and dwells in!

Another way to look at this truth is from the following perspective. Since spiritual Zion represents God’s purified people and true church, and God’s professed followers are supposed to be in the process of overcoming all their sins, but they have not yet perfected their characters; these would be likened to sinners in Zion. God will continue to test, refine, and purge the characters of all His professed followers, until they either are completely purified from all sin – becoming His Zion, or cling to their sins and become separated from Zion and His faithful people.

“The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off....For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us.” Isaiah 33:14-17, 22.

This remnant people of Zion will be intensely persecuted by the devil, the wicked, and the fallen churches of Babylon. This persecution will continue to the point that even though their brethren forsake them, their numbers diminish, and they appear ready to fall, yet they remain faithful to Christ and obedient to God’s truth. Thus these faithful obedient remnant people cannot fall because they are founded upon Christ – the King of Zion, and He will not forsake them in their time of need!

“Satan will work his miracles to deceive; he will set up his power as supreme. The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out__the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths.

“We must be divested of our self_righteousness and arrayed in the righteousness of Christ. The remnant that purify their souls by obeying the truth gather strength from the trying process, exhibiting the beauty of holiness amid the surrounding apostasy. All these, He says, ‘I have graven...upon the palms of my hands’ (Isa. 49:16). They are held in everlasting, imperishable remembrance.” Selected Messages, Book 2, p 380.

“‘Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted. But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands; thy walls are continually before Me.’ Isaiah 49:[13]_16.

“The church is God's fortress. His city of refuge, which He holds in a revolted world. Any betrayal of the church is treachery to Him who has bought mankind with the blood of His only_begotten Son. From the beginning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth....and the gates of hell have not been able to prevail against His people....Enfeebled and defective as it may appear, the church is the one object upon which God bestows in a special sense His supreme regard.” Acts of Apostles, p 11-12.

“As the people of God afflict their souls before Him, pleading for purity of heart, the command is given, ‘Take away the filthy garments,’ and the encouraging words are spoken, ‘Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.’ Zechariah 3:4. The spotless robe of Christ's righteousness is placed upon the tried, tempted, faithful children of God. The despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore to be defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names are retained in the Lamb's book of life, enrolled among the faithful of all ages. They have resisted the wiles of the deceiver; they have not been turned from their loyalty by the dragon's roar. Now they are eternally secure from the tempter's devices. Their sins are transferred to the originator of sin. A ‘fair miter’ is set upon their heads.

“While Satan has been urging his accusations, holy angels, unseen, have been passing to and fro, placing upon the faithful ones the seal of the living God. These are they that stand upon Mount Zion with the Lamb, having the Father's name written in their foreheads. They sing the new song before the throne, that song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand which were redeemed from the earth.” Prophets and Kings, p 591.

So God’s Zion, His true church, is not composed of all the denominations, or even just one denomination–including the SDA church, but it is composed of faithful souls who purify their souls in loving obedience to Christ–their King of Zion! That is why salvation and eternal life is alone found in Jesus Christ, and not in any denomination. Salvation is only to be found by being connected to and remaining in Jesus Christ: and in remaining faithful to Him you thereby become part of God’s spiritual Mount Zion–His true church–which cannot fall or be removed, but will abide forever!

We discovered earlier that the Biblical representation of the Temple of Jerusalem would symbolize all the various churches and denominations today in a spiritual sense. We also discovered that if Christ personally would come to all the various denominations and churches of today–including SDA, He would set about to cleanse them all as He cleansed the Temple anciently. And believe me, it is indeed God’s desire to cleanse all the professed churches who claim to be His followers.

Many believe that God will cleanse His church by separating all the wicked and false people out of the churches, and thus leave only the righteous remaining within. Others believe that God will separate all the true and righteous people out of all the churches, and thus leave only the wicked and false remaining within. Still others believe that God will miraculously change the character of all the wicked and false people in the churches, making them instantly true and righteous, so that no one will need to separate from any church. But just how is this cleansing process of God to be accomplished in all the various denominations and churches of today?

“When Jesus began his public ministry, he cleansed the temple from its sacrilegious profanation. Among the last acts of his ministry was the second cleansing of the temple. So in the last work for the warning of the world, two distinct calls are made to the churches. The second angel's message is, ‘Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.’ And in the loud cry of the third angel's message a voice is heard from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plaques. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.’” Review and Herald, December 6, 1892 (Selected Messages, book 2, p 118).

So God’s appointed way of cleaning is to be accomplished by separating all the true and righteous followers of God from all the wicked and false people in all the corrupt churches of today which make up Babylon! Thus God is not cleansing the churches by removing all the wicked from them, but He is working to cleanse or separate His people, scattered all over the world, from their connection with all the wicked in these corrupt churches, and bring them out to Zion. God is working to separate His true flock from those shepherds who have led them astray.

“In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the Lord their God. They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten. My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill [from one church to another seeking the Lord], they have forgotten their restingplace [in Christ alone]....Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans...Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that rise up against me, a destroying wind; And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land [separating all God’s true followers from her midst]...[and all those that refuse to separate] shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans, and they that are thrust through in her streets....[Therefore] Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompense.” Jeremiah 50:4-8, 51:1-6.

“...I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird....And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:1-2, 4.

Any who refuse to work in harmony with God in this appointed cleansing and separating work, either by refusing to separate themselves from all the corrupt Babylonian churches of today, or who try and prevent their fellow brethren from obeying God and separating, are actually working at cross-purposes against God, as well as leading their fellow brethren to destruction along with their corrupt church.

Thus there is no hope that God will save anyone by their remaining within the spiritual Temple of Jerusalem–being all the corrupt churches of today, because He will only save you outside of all these, and then only if you remain connected to Jesus Christ. Sanctification and eternal life cannot be found within any corrupt and apostate church. This is because Jesus Christ, and the presence of God, are not to be found within any corrupt denomination, but only outside of them all! Just as the name of Mount Moriah, where the stone Temple was built, meant that the eternal Lord God would look upon and see it, thus inferring that God did not want to dwell there but only to look upon it; so God is dwelling in Zion, but is earnestly looking down upon all the various denominations and churches and tenderly watching over those honest-hearted followers of His who will be called out to become part of, and make up, Zion! Thus God is not working for the building up of any of the corrupt churches of today, but is indeed working for His faithful people–to bring them out of the world, and out of all the fallen churches, unto Zion!

“I saw that God has honest children among the nominal Adventists and the fallen churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out, ministers and people will be called out from these churches and will gladly receive the truth. Satan knows this; and before the loud cry of the third angel is given, he raises an excitement in these religious bodies, that those who have rejected the truth may think that God is with them. He hopes to deceive the honest and lead them to think that God is still working for the churches. But the light will shine, and all who are honest will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnant.” Early Writings, p 261.

“And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor any trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes [not just one in particular] of the children of Israel [God’s professed people]....And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads....These are they which were not defiled with women [corrupt churches]; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Revelation 7:2-4, 14:1, 4-5.

The 144,000 of God are not found within, or defiled by being connected with, any of the corrupt women or churches of today, but they have been gathered out of them all in order to be connected with Christ in Zion. They have become sanctified and made holy and righteous in Christ, and have become the saints of God–His virgin bride–His true church–His remnant people! Only those in Zion have the Father’s name written in their foreheads or minds, because they perfectly reflect their Father’s character!

But not one of those who make up Zion are found connected to, or within, any of the corrupt churches of today! They have heeded God’s call to show themselves separate from them all, and have clearly given the same message to all in the churches and in the world who will listen. And when all inhabitants of the earth shall have made up their minds to either reject Christ by continuing to live in their sins and/or remaining connected to any of the corrupt churches–thus making up Babylon the great, or to receive Christ as their Saviour by giving up their sins, living in His righteousness, and separating themselves from all the corrupt churches–thus making up Mount Zion; then the end will come!

“Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion [building it up with faithful people] and on Jerusalem [separating His people out of the world and Temple], I will punish the fruit [offspring or followers] of the stout heart of the king [Satan] of Assyria [Babylon], and the glory of his high looks....And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel [God’s people], and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. For the Lord God of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.” Isaiah 10:12, 20-23.

“Therefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian [people of Babylon]: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt. For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction....And in shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing....Behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.” Isaiah 10:24-25, 27, 33.

“It is then [at the coming of Christ] that the peaceful and long_desired kingdom of the Messiah shall be established under the whole heaven. ‘The Lord shall comfort Zion: He will comfort all her waste places; and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord.’ ‘The glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon.’ ‘Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called My Delight, and thy land Beulah.’ ‘As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.’ Isaiah 51:3; 35:2; 62:4, 5, margin.” Great Controversy, p 302.

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified....I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:3, 10.

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. And he said unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." Rev. 19:6-9.

Thus God will work for His people of Zion; He will work to deliver them from those who seek their destruction; He will turn their apparent defeat at the hands of the wicked into a complete victory for His chosen saints! And did you know, that some of these wicked people who were seeking the destruction of God’s chosen remnant at this time, were made up of those church brethren who refused to separate–especially SDA’s! These deceived and haughty persecutors will indeed be humbled when God delivers His chosen ones of Zion, to the point of bowing down at the feet of God’s saints, and then they will be destroyed!

“I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews [God’s true people], and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan [or Babylon–Evangelism, p 247]. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried...for thou has a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” Revelation 2:9-10, 3:8-13.

“The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Whereas thou has been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations....and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob....The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory...and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.” Isaiah 60:14-16, 19-21.

“You think that those who worship at the saint's feet, (Rev. 3:9), will at last be saved. Here I must differ with you; for God has shew me that this class were professed Adventists, who had fallen away, and ‘crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh,and put Him to an open shame’. And in the hour of temptation, which is yet to come, to show out every one's true character, they will know that they are forever lost; and overwhelmed with anguish of spirit, they will bow at the saint's feet.” A Word to the little Flock, p 12.

“Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly. Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire....so shall the multitude of all the nations be [as a dream of the night which departeth], that fight against mount Zion.” Isaiah 29:5-6, 8.

“‘O daughter of Zion,...the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies. Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion. But they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they His counsel.’ Micah 4:10-12. God will not fail His church in the hour of her greatest peril. He has promised deliverance.” Prophets and Kings, p 538.

Let us remain faithful to God until we die, or are translated to heaven without seeing death. Then we shall gain a mighty victory over Satan, Babylon, and all the wicked for the glory of God! We shall be able to walk into the heavenly Jerusalem, to stand upon the heavenly Mount Zion, and to worship God at His heavenly Temple! May the following verses be indeed our experience, and message:

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus Christ the mediator of the new covenant...” Hebrews 12:22-24.

Brother Nicholas of Presents of God Ministry has invited me to be on his one hour radio broadcast every 2nd Sunday each month dealing with various subjects of present truth. These broadcasts have the potential to reach several million listeners since it is broadcasted over Satellite, AM/FM radio, Micro, and even the internet. Copies of these broadcasts can be found at www.RemnantofGod.org/tpb-archives.htm or www.LightMinistries.com/id14.htm. Your continued prayers are appreciated and are working! The radio station manager is re-broadcasting these interviews at different times throughout the week, and has now himself begun to preach over the airways about the necessity of keeping the 7th day Sabbath! May God be praised!

In the month of December we had our best month yet. We had 17,167 hits, which were generated by 4,120 visitors. In these Visitor Sessions, 9,222 documents of Present Truth were viewed, and over 865 million bits of information were downloaded! So for these 3 months alone, over 2.1 billion bits of information were downloaded from our Gospel Truth Web Site by over 9,900 visitors!

The month of December was our best month yet! We had 120,408 hits, which were generated by 17,838 visitors! In these Visitor Sessions, 55,291 documents of Present Truth were viewed, and over 5.36 billion bits of information were downloaded! So for these 3 months alone, over 16 billion bits of information were downloaded from our Present Truth Web Site by over 49,000 visitors! MAY GOD'S HOLY NAME BE PRAISED FOR EVER!!

As we enter into a new year, please do not forget that the devil is working to hinder the spreading of the third and fourth angels' messages in any and all ways that he can. Especially are his efforts to accomplish this aimed at the Legislative branches of the US Government. We know that the devil will not stop until he accomplishes his evil agenda. Thus it is imperative that we all do what we can now to spread the present truth, because it will be increasingly more difficult to do so later. And within a short time, it will be considered a crime against humanity to do so!

"The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity she will have to do in a terrible crisis under most discouraging, forbidding circumstances. The warnings that worldly conformity has silenced or withheld must be given under the fiercest opposition from enemies of the faith....This day is just before us. The members of the church will individually be tested and proved. They will be placed in circumstances where they will be forced to bear witness for the truth. Many will be called to speak before councils and in courts of justice, perhaps separately and alone. The experience which would have helped them in this emergency they have neglected to obtain, and their souls are burdened with remorse for wasted opportunities and neglected privileges.

"My brother, my sister, ponder these things, I beseech you. You have each a work to do. Your unfaithfulness and neglect are registered against you in the Ledger of Heaven. You have diminished your powers and lessened your capabilities. You lack the experience and efficiency which you might have had. But before it is forever too late, I urge you to arouse. Delay no longer. The day is almost spent. The westering sun is about sinking forever from your sight. Yet while the blood of Christ is pleading, you may find pardon. Summon every energy of the soul, employ the few remaining hours in earnest labor for God and for your fellow men....Your duty cannot be shifted upon another. No one but yourself can do your work. If you withhold your light, someone must be left in darkness through your neglect....

"Another year of our time to labor has rolled into eternity. Every day we have been associating with men and women who are judgment bound. Each day may have been the dividing line to some soul; someone may have made the decision which shall determine his future destiny. What has been our influence over these fellow travelers? What efforts have we put forth to bring them to Christ?...

"Glorious will be the reward bestowed when the faithful workers are gathered about the throne of God and the Lamb....They have been partakers with Christ of His sufferings, they have been workers together with Him in the plan of redemption, and they are partakers with Him in the joy of beholding souls saved through their instrumentality to praise God through all eternity." Testimonies, vol 5, p 463-464, 466-467.

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 them 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: 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.

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.

My name is ____ from New Jersey. I e-mail the elder in regards to finding your website...and be added to any Newsletter you have. I have home church with my family of four and would like...(for you to) tell me of others supporting you from New Jersey who would welcome fellowship and worship together... (Editor's Note: are there any brethren in New Jersey who would like to contact this family for fellowship? Please contact me for their info.)

May I greet you once again in His wonderful name. May His peace love and joy be with you always my brother. Thank you very much for your support, encouragement and advices. Thank you for contributions in the SDR Voice. I enjoyed reading them over and over again, especially the battle over the name "SDA" Part 2, and (the study titled) You Cannot Form Another Organization. May God Bless this publication and more people will hear and know his truth.

We always celebrate October the 10th as Fiji Day because this day was chosen by our leaders as the day of Celebration. This year was different because of the last 2 coups happen in the year 2000. Our Government made it public that all the people of Fiji must come together from the 1st to the 10th of October for Reconciliation. It was a very big (to) do the washing of the feet and all were done and every thing that should have done it was a good opportunity to distribute our literatures to the people. For that almost 2 weeks we distribute a lot of our literatures around Fiji. It did not take place only in ____ City, but in ____ City as well and also in every towns in Fiji. Thousands of tracts, booklets and other literatures were distributed in those places.

I have just got back from ____ Island where I went earlier this year....The last time I went there was early this year, there were only three people who were keeping the Sabbath there, but now there are about twelve people there keeping the Sabbath as I joined them last week. We used their community hall as our meeting place every night where I teach them with words and spirit of prophecy and showed them the truth. That small hall always full with people who came to listen. I spent four nights in the island and also four nights I showed them the truth. More people have joined up with our people (and) there are many (that) believed the truth, some of them promised to keep the Sabbath instead of Sunday. Most of these people are Methodist.

I treasure and love those who had donated those support funds....I called up local ABC this morning. The cost per copy of Chinese SC will be HK$30 (paper pack) and HK$120 for GC (deluxe version) which is not suitable for mass distribution purpose. The cheaper paper pack version of GC was out of print for a long time, and they are not going to reprint this for evangelism purpose like they did many years ago, according to the manager. They will give us 10% discount for mass copies.

While the Lord is opening new fields of work, the devil is working so much to disturb the old centers and making them waste because the work is extending and workers are a few. Because of many calls, workers are forced to heed the new calls, and as they come back to the old centers they find that they have been disturbed. This is the kind of war we are undergoing (experiencing).

We may leave a competent worker to take care of some home churches, but because we are not able to head (take care of) all calls, that worker is forced to go out to others for some weeks, and at this return they (find their home churches) are already unsettled. The matter has been taken to the hands of God that He may raise more workers and impress friends for the support of (these) other workers.

We were and are so thankful for the regular support of the work. The ____ camp ended well. Now we are in our working centers trying to adjust things. For example my new center of work had been disturbed to almost zero, but now I thank God that we have about six regular adults for services in the Sabbath mornings and about seven also who attend afternoon lessons after they have come from various churches, without counting children.

As usual we have continued to follow the call of duty, both in our district and also away in the other parts. As we go visiting and conducting small (short) meetings, we enter by the Health message. And God has surely blessed these endeavours. We have also distributed tracts, booklets and books for these are silent messengers. I got tracts from brothers ____ and ____ and booklets from ____. More than 550 booklets have been given out to people whom we are now to follow up. Four of these are decided for Sabbath observance. (Editor's Note: Praise God!) Twenty of them have requested for more books like GC, DA, MH, COL, SC and others; and gratefully God has provided them with these under the auspices of ____.

God is leading out His work in Kenya. After the ____ Camp we had a very blessed workers meeting where a pledge paper was presented that all working brethren should sign up a covenant on uniting with God and those in His movement. I pray that God shall help His flock here. We want to have a united front as workers in Kenya and then lead the membership within our jurisdiction to do likewise. Pray for this to succeed in God's way. (Editor's Note: Amen, and our prayers are with you all in this worthy endeavor.)

Some of our important needs (are) to have a well established work are, spiritual literature, support for building houses for worship, and planting needful projects like medical clinics, farms, and schools. Through these avenues the message shall go faster, for most of our people may become engaged in them. May God help to set up this work on a more stable foundation and close footholds on which the enemy and his agents have several times stood to tempt those weak of our people.

Last year I reported (that) some of missionaries (from other Independent Ministries who are) not in the present truth (were) coming to ____ camp meeting with alluring promises to support our work if we would stop calling SDA church Babylon fallen. The seeds he planted are now a problem to some of our people. This year again he has come twice, and has drawn a number of our people after himself. I do not write this to cause you any discouragement, but to let you see the real situation that you may pray earnestly and consider ways to help us. He has bought study Bibles and other books, bicycles, and PAS (PA System) to those following him, and has promised much more. By these promises he has allured and deceived some.

Last week while attending our end year camp in ____ we had a lot of trouble for he was invited. Though we remonstrated that he should not be given our pulpit, those of his followers troubled us by their insistence that he should. At last he came with his supporters and things ran riot. But God helped us that He held up our hands and His truth. The Pharisee and his deluded followers could not stand the truth. Passionately he stood up, after the sanctuary message and prophetic lessons were presented by us, and declared that he will not support a group teaching such things as all churches -- including SDA -- are fallen. He left, and those in his steps followed him out, and the church was left amazed! This took place on a Wednesday. In the left (remaining) days of the week, there were some strivings, but God helped us.

Before leaving the campsite on Sunday we had a church business (meeting) where it was resolved that a seminar be planned and held, that certain issues or topics be studied into; such as (a) name for the movement; SDA and Babylon falling, among others. Some members were also given disciplinary censure. With that concluded, everything ended peaceably...I praise God that all the supported ministers, except one, were united and give evidence of the united front against the delusions and deceptions of the wily foe to the church....

I have delayed writing to you because am so busy visiting people here and there. On Sunday 13th am heading to ____ Camp meeting which is going to end on 19th. We need your prayers and encouragement beside that those booklets that I wrote to you are very much needed in ____. May you help us to get those booklets as soon as possible to help those who are in need.

"The Eyes Have it." Itchy, irritated eyes are not only hallmarks of colds and allergies, they are also painful reminders that we spend too much time indoors, in artificial air and light doing repetitive tasks which tax our vision. When we do get outdoors, polluted air, damaging ultraviolet light, and waves of noxious carbon monoxide put a mighty strain on delicate eye tissue. We rarely think about nourishing our eyes the way we nourish our bodies, but we should: we need them for a life time. To nourish your eyes make sure you get plenty of vitamin C rich foods every day (oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, and broccoli for example). Vitamin C helps restore the...(fluid) balance in the eyes tissue and lowers inner eye pressure. Eat fresh HUCKLEBERRIES OR BLUEBERRIES daily (in season), or drink a daily cup of huckleberry tea. This herb also helps maintain collagen balance, prevents the breakdown of vitamin C, improves poor night vision, and relieves eye strain. Also be sure to regularly eat food or take supplements which contain vitamin B (thiamin) and the minerals CHROMIUM and ZINC. Deficiencies of all three nutrients are associated with glaucoma and other chromic eye problems.

Besides helping to strengthen the heart and lose weight, moderate exercise has benefits that are especially good for those who suffer chronic pain or joint ailments such as arthritis. Consider some of these exercise bonuses: - Strengthens bones and muscles; Increases flexibility; Releases pain-relieving feel-good endorphins; Retards aging; Increases the body’s tolerance for stress and pain.

We have been in ____ to follow up the work, which I have started there and I’m happy about the things that happened there. When I visited them again they invited new SDA listeners who have interest in the present truth, and great were the result,. The SDA church was shaken because of these men who have heard our study, and they and are still willing to continue our series of study, and many others are open to learn what is the real condition of the SDA church organization now. (Editor's Note: May God be praised!) I hope and wish for them that they might not be shaken by the words of their leaders, because their pastor is now going around to warn them. The brethren who opened their house for my visit have been visited by the pastor, so please include these brethren in your special prayer that they might not be deceive by their leaders who always says that "God is with us, we have the truth", that they may continue still to open their house for the truth.

Also we have been in ____ city to continue giving a Bible study for our listeners of truth there that they may continue in the faith, but sad to say that our brother’s mother, who was also a believer of present truth, have passed away. I pray for these brethren that they may give their life wholly to the Lord and to walk in all the light before it is too late.

Also I am continuing my house-to-house work here in ____, and another family of backslide SDA was added. My wife and me have been with them and have shared some Bible truths with his wife who was a Catholic. You know brother bob, many backslide SDA members I always encountered in my house-to-house work, and I hope and pray that may these backsliders may be won again for the Lord. This is what the Lord is saying to look for those who were led astray from the fold. I am encouraging them to renew their vows to the Lord for He is coming very soon. I pray for these souls that they may give their life again for the Lord before His coming....

For all these I have used the $100 dollars and the additional $200 dollars for our foods, travels and tools for communication, and by helping some brethren who need very much our help. At this time I am supporting a family of our brethren who always go with me in my work in missionary fields. Once again I want to thank to the Lord for all of this, and thank you too brother for continually supporting us financially to enable us to work in the Lord’s great harvest field. May God repay all your works....

We did follow up our work in ____. There was new listener of truth aside from old one was added. I saw in him no spirit of prejudice, but calmness and a spirit wanting to know our message. He got much interest for the message of present truth than the others. I have given him our booklets about "PROTESTANT HISTORY" and the "ABOMINATION AND DESOLATION" and others were given as "THE SDA AND THE WCC". He said that he wanted to study those messages, so I am hoping and praying for him that he may be the key so that some who have heard our message can now decide for he has influenced over them being a teacher in public school.

In ____ the Lord allows us to opened this new place where we have experienced that we have been warned by a SDA layman to stop giving message to their members for we are hindering them in their work. I told him that I am teaching the SDA members to look for the old landmarks and to walk therein, for God says that it is the good way and ye will find rest for your souls. I have given an example like Sabbath reform (at the time of our conversation there were many SDA listeners). I asked the people if these messages were given to them, like preparing food and all things needed for the Sabbath (on Friday--the preparation day), and they said NO! So I asked him again who was now hindering the work of God; is it we who was leading the people to follow wholly to the Lord, or you who don’t want that others might reform from being a transgressor of the law? After it he decided to go home. The SDA listeners said (to me) don’t stop, but extend your message to some place like ____ and others. So I hope and wish for these people to continue for the Lord.

We have been in this area three times. In our first visit there were ten SDA members (who) have listened to our message, and in God’s grace 6 of them continued to open their house for us that other truth might be heard. I cannot see what will be the result of our labors here, but I hope and pray for the work here that God will lead the way. Some of them are proposing for us to build a place of worship, and to help us in extending the message in their former hometown where their loved ones are there.

In our third visit, one of those six was shaken before we came back, but others were not. He was warned by his son-in-law to be (a pastor of SDA). The night of our third visit when we assembled for study, the pastor was there and some others. We have given a reason why we should and must come out the corrupt and apostate SDA church. Through the help of God we have given it clear that others stood firmly for our message. We also distributed our booklets like the "PROTESTANT HISTORY" and the "WCC AND THE SDA". They cannot refute our message...After that night still the door was open for us, in God’s grace we will continue to work there, may God help us. Please include this also in your prayers brother.

Again we have held our Sabbath in ____ to follow up our work here in this new area where SDA members are there also. We have given our message, and our booklets also were circulated. The Lord is so gracious that even (though) these brethren have been warned not to listen to us, but still they are longing for our message. May these brethren be an agency in this area so that others can hear still our message. Actually we are proposing to extend our work in new area, because these brethren are looking in every fellowship of the SDA church (for) brethren who are not prejudiced who want also to hear the message of present truth....

Another thing is that the SDA church is now working on conditioning the minds of their members that when the Sunday law comes they are going to have a worship both on the Sabbath and Sunday. Brother Bob, as we move on for unity, I saw that the elements of Satan works (are) more than ever before. So I pray that may God help you there to move forward for your plans of work of uniting the churches of Christ.

Other brethren welcome us still, and have shared to us something about what is happening inside their church. Confusion was arising among them because in their Lesson Study Guide it is stated there that when the Sunday law comes, the SDA church will gonna have a additional services of worship on Sunday and also on the Sabbath. So, others who have heard us before, said that our message about the apostasy of SDA church was true. They remembered our message that, time will come, ministers and leaders in the Adventist church will urge the people the necessity of keeping the first day of the week. They said that their door is still open for us for future visit. May God bless them so that they may now realize the danger of staying within the corrupt SDA church....Oh what a fulfillment of prophecy! I hope and believe that Christ is soon to come for the prophecy is fast fulfilling. I am wondering why the members are still blind for those truths presented?...

Hi! How are you doing? It's been a long time, since we we're not able to communicate. I am very sorry if I wasn't able to write you as many as I can. For the past weeks we we're busy finding house for rent, because we decided to move from where we were staying. And thank God that He helped us find a much better place and house to live in. Also, it's a rainy season here in the Philippines, or sad to say that it's a stormy season here and that was the reason that our electricity always got affected and we had an often brown outs. And I thank the Lord that His guidance and protection are always with His children.

Anyways, last Sept 27, we held our fellowship in ____. We already went there on friday, 26th. Though we got some trouble in our travel going there, but the Lord did not left us helpless. He leads and brought us to our waiting brethren that were already there. We arrived there late because of what had happened in our travel. But still it's a comfort for us to see our brethren from different places there. We thank God that one family who sometimes spend sabbath with us here were able to attend also that convocation and also a lady together with her daughter attended also. All of us who attended were very excited and very happy to see each other again and to hear a very inspiring message. All participated in our meeting and share something about the goodness of our Lord. We all went home refreshed and blessed.

Also, another lady, are now regularly spending sabbath with us. This lady is a Catholic, but she already attended bible studies from the group of born again. She is now attending sabbath for almost 5 months now. She was amazed when she heard the truth, it's different from what she heard before. We are still praying for this souls that they will totally accept Jesus as their Saviour and accept and live the truths that they have already learned.

It has been long that I communicate to that side, concerning the work that our heavenly father saw fit that we be ministers and witness of the great purchase by the Son of God who bought us with his own precious blood. The Apostle Peter say: Seeing you have purified [cleansed] your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit to unfeigned [sincere] love of them, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently. Peter 1:22. We thank God that this scripture came to pass in experience of many.

I made a missionary visit to brother ____ home church to encourage a family which had lost a dear child, these were new members in the church. There was great need for grief management, which grief had greatly stressed these young persons almost to the point of distress. The Lord gave the wisdom and knowledge on how (to) bring these people back to line, even their confidence in Christ Jesus; we may never know the results of our little efforts in helping others until the time of rewarding and reunion of human family in the eternal where the redeemed will meet and recognize those whose attention they have directed to the uplifted Saviour. What a blessed converse they have with this soul! "'I was a sinner', it will be said 'without God and without hope in this world, and you came to me and drew my attention to the precious Saviour as my only hope.' Others will say, 'I was heathen in heathen lands. You left your friends and comfortable home and came to teach me how to find Jesus and believe him as my only true God. I demolished my idols and worshipped God. And I see Him face to face (and) am saved, eternally saved, ever to behold Him whom I love. When despair bound my soul in unbelief, the Lord sent you to me to speak words of hope and comfort. Awakening me to my spiritual needs. You treated me as a brother, you sympathized with me in my sorrows and you restored my bruised and wounded soul so that I would grasp the hand of Christ that was reached to save me.' What a rejoicing there will be as these redeemed ones meet and greet all those who have had a burden on their behalf! And those who have lived not to please themselves but to be a blessing to the unfortunate who have so few blessings, how their hearts will thrill with satisfaction." MLT 353. (Maranatha 303).

I visited ____, it had been long, that heaven had opened an opportunity for me to visit the brothers and the sisters. It was over three months ever since we labored with Christ in establishing a home church in that place. The burden of my message was to encourage the bride of Christ. For there are many pressures that at times cut across the stretch of our faith and the hearts of the sons of daughters of men are greatly exercised therein...Heaven supplied the grace, and after the service we visited homes of the brothers and sisters.

It was in these homes that redeeming testimonies of the wondrous love of Jesus Christ and the glorious power of the gospel was shared. Two brothers who some time back where drunkards, were claimed from the great bondage of liquor. They had tried all the local methods to set themselves free, but all was vain. They expressed great joy in the victories that God had wrought for them through Christ. They had abandoned the duties of fathers/parents, but in the short time they have been with Christ, they have realized their responsibility as fathers/parents. The most happy persons where their wives, for they had suffered the wrath of irresponsibility and domestic violence. Their homes are (now) alive, their gardens are promising, all things Christ is making new. Oh! What wonderful Saviour we have in Jesus!

I visited ____, talked on the true principles of prosperity, as stipulated in the Bible; this was a humble meeting with very few persons. The good Lord gave the ability to bring eternal realities home to the people’s minds, hence believing God and his Prophets, the foundation of true prosperity. I gave out some booklets to those around and a few without.

I once again visited Br. ____, made house to house (work), (especially) more to those who were fellowshipping with the brother but (who) have lost strength and their first love, which may have (been) due (partly because of) lack (of a) place of worship, for they still worship under big tree. At times the rains disrupts their services. It is their humble prayer that a place be built for the name of the Lord for their worship....

On the issue of Bibles, I ordered for 20 pcs Luganda Bibles @ 15000= Ushs. ($9). I have paid 300,000= Ushs. Receipt will be scanned under request. We appreciate the generosity of those who share the truth with the poor and afflicted persons in Africa and Uganda in particular - a country which has seen no peace ever since its Independence in 1962. To date we are still torn with insurgency, poverty, Aids/H.I.V. etc....

This month was one (of) the great good months in the very great work of the missionary work. Since Sept. this year after the camp-meeting in Zambia which was attended by many international brethren, the calls came from Zimbabwe to go and do more work. Br. ____ and I were called to go and answer. We also extended our invitation to the brethren in Namibia and South Africa. On the 19th Oct, 2004, ____ and I left Zambia and reached Zimbabwe the following day in ____. There we were nicely received by Br,and Sr. ____ who were waiting for us at the station. When we reached their home we found brs, ____, ____ from South Africa, and ____ and ____ from Namibia. The term of five (brethren) was enough for the great work.

We had a lot of time with the ____ family and other two pastors from the Sabbath-keeping Adventists of Zimbabwe. These were called to come and hear from us. They stayed with us till we left. During this same weeks more brethren were invited to come and listen and so many were the questions they came with, but I praise God all were answered accordingly from the truth of God. We were also invited to some homes for the same work and people got the truth. At last the Lord allowed us to baptize 4 souls, and later we also had good time to ordain two ministers to be supported by the local church, and also one elder who is br. ____. Later we also established a home church of 9 baptized, and more than 6 members unbaptized.

Elder Bob, while I was there I tried to communicate home, (and) was told my wife was very sick in Intensive Care. Br. ____, sr. ____ and I had to go into fasting and (with) prayers ask God to intervene for the great work to finish in Zimbabwe at the time. After 10 days we left the country, and came back finding my wife discharged. She is just recovering. (Editor's Note: Praise God!)

Brethren I am passing through fires of afflictions, pray for me. The great problem I have is that I found that my wife (was force to) borrow $100 for this trouble, and this month we need to pay for 6 months in advance payments, so please help by increasing our support for us to survival, otherwise our work here is being affected by lack of enough support to the family. May God look at this....

We kindly ask for your urgent prayers over our trip to Namibia. Some of our transport money is held up with some one here, and we were supposed to leave today, but we are not yet given this money. We still have two days before Friday in which we can still travel. Unless God intervenes between now and thursday we may not go. Please we humbly request for your urgent prayers over this issue....