July-August-09

In part 1 – Righteousness By Faith, we learned that all have sinned and deserve the penalty of death. But God the Father, at an infinite cost, provided a plan by which all of humanity may become cleansed from sin, made righteous, and avoid death. This cleansing from sin and deliverance from death is only available to those who follow the same steps that David followed.

While David was unrepentant for his great sin of adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband, while he was living in sin, while he felt satisfied with his lifestyle, he was clothed with the garments of unrighteousness. But once he became convicted of his sins, he humbly confessed that he had sinned, and fully and sincerely repented of them. Then his sins were mercifully forgiven him, and he was clothed with the robe of the Lord’s righteousness.

Once covered with this precious robe, David was indeed righteous, not because he had never sinned, but even though he had sinned, yet because he had acknowledged and sincerely repented, God had fully forgiven him, and the Lord had given him His righteousness as a covering – making it as if David had never sinned in the first place! It was like the Lord had wiped David’s slate clean, and given him a second chance – hopefully to avoid repeating the same sins this time.

And where does our robe of righteousness come from? From the Lord Jesus Christ. It is His righteousness that covers us! So it is the Lord’s righteousness that covers you! It is His righteousness that makes you as if you had never sinned! It is His righteousness that gives you this second chance. It is not your own righteousness, but the Lord’s righteousness! So if someone asks you what has made this great change in your life, what will you say to them?

Now, do we see that we have this precious robe around us? No. We must believe that it has been placed around us – which takes faith. That’s why it is called justification and righteousness by faith. Are we deserving of it? No, not at all, not in the least. We are deserving of condemnation and death. But we are enabled by grace to have our sins forgiven, to become justified and clothed with Christ’s righteousness – not because we deserve it, but because it is given to us as a gift from the Lord which He purchased for us by His death on the cross, His resurrection and then ascension to heaven where He now stands as our High Priest..

Then it was the Father who came up with the plan of our salvation! He is the One who sent His Son into the world so that we might be saved from sin and death! And the Father is very earnest that we all should repent of our sins, be clothed with His Son’s righteousness and be saved from destruction. In fact, He is so earnest and actively involved in the plan of our salvation, that when one sinner finally decides to repent of their sins, and accept the free gift of justification and righteousness, that He lifts up His majestic voice and sings for joy!

So does the Father love you? Yes indeed! It was out of infinite love for you that the Father developed this glorious plan for your salvation. It was out of infinite love for you that the Father willing allowed His only begotten and precious Son to die at the hands of sinners – to die at your hands – the very person He was trying to bring back to Him as His son or daughter. The Father could not bear the thought of losing you, and so He was willing to sacrifice His most precious possession – His Son Jesus Christ – in order to bring you back to Him so that you might be covered with the best robe – the robe of righteousness!

So it was out of infinite love for you and me that God the Father developed the plan of our salvation which involved the death of His Son to provide us a way of escape from sin. And it was also out of infinite love for us that Jesus voluntarily agreed to carry out this plan and provide His precious blood to wash away our sins, and His precious robe of righteousness to cover us so that we could be accepted as a real son or daughter of God.

It is this precious robe of righteousness, this garment of salvation, this covering that the Lamb of God had to die in order to provide you and me with, that enables us to have heaven as our home because God sees us in it as being His sons and daughters, and no longer sees us as being the strange children of the wicked one. In fact, anyone who does not have on this robe of Christ’s righteousness will not be saved, because they do not have on the “wedding garment” necessary in order to be admitted to the wedding feast in heaven! (See Matthew 22:8-14).

So if we confess our sins, then how completely are we cleansed? We are “cleansed from all unrighteousness”, all our sins are washed away, all our filthy sin-stained garments are removed, and we are clothed with Christ’s righteousness. And quite amazingly, we are now accepted by God as if we had never sinned at all! We are indeed perfect and righteous without the spot or stain of sin, because God accepts us in His Son’s perfect righteousness, and does not look or investigate beneath this precious covering of the Lamb of God over us!

The Bible refers to this amazing miracle of transformation from being a defiled sinner into being a perfect righteous man or woman clothed in Christ’s righteousness, as becoming a "new creature" (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15); a "new lump" (1 Corinthians 5:7); a "new man" (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10); a "new bottle" (Mark 2:21-22; Matthew 9:16-17; Luke 5:36-39); and being "born again" (John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23).

Now after all our sins are forgiven, and we are justified and clothed in the precious robe of Christ by faith and are accepted by God as if we had never sinned, what are we then to do? Some believe that it does not matter what you do from now on, because once you are justified, you are justified forever – even for any sins you may commit in the future! But this is not what the Scriptures teach.

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God...without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:24-25, 28.

So justification, or being made righteous, is only for the remission or forgiveness of all the sins that we have already committed: it is only for the “sins that are past”. Thus justification is not a blank check which covers our continued sinning, but is only good for our past sins! And being justified freely by His grace comes to us as a free gift, without cost and without works, it is by faith alone.

So not only are we justified by faith alone, but now what are we to do in this justified condition? We are now to begin to live this new life! Before we were justified, we were dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). But after being justified by faith, God has given us His grace, strength and power to begin to live. And how are we to live our new life? By our faith. And what must we do with our faith?

While we were living in sin, and were unlike God in character – or being ungodly, we were dead, had no strength, and thus could not stand before God. But Christ died in order to justify and make us righteous so that we could exercise our faith and obtain the strength or grace or power necessary to live and stand up. Whereas before, it was a righteousness by faith alone experience that allowed us to be justified and made righteousness. But after being justified, we now have access to the grace and strength found in Christ necessary for us to live and to stand up.

But the Devil is ready to immediately attack any new born Christian who tries to stand up. Satan hates this robe of Christ’s righteousness, and wants to try and remove it from us so that we will not be recognized as being children of God. So to help defeat Satan’s plans, God offers all of His new born sons and daughters some extra help which will enable them to retain their robe of righteousness and not allow the devil to strip it off!

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Ephesians 6:14-18.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of the world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:12-13.

So what are we to do while standing with the armor of God upon us? We are to use it to resist all the wiles or temptations of the Devil, to fend off all the fiery darts of the wicked, and to wrestle against all darkness and spiritual wickedness so we can remain standing and not fall. This means that we have to continue putting forth efforts in the strength and grace of Christ to fight against all of these evil things whenever and wherever they come against us. And through what are we to fight against evil? Through our faith. Faith in who – ourselves? No, faith in God and His power to gain the victory in us. And we have God’s assurance that He will not allow the Devil to send so many darts against us all at the same time that we would have no chance to fend them all off!

Now, why are we having to do battle against all these evil things in the first place? One reason is because the Devil does not want to let us go. We were once his children, children of darkness, children of disobedience, children of sin and wickedness. But since we have longed for a better life, have chosen to escape from the hard taskmaster that the Devil is, and have fled to Jesus Christ, then Christ has given us new clothing, God has accepted us as His children, and has given us shining armor with which to fight off the Devil in his desperate efforts to try and get us back into his service of evil.

But it is more than this: the last great evil day – or Jacob’s time of trouble – is just ahead of us. So the Lord allows just enough darts and temptations to come against us so that we are forced to exert efforts to battle against all these evil things. And the more attacks we successfully fend off, the more victories we win, which means that we are growing more proficient in living as being the sons or daughters of God that we are. Thus as we fight, we grow in grace, becoming stronger and stronger in the Lord, becoming better and better prepared, and all so that we can remain standing and not fall and be lost during the last great evil day! That is why we are called upon by God to exercise our faith, and through our faith in God granting us the grace and strength we need to grow, we can then fight against the power of evil wherever it is found.

And you know, when we succeed in fending off the darts or attacks of the wicked one, and have gained the victory, we feel so good and are led to rejoice and glorify God who has helped us gain the victory in His strength! But we need to fight in order to do what? To lay hold upon eternal life! Those who refuse to fight, believing the false doctrine that while they sit back and relax, Christ will do it all for them, will be lost.

“But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.” Jeremiah 7:23-24.

Then once we are standing justified and righteous by faith, clothed in the precious garments of salvation and covered with the armor of God, we are to ask for and find and then to walk in the old paths of truth, walking in God’s commandments given us in the beginning, while continuing to resist all the Devil’s efforts to try and get us back into our past life of sin.

In doing this, we are actually keeping our justification and righteousness from being taken away from us, which we received as gifts by faith alone. We are tenaciously holding on to these precious gifts and not giving them up. So you can see that it is not just righteousness by faith without works that entitles us to salvation. But it is also remaining righteous through faith by works and efforts that we put forth in the strength and grace given us by God.

This grace and strength from God is also a free gift which Christ purchased for us: we cannot earn it, nor can we work for it. Yet many have been taught that this grace only serves as a free ticket to salvation and eternal life, and so they again believe that all they need to do is just sit back and relax while Christ does it all for them. But listen to what God states is the real reason why He gives us His grace.

So God gives us His grace so that we can obey the truth through faith. Then grace is not given us so that we can sit back and relax and do nothing. But grace is given us so that we can through faith obey God unto salvation. Now with this correct understanding of grace, let us examine the passage that many quote to supposedly prove that grace is only a free ticket to heaven without any works or efforts needed.

“And you hath he [God] quickened [made alive], who were dead in trespasses and sins: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is [what is? This Grace is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” [So this grace is a gift of God that cannot be purchased by any amount of works, but is freely given to us. And why is it given to us? So that we can obey God and show to the world that we are no longer the children of disobedience, but now we are the children of God and show forth the good works to prove it! Listen to what Paul then states:] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus [to just sit back and relax? No, but created in Christ Jesus] unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:1-10.

Our salvation is not just being justified by faith alone, but it also includes being sanctified. But what does the word “sanctification” mean? Both the Hebrew and Greek words for “sanctification” or to “sanctify” or be “sanctified”, all translate “to purify or be purified” (Strong’s, Hebrew word #6942; Greek words #37 and 38).

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-4.

So we are sanctified or purified through the Spirit by believing and using God’s grace and strength to obey the truth found in His word. And it is God’s will that we go through this purification process so that we will learn how to possess ourselves in purity and honor, and retain our righteousness that we received at conversion.

But how long are we to follow the truth of God and keep ourselves pure in righteousness? All the way till we either die or Christ comes. So you can see that this sanctification or purification of ourselves does not occur all at once, but it is a continual process. Thus our sanctification is not instantaneous, nor is it given to us as a gift as was justification, but the sanctification process continues throughout the rest of our lifetime. But why?

When we were justified and made righteous all our past sins had been mercifully forgiven, yet we still had the same old habits of sin that we developed, we had the same old defects and deficiencies of character that we formed for ourselves, through all the years that we lived before we found Christ. So even though we are now justified and are standing perfect and righteous before God, yet our characters are still not formed after the character or image of God. I hope you can now see why this second part of salvation, or the process of sanctification, is absolutely necessary in order to purify all of God’s new born sons and daughters from all of their old sinful habits and defects of character as they follow the truth, and obey God’s will – thus living the life of righteousness. And since God desires His people to be purified, then He is not just sitting back and leaving us alone to accomplish His will, but He is actively helping us to accomplish this before He comes the second time.

“But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:2-3.

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11-13.

What did Paul state that grace does in us which brings salvation? Grace enables us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, so that we can live righteously and godly in this wicked world. So Christ has not only redeemed us from all our past sins, but is working to purify or sanctify us as His peculiar people who are recognized by the good works that we do for His glory. So in this good fight of faith, we are being continually purified and sanctified as we deny our old habits of sin and defects of character, and instead follow the truth and the will of God.

Now this righteousness through faith process can also be likened to the following example. Picture a woman in a row boat. She has had a good time relaxing and floating downstream, while enjoying the scenery and taking a nap. But now the sun is heading down, and she must get back to her docking port which is now some ways upstream. In order to get there she must grab hold of her two oars and use them with whatever strength and energy is necessary to force her way against the downward force and pull of the current. If she does nothing, she will continue floating downstream farther and farther away from her port until she eventually goes over the falls, drowns and thus loses her life in the bottom of the lake. If she paddles with only one oar, then she goes around in circles while still floating downstream. She must use both oars in order to fight against the pull and force of the current while exerting enough energy to make headway, and however long it takes her to reach her port depends on how much strength she exerts on the oars.

These two oars represent faith and works in the process of sanctification. Using either one alone will accomplish nothing against the downward pull and force of sin and wickedness. Thus in the process of sanctification, both faith and works must be combined in order to make headway against habits of sin and character defects and make it safely into the port of heaven. Using faith alone, or using works alone, will lead to destruction in the lake of fire.

So first it is justification by faith alone, and then it is sanctification by a combination of faith and works. It is first righteousness by faith, and then it is righteousness through faith. But sadly, many will not use both faith and works in fighting against the force and pull of sin and wickedness. Many will not ask for and will not put forth efforts to walk in these good paths, nor will they walk in or keep all 10 of God’s commandments, because they see the pathway and then say that it is too narrow and too hard to follow, and so it must be impossible to walk. Yet, what are we to do?

So it is indeed a straight and narrow pathway that God asks all those who have become justified and righteous by faith to walk in by grace through faith, and not allowing sight to discourage you. Yet many will fail to do so, preferring instead to take the downward wide path that leads to destruction instead of the narrow upward path that leads to life. And why do so many prefer to take the downward broad pathway? Because it is so much easier to let the downward force of gravity help pull you on your downhill walk, than it is to put forth the extra strength and effort to fight against this downward force and instead to walk and advance upward! But Christ states very plainly:

Now the Greek word for “strive” is Strong’s #75, and it means “to struggle” “to contend with an adversary” “to labor fervently”. So there are going to be many who desire to enter in at this straight gate and narrow pathway, who desire to do God’s will and keep His commandments, who desire to be saved and gain eternal life, but they will not put forth the efforts necessary to struggle and labor fervently in contention with this adversary that is pulling them downward to destruction. And who is this adversary? The Devil, and what is this downward force that he uses to pull us backwards when God says for us to go forwards?

So the Devil tries to capitalize upon our past habits of sin and character defects of our flesh, and works through these to pull us back as we are trying to walk forward in the newness of life. But we are to resist these darts and attacks and walk upward after the Spirit through faith, walking and advancing in the truth and commandments of God, and not go backward towards the evils of our past old life of the flesh. And you cannot walk upward while going backward at the same time!

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would....Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16 -17, 19-25.

So how many victories can we obtain over evil through our belief of faith? Victories over all kinds of evil: not just against those evils that are weak, but we can even gain the victory over the great and powerful things of evil that we have fallen for again and again – if we will just walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

Now, please permit me to bring out a tremendous and often overlooked truth in this plan of our salvation. How much does God the Father and Jesus want you to be saved? Well, how much has God and Jesus provided to help you in this fight against evil so that you might be saved? All of your confessed and forsaken sins are forgiven for free! You are given the precious robe of Christ’s righteousness as a gift! You are freely accepted and embraced by God as being His real sons and daughters! You are provided without cost all the grace and strength in Christ necessary to successfully fight against all sin and evil! You are also freely given all the armor necessary to successfully fend off all the attacks of the enemy! And God even prevents the Devil from overwhelming you with too many attacks at once so that you will not be overwhelmed and defeated.

So how much does God the Father and Jesus want you to be saved? A tremendous amount – They both have provided everything necessary for you to be saved and not lost! And why? So that you can be with Them, and then together you all can enjoy the joys of heaven, all the pleasures of the new earth, as well as all the wondrous things which God has created throughout the entire unfallen universe for eternity!

But as amazing as all this is which has already been provided to you for free just so that you can be saved, yet there is more that God and Christ have provided you through this glorious plan of your salvation! In our next Newsletter we will discover what this is, as we investigate further into this amazing plan of salvation that takes sinners and transforms them into righteous children of God through faith and grace.

Unfortunately, due to rising costs in mailing as well as lack of sufficient support in this slow economy, we are suspending the mailing of our Newsletters to most of our overseas readers. We hope that this is just temporary, but it is still with sadness that we are forced to make this decision. For those overseas readers affected by this, we are more than happy to send you our Newsletter through e-mail. Just contact us through our e-mail address at lightmin@terragon.com and we will then begin sending you our Newsletter through your e-mail address.

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 Patula. Please feel free to come and fellowship with others of like faith and enjoy the spiritual uplifting experience. You can also stay after the church service and be able to chat with brothers and sisters, as well as visitors, from around the world. Many come away with their questions answered, their hearts uplifted and filled with gratefulness for all that God has and is doing for His people! If you would like to fellowship with us, go to www.RemnantofGod.org/pogmchat.htm.

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

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

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

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

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

"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.

We are truly blessed with the articles in your website "The Latter Rain". I am from GC (church) and I thank God for He loves me so much and opened my eyes to see the truth. I am praying that the message of the three angels will be more spread here in the Philippines and throughout the world. I started to lead a group of youth. We visit houses every Tuesday night and have worship with the family. We preach the Revelation, and your website and Bro Nic are great help especially for me who is just a child (I’m 22 years old). The Spirit told me to keep on study, study, and study God's words. I just graduated from my Nursing course and I have 15 minutes health lecture in the radio every Sunday evening. I prayed to God that we will be able to continue our love to Him until Jesus comes and be part of the 144,000 and meet you all there in the Heavenly Canaan! We are united in truth...

I hope this finds you well. I just wanted to let you know that I managed to by God's grace learn how to put your sermons from mp3 onto a disc. It has taken a couple of weeks but praise God we have got there. I managed to put 65 different sermons on one disc, with still room to spare....Any way I am very happy with what I have so far, I have already given one copied disc out.

I have noticed that the couple of sermons that I have managed to listen to and re-study out for myself in your presentations prompt me to think of my own experience and or I find myself thinking that is what I have come to the conclusion of. There is one thing that I have been debating in my own mind for a long time, and your sermon on part 2 on Separation; regarding Abraham and how he forsook all etc., brought everything back to mind again. It is not so difficult giving up membership in the conference Church....Praise God for the way your sermons speak to me personally.

I also want to thank you for suggesting my name to ____. I look forward to taking part when I am able. The welcome to your Church family has been wonderful. It was not too long ago I was praying that God would bring me a friend, now I not only have a friend, but lots of friends and more brothers and sisters to share with. I think it fantastic to be able to share this way, using technology is like being there in person.

Since you sent to me the several booklets upon my request, I have had ample time devoted in their thorough study. Friends, I tell you that the Lord is accomplishing much in the salvation of souls through your thoroughness in this final message. I have really come to appreciate your articles and the messages in them. Your explanation is correct and meets the standard of the Bible and the SOP. I could not have realized that there was a hidden treasure in these booklets if I had not devoted my time in their study. Now I can clearly see how God is answering all my heart desired questions. You know (I) am a public evangelist dealing with end time prophecy as you will see in the request email I have sent. I have been lacking more evidences to proof for my series of teachings concerning whether the SDA denomination was Babylon or not. Inside my heart am convicted that the fact is true, but I could not make it public due to some of the preconceived opinions from some brethren in some Independent ministries. This has kept me off the line, though the Holy Spirit has been moving upon me vividly to preach the truth without palliating it.

Please friends, I wish to ask you kindly to send me your 35 page booklet that deals with “DEFINITION OF THE LATTER RAIN.” Also if you have dealt with “THE NEED OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,” you can send me some articles; “CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY” booklets; “WHO GOD CONSIDERS TO BE HIS TRUE CHURCH AND PEOPLE TODAY” booklets are highly needed.

As the author of the letter to the Hebrews [Paul; Barnabas: or whomever] wrote: "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe." [Heb. 1: 1and 2] [NIV]. Isn't that sufficient to us? How do we get the Righteousness of Jesus "to cover us"? From man or woman or from God Himself?

2. I shall be heading to the ____ regions to supply these booklets/books to the brethren staying there. The journey takes 13 hours by bus. When I am back, I shall be going to the ____ city, ____. An Arab who was assisted with cancer problem has accepted to donate a paper cutter (giant one) plus a printing machine. He has called me to see it for the sole business of printing books/booklets.

5. The Sanitarium that was opened few months ago is doing wonders. Diabetic patients, cancer victims, AIDS/HIV individuals are receiving their health. You may not believe. However, I have seen the Lord's hand. I know when I mention cancer you may not believe that such disease can be healed. Here in Tanzania, such patients have become reformers ahead of the SDA Church. By the time they leave the place, only the Sabbath is remaining. They are already vegetarians for that is part of the healing process.

Well to be honest Bro Bob it has been a hectic time for me this last few weeks. I am confused in many things happening around me, so many sleepless night thinking how much work to be done. I feel like I' m alone, where there's so much I want to do (I) just don't have the strength to do it. But thanks to the NewsLetter (the Eighth and Last Church, Part Three). It has all answers to what I need to know, and praise God Almighty cause I really do want to be a member of the Remnant Church in the last days....

But I just said thanks and may God bless them. I am translating it into Fijian and in Gods will should be printed and given out to the people here. Once it is printed I will distribute it to the members of our groups so that they can help doing the work and for us to unite in the work. (Editor’s Note: Praise God, and I will keep you and the precious souls you reach out to in my prayers). Bro Bob, even sometimes I face so many problems even with my own family and it worries me, but I thank the Lord Almighty that He has always (been) there, when I just pour it out to Him in my prayers He always encourage me. But the work here in Fiji is moving forward and we need your prayers.

I remember I had told you about those friends from Sabbath Rest and others from Remnant from ____ Kenya whom we have been studying with, they are so happy and they need so much that we partner with. We also are very happy with them, for most of them are elderly whom we have been lacking so much (in our number).

Friday 6:30am on the 24th of April, four messengers on board in the passenger ship MV NARA heading to ____, South coast of ____ Province. Pr ____, ____, ____ and myself (____) The journey was peacefully on the calm sea not like in the pasts. We arrived at 2:00pm in ____, 3 hours more to reach the destination and there the ship unloads cargos and passengers. The ship could delay for more than 3-4 hours, so in fear of breaking Sabbath hour, we need to find alternative rout to travel to ____ village before the sunset. We took the outboard-motorized dinghy and traveled the rest of our way to ____ at 5:30pm.

A conference church former elder (was there), who is one of the most hardcore and the stubborn hearted since the early years of the Present Truths were preached at ____ village, he was the one who challenges our laymen and pastors about the messages. This has happened for time to time. But just recently during that meeting, I personally visited him with his family because he was my former friend when we were in conference church. Before I leave after discussion and pray, he admits and confessed for all the disturbing he has caused to the lay workers in the past. He begged me to pray for him that God must forgive his past mistakes.

Rivals came at midnight and put the fire on the roof of the church, fortunately ____ (church elder) put off (out) the fire and similar incident has been happen again. Enemies of the truth are continually rising up against them, but the few believers were still loyal to the Present Truth as they looking forward for the soon return of the King. Please remember them in your daily prayers....

Fifty-four (54) students from the 4 Provinces in the highlands region of PNG recently graduates from the university of Christ (Nature School) in ____, ____ after 1-week (17th –– 24th May, 2009) receiving the training of “Art of Preaching, Leadership Quality and Indoor/Outdoor Evangelism” as well as some encouraging studies to become a true disciples of Christ. The students composed by pastors, evangelists, missionaries, young workers, local church leaders, church members, class readies and drug edicts both were young and old in age. Few ladies were faithfully attending the classes and also preparing our simple dietary meals were not included.

Pr ____, ____ and ____’s great effort made this 1-week training successful, blessed and Spirit filled school. Pr ____ and myself lectured the training school under the theme of “Onward Christian Soldiers Marching As To War”. Our wonderful Lord has been kindly and richly blessed us with His great wisdom and knowledge through the encouraging studies that is taken by lay workers every morning and evening studies.

The soldiers of Christ retreat to their respective home Provinces and Districts with the burning desire to labor as the humble servant into their appointed pastures at this remaining hours of the earth’s history. Moving out believing that the Holy Spirit, the Divine Lecture may continually teaching them in the gospel fields wherever they move out.

Another slide evangelistic meeting was conducted after a week rest from the nature camp up into the Highlands Province. ____ people expressed themselves as back page people; it means they don’t have proper access on infrastructures and living in far remote villages. They live in the total dark from the earthly government services but the light of the present truth shines across the entire communities from the Everlasting Government.

Seven nights we ran the slide evangelistic meeting on the signs of the end-time. The Lord God Almighty abundantly blessed our evangelistic meeting and the outcome of if was very good. Our pulpit was erected just 4-meters away from the SDA conference church building and the blind leaders trying all their efforts to put their folks away from our meeting, but they couldn’t because the projector slide show rushed all the people to the meeting area. The entire areas were dominated by the Lutheran denomination.

On the Sabbath, 20 souls went into the water of baptism and 34 people made their commitment for the next baptism as they standing beside the 20, while 4 couples with their children from the conference leaving their apostate church and join us. After the meeting some Lutheran folks invites our leaders do more Bible studies in their homes. Asking many questions regarding Sabbaths, Baptism, 10 Commandments, ect……

I visited already our brethren in ____ and I'm very happy that I met other brethren there who were with the group of Grover before, but decided to separate with them because they'd realized and convinced that Grover's group were not walking in light of the Lord anymore, especially on the subject of Health Reform and the True Gospel Order and Church Discipline. We are working to reach some of their former members also who separated already with Grover because of the same reason and are now holding a church on their own. I am praying that other more brethren will be awaken to see the light.

Also Bro Bob, last Sabbath I visited our brethren in ____. They just came from ____, but they decided to stay for good in ____, ____. They experienced a lot of hardships in ____. The head of the family is sick for a long time already and he wasn’t able to work for his family. So I gave them the part of the support and help that you sent and the other were given to other brethren who are also in need. Thank you so much bro Bob for all your help and concern for us here especially for the work of the Lord here in the Philippines.

As of now, me and my husband are laboring and sharing for an old lady who is a member of Jehovah's Witness. We make friends with her and started to share to her the truth. She really hungered to hear the truth. We hope and pray that she will continue to hear the message. We are also trying to reach her husband and share to him also the truth.

Bro Bob, I am requesting for you if you can help us buy and provide even a portable and cheap copier machine so that we can easily copy some tracts that we needed in our work here. We really need tracts for our work here, and it will be much cheaper if we have our own copier than to pay outside. And it is much better if we buy it here if ever that will happen because we will not pay for the freight.

I am pleased once again to take this opportunity to highlight you on the fundamental developments taking place here in the completion of the work as we all wait for the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ. These two months have been lined up with very tough duties to accomplish. Since schools have been closed in April, I then devoted much of my time to visiting hospitals where I have been given opportunities to present the truth which does not fail to give hope to patients, and as a result I have managed to come up with a series of appointments by these people. In the mean time I can see that the Lord has opened for me this wonderful way of sharing the last message of mercy to a dying world.

Moreover, while doing this, I had also an opportunity to visit our brethren in the mountains where we then managed to map out a plan on how to reach unbelievers in that area. I was even thinking of how I should persuade my fellow believers in this faith on the holding of our local camp meeting. While I was praying for that, two home churches paid us a visit and they had also the same need, to my surprise. We managed to arrange for one, and this will be the first for the Zimbabwean church and not including other countries. Soon after that I went for a revival (Evangelism outreach) to the mountains and this took me the whole week to do the work there with the help of the other members of the church there. It was a successful one since about five were won to Christ. I had also among my duties to ask, look for the best possible site for holding our camp meeting....

I count it a privilege to have a part also in the completion of this great work of the gospel. I hardly had any breathing space for the past two months. Beginning with my visit to ____ on the 4th of June to look for a place where we hoped to have our camp meeting. We depended largely on the hospitality of a certain brother not one of our number who has a farm in the mountains of ____. This time I managed to find him and by the grace of God provided us with the place, some of the pots to use, an old building which needed just but little repairs and pledged to provide us with a 15kg pocket of potatoes and some onions as well as the water system. My face beamed with joy at the success of this visit and was encouraged to return back to inform my brethren.

On the 8th of same month by the grace of God, I managed to secure a good computer for translation. I had very little time to attend to it to begin in earnest this noble work as I had to be notified of the death of my uncle the day that followed. Immediately, I left for the funeral in ____. I had also an opportunity to present the state of the dead in relation to the last message of mercy at the burial which proved to be a touching message to all that were gathered. When I returned, I went to ____ to meet with the brethren the week that followed for to arrange the camp meeting....

Straight from this meeting I hardly had any time with my family when I went back to ____ for a second week of revival. At this revival, the Lord blessed me so much as I managed to enter about 11 homes, and met over 40 individuals in Bible studies. This revival was meant to establish our brethren and to train them on how to win souls for Christ. By the grace of God, however we managed to win 2 households to Christ. This revival was also to serve as part of the preparation for the camp meeting in clinching the interest among the people living around the place intended for the camp meeting....I then returned back home on the 29th of June utterly cast down by this development despite being led tremendously by the Lord....

The spare time that I could get between these major intervals, I spent in the noble work of translation. Right now I shall be sending to you 5 finished tracts plus the one I first sent to you. These are: THE CURSE OF THE LAW, THE TWO LAWS, 100 FACTS ON THE SABBATH QUESTION, AND GOD SPOKE THESE WORDS and THE SEAL OF GOD AND THE MARK OF THE BEAST. The one I sent to you at first is, WHAT SHALL I DO TO BE SAVED? May God bless this ongoing work. And allow me to express my gratitude to our supporters (friends of the truth) for this great donation which they found me worthy of receiving (for the purchasing of the computer). I am greatly humbled by your continued support BRETHREN and may the Lord multiply your resources. Let me also take this opportunity to inform you my brother that, from now onwards I shall be giving you my reports on a monthly basis.