.::. Introduction & Welcome .::.
Do
you long for the day where the wolf and the Lamb will dwell together peacefully
? Where universal harmony will reign from planet to planet ? Where God
the Father, Jesus the Son, the Holy Spirit, all the angels and all created
beings will be of one accord and of one mind ?
Do
you yearn for the day when our little children shall lead the lions
through Jesus' restored Eden ?
Do
you thirst and hunger for the day when there shall be no more crying, hurting
and destruction ?
But
most of all, do you crave deeply, without ceasing, for the opportunity
to see the Father and the Son face to face and have every fibre of your
being
sing "Holy Holy Holy" in their presence ? (Did you know that
not only the myriad of heavenly angels and the four "living beasts" cry "Holy
Holy Holy"
in honour of the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the person of the Holy
Ghost,
but
even
the wheels
of the cloudy chariot that our Majesty will use in His return to this earth
also cry and sing aloud "Holy Holy Holy". (Ezekiel chapters 1
and 10). When we see Jesus, we will fall prostrate at His feet and also
join in with
the
heavenly
host
to sing "Holy
Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty..." Can you catch the vision ?
Then
hold on for just a short while.
Maranatha
- Jesus is coming soon.
The
latest Asian earthquake is a sign of the times. See Latest
Breaking News below.
Just
as soon as we become accustomed to writing the year 2004, we are then plunged
into finding our way again in using the year 2005. Whenever you are writing
an
entry
in your diary or signing a pay cheque, you will have to think twice about
not using 2004. The years 2003 and 2004 have sprinted and finished.
It appears that
each successive year we pass through, gets shorter and shorter. It is as
if our KING of kings and LORD of Lords is reeling this world in with His
spiritual fishing rod, accepting the good fish, rejecting the bad fish,
with strong longing desire to be united with His creation without a veil
in between. (Exodus 25:8, 9)
Before
continuing, the Ministry Of Healing Team (MOH) would like to apologise
in the delay of issuing this devotional, and for being unable to respond
to
every
email that has been sent since the last devotional. The Ministry Of Healing
devotionals used to be sent out daily, then weekly, then monthly, but you
will have all realised that our "plates" have been so full that
these schedules will be unrealistic to meet. Instead, the devotionals will
not be time-driven,
but event driven so major events or issues will spur the next devotional
sending. This will allow the Ministry Of Healing more time to support other
ministry activity domestically and internationally. The years 2003 and
2004 were very busy and we see that 2005 will not be any less busy. As
Jesus said,
we must work whilst it is still day, and although the labourers are few,
the harvest is great. The Team will endeavour to respond to each email
in due course. We thank you for your patience in the meantime.
We welcome all your comments and would like to invite each
of you to share
your thoughts on each devotional issued. Some modifications
have been made to the Ministry Of Healing website including the development
of a PHP
bulletin board. Click
this link to view the catergories and share
your comments !
Review
Avril Bell's latest
poem.
Be
blessed & Maranatha
His
Ministry Of Healing Resources
Health
And Happiness Weekend - Danny & Cherise Vierra In The UK - Friday 4th
to Sunday 6th February 2005
Danny
and Cherise Vierra of Modern Manna will be conducting a complete health
portfolio of health services for the general public in central London.
The theme will be Health And Happiness and we can assure you that you will
not be disappointed ! Talks will include but not limited to:
“Health
and Healing Lessons from the Bible”
“ Attitudes and Healing”
“ The Healing Passion of Christ”
“ Health Reform and the Spirit of Prophecy”
“ Learn How to Be Well”
“ Emergency Herbal Medicine”
“
Recharging Man’s Vital Force”
“ How to Cleanse and Detoxify the Body”
Danny and Cherise will be offering information and presentations on wholeness
of body, mind and spirit, and the building blocks for excellent health. Obtain
the latest information from articles, books, audios and videos for simple,
alternative health remedies, which include lifestyle changes, vegetarian
cooking, detoxifying and cleansing, juicing and more !
For
further details of the weekend schedule, please click
here.
Time
Is At Hand - Stonebridge Park - Autumn 2003
The
Lord blessed the Time Is At Hand (TIAH) evangelistic campaign Stonebridge
Park, London, United Kingdom. The MOH were invited to support the TIAH
campaign will IT support and health events. TIAH faced many challenges,
but with God, nothing was impossible. Much planning was invested prior
to the campaign and as a result, the Holy Spirit brought a number of souls
into the the Church. The TIAH campaign started on August 20 and finished
5 weeks afterward. Each night, those who were either unable to attend the
meetings and had internet access, could view each previous night's message
online using their RealPlayer. Interestingly, we received emails from individuals
in India who not only saw the messages online, but invited TIAH to conduct
similar meetings in their own countries ! TIAH had over 60,000 online requests
in September 2003 half way through the campaign. To read the full report
online or to buy the sermons on audio, video or DVD, please click
here.
The
Stonebridge Park campaign saw the creation of the Layman's Federation which
consists of individuals, both experienced and those eager to learn, who
wish to use the talents that God has given them to extend evangelistic
outreach in the United Kingdom. Please pray that Christ as the Head, will
mold and fashion each member according to His Gospel plan.
On
a sad note, it would not be either fair or complete to not mention one
of the field workers and devout Christian workers who passed away shortly
after the campaign. We remember Brother Greenidge. His efforts have
been recorded in the Book of Remembrance, and we are confident that his
name
is listed
in
the
Lamb's
Book of life.
Pray for his beautiful wife and children who lost not only a husband and
father, but a true Christian friend. Brother Greenidge was a life of service
for the Master. We are privileged to have known and worked with him.
As
soon as the TIAH campaign finished at the end of September 2003, we were
already implementing plans for several TIAH
campaigns in 2004. Please uplift
the TIAH ministry in prayer and feel free to support this ministry with
your "love
offerings."
Dr
Neil Nedley Came To The UK - 1 June to 14, June 2004 - Proof
Positive - How To Combat Disease & Achieve Optimal Health - Depression
The Way Out
On Tuesday evening 1 June Dr Neil Nedley, from Oklahoma, USA,
commenced a series of health lectures at the Advent Centre. Dr Nedley was
assisted by his wife Erica, originally from Romania, who gave half hour cooking
demonstration before Dr Nedley's PowerPoint health presentations.
In preparation for the series a large number of health leaflets had been
distributed in Camden and the surrounding area of the Advent Centre. They
had also been sent to various health organisations including the Vegan Society,
Health Expo, and Organic Exhibitions. Daily attendance was good with up to
60 people attending each evening, most of whom were not members of the Adventist
Church. The main sanctuary at the Advent Centre was near capacity on Saturday
5 June during the whole afternoon. Many complimented the series and health
books taken from the USA sold out in the first week.
Dr Nedley focused on the "marvelous mind" and how lifestyle can
contribute to positive changes in optimum health. He also looked into the
causes of depression, otherwise known as "hits", and how practical
remedies, including diet and exercise, can be used to improve mental and
physical health. Dr Nedley points out that there is currently an epidemic
of depression in society - for every three patients who seek medical help,
one of them will be suffering from depression.
On Wednesday night 2nd June, Dr Nedley looked
at the importance of foods containing rich sources of Omega oils, calcium,
and other "brain-food" nutritional
elements. He spoke of the importance of "Interval Training", which
reduces or eliminates the pain normally associated with exercise due to lactic
acid, by exercising to maximum heart rate, then stopping the exercise until
the heart rates reduces to the minimum exercise heart rate, then repeating
the process. Dr Nedley has evidence of how athletes and non-athletes have
vastly improved their fitness levels through this simple method.
On Saturday 5 June Dr Nedley preached at the
Acton church on Daniel chapter 1. In his sermon he linked strong health
and spiritual principles and how
we may prepare mentally and spiritually in these last days. He highlighted
the dangers of excessive television, heavy rock-type music, and modern forms
of hypnosis. On Sabbath afternoon Dr Nedley was raced to the Advent Centre
where, following a vegan lunch prepared by Country Life, he spoke on exercising
healthy positive choices to maximise "brain power" and overcome
negative behaviours. The week-long series at the Advent Centre concluded
on Sunday 6 June with presentations on diet and health. Some individuals
travelled from as far as Iceland, Denmark and Ireland to attend the lectures.
From Monday 7 to Sunday 13 June the workshops
and the evening programmes at the Brean Sands Camp Meeting were well attended
- upto 1000
attendees during the evening. Pastor Don McFarlane of the South-East Conference
stated that the programmes were "excellent" and that he would be
seeking to have Dr Nedley back at a future SEC Camp Meeting.
Between the health programmes at the Camp Meetings, members
of the Leaves of Life team together with the Nedley family had the opportunity
to visit Somerset's Cheddar Caves, and enjoy excellent walks at the top of
the Gorge amongst the beautiful hills in Somerset [click
here for photos ]
During
the Camp Meeting, we stayed in a beautiful rural cottage just overlooking
Brean, with the common farmland animals and plenty of green surrounding
walks. At the time, Abi was 22 months, and as its our custom to have morning
devotional together, Ana and I went silent when one particular morning,
Abi recited the whole verse of James 3:17 word for word ! (Do you know
its easier to memorise this scripture verse using music ? See
examples here.) It makes you humble when
you witness
the
power of God's Holy Spirit through the mouth of babes.
It
was interesting to observe that following the return of the Nedley family
back to the USA on the 15 June, ITN News the following
day highlighted the importance of the lack of omega oils in the diet and
the strong connection with increasing cases of depression. It was further
stated that diets lacking in the omega oils may contribute to poor brain
power and reduced concentration levels. Although ITN shared how to obtain
these essential oils via fish sources, Dr Nedley during his UK series highlighted
that flaxseed or linseed were superior sources. In fact, Dr Nedley endorses
a very tasty and nutritional Omega 3 Uplift Bar which can be obtained via
Nedley Publishing !
We would like to thank all those who contributed toward the excellent health
series, especially those who personally came on most evenings to support
these programs.
Dr
Nedley wrote the books "Proof
Positive" and "Depression
- The Way Out".
Be sure to watch out for future details on these series of meetings on
the Leaves
Of Life forthcoming Health Events Notice board.
Deaths
of Harold Baker & Grandmother Beatrice
Many
of you will remember the tremendous devastation of Hurrican Ivan in the
Caribbean this summer. Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Haiti and Grenada
suffered the worst of the destruction. In particular, Ana and I remember
when we visited the Caymen Islands several years ago to support the Time
Is At
Hand
evangelistic
campaign. We were astonished at that time to learn that the highest point
on Grand Cayman Island is 60 feet and that it was not unusual for coastal
home gardens to be under the sea water at high tide ! Can you therefore
imagine the 20 feet of high roaring waves of Ivan rolling across the low
level island ? One
witness stated that it seemed at one point as if half the island was under
water. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3649448.stm).
We have family members in that region and thankfully there were no deaths.
We of course pray for and remember those who lost loved ones during the
hurricane. Although Hurricane Ivan did not harm any of our family members,
during the same time, we learned that a family relative was shot in gun
cross fire on one of the Caribbean islands - our grandmother Beatrice attended
her son's funeral and only a few weeks after, passed away. Two precious
family members died, and we can only pray we will see them on Resurrection
morning.
In
addition, Newport church member Harold Baker died on Sunday morning 5 December
at the age of 92 years, following a recent spell
of ill-health. We
will remember Harold for his tremendous Christian service in Wales and his
incredible Bible knowledge. Even upto his death, we understand that Harold
was hoping
to preach at his local church ! What an object lesson of Christian commitment
! Christians never retire ! Let us also keep Harold's family in prayer.
Tahitian
Noni Juice
Ana
and I have also become distributors of Tahitian Noni Juice where many of
our contacts have received healthful benefits including ailments such as
asthma, arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, AIDS,
ulcers,
depression,
poor digestion, obesity, skin disorders,tumours,
cancers and assists those with addictions to smoking and drugs ! (Read
Dr Solomon's
report).
Already,
Ana and I have received testimonials from
our contacts
who have
had partial
or
complete relief from dizzy spells, headaches, fatigue, arthritis, chronic
back pain,
irritable bowel syndrome and cartilage problems.
Hippocrates
once said, "Let food be your medicine and let medicine be your food".
Did you know that it is common to find the noni fruit plant growing along
inactive lava
flows ? Lava is mineral and nutrient rich and is an excellent natural
fertiliser. No wonder that the noni juice contains at least 253 substances
including
an assortment of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and anti-oxidants. The
noni plant is at it's most potent in the French Polynesian area including
islands such as Tahiti. It therefore becomes not so difficult to believe
that the Garden of Eden in Genesis contained
a wide variety of fruits that were for the healing and maintenance of Adam
and Eve's bodies, and very soon, the Tree of Life will be a source of rejuvenation
and health in the earth made new for our eternal use ! (Revelation 21 and
22).
What
is Tahitian Noni Juice ? How much, how often ? Where can I obtain this
juice
? Are
there any testimonials that I can read for myself ? All these questions
are answered here and
here.
[Note:
Although Tahitian Noni Juice has proved an excellent stimulant of the
body's immune system and inhibitor of toxins, we do not encourage anyone
to use the juice as a substitute for wholesome lifestyle choices and the NEW
START program.]
The
last devotional focused on the daily sanctuary services and how it pointed
to Christ, plus the importance of the earthly Day Of Atonement. To refresh
your memory - click
here.
May
each of you be blessed by the following Bible study continuing on the theme
of the heavenly sanctuary services and the incredibly accurate 2300
day-for-a-year prophecy
that
pinpoints the time of Christ's birth, baptism, death and the time when
Christ commenced the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary. (Daniel 8:14; 9:24
- 27)
"Thy
way O God is in the sanctuary, who is so great a God as our God" (Psa.
77:13).
Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Wishing above all things that you prosper in 2005 and be in
good health mentally, spiritually and physically..
Blessings & Maranatha
Al,
Ana & Abi (AAa)
His Ministry Of Healing Resources
www.ministryofhealing.org
[Print
Study For Easy Reading - Share With Your Family & Friends]
.::.
Bible Study - Part 6 - The Antitypical Cleansing
Of The Heavenly Sanctuary And The 2300 Year Prophecy .::.
"Unto
two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed".
(Daniel 8:14).
"THE
HEAVENLY SANCTUARY SERVICES"
The
blood of bulls and of goats were used to cleanse the earthly sanctuary
on the Day of Atonement. However, "the patterns of things in the heavens" required
better sacrifices than these". (Hebrews 9:23). The "heavenly
things" are to be purified or cleansed by Christ's "own blood" for
the Lamb of God appeared in the world "to put away sin by the sacrifice
of himself". (Hebrews 9:12, 26).
As
anciently the sins of the people were by faith placed upon the sin offering,
and through its blood transferred, in figure, to the earthly sanctuary;
so in the new covenant the sins of the repentant are by faith placed upon
Christ, and transferred, in fact, to the heavenly sanctuary.
When
did Jesus commence the work of cleansing the heavenly sanctuary from sin
in the Most Holy Place ?
"2300
DAY-FOR-A-YEAR PROPHECY"
The
answer to this question is found in the book of Daniel. In chapter 8, the
prophet foresaw the succeeding earthly kingdoms struggling for world-wide
dominion. For example, he beheld the arising of the kingdoms such as the "ram
which had two horns" (verse 3), being succeeded by
the "he goat" (verse
5). These kingdoms represented Media and Persia, and the Greek
kingdom respectively (verses 20 & 21). Daniel further
beholds a "little
horn" power which succeeds the Greek empire (verse 9).
The little horn power is seen magnifying itself, and is even seen casting
down the
truth to the ground and prospering (verses 11 & 12.
A fuller explanation of this power will be looked at later in this tract.
See Note 1). In response to the
destruction caused by this power, Daniel notes the conversation of "one
saint" speaking to another (verse 13). The other saint
replies,
"Unto
two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed".
(Daniel 8:14).
As
a result of the vision, Daniel was not able to endure the rest, and consequently, "fainted,
and was sick certain days" (verse 27). The remainder of the vision
continues in chapter 9 of the book of Daniel, where the prophet in the
middle of prayer, observes Gabriel the angel or messenger of God (verse
21). The aspect of time, concerning the commencement of the 2300 day prophecy
is given in verses 25-27. It is clear that the 2300 prophetic days are
literally 2300 years when using the bible interpretation. For example,
a prophetic day may be seen as a literal year when we study Ezekiel
4:6; "...I
have appointed a day for a year". Again, we may notice the same principle
in Numbers 14:34 referring to the forty years in which the children of
Israel were wandering in the wilderness; "After the number of days
in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall
ye bear your iniquities, even forty years..." It may be found that
the 2300 day for a year prophecy began when the commandment of Artaxerxes
for the restoration and building of Jerusalem went into effect, in the
autumn of 457 B.C. This decree may be found in Ezra 6:14; "...And
they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God
of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes
king of Persia". From this scripture, it is clear that the commandment
to build and restore Jerusalem is a threefold commandment:-
Ezra 6:14
The Threefold Commandment Ezra 1:1,2
1st Part of the Threefold Commandment
Announced by Cyrus king of Persia
Ezra 6:8-12
2nd Part of the Threefold Commandment
Announced by Darius the king
Ezra 7:1,12-24
3rd Part of the Threefold Commandment
Announced by Artaxerxes king of Persia
Therefore,
taking the commandment to rebuild and to restore Jerusalem as the starting
point, we may find perfect harmony in the application of all the events foretold
in the explanation of the period in Daniel 9:25-27 (See diagram of the 2300
day-prophecy). Sixty-nine weeks, the first 483 of the 2300 years, were to
reach the Messiah, the Anointed One; and Christ's baptism, and anointing
by the Holy Spirit in A.D.27. All events exactly fulfilled the specification.
In the midst of the seventieth week, Messiah was to be cut off. Three and
a half years after His baptism, Christ was crucified, in the spring of A.D.31.
The seventy weeks, or 490 years, were to pertain especially to the Jews.
At the expiration of this period the nation sealed its rejection of Christ
by the persecution of His disciples, and the apostles turned to the Gentiles
in A.D.34. The first 490 years of the 2300 having then ended, 1810 years
extended to 1844. "Then", said the angel, "shall the sanctuary
be cleansed". All the preceding specifications of the prophecy had been
unquestionably fulfilled at the time appointed..
Leading
up to the autumn of 1844, the Christian world held that the earth, or some
portion of it, was the sanctuary. The great Advent Movement was led by
William Miller and his associates, and they understood that the cleansing
of the sanctuary was the purification of the earth by the fires of the
last great day, and that this would take place at the second advent. Hence
the conclusion that Christ would return to the earth in 1844. But that
appointed time had passed, and the Lord had not appeared. However, God
had led his people in the great advent movement; His power and glory attended
the work, and He would not permit it to end in darkness and disappointment,
to be reproached as a false and fanatical excitement. This Great Disappointment
was foretold in the book of Revelation; "And I took the little book
out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as
honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter...Thou must prophesy
again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings". (Revelation
10:10,11). The books of Daniel and the Revelation are one. One is a prophesy,
the other a revelation; one a book sealed, the other a book opened. John
sees the little book of Daniel unsealed, and he sees that Daniel's prophecies
have their proper place in the first, second and third angels' messages
to be given to the world. The unsealing of the book was the message in
relation to time. The first and second angels' messages were to be proclaimed
up to the autumn of 1844, and no further light was to be revealed before
these messages had done their specific work. The comprehension of truth,
the glad reception of the message, is represented in the eating of the
little book. The bitterness in the belly referred to the disappointment
in 1844. However, all three angels' messages are to be revived and are
to be preached to all nations and peoples. Only then will Christ come on "a
white cloud". (Revelation 14:6-12,14).
With
earnest prayer, some of those who had proclaimed that Christ would return
in 1844, reviewed their position and studied the Scriptures to discover
their mistake. As they could see no error in their reckoning of the prophetic
periods, they were led to examine more closely the subject of the sanctuary.
In their investigation they learned that there is no Scripture evidence
sustaining the popular view that the earth is the sanctuary; but they found
in the Bible a full explanation of the subject of the sanctuary, its nature,
location, and services.
The
actual cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary is to be accomplished by the
removal, or blotting out, of the sins which are there recorded. But before
this can be accomplished, there must be an examination of the books of
record to determine who, through repentance of sin and faith in Christ,
are entitled to the benefits of His atonement. The cleansing of the sanctuary
therefore involves a work of investigation - a work of judgement. This
work must be performed prior to the coming of Christ to redeem His people;
for when he comes, His reward is with Him to give to every man according
to his works. (Revelation 22:12).
The
subject of the sanctuary was the key which unlocked the mystery of the
disappointment of 1844.
Both the prophecy of Daniel
8:14, "Unto two thousand and
three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed," and the first
angel's message, "Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His
judgement is come," pointed to Christ's ministration in the most holy
place, to the investigative judgement, and not to the coming of Christ for
the redemption of His people and the destruction of the wicked.
The
great and solemn day when the characters and the lives of men should pass in
review before the Judge of all the earth, was presented to the
prophet Daniel in vision:-
"
I beheld", says the prophet Daniel, "till thrones were placed,
and One that was Ancient of Days did sit: His raiment was white as snow,
and the hair of His head like pure wool; His throne was fiery flames, and
the wheels thereof burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from
before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times
ten thousand stood before Him: the judgement was set, and the books were
opened" (Daniel 7:9,10. Revised Version).
The
Ancient of Days is God the Father. Says the psalmist: "Before the
mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the
world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God." (Psalm
90:2).
It is He, the source of all being, and the fountain of all law, that is to
preside the judgement. And holy angels as ministers and witnesses, in number "ten
thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands," attend this
great tribunal.
"And,
behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came
to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there
was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations,
and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away". (Daniel 7:13,14). The coming of Christ here
described is not His second coming to the earth. He comes to the Ancient
of Days in heaven to receive dominion and glory and a kingdom, which will
be given Him at the close of His work as a mediator. It is this coming, and
not His second advent to the earth, that was foretold in prophesy to take
place at the termination of the 2300 days in 1844. Attended by heavenly angels,
our great High Priest enters the holy of holies and there appears in the
presence of God to engage in the last acts of His ministration in behalf
of man - to perform the work of investigative judgement and to make an atonement
for all who are shown to be entitled to its benefits.
In
the typical service only those who had come before God with confession
and repentance, and whose sins, through the blood of the sin offering,
were transferred to the sanctuary, had a part in the service of the Day
of Atonement. So in the great day of final atonement and investigative
judgement the only cases considered are those of the professed people of
God.[ The judgement of the wicked is a distinct and separate work, and
takes place at a later period. We will look at this event later in this
tract.] "Judgement must begin at the house of God: and if it first
begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel?".
(1 Peter 4:17).
The
books of record in heaven, in which the names and the deeds of men are
registered, are to determine the decisions of the judgement. Says the prophet
Daniel: "The judgement was set, and the books were opened". The
revelator, describing the same scene, adds: "Another book was opened,
which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things
which were written in the books, according to their works.". (Revelation
20:12).
"THE
BOOKS OF RECORD IN HEAVEN"
"The
Book of Life" contains the names of all who have ever entered
the service of God. Jesus bade His disciples: "Rejoice, because
your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:20).
Paul speaks of his faithful fellow workers, "whose names are in
the book of life." (Philippians
4:3). And the revelator says that those only shall enter the
city of God whose names "are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Revelation
21:27. See also Exodus 32:32, 33).
"A
Book of Rememberance" is written before God, in which are recorded
the good deeds of "them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon
His name." Malachi 3:16. Their words of faith, their acts of love, are
registered in heaven. Nehemiah refers to this when he says: "Remember
me, O my God,...and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house
of my God." (Nehemiah 13:14). In the book of God's rememberance every
deed of righteousness is immortalized. There every temptation resisted, every
evil overcome, every word of tender pity expressed, is faithfully chronicled.
And every act of sacrifice, every suffering and sorrow endured for Christ's
sake, is recorded. Says the psalmist: "Thou tellest my wanderings: put
Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book?" (Psalms
56:8).
There
is a "Record of the sins" of men. "For
God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether
it be good, or whether it
be evil." "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give
account thereof in the day of judgment." Says the Saviour: "By
thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned".
(Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 12:36,37). The secret purposes and motives
appear in the unerring register; for God "will bring to light the
hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts".
(1 Corinthians 4:5). Opposite each name in the books of heaven is entered
in
terrible exactness every wrong word, every selfish act, every unfulfilled
duty and every secret sin.
The
"Law of God" is the standard by which the characters and the lives of
men will be tested in the judgment. Says the wise man: "Fear God,
and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall
bring every work into judgment." (Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.) The apostle
James admonishes the brethren: "So speak ye, and so do, as they
that shall be judged by the law of liberty." (James 2:12).
NOTES:
1)
For further information on the "little horn", please click
here.
.::.
Prayer Requests & Praise Reports & Testimonies .::.
1)
Praise
Report. Let us give thanks to Jesus for the power of His Holy Spirit in convicting
over 130 precious souls to dedicate their lives to God via baptism in Bogwalk,
Jamaica. http://www.timeisathand.org/images/bogwalkphotoalbum/destination/index.htm. The
Time Is At Hand evangelistic team also laboured in the London evangelistic
campaign, 16 August to 20 September, 2003.
.::.
Latest Breaking News .::.
> A
Sign Of The Times - Asia Earthquake Catastrophe - Death Toll 50,000 And
Climbing
Thousands
are missing and millions have been made homeless by the world's worst earthquake
in 40 years. At
least 10 countries have been affected, with Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India and
Thailand among the worst hit. International
aid efforts have begun amid fears that disease could spread through the disaster
zone. Though
it was not the biggest tsunami wave ever recorded, "the
effects may be the biggest ever because many more people live in exposed
areas than ever before", said UN emergency relief co-ordinator Jan Egeland.
He said the relief operation would probably cost "many billions of
dollars". Communities were swept away and homes engulfed by waves up
to 10m high after the quake created a wall of water that sped across the
oceans. The number of dead has climbed well into the thousands in Sri Lanka,
India and Indonesia, and thousands are feared to have been killed on the Andaman
and Nicobar islands, where reports say several islands have been submerged.
In Sri Lanka, about a million are now homeless. The effects of the earthquake
reached 4000 miles away to the African country of Somalia killing 38 people.
The BBC's
Roland
Buerk in the southern town of Galle says people all along the
coast
have been
digging
-
for food, water, belongings - and the dead.
Such
an event will bring the minds of Bible scholars back to the most devastating
earthquake in record to Lisbon On November 1, 1755, Lisbon, Portugal was
shaken by a large earthquake just offshore. Lisbon was not only a city
of 250,000 people but the capital of the Portuguese empire, which spread
around the world. It was one of the most important cities in Europe. Although
Portugal had been hit by quakes in the past it had been 200 years since
the last major earthquake. The quake hit at 9:40 AM on All Souls Day. Many
buildings collapsed, burying those inside and on the street outside.
The quake triggered a tsunami, which arrived soon afterwards. As usual
the first indication was that the water drew back from the land. Soon,
however, the water came back with a wave estimated at 50 feet high crashing
through the city. Ships, docks and buildings in the city were battered
by the high seas. Thousands were swept away.
As if that wasn't enough, lamps and cooking fires upset in the tumult ignited
a conflagration that proved impossible to control. It burned unchecked for
three days, completing the destruction. In all more than 60,000 people died
in the disaster in Lisbon alone. Thousands more died in other areas. The
quake was felt throughout Western Europe and Northwestern Africa.
[Ministry
Of Healing Comments: Is this a sign of the times ? Is
this evidence that the Lord's Spirit is slowly being removed from the
earth ? Was such events predicted by the Bible ? "For nation shall
rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be
earthquakes
in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are
the beginnings of sorrows" - Mark 13:8. "And I beheld when he had opened
the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun
became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood" -
Revelation 6:12. But the largest earthquake is still future and will
take place at the end of the falling of the last plagues; "And there
were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great
earthquake,
such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake,
and so great" - Revelation 16:18. However, as far as the saints of
God are concerned, "perfect love casts out fear". Let us remember that
our Saviour shall stand up for His people
accordingly
to Daniel 12:1 and that such events prove our Lord's Return is due
sooner than we think. Be strong and of a good courage and let us pray
for the families who mourn
during
this
time.
For further information on last day events, click
here.]
> Passion
Of The Christ
Many
of you will have either seen or have heard the film by Mel Gibson. Like
it or hate it, the film received controversy and praise. Two main camps
emerged. One camp expressed how the film was accurate to scripture and
that its a useful tool of witness. The other camp saw major flaws in
the film and obvious promotion of Catholicism and Mariology. What did
you think
? Although the controversy has reduced from boiling point, reluctantly
we saw the film on DVD so that we could share with you issues that we
believe contradict The Word and Christ our Lord, and that no one could
charge us that we were using other peoples' opinions:
