The God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country,

dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same
promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker
is God. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen
them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that
they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare
plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country
from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But
now they desire a better country, that is, heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed
to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city. Heb11:9-16

Dear Readers,

How richly and how wonderfully God supplies our needs!

As we travel far and wide visiting the brethren, we marvel at the grace God
gives to so many to be able to share the goodness of the Lord in word and deed.
Time and again we think, 'If only everyone could be here to receive this blessing.'
Often we feel strongly impressed that a certain testimony, a certain message must
be shared with all. But how? More traveling, meetings, letters, phone calls? As the
Lord gives increase to His flock it seems to become ever more impossible to keep
in touch and to share with everyone the riches of His grace.

The solution?

Publish a periodical!

On several occasions over the past few years our elder pastors have
admonished us to write and publish.

But we wondered how? and with what? Then, without praying specifically,
God marvelously supplied thousands of dollars worth of printing equipment-
exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or think. Our confidence was
growing that the Lord was leading and confirming His will. Another problem soon
appeared: where could we find the time to write?

Then the Lord reminded us how He has been known on occasions to lock
up some of His saints in prison so they would have the time to write!

Not particularly looking forward to scribbling on musty prison walls, we

made the time to write. Less traveling, less visiting. But even then, we just could
not seem to accomplish much.

What more was needed?

More Grace!

‘And of His fulness have all we received, and grace upon grace.’

We pray, that on the journey from the ‘valley of tears’ to the City where
'God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death,

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nor sorrow, nor crying,' our little magazine will be of help to Pilgrims as they go
along their way-a Journal for the journey.

The truth that this world is not our home-that we are just strangers and
pilgrims here on a brief journey toward the heavenly kingdom-is not clearly under-
stood by many of God's dear children. This is especially so here in America in
recent years. Some of the articles in this issue can be better understood against the
background of this problem. Our purpose is not to criticize anyone, but rather to
help encourage one and all to lift their eyes from the things of earth and 'see the
King in His beauty...and the land that is very far off' (Isa 33:17).

Communication needs a two-way connection. This is our communication

with you. We are looking forward to your sharing with us. Send us your comments,
your suggestions, your testimonies, your messages-whatever the good Lord has
given you.

The initial means of distributing this Journal will be through our assemblies
If you wish to receive it directly to your residence, please send us your name and
address clearly written. You may receive as many copies as you can prayerfully use
for meaningful distribution. Future issues of this Journal for Pilgrims will be
forthcoming as God guides and provides. All praise be to Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

The Editors

Pilgrims Journal

Note: Scriptures are from the KJV or the New KJV, generally, unless
otherwise noted.

********

PROSPERITY

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health,
even as thy soul prospereth.

John greets us with the above salutation in his third epistle. We are all
familiar with such kinds of greetings including those for special seasons. ‘Happy
New Year!’ is the cheerful and carefree expression used in English to celebrate the
commencement of a new year. In Spanish a more meaningful greeting is frequently
used:

‘¡PROSPERO AÑO NUEVO!’

(‘PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!’)

Often when we greet one another with such expressions we give little
thought to their meaning. Do you suppose this salutation of John the Apostle was
merely a customary, everyday, worn-at-the -edges greeting? or was he writing by
inspiration of the Holy Ghost? Most certainly he was revealing a truth from the
very heart of our loving heavenly Father.

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 ‘Beloved, I wish above all things...’ Here it would seem to suggest that,
although God may have many things to be ‘bothered about,’ above all He has a
prevailing concern and interest for the ‘prosperity’ of His people. Could it be that
the Creator of all things has such an interest in the welfare of His loved ones, that
the One who inhabits eternity actually makes this the utmost priority on His ‘list’?
Could God’s love for us be that personal and intimate?

In the thirty-fifth Psalm, King David shows the same revelation of God’s
concern and love for His people:

Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his
servant.

SHALOM PEACE

What does the Lord mean by the word prosperity that He delights to
bestow upon His own? In the original Hebrew, the word translated ‘prosperity’ is
‘Shalom’ which was, and still is today, the most common word of salutation
among the Jews both upon meeting and upon departing-as we would say ‘Hello’,
and, ‘Goodbye.’ The meaning of the word in Old Testament times carried much the
same thought as did the words of John’s greeting quoted above. `Shalom' conveys
the deeper meanings of 'completion' and `fulfillment', an `entering into a State of
wholeness, unity, harmony, and a restored and unimpaired relationship.'

‘Shalom’ is also used to describe the state of a nation or country when all
fightings and wars have ceased; and whether this peace is with God or man, it is
often based upon the fulfillment of a covenant agreement--that is, that all debts and
obligations have been settled by payment or sacrifice. Of course, all of this points
to Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and the sacrifice He made as a ransom
payment for all our debts to make peace between us and God and between us and
our brethren.

‘Prosperity’, ‘welfare’, ‘safety’, and even ‘health’ are also included in the
meaning of this wonderful one-word Hebrew greeting. Even our physical health
springs forth from God’s peace in our hearts--’as your soul prospereth.’ The most
interesting fact remains: It is the Almighty God Himself who wishes us ‘Shalom!’
He literally takes pleasure in the prosperity, in the Shalom, of His servant!

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of
peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

‘...that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.’
Here we begin to comprehend on a more personal level just what God is truly
‘wishing’ for you and me. We may have made our plans for the coming year. Our
minds may be ever so full of ideas and schemes to make our future more
prosperous. But what kind of plans has God made for us in this greeting from His
throne in heaven?

God, who foresees ‘the end from the beginning,’ knows what the best kind
of ‘prosperity’ really is. He is looking far beyond all of our temporary, earthbound
shortsightedness to the eternity which He is even now preparing for us. Can there
be any doubt that God has the very best in mind for us? Yet, in spite of all these
wonderful reasons for which to trust God (we know them so well), the doubts,
fears, anxieties, and all the other self-seeking sins still steal away the
‘shalom’-peace in our walk with God; and cause us to worry for tomorrow.

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 Our problem lies in the fact that very often we just don’t trust in the
absolute goodness of God toward us. God’s ‘shalom’-greeting to His beloved has
become as commonplace to us as it has with many a modern Hebrew-speaking
Jew. It is often received with same indifference and unbelief as if some old
disgruntled employer wished us a ‘Merry Christmas’, a ‘Happy New Year’, or a
‘Happy Birthday.’

But in spite of all our fears and questionings, God continues to ‘speak
peace (shalom) unto His people and to His saints,’ looking for those who have ears
to hear and a heart to fully trust and surrender to Him.

In today’s modern get-rich-quick society, the word ‘prosperity’ has taken on

a new meaning, one that is quite unfamiliar to God’s original plan and purpose as
revealed in His Word.

He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye and considereth not that poverty
shall come upon him. Prov. 28:22

Anxiety, high blood pressure, nervous tension, strife, vainglory, etc. are the
fruits of such a vain way of life which, sad to say, has made sweeping inroads
among so many of God’s people in these days. And worse than that, the children of
God lose sight of the things of heaven and become worldly, carnal, and self-
serving. Our hearts and minds must be renewed as to what God has truly purposed
for the lives of His people. ‘The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that
ye may know what is the hope of His calling.’

But they that will be rich fall into temptation, and a snare, and into many
foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the
love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after; they have
erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou,
O man of God, flee these things. 1Tim.6:9-11.

euodoo - HELP ON THE ROAD

The Greek word for ‘prosperity’ has nothing in common with today’s rat-
race schemes and programs to lay up ‘treasures in Egypt.’ The original Greek word
is ‘euodoo’. It is formed from two simple words: ‘eu’ which means ‘good’ and
‘hodos’ which means ‘road’. Joined together it literally means ‘help on the road’
with a view ‘to succeed in reaching a specific goal.’ Paul uses the same word
‘euodoo’ in Rom.1:10 where it is translated by two English words: prosperous
journey. ‘Making request, if...I might have a prosperous journey by the will of
God.’

This is exactly what God has in mind for us! He wants to give us ‘help on
the road’! He has promised to meet our needs along this life’s journey from ‘earth
to glory’ (He’s already given us far more than we deserve!); but He does not want
us to get off the narrow way, the King’s highway which ever leads upwards-- ‘the
upward call of God in Christ Jesus.’ He sees to it that we get our ‘daily bread,’ but
longs to see us hungering for the heavenly manna that feeds our souls. How His
heart must ache when He sees His people laboring for the ‘meat that perisheth’ and
then find themselves too busy, or too fatigued to get back on the Highway of
Holiness, the true Highway of Prosperity.

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 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The Way of
Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but there shall be one that accompa-
nies them so that the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. Is. 35:8
(after the Spanish)

Yes, the Lord want us to put our hands in His and walk with Him. He will
accompany us so that we have a prosperous journey and not err in the way. He will
lead us and give us ‘help on the road’-on the straight and narrow way, until we
reach the City He has prepared for those who love Him.

The labor of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth
not how to go to the city Eccl. 10:15

Yes indeed, the Lord has promised us a ‘prosperous journey’ through the
mountains and valleys of this life. The Lord Jesus has already gone before us on
this narrow way, and He knows how to make all things work together for good to
those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose. Although at times
when the storms of life assail us and the wind-tossed sea covers our boat and He
may seem to be ‘asleep on a pillow;’ remember, He cares for His own. He has give
us commandment to ‘depart unto the other side,’ and we can rest assured that He
will grant us a successful journey all the way to the end!

Brethren, let us surrender our trust to the Living God who giveth us richly
all things to enjoy. Let us seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,
trusting Him to meet all of our needs (not our greeds). God’s ‘Shalom’ and ‘help on
the road’ will assure us of a successful journey to the heavenly City.

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy
the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches
than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the
reward...for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.

Heb. 11:24-27

And king Uzziah sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had
understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the L ORD, God made
him to prosper…and God helped him…for he was marvellously helped, till he
was strong. II Chron 26:5

This Book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt
meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that
is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou
shalt have good success. Josh 1:8

*****

For Those Who Love His Name

Chapter 1

God created us that we might know Him and enjoy Him forever. The
knowledge of God then should be the chief goal and purpose of our life. But how
shall we ever come to the knowledge of God? Oh, but He longs to reveal Himself

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to us! How can the infinite God reveal Himself to finite man? God is omnipotent,
omniscient, and omnipresent. He is glorious, perfect, righteous, merciful, humble,
loving, kind, and good. And what more shall we say? There are not enough words
in the tongues of men and of angels to describe the greatness and the glory of our
God and our Redeemer. Yet He delights to reveal Himself to the humble. Let us
humble ourselves then and learn of Him.

I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid
these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even
so, Father: for so it seemed good in Thy sight. Mat. 11:25,26

One way God uses to reveal more of Himself to us is through His Names.
Students of the Word soon realize that names in the Bible very often have
meanings which convey insight into the character of the person or the events of a
certain situation.

This article is to begin a series of studies of the many names used

throughout the Scriptures to give us meaningful insights into the wonderful nature
of our great God.

Let them that love Thy name be joyful in Thee. Psa. 5:11

Many of these names are compounded; that is, some descriptive word is
added to one of the basic names of God. In order to lay a foundation for our study
then, let us point out these basic names translated ‘God’, ‘Lord’ or ‘LORD’ in the
Bible. Later we will proceed to study the many compound names which reveal to
us some of His glorious nature. Although this first introductory chapter may seem
mostly technical, it is intended for the following chapters in this study to be more
devotional and inspirational in nature.

In the Hebrew Old Testament there are three basic words used for ‘God’.
One is ELOHIM and the related forms Eloah and El. These are usually translated
‘God’. They are rather general words which are also used when speaking of
heathen gods, of angels, or even of human beings. Therefore they do not tell us a
great deal about the nature of the one true God, except that the root meaning seems
to indicate ‘strength’ and ‘greatness’. Of course, our God is the ‘God (Elohim) of
gods (elohim)’ as in Psa. 136:2. The Psalmist also says, ‘Among the gods (elohim)
there is none like unto Thee...Thou art God (Elohim) alone’ (86:8-10).

It is interesting that Elohim has the usual masculine plural ending, and that
is why it is usually translated in plural form like gods when referring to anyone or
anything other that the one true and living God. In this plural form it is possible to
see a reflection of the triune (three-in-one) nature of our God, as in, ‘Elohim said,
Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness.’ and, ‘Elohim said, Behold
man is become like one of Us.’ (See Gen. 1:26; 3:22; 11:7; Isa. 6:8.) Some have
refused to admit this as evidence of the triune nature of God claiming that it is only
the ‘plurality of majesty,’ like we sometimes use in English when some recognized
person says, ‘We humbly accept this honor bestowed upon us.’ But in the Bible we
never see any king or great person using such a ‘we’ or ‘us’ expression. Further,
when elohim is used for heathen gods, etc. it is accompanied with plural verbs and
adjectives. When referring to our God, the plural form Elohim is used with verbs
and adjectives in the singular. God frequently says, ‘I am your Elohim,’ but never,
‘We are your Elohim.’ Although God is triune (three-in-one) in nature, He is also
essentially one as can be seen in such fundamental statements as: ‘Hear, O Israel:
The LORD our Elohim is one LORD’ (Deut. 6:4). Elohim (with the related words El,

6
Eloah, and Elah) are used some 2663 times in reference to God in the Scriptures.)

Another basic word used in the Bible in referring to God is ADONAY

which means ‘Lord’ and is usually so translated (notice that this word is written
with the ‘ord’ in lower case). This also is a general term used for the one true God
and for other rulers as well. In reference to God it is used some 460 times in the
Bible. The third word is really a name and is used exclusively by the one true and
living God. It is with this Name that our study will commence.

The word most frequently translated ‘LORD’ (with ‘ORD’, or GOD, with ‘OD’,
written in capital letters in most English Bibles) is really a name. It is used some
6879 times. This is the Name which we know as JEHOVAH. This is the common
English spelling, but the Name as given to the Hebrews is somewhat different.

Ancient Hebrew was written with consonants only, leaving the reader to
supply the vowels as he read the words. This sacred, memorial Name of God was
written then with just four Hebrew consonants ____. These letters in English are
YHWH. (Hebrew is written from right to left.) Today, the exact pronunciation of
that Name is not known. As vowels were not written in ancient times and as the
Jews did not pronounce that Name publicly, the original vowels and pronunciation
have long since been forgotten. Some scholars suggest that it was probably
pronounced: YaHWeH.

Why did the Jews refrain from pronouncing this Name in public? It is
because that, as their hearts went astray from God, they lost the love of God and
came under the bondage and dread fear of the law. They understood that His Name
is glorious and fearful, and that He holds those guilty who take His Name in vain.
Therefore, to avoid the wrath of God, they concluded it would be better not to use
His name at all.

What an unfortunate decision! God had wanted them to know Him-to know
His Name; to love Him-to love His Name. He wanted them to call upon His Name
and draw nigh unto Him. But they feared to use His Name and went further and
further from Him and called upon the names of other gods.

“That thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful Name, THE LORD THY
GOD.’ (Yahweh) (Elohim) Dt 28:58

Then how did the Jews pronounce the Name when they read it? They
pronounced the Name as if it were the word ADONAY (Lord) instead of the Name
Yahweh. (Very much like we use the word ‘LORD’ instead of Yahweh or Jehovah in
most of our English Bibles and in our common speech.)

In later years when they added the vowels in the written text, they just
added the vowels for ADONAY to remind them to say ‘Adonay’ instead of
‘Yahweh’ whenever they read the Name. The vowels in Adonay are a, o, and a.
Then when added between the consonants Y-H-W-H the word-name is written
YaHoWaH. In English we have become accustomed to pronounce that Name as
‘Jehovah.’

Remember that Yahweh is a much closer and more accurate pronunciation

than the more familiar Jehovah. In subsequent chapters in this series we plan to
study this Name in its many compound forms and we may write Yahweh more
frequently than the common English Jehovah.

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 Exodus 3. What does the Name Yahweh mean? God Himself indicates the
meaning of His Name when He reveals it to Moses at the burning bush. Moses was
reluctant to go to Egypt to deliver the Israelites. He said, ‘Behold, when I come
unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath
sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His Name? what shall I say to
them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou
say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.’

Dead heathen gods may have so many names given to them, but only the
living God can give His own Name. And that Name is an expression of being-of
being alive: I AM.

I am, what? What is God? Well, in the first place, God is who and what He
is: ‘I am that I am’. But He does not stop there. He goes on to tell us what He is.
For example, when His Name is given as ‘Yahweh Rapha’, He is revealing Himself
as, ‘I am thy healer.’

Not only do we have many descriptive words added to Yahweh in the Old
Testament revealing distinctive attributes of God, but the Lord Jesus referred to
Himself in the same way in the New Testament. Jesus used the expression ‘I AM’
in such a way that the Jews understood He was identifying Himself as the great
Yahweh, the great ‘I AM THAT I AM’ of the Old Testament.

He was applying the glorious and fearful Name to Himself. That is one of
the main reasons they wanted to kill Him. They accused Him of blasphemy:
‘Whom makest thou Thyself,’ they asked Him. ‘For a good work we stone Thee
not; but for blasphemy; and because that Thou, being a man, makest Thyself God’
(John 8:53; 10:33).

When Jewish scholars translated the Hebrew Old Testament Scriptures into
Greek (called the Septuagint translation) a little over 200 years before Christ, they
translated the Name Yahweh by the simple Greek expression, ‘I am’ (Ego eime).
Although they are the common Greek words for ‘I am’, the way Jesus used them
was unique. Notice the three following expressions: ‘If ye believe not that I AM ye
shall die in your sins.’ and: ‘Then shall ye know that I AM.’ (John 8:24,28). (In
these two verses the word ‘he’, which is added in the English Bible, is not in the
Greek.)

Because they did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God, they were
infuriated when He referred to Himself as Yahweh. ‘Your father Abraham rejoiced
to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto Him, Thou art
not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM. Then took they up stone to cast
at Him’ (John 8:58. See also John 13:19; 18:5.)

Therefore, when Jesus used the expression ‘I AM’ when He said, ‘I am the
Bread of Life’, ‘I am the Light of the world’, ‘I am the Door’, ‘I am the good
Shepherd’, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life,’ etc. these were more than mere,
simple statements. Jesus was revealing the divine attributes of the eternal great
Yahweh, and showing that He Himself was that great God I AM THAT I AM.

So as we study the divine nature of God in the compound Names of

Yahweh, we will discover their fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now we have the foundation for the chapters which are to follow in this

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study:

For Those Who Love His Name -a study of the wonderful nature of our
great God and Savior as revealed in the fascinating Names of YAHWEH!

‘Those who know Your Name will put their trust in You.’ Psa 9:10

(To be continued.)

********

Time to Pray

I got up early one morning,

And rushed right into the day.

I had so much to accomplish,

I just didn’t have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled around me,

And heavier came each task.

Why doesn’t God help me? I wondered.

He answered, ‘You didn’t ask!’

I wanted to see joy and beauty,

But the day toiled on grey and bleak.

I wondered why God didn’t show me.

He said, ‘But you didn’t seek!’

I tried to come into God’s presence:

I tried all my keys in the lock.

God gently and lovingly chided,

‘My child, you didn’t knock!’

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 I woke up early one morning,

And paused before entering the day.

I had so much to accomplish-

I just had to take time to pray!

Then shall ye call upon Me,

and I will hearken unto you.

And ye shall seek Me, and

find Me, when ye shall search

for Me with all your heart.

Jer.29:12-13

********

A Modern Parable
A Friend Finds The Right Way

(Jesus taught them many things by parables)

Mr. A. Friend of Kansas City had lived through many a cold and bitter
winter, when he came across a colorful brochure telling of California’s golden, sun
drenched beaches and waving palm trees.

Enough is enough!’ he cried, ‘and I’ve had too much-cold feet, coughs,
colds, fever, heating bills, snow shoveling, icy streets-enough! I’m going in search
of a better life. Westward-ho, where the warm winds blow!’

His mind was made up; no one could talk him out of it. He packed his bag,
and started down the road. But, which way? As he sloshed through the blinding
snow, he asked a truck driver, ‘Tell me, Sir, which way to California?’ ‘No
problem, jut take Interstate 70. It runs right through town and will take you all the
way to California. The map shows it’s exactly 1,663 miles.’

What a distance! But Mr. A. Friend was determined; nothing could stop
him now. He could almost hear the warm Pacific breezes whispering through the
swaying palm trees. ‘Success, peace, prosperity-California, here I come!’ With
quickened zeal he braced himself against the driving snow. What a thrill as he saw
the big sign, ‘I-70'. Buttoning up his collar and pulling down his ear flaps, he
turned against the savage wind; but alas! mistakenly he turned east instead of west.

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Ignorant of his error he doggedly pushed on-his dream, his vision spurred him on
day and night. His goal was so vivid before him that, at times, as he plowed
through the snowdrifts, he could almost imagine they were warm, sunny sand
dunes under his bare feet-as if he were racing for a plunge in the warm waves of
the Pacific.

After weary days and freezing nights trudging along the snowy highway,
Mr. A. Friend came to a little roadside restaurant as he approached St. Louis. What
a relief to step in out of the howling winter wind. Unburdening himself of his
backpack, our friend sat down to a warm meal. But he could not afford to rest too
long. ‘On to California!’ So picking up his pack, he stepped out into the cold again.

‘How far to California, Sir?’ he asked a passer-by. ‘1,920 miles,’ was the
reply. The answer left Mr. A. Friend rather confused. Had he not been told it was
only 1,663 when he started out from Kansas City? ‘Maybe one of them was
mistaken,’ he thought. ‘Anyway, I’d better hurry along; one thing is sure: I’ve got a
long way to go.’ A big sign, ‘I-70', gave comforting assurance that he was still on
the right way; so on he pushed toward his goal with determined zeal.

After many a weary mile, Mr. A. Friend plodded on into Indianapolis,

Indiana. After a good night’s rest, the motel owner told him California was 2,154
miles away. Although discouraged by his seemingly negative progress, ours hero,
Mr. Friend, was not one to give up easily. ‘I can see I am not making very good
progress,’ he said. ‘If I am ever to reach the better life I’ll have to quicken my
pace.’ Increasing his speed to a steady jog he continued along I-70.

At Columbus, Ohio, he was informed the distance was more like 2,331
miles to California. Well, now discouragement began to get the best of Mr. A.
Friend. His usual jolly mood and confident air gave room to growing gloom and
deepening despair. He finally had to face the facts. At the rate he was going he
would never reach his goal. Life was just too short and strength too frail. Realizing
he needed help, he approached a friendly man on the street corner. The gentleman
seemed to be a tour guide of some sort telling people which way to go and passing
our little maps. After listening to Mr. Friend’s story, the tour guide comforted him
with words of assurance - the same thing had happened to himself and to many
other a weary traveler. The tour guide turned Mr. Friend around and pointing to the
west said, ‘You’ve been going in the wrong direction. This is the right way.’

At first Mr. A. Friend argued with the gentleman; he wasn’t quite ready to
admit he had been foolish enough to walk such a long distance in the wrong
direction. But the tour guide seemed so sincere and understanding, and his little
map was so clear and convincing, that Mr. Friend humbled himself, admitted he
had been wrong, and turned toward the right way.

A Great sense of relief came to Mr. A. Friend. It was as if life had started all
over for him - like being born again - a renewed hope, a renewed vision. Maybe
now, at last, he could reach his goal and know the better life. The warming rays of
the western sun surely did feel better than that cold east wind.

The tour guide placed some of the little maps in his hand and gave him an
encouraging word. ‘as you meet others going in the wrong direction show them the
right way too.” So grateful was our friend to know his former follies were forgiven
and forgotten that he quickly found himself a street corner and started to tell one
and all. Some of course were too embarrassed to admit they were wrong and told
him to mind his own business. But others accepted his advice, especially as his

11
personal testimony was so convincing after so many miles in the wrong way.

Soon our friend had quite a following of kindred souls who were gratefully
glad to find the right way. When the group grew too large for the street corner, they
rented a storefront in downtown Columbus and put up a big sign:

‘I FOUND THE RIGHT WAY’.

Mr. A. Friend was so convincing, and his group of followers were so happy
at having discovered the right way, that many others began to join them. They soon
out grew their storefront and purchased a large building near the center of
Columbus. To raise money for their growing budget, they brought in music groups
and hired guest speakers; and to avoid paying takes, they incorporated as a church,

‘THE CHURCH OF THE RIGHT WAY’.

Soon they added radio and television outreaches and then a magazine with
full-color pictures of California’s golden shores. TV appeals and mail-in offers
proved quite successful at bringing in funds for their work. For a free-will offering
of $15 they would send you a piece of California driftwood in the shape of a cross.
For a love offering of $25 our now Reverend Friend would personally bless and
autograph your piece of driftwood (add $9.99 for handling). A most successful
project was a proposed retirement settlement (called Take Thought for Tomorrow)
on the shores of the Pacific. If you would send them your life’s savings you would
get an artist’s drawing of a cozy cottage where you could dream of living happily
forever in the warm embrace of the sun. His first book How to Do Your Own Thing
in the Center of God’s Will sold like hot cakes. His second book How to Get God
to Do What You Want Him to Do sold even better.

Rev. A. Friend’s ministry drew international attention and donations came

in from far and wide. Right in the heart of Columbus they built a great
megachurch, one of the largest in the country; and his fame spread everywhere.
Talk shows interviewed him and his views were published in the papers. There was
even some talk he might run for political office. Friends in his old home town of
Kansas City considered him a local hero, which goes to prove the old addage, “A
prophet never lacks honor in his own country.” They wanted him to return, but
there was no going back for Rev. Friend. His heart was in Columbus, Ohio, where
he had much possessions and considerable treasures laid up for himself and his
family, and he could not afford to leave.

Not that everything was always smooth and easy. Troubles came Rev.
Friend’s way also. A few people had to be put out of his church for disturbing the
peace. Once, a rather discordant soul had interrupted his speech by asking, ‘Good,
but when do we actually start going?’ Another fanatic dared to ask, ‘Yes, but are
we really going to get there at all?’ But Rev. Friend had taken a course in pastoral
psychology and he was able to handle most suchlike problems. For the more
difficult cases they added a psychiatrist and a lawyer to their staff and took out
malpractice insurance.

To a parishoner who complained she was suffering terribly from the bitter
winter in Columbus, he retorted, ‘Faith is the answer. Don’t live by feelings.
Believe and confess you are seated in sunny places. If you feel otherwise rebuke
the lying symptoms. Anyway, if you just had enough faith you would ever feel
better.’

12
 Then there was the usual onslaught of winter maladies such as coldness of
heart, shortness of vision, dullness of hearing, stiffening of the neck, and broken
bones from skiing down hill too fast. But Rev. A. Friend’s mighty healing ministry
and his church’s newly-built ‘Faith Hospital’ adjoining the sanctuary soothed many
an ach’n complaint.

To make things easier for the disgruntled members, a better heating system
was installed in the church and free foot warmers were distributed to those who
were growing cold. Prayer meetings were shortened and even canceled altogether
when coldness set in.

Rev. A. Friend also pointed out that, although some of the winters in
Columbus were in fact a little cold, there had been a warming trend recorded in
recent years - a sure sign of the times that they were progressing on the Right Way.
He also preached against the evils of complaining and taught his members the
power of positive thinking. ‘Faith and confessing will bring you the blessing,’ was
his motto. He also pointed out that the fortune of many had improved since joining
his church. Two had won at the lottery and others at the races. Some were now
driving Cadillacs, others living in bigger houses. It was plain to see that Rev.
Friend’s powerful What’s-in-it-for-Me gospel and his popular Give-to-Get Blessing
Pact were being confirmed with signs following.

Rev. Friend had other troubles also, but by faith he overcame them all. The
governor of California was investigating him for fraudulent misrepresentation and
violation of state laws; but because his citizenship was not really there, our
Reverend was able to ward off conviction. Certain banks also tried to foreclose on
some of his grandiose schemes, but he rebuked the devil, borrowed money, and
pleaded for offerings on TV to keep one jump ahead of his enemies. He was
always willing to suffer for the cause and endure such persecution. And besides,
his church was safely protected under the sheltering wings of its multi-million-
dollar insurance coverage.

As the years went by, our Reverend’s health declined. Doctors suggested he
fly to California for rest and renewal to bring down his blood pressure and heal up
his ulcers. But with the growing success of his worldwide mega-ministry, Rev.
Friend could hardly afford such useless waste of time.

Eventually, of course, out friendly Reverend passed away. Thousands came

to his funeral. Eulogies of praise came from great and small. Even the governor of
California sent a telegram which was read as closing remarks. In it he said
regrettably, ‘I never knew him,’ and it closed aptly, ‘Truly he has received his
reward.’ The governor of Ohio was pleased to have the honor of sealing his tomb.
He was buried in the most prestigious cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. His image is
preserved in a beautiful memorial painting hanging in his church. In the
background of the painting you can see the lovely swaying palms and sunny
beaches of California - a fitting reward for such a mighty man of faith and power.

Salvation is a Person

13
 With so many religions in the world one cannot help from being confused.
Which one teaches us the right way? An honest inquirer will have to admit that,
among them all, the Jewish religion stands out unique from the rest.

In the first place the Old Testament Scriptures claim to be directly from
God Himself. Literally thousands of times it says, ‘Thus saith the Lord,’ or some
similar expression. Other religions have their prophets and their traditions, but
when God speaks directly from heaven we must give more earnest heed.

Then there is the prophetic structure of the Old Testament. There is nothing
like it in all the world: grand and sweeping prophecies covering individuals,
nations, ages past, present, and future- from eternity to eternity. What a thrill to
observe its prophecies being amazingly fulfilled to the smallest detail as the
centuries unfold.

Also we have the magnificent moral, ethical, and legal codes given in the
laws of the Old Testament which to no small degree have provided a general basis
for the legal structure of all of civilization to this present day.

Yet, with all its grandeur, its glory, and its universal renown, as a religion it
does not provide salvation. Its own Scriptures plainly state that salvation was yet to
come. Throughout its pages, its stories, and its prophecies there is a continual
pointing in promise and hope toward a future salvation-toward a Person who
would come and be the salvation of His people. Salvation then is not to be found in
a religion, for what religion could be better than the one given by God Himself?
No, God has provided a New and Living Way-a living Person.

His Name is Salvation

When He came into this world as foretold in those marvellous, prophetic

Old Testament Scriptures, an angel came from heaven to reveal His Name: ‘Thou
shalt call His Name Jesus [that is, Jeshua, which means Salvation] for He shall
save His people from their sins.’1

Even today, centuries after the Savior, Jeshua the Christ, has come,
multitudes are still struggling to fulfill their religious obligations in vain effort to
find salvation. Even many of the forms and expressions of Christianity itself are
now counted among the world’s leading religions. With diverse and often
conflicting views, Christians of different creeds and denominations boast near
exclusive claim to salvation--at times even hurling judgements, anathemas, and
condemnations against one another.

The confusion has gotten worse, not better. Which religion is right? Whom
shall we believe? Whom shall we follow? Is there anyone we can trust?

How the heart of the Lord Jesus must have ached as He looked over
Jerusalem and wept, ‘O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem... How often I wanted to gather
your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you
were not willing. See, your house is left to you desolate!’ They were too busy
going about their religious activities trying to find salvation-too busy to receive the
Savior. They were too engrossed in studying about God to let Him reveal Himself
to them. While trying so hard to do things to win His favor, they failed to yield to
His grace and love. Their lives were dedicated to the service of God and their
religion was the one, true religion from God. Yet, when God came to them with
open arms saying, ‘Here I am,’ they did not recognize Him. In fact, they hated

14
Him; yea, they even crucified Him.

To a group of devout Jews, Jesus lamented, ‘You search the Scriptures, for
in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But
you are not willing to come to Me, that you may have life.’2 They studied about
Him, sang about Him, preached about Him, and worked for Him. But they would
not come to Him!

Sad to say, mankind has not changed much. So many still run around busily
seeking salvation, searching the Scriptures, doing all kinds of great and marvellous
things in the name of God; and yet, ‘You will not come to Me.’ ‘For I bear them
witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they
being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own
righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the
end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.’3

Friend, have you found the New and Living Way? Your religion may be
just about the best there is, right from God Himself; and you might be making an
heroic effort to fulfill all righteousness. Still, you sense that you are lacking
something. More likely it is Someone! Or perhaps you have no religion at all and
you know you do not have salvation. In either case, He is standing at your heart’s
door, 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens
the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.’ 4 What an
invitation! Yield to Him right now. ‘Today if you hear His voice, do not harden
your heart.’5

Are you seeking for the living God? Jesus answers, ‘Have I been with you
so long, and yet you have not known Me?’6

Are you longing to know your heavenly Father? Jesus says, ‘If you had
known Me, you would have known My Father also: and from now on you know
Him and have seen Him...I and My Father are one.’7

Looking for the light? Jesus says, ‘I am the light of the world. He who
follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’8

Searching for the fullness of God? ‘It pleased the Father that in Him all the
fullness should dwell. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
and you are complete in Him.’9

Thirsty for the living water? Jesus cries, ‘If any one thirsts, let him come to
Me and drink. He that believes on Me, as the Scripture ahs said, out of His heart
will flow rivers of living water.’10

Hungry? ‘I am the bread life,’ Jesus says, ‘I am the living bread which
came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.’11

Afraid He will not accept you? ‘Do not be afraid...the one who comes to
Me I will by no means cast out.’ ‘Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.’12

Doubt that you can hold on? My sheep hear My voice, and I know them,
and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;
neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand,’ Jesus promises.13

15
 Are you too weak? He says, ‘My strength is made perfect in weakness.’14

Lonely? Jesus assures, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ ‘I am with
you always, even to the end of the world.’15

Are you defeated and cannot live an overcoming life? ‘But thanks be to
God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ...In all these things
we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.’16

Jesus Christ is all in all

Time and space do not permit to tell all of the majesty and might, all of the
abundant, saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Whatever your need, Christ is the
answer. Come to the Savior. His arms are outstretched waiting for you.

How do you come to Him? Repent of your sins and turn to God for
forgiveness. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Trust Him with all of your heart. His
blood was shed for the remission of your sins. Receive Him as your Savior and let
Him be Lord of your life. Obey Him in water baptism-be buried into His death and
burial; and He will baptize you into His resurrection, His love, His life, His power
by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Walk with Him, talk with Him, study His word,
obey His voice. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. Speak to others
about the Lord and fellowship with those who love Him. Cleave unto Him with
purpose of heart,17 and abide in Him continually.18 ‘If anyone is in Christ he is a
new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.’19

If you need a Bible or desire any other help to know the Lord better, please
feel free to write to us.

References: 1 MAT 1:21; 2JN 5:39,40;

3ROM 10:2-4; 4REV 3:20; 5HEB 3:6-15;

J 14:9;
6 N J 14:7;
7 N 10:30; 8JN 8:12;
9COL 1:19; 2:9; J 7:36-39;
10 N J 6:48-58;
11 N

12 NJ 6:20,37; MAT 11:28; J 10:27-29;

13 N

14 2 COR 12:9; 15 HEB 13:5; MAT 28:20;

16 ROM 8:37; 1 COR 15:57; 17ACTS 11:23;
18 NJ 15:1-10; 192 COR 5:17.

The Whitened Harvest

Behold I say unto you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields,

for they are already white for harvest! John 4:35

16
 El Salvador

One of the newer fields the Lord of the harvest has opened for us is in this
troubled country of Central America. Early in our work in Houston, Texas, we
wondered how to minister to the many illegal aliens that began attending our meet-
ings. We felt the Lord tell us to preach the Gospel to them and let Him work in
their lives. As different ones became established in the Lord, they began to feel a
burden to return to their country and win others to Christ. Soon we were getting
urgent calls to send workers and establish a church there; and so in April of 1984,
Bro. Jose Rivera made his first visit to San Miguel, the second largest city in El
Salvador.

Immediately the Lord began to save souls, heal the sick, cast out demons,
and baptize in the Holy Spirit. In February, 1985, a zealous new church was
formed. We praise God for the steady growth and maturing of the church and for
continually adding new souls. The civil war causes many hardships and dangers.
Often guerillas declare a ‘paro’, which means they will mine and ambush the
highways, so all traffic must stop. Usually the only way to reach San Miguel (far to
the interior) is by small private planes (at which the guerillas shoot sometimes
also). Some of our believers, disregarding their own safety, travel through the most
dangerous areas to be able to attend the meetings.

PRAY for the Lord of the harvest to raise up workers from El Salvador. A
number of young people have already sensed a call and are eager to serve the Lord.
PRAY for peace for El Salvador and for protection for the Faith Home and the
assembly as they travel, meet together, and seek to win souls and preach the gospel
throughout the land.

Mexico

A little over a year ago the brethren in Houston began praying the country
of Mexico. A sister had a vision of multitudes in need of salvation. She asked the
Lord where they were, and He answered, ‘Mexico,’ and gave them a burden to
travail in prayer. News of the devastating earthquake and intense poverty added to
their burden. Then the Lord sent a young Mexican man into the assembly where he
was wonderfully saved, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Through him the Lord
opened the door into Mexico and the brethren began visiting a city called Reynosa,
across the border from McAllen, Texas. Immediately the Lord began to perform
miracles of healing and many souls have been saved, baptized and filled with Holy
Spirit. In the poorest of neighborhoods God provided a house for a Faith Home and
they began to erect a simple structure for meetings. Neighbors helped with the
construction and then refused payment, so enthusiastic they were to have the
missionaries living among them. Pray for the new souls to be firmly rooted and
established in the Lord and for the Lord of the harvest to raise up workers form
Mexico and from each country where we work. It seems that more and more
nations are closing their borders, especially to missionaries.

17
 Feast of Tabernacles

IN the beginning God created everything perfect. Then sin and rebellion
marred His perfect work, and now wherever we look we see the scars, havoc, and
ruin caused by man’s disobedience.

One of the most beautiful attributes of God is that He redeems that which
has been lost and restores that which was destroyed. The Bible is the story of His
great work of creation, redemption, and restoration. Although difficult for us to
understand, it is marvelous that when God has fully restored His work, it will be
even more perfect than it was in the beginning! ‘The glory of the latter house shall
be greater than of the former,’ -the final Paradise more perfect than the first.

Nehemiah 8. Israel was blessed and exalted above all the nations. They lost
the blessing because their heart was not right and their spirit was not steadfast with
God, their glory. From having been made the greatest of nations they became one
of the lowest. Jerusalem and the temple were in ruins and the people were carried
away into captivity.

Now it was God’s time for restoration and Ezra and Nehemiah were two of
the leaders He raised up for that work. One of the first things that had to be
restored to its proper place of respect and authority was the Word of God. Ezra the
priest read the Scriptures to the people ‘and gave the sense and caused them to
understand the reading.’ While reading they discovered a certain commandment
that had never been obeyed since the days of Joshua. It seems that none of the
judges nor Samuel nor David nor any of the other kings had bothered to keep the
Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles).

Failure to keep this feast was likely one of the main reasons why Israel lost
its national glory. Likewise, failure to understand and live according to the spiritual
meaning of this feast may well be one of the principle causes why the early
Christian church soon lost its spiritual glory. And the same may be said of most
revivals since then. Why is it that the god of this world so quickly devours the
blessings that God bestows upon His people? How does he manage to blind our
eyes that we lose sight of the ‘heavenly vision’ and become and earthbound
people?1 It may well be that, as Israel of old failed to keep the Feast of Tabernacles
in its literal sense, Christians have failed to keep this feast in its spiritual sense.

18
 ‘They found written...that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in
the feast of the seventh month.’ It seems no one had paid much attention to that
commandment, ‘for since the days of Joshua unto that day had not the children of
Israel done so.’

Just as we like to have holidays to celebrate special occasions, so God had

appointed certain national feasts for His people. The three main feasts were: Pass-
over, Pentecost, and Booths. Now the things which are written in the Old
Testament are written primarily for us.2 They are shadows and types (object lessons
or pictures) of spiritual experiences and blessings that God has planned for us who
now worship Him in spirit and in truth in these N.T. times.

What is the spiritual truth pictured in these Feasts? We can easily

understand the meaning of the Feast of Passover. It shows us ‘Christ our Passover
sacrificed for us.’3 When Israel applied the blood of the passover lamb they were
delivered from the death angel and from Egypt’s cruel bondage. In like manner
through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, and through faith in His
blood, we are delivered from spiritual death and from the cruel bondage of sin. We
can also easily grasp the spiritual significance of the firstfruits Feast of Pentecost
for we use the same word ‘Pentecost’ today when we receive the ‘firstfruits of the
Spirit’ -the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and become the ‘firstfruits’ unto God. 4 Now
let us look at the Feast of Tabernacles. It was the last great Feast when they were to
take branches and build themselves little booths on their house-tops or in the court
yards. Then they were to live in the booths for seven days rejoicing before the
Lord. Although they often failed to keep the other feasts properly also, the Feast of
Tabernacles was the most neglected of all. Perhaps we can understand why they
neglected this feast especially. God had finally brought them into the promised
land where He wonderfully and richly blessed them. Now that they had wealth and
comfort and lived in fine houses, why should they leave their grand lifestyle to
dwell in an uncomfortable ‘brush arbor’ or ‘pandal’ and rough it out for seven
days? Had they not had enough of that kind of a life in their long journey through
the desert?

Why did God want them to keep that strange feast? It was to remind them
that they were strangers and pilgrims on this earth. The same lesson He had taught
them as they wandered as pilgrims through the howling wilderness.

Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell
in booths: that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to
dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your
God.

Lev. 23:42,43

Did no one understand what God had in mind concerning this feast? Let us
look at a man who kept the laws of God although he lived hundreds of years before
the law was given.

Hebrews 11:8-16. Abraham is given to us as an example of how faith

19
perceives and does the will of God without the need of laws. Abraham walked
with God by faith. ‘By faith Abraham, sojourned in the land of promise, as in a
strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him
of the same promise.’ Abraham did not dwell in tabernacles (or tents or booths)
because he was poor-to the contrary he was wealthy. He lived in tabernacles
because he lived by faith, and by faith he understood the mind and plan of God.

Although Abraham lived in the very land that God promised to give to him,
he did not claim any of it for himself-except a cave where he could bury his dead.
Why did he not buy up, or conquer all that he could and enjoy his inheritance?
Abraham perceived in the spirit that the land God had promised to him was not
really on this earth at all. He had a heavenly vision, and imparted the same vision
to his family. They looked for a better country, for a heavenly city. They wanted
the ‘inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved
in heaven.5 That is why God is not ashamed to be called by their name, ‘The God
of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ In contrast, He has not been pleased to call Himself
the ‘The God of Lot,’ whose earthly vision brought loss and shame to himself and
to his family.

There is a current teaching popular amongst Christians today that goes

something like this: the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof and it’s ours by
inheritance; so, let’s get all we can of it and enjoy it to the fullest. God is a rich
king. Let’s show the world that we are King’s kids by living richly. Then the world
will surely come and follow us and believe in our God; because, naturally,
everybody wants wealth and will do anything to get rich.

But, dear child of God, how many Rolls Royce automobiles do you
suppose you would have to own to show that our God is richer than the god of the
gurus? (Wasn’t there a guru of recent memory who owned something like 90 of
them?) How many oil wells would you need to own to outdo the Muslims? how
many industries to outshine the Shintoist? how many millions to impress the
Mafia?

All those things come from the god of this world, not the God of the world
to come. The devil showed Jesus all the glory of the kingdoms of this world and
said, ‘All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered
to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me,
all will be Yours.’ But Jesus wanted none of it! His kingdom was not of this world.

There was another reason why Abraham did not get involved in high
finance and real estate investments to lay claim to the promised land. The land was
not yet fit for him to inherit. It was defiled by reason of the inhabitants thereof. The
land was filled with idolatry and iniquity. God had a plan that, in due course of
time, He would send His people in like a mighty army and purge the land from its
corruptions. Then they could inherit it. The land could not really be given to the
children of God until those uncircumcised nations were driven out. Beloved, need
it be pointed out that this present world is in worse condition than Canaan was at
that time? This is no fit place for God’s children to dwell-why its like Sodom and
Gomorrah!

A holy God would not give such a corrupt inheritance to His own children!
In due course of time Christ will come with a mighty army of saints and purge this
earth of its corruptions and then shall His children inherit it. (You can read about it
in the Book of Revelation.)

20
 Look at Jesus-the perfect example. He was the rightful king of this earth,
but He claimed none of it. It will be given to Him and His saints in due course of
time, after it has been purged by fire. He lived as a stranger and a pilgrim here. He
had nothing to call His own; and when He died, He was laid in a borrowed grave.
He taught His disciples to follow His example: ‘They are not of the world, even as
I am not of the world.’6

We can see another example in the lives of the early Christians as they
followed the Lord. Paul suffered the loss all things and counted them but dung, that
he might win Christ. He was not running after the things of this world. To the
contrary, he was running after Christ. Paul was pressing forward to lay hold upon
the heavenly prize, and he gave a solemn warning about those ‘whose God is their
belly, and whose glory is in their shame,-who set their mind on earthly things.’
And then he added, ‘For our citizenship is in heaven; from which we also look for
the Savior.’7

Some imagined that such a pilgrim’s life is only for a few apostles,
missionaries, or fool-hardy fanatics. But Jesus told us all to follow in His footsteps.
Paul also told us to follow his own example: ‘Those things, which ye have both
learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be
with you.’8

It is written that all true believers are ‘the children of Abraham.’ but a true
child of Abraham is one that walks like he walked. The men talking with Jesus in
John, chapter 8, insisted they were truly the children of Abraham, but Jesus
perceived they were deceived and He denied their claim saying,

If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. John

8:39

That Abraham might be the father of all them that believe...who also walk
in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham. Rom. 4:11-12

When king David wanted to build a house for God, the answer came:

Shalt thou build Me an house for Me to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt
in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of
Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

2 Sam. 7:6

Yes, God is a stranger and pilgrim on this earth, and He is calling His
people to walk with Him and be like Him. We are in the last days and He invites us
to joyously feast with Him in the great last day Feast of Tabernacles in preparation
for that moment when, in the twinkling of an eye, we shall be translated to His
home far above the highest heaven.

What are you longing for, Beloved? Has the god of this world blinded your
eyes to the heavenly vision? Is the love of this world taking you away from the
love of God?9

So many today interpret the promises and blessings of God as being

material things in this present world and are no longer pressing onward ‘toward the
goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.’7

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 But does not God want to prosper His people? Surely, so that we can have
an abundance to lay at His feet for His service-treasures to lay up in heaven to
enjoy throughout eternity. God is a jealous God-a jealous lover of our souls. He
wants our hearts to be totally devoted to Him, and He knows that where our
treasure is, there will our heart be also.

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are
not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not
seen are eternal.2 Cor. 4:18

At that time of the Reformation, after the long ‘Dark Ages’, God restored to
His people the spiritual reality of the feast of Passover-salvation by faith in the
atoning sacrifice of Christ. At the beginning of this century He restored the
experience of the Feast of Pentecost-the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Now in these
last days He is restoring the spiritual meaning of the last feast, the Feast of
Tabernacles.

We pray that no one will misunderstand when we use Old Testament stories
to teach New Testament truths. It is not that we are to build literal tabernacles or
offer actual sacrifices. As the apostle Paul said, these Old Testament ‘shadows,’ or
‘types,’ are written for our sake that we may learn by their example-learn not to
make the same mistakes they made.

Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not
lust after evil things as they also lusted...and they were written for admonition, on
whom the ends of the ages have come. 1Cor. 10:1-14

The truths taught by shadows and types in the Old Testament are to be
worked out as spiritual experiences in the inner life of the New Testament saints. In
our heart of hearts we are to be strangers and pilgrims in this life. We are to love
the Lord with all of our hearts. When the love of the things of this world find room
in our lives we leave our ‘first love’ and become spiritually impure in our
relationship with the Lord as His bride.

You ask amiss that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and
adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God.
James 4:3,4

What we really are in the inner life will, of course, manifest itself in the
way we live and conduct the affairs of our lives from day to day. Let us be glad and
rejoice for the marriage of the Lamb is about to take place and His bride is making
herself ready.10 She is keeping herself pure as a chaste virgin11 with a single eye
toward the things of heaven from where she awaits the return of Him Whom she
loves with all of her heart. References: 12
COR 4:3-6. I COR 10:1-12.
2

3I COR 5:7. 4ROM 8:23; JAMES 1:18. 5I PET 1:4.

J
6 OHN 17:14-18. 7PHIL 3:7-21. 8PHIL 4:9.
9I JOHN 2:15-17. 10REV 19:7,8; 112 COR 11:2-4.

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 Indeed I also count all things loss the excellence of the knowledge of Christ
Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as
rubbish, that I may gain Christ...I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward
call of God in Christ Jesus... Brethren, join in following my example, and not those
who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. Phil. 3:7-20

‘HE SHALL SHAKE TERRIBLY THE EARTH’

Isa 2:19-21

Personal Testimony

Probably the best known earthquake in the USA occurred in 1906, when
much of San Francisco was destroyed; and for many years now scientists have
been predicting another such major quake in the same area.

In the State of Ohio, where I had previously practiced architecture, earth-

quakes were not considered a major problem; so the engineering to design a quake-
proof building was not included in our studies. In 1949 I took up practice in the
San Francisco area and was designing a building, much of which was glass.
Several small quakes took place while I was there and I was studying the related
engineering. During that time I visited a church where for the first time I heard the
Gospel preached. At the invitation, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, although I
had little understanding of what such a decision meant. But the Lord understood.
Immediately He gave me a great hunger and thirst to read the Bible, and I spent
every available moment devouring the Word.

In Matthew 24, I read where the disciples showed the Lord Jesus the
magnificent buildings Herod had built. He replied, ‘Verily, I say unto you, There
shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’ The
impact of that truth on my life was profound. Here I was concerned about the glass
cracking on my building when one day all of my buildings would come down.
Until that time I had loved my profession, but that one Scriptural truth turned my
life around.

All interest in my work faded. For weeks on end I would sit at my desk and
study the Bible. From time to time I would lay the Bible aside to try to work on my
drawings, but it seemed my eyes just would not focus, and I could not concentrate.
So I just continued studying the Bible, and God kept speaking.

I read how King Solomon had so much gold, that, in his day, silver had no
value. Nevertheless he realized it was ‘all vanity,’ for as a poor man dies, so would
he. I lost all interest in money and sold all my possessions. Solomon had a
thousand wives, and yet he realized that too was ‘vanity and affliction of spirit.’
They only served to draw his heart away from God (1Kings 11:3,4). At that time I
was about to be married, and I told my fiancee I felt God was calling me to be a
missionary. She said she would marry an architect but not a missionary, so the
marriage plans were canceled.

Solomon was the wisest man of his day, yet he considered even his wisdom
to be folly, for he knew he would soon die just like a fool dies (and indeed he did

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die like a fool). I lost all interest in continuing professional studies.

The Holy Spirit impressed upon my soul the same eternal truth that King
Solomon came to realize: ‘Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I
did not withhold my heart from any pleasure...Then I looked on all the works that
my hands had done...and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There
was no profit under the sun.’ (Eccles chapters 1&2-New KJV).

This truth was further impressed upon me by pictures I had seen of

Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the cities in Japan that had been destroyed by Atom
bombs. Not one building remained-not one stone left upon another. How temporary
and vain are the mighty works of man.

Then there were other Scriptures as, ‘What is your life? It is but a vapor
which appeareth for a moment and passeth away,’ and the story of the fool who
laid up his goods for the morrow, and the rich young ruler whose wealth hindered
him from following Christ. These and many other Scriptures had an eternal impact
on my soul.

I realized I was finished as an architect. I asked the Lord how I could

dedicate my life for something that would not pass away, something permanent and
lasting. Wonderfully He led me to the last chapters of the Bible where I read about
the City of God, whose Architect and Builder is God. My heart fell in love with the
New Jerusalem, and He told me to go and search for the living stones to help build
that City.

Only one life, and that soon past; Only what’s done for Christ will last.

‘They left their nets and followed Him.’ I closed my office, gave my work
away to other architects, left my family, fiancee, and friends, sold all that I had,
gave to the poor, and went off to the mission field. The search for living stones for
the City of God has been an exciting and rewarding adventure. And what precious
stones God has given: black, white, red, and yellow, big and small, old and young.
For the little bit of rubbish I counted as lost and left behind, God has given more
than a hundredfold: brothers, sisters, mothers, houses, and lands. Even the
persecution He spoke of has only given added cause to leap for joy as the
reproaches of Christ give assurance of a richer reward in heaven.

He is no fool,

Who loses what he cannot keep,

To gain what he cannot lose.

He Whose strength is made perfect in weakness, has faithfully kept me

until this day and has proven His Word to be true a thousand times over. When the
call first came, He revealed that the just shall live by faith, so that it would never
be necessary to ask anything from any man but just to look to God alone. He has
provided every need exceeding more abundantly than one could ask or think, and
grace yet more abundantly. Although I started to minister quite ill-prepared, the
Lord faithfully taught me the truths of water baptism, baptism in the Holy Spirit,
divine healing, preparation for the Second Coming of Christ, etc. He has been a
faithful Shepherd for this poor dumb sheep. Jesus Christ is all in all. To Him be
praise, honor, and glory for evermore.

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 Bro. Don, Newark

Unconditional Love
Many of us today are ‘performance oriented.’ We think we will be accepted
or rejected according to how we perform. That is not how God loves us. He loves
us unconditionally. God revealed the nature of His love toward us when He died
for us while we were yet sinners (Rom. 5:8). God’s love is clearly shown at
Calvary for all of creation to see. It cannot be questioned, it can never change,
because Christ cannot un-die. But, oh how we doubt! It seems hard to understand
and to respond to such love. Many of us live under a cloud of feeling unworthy, of
not being fully accepted; as if we had been pardoned on the condition that we
perform better. But, God loves us unconditionally. We have been accepted in the
Beloved (Eph. 1:3-7).

Then why does God give us so many commandments and warn us of the
wrath to come? God knows that sin will take our hearts away from His love, and
that if we depart from Him we will die. Because He loves us He warns us. God will
never leave us nor forsake us, but our sins will cause us to leave and to forsake
Him. He tells us not to love this world, for that will take us away from His love
(1Jn.2:15). He tells us to love one another; otherwise, how can His love remain in
us (1 Jn.3:14-17)?

Then too, because He loves Us, He wants the best for us, He loves us just
as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us as we are. He wants us to be like
Him, to be overcomers, to win the prize, to inherit His kingdom, to sit on His
throne and reign with Him eternally.

We love Him, because He first loved us. We keep His commandments,

because we love Him. We flee from sin, because sin separates us from Him whom
we love. We run the race and reach for the prize of the high calling, because that
prize is to win Him whom our soul loves--to be with Him where He is-to see His
face and to be one with Him in love’s eternal embrace.

Beloved, can sin’s brief pleasure take the place of the love of God? Return
to Him today. He will fill you with His love.

You were made to know God’s love,

Life has no other quest.

Until your soul has reached its goal,

Your heart will know no rest

The Prayer Closet

``Draw me… The King hath brought me into His chambers….'' (Song
of Solomon)

HOW IMPORTANT are the times of prayer spent with our Lord! Of all
the other aspects of this Christian life, none is so intimate as the secret time of
prayer. From Song of Solomon we can clearly see the intimacy between the bride

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and her bridegroom-a beautiful illustration of Christ and His bride, the Church.
Some have discounted the whole book of Song of Solomon--unable to believe that
such an intimate relationship with the Lord is possible. But notice how quickly the
Bridegroom hears and responds to the bride’s request: ‘Draw me’...the King hath
brought me into His chambers...’

The Psalmist David knew this experience with his Lord: When Thou saidst,
‘Seek ye My face,’ my heart said unto Thee, ‘Thy face, Lord, will I seek’ (Psa.
27:8). Prayer then, is the spontaneous response of intimacy.

One important thing to note from Song of Solomon is that when the bride
draws close to her Beloved, she immediately begins to feel the same burdens that
He feels. She delights to tenderly share these with Him. A bundle of myrrh is my
Well-beloved unto me...is her way of expressing this experience.

When we draw close to Christ to spend time in intimate fellowship with

Him, the same sharing of burdens begins to take place. Myrrh speaks about times
of groaning and even agonizing in intercessory prayer-an experience known only
by those saints of God who take the time to really draw close enough to Christ to
help share the burdens that are upon His heart.

In these days the Lord has been urging us to pray more specifically
according to His commandment in Mat 9:38-

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers
into His harvest.

Jesus shared this burden with those who were the closest to Him-the
disciples. When He saw the multitudes His heart was moved with deep
compassion. He saw them as poor sheep having no shepherd. All day long He was
preaching and teaching about the Kingdom of God, healing the sick, casting out
demons-and yet there was still so much to do. The Lord (even with twelve eager
assistants) was not able to meet the needs of all those hungry souls. If the Lord
Jesus felt such a burden for laborers then-how much more He feels it now, in this
present, closing age, when it will soon be too late to harvest.

...the night cometh when no man can work. (John 9:4)

Let us also draw near to our heavenly Bridegroom and share together this
same burden for more laborers. As the mission fields continue to grow, the need
becomes ever greater.

....look on the fields for they are white already to harvest. (John 4:35)

We will have great boldness as we bring the very burdens of Christ to the
mighty Throne of God the Father. When we earnestly beseech the Lord of the
harvest that He would send forth more laborers into the harvest fields, He will say
to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring My sons from far, and
My daughters from the ends of the earth; even every one that is called by My
name. (Isaiah 43:6-7).

Only the Lord of the harvest can raise up consecrated men and women to
serve Him. He alone can raise up shepherds after His own heart who will lay their
lives down for the sheep. As we see more and more doors open ‘wide and
effectual’ before us and behold the fields ripened for harvest-let us boldly carry our

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heavenly Bridegroom’s burdens to the Throne of Grace during those important
times in The Prayer Closet.

******

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