“Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.” (Isaiah 35:4)
The year 2005 was a very volatile one with wars on two fronts, the very devastating tsunami in the east and then hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the U.S. There is much discussion about the slow response to help for the victims of Katrina and Rita. Then came the earthquake in Pakistan with deaths reported to be 50,000 and probably more to come. Not only that the U.S., along with Mexico, experienced another hurricane, Wilma. But all of these things are mentioned in the Scriptures as signs of the change of dispensation. The experiences of Elijah show us how the great day of the Lord will be ushered in; first: the wind rending the rocks, representing World Wars I and II; second the great earthquake, representing revolution; thirdly, the fire, representing anarchy that will follow revolution; fourthly, “the still small voice” of God, which will follow anarchy through Messiah’s Kingdom speaking (1 Kings 19:11,12), “Peace! Be still!” (Mark 4:39) Beat your spears into pruninghooks and your swords into plowshares, and learn war no more (Micah 4:3).
Our opening text says God will come with a vengeance (to bind the Adversary, the Devil, and destroy his works). The transition period following the Gospel Age and preceding the Millennial Age is often mentioned as a “Day of Vengeance” to punish evil doers and prepare the world for the reign of righteousness.
Joel 2:3 describes what the fire of anarchy will be like. It says: “A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.”
All these wars, revolution, and fire tend to make a great religious impression on the people. There is a natural tendency to turn to heaven for help. But will they turn to God in the right way or will they just return to the present religious systems and Kingdoms of this world? Partisan spirit, called patriotism, runs high in times of strife like the world is experiencing now. Christian ministers should have long ago pointed out to the people that the present kingdoms of the world are not God’s kingdoms, but human institutions; and all of these, according to the Bible, will eventually pass away at the inauguration of Messiah’s Kingdom (Zech. 12:9). Then will be the time when our prayers “Thy Kingdom come” will be answered and there will be the “still small voice” spoken of by Elijah. So let us not be cast down by all the occurrences in the world today, but let us lift up our hearts and eyes to the approach of Messiah’s Kingdom. “Seeing then that all these things [present social, religious, and financial arrangements] shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conduct and piety? expecting and hasting unto the presence of the day of God, on account of which the heavens [present religious systems] being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements [present order of things] burning intensely [with discussion, tumult and strife] will melt. Nevertheless, we according to his promise, are looking for New Heavens [new Spiritual power] and a new earth [a new social order], in which dwells righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:11-13, Dia.)
“QUAKE KILLS THOUSANDS: The strong temblor ravages areas of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. PAKISTAN - It began as a gentle swaying, but the ground’s convulsions quickly grew wilder - shaking walls, roofs and floors. Within seconds, mud-brick homes buckled, bigger buildings pancaked, earth and rock slid down hillsides, burying the helpless.
“The magnitude-7.6 earthquake Saturday [October 1, 2005] devastated a mountainous swath touching Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. Desperate Pakistanis huddled against the cold and some looted food stores Monday because aid had not reached remote areas of Kashmir, where the devastating earthquake flattened villages, cut off power and water, and killed an estimated 73,276, with more than 69,000 people severely injured and an estimated 2 million left homeless. Officials predict the death toll will climb because of exposure and disease. With winter just six weeks away, the United Nations has said 2.5 million people near the Pakistan-India border need shelter.” (Excerpts from Orlando Sentinel, October 17, and Nov. 3, 2005)
“NOW FOR KATRINA’S BRIGHT SIDE: Its not all devastation for the White House in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Aides actually see some benefits, mostly to their policy agenda. Here’s the inside view: More fuel refineries will be built, regulations on energy will be cut, Davis-Bacon wage requirements will be eliminated, and major tax reforms will win a receptive audience in Congress.” (U.S. News & World Report, October 10, 2005)
“APOCALYPSE IS ON WAY, SOME SAY: Recent quakes, floods, hurricanes stir anxiety about end of world.
“Every morning, the Rev. Michael Mitchell prays that if today is the beginning of the end of the world as we know it, he will be ready.
“‘Ever since the terrorist attacks four years ago, I try to live every day as if it will be the last day,’ said Mitchell, 46, the senior pastor of New Life Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church in New York.
“Mitchell’s belief that he is watching biblical prophecy unfold in the form of modern-day famines, floods and earthquakes has grown increasingly urgent. What with a cataclysmic quake swallowing whole villages in South Asia, coming on the heels of a killer tsunami and hurricanes that flooded the Gulf Coast and brought lethal mudslides to Guatemala, apocalyptic anxiety is running high… (Newsday, October 19, 2005)
Comment: Yes the belief that the earth and everything and everyone in it will be destroyed can cause a lot of anxiety. The Scriptures state that “the earth abideth forever.” (Eccl. 1:4) Surely the events mentioned in the above article are harbingers, but not of the end of the world (earth) but of the end of a dispensation. In other words, God is preparing for a new heavens (Spiritual control) and new earth (society). “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13)
“SCOPE OF CREATION AT CENTER OF TRIAL: Plaintiff’s object to school’s reference to intelligent design. HARRISBURG, PA - A school district is undermining science education by raising false doubts about evolution and offering ‘intelligent design’ as an alternative explanation for life’s origins, a biologist testified at the start of a landmark trial.
“Dover School district is believed to be the nation’s first school system to require that students be exposed to the intelligent design concept.
“Intelligent design holds that Darwin’s theory of natural selection over time cannot fully explain the origin of life or the emergence of highly complex life forms.” (Excerpts from The Associated Press, September 27, 2005)
Comment: The word science means knowledge and evolution is a “science falsely so called.” (2 Tim. 6:20) That is, it is profane empty sounds, and contradictions of that falsely named knowledge. The only true science is God’s Word.
We would ask evolutionists Whom do they worship? Everyone worships someone or something. Some worship fame, money, opposite sex, etc. So how did evolution imbue that desire to worship in mankind? We submit that evolutionists worship their man-made theory. Like the Apostle who said, “I am set for the defense of the gospel,” they are set for the defense of evolutionism at all costs (Phil. 1:17).
Certainly only an intelligent Creator could, or would, give His creation that desire to worship. Of course, they have not worshiped as He would have liked, but they will later in that true evolution of mankind from their imperfection back to the original perfection that was at first created.
Besides we believe the very intelligent teen-ager of today will not accept anything without considering it carefully. To put it in one tenth grade students’ words, “My feelings are that if teenage students can face even the most formidable of opponents such as drug use, peer pressure, and other burdens of society, they should be able to form their own opinions on the creation of life without having ideas spoon-fed to them by a court system.”
We do earnestly hope and pray that this is a start of a movement to reverse the damage done by the Scopes trial of 1925.
“HEPATITIS A INFECTION RATES PLUMMET AFTER VACCINATIONS: The rate of hepatitis A infections in the United States has shrunk by 76 percent since the start of a vaccination program in 1999 targeting children in 17 high-risk states, federal researchers reported Wednesday.
“The program has driven the infection rates down to 2.6 cases per 100,000 people, or 7,653 cases, in 2003, the latest year for which figures are available.” (Orlando Sentinel, July 31, 2005)
“SCIENTISTS ANALYZE 1918 FLU STRAIN: The 1918 influenza virus, the cause of one of history’s most deadly pandemics, has been reconstructed and found to be a bird flu that jumped directly to humans, two teams of federal and university scientists announced Wednesday.
“The scientists reconstructed the 1918 virus over the course of a decade, using lung tissue from two soldiers and an Alaskan woman who died in the 1918 pandemic. The soldier’s tissue had been saved in an Army pathology library, and the woman had been buried in permanent frozen ground.
“The scientists painstakingly sequenced the genetic sequence, synthesized the virus using the tolls of molecular biology and infected mice and human lung cells with it in a specially equipped secure laboratory at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Their research is being published in the journals Nature and Science.
“The findings, the scientists say, reveal a small number of genetic changes that may explain why this virus was so lethal. It is significantly different from flu viruses that caused the more recent pandemics of 1957 and 1968. Those viruses were not bird flu viruses but instead were human flu viruses that picked up a few genetic elements of bird flu.
“The research also confirms the legitimacy of worries about the bird flu viruses, called H5N1 viruses that are emerging in Asia. Since 1997, bird flocks in 11 countries have been decimated by flu outbreaks. But so far nearly all the people infected ─ more than 100, including more than 60 who died ─ contracted the sickness directly from birds. However, there has been little transmission between people.
“The 1918 virus, in contrast, was highly infectious, and in recent weeks the fear that a transformation of one of the current bird flus could make it infectious in humans has made politicians of both parties scramble to demonstrate that they are taking the threat of avian flu outbreak seriously.
“President Bush this week asked the leaders of the world’s top flu vaccine manufacturers ─ Chiron, Sanofi-Aventis, Wyeth and Glaxo Smith Kline ─ to go to the White House on Friday to discuss preparations for pandemic flu, according to people with knowledge of the meeting who requested anonymity because the White House has not yet announced it.” (By Gina Kolata, New York Times News Service, October 7, 2005)
Comment: The 1918 pandemic killed 25 million people, so we do hope and pray that the vaccine manufacturers will respond quickly to the responsibility in their hands now.
“NEO-NAZI FOES RIOT, PROMPT CURFEW IN OHIO: TOLEDO ─ A crowd protesting a white supremacists’ march Saturday turned violent, throwing baseball-sized rocks at police, vandalizing vehicles and stores, and setting fire to a neighborhood bar, authorities said.
“When Mayor Jack Ford and a local minister tried to calm the rioting, they were cursed for allowing the march, and Ford said a masked gang member threatened to shoot him.
“At least 65 people were arrested, and several police officers were injured before calm was restored about four hours later.
“Ford blamed the rioting on gangs taking advantage of a volatile situation. He declared a state of emergency, set an 8 p.m. curfew through the weekend and asked the Highway Patrol for help.
“‘It’s exactly what they wanted.’ Ford said of the group that planned the march, which was canceled because of the rioting.
“At least two dozen members of the National Socialist Movement, which calls itself ‘America’s Nazi Party,’ had gathered at a city park to march under police protection.
“Organizers said they were demonstrating against black gangs they said were harassing white residents.
“The violence broke out about one-quarter of a mile away along the planned march route shortly before the march was to begin. One group of men pounded on a convenience store, and others overturned vehicles.
“About 150 police officers chased bands of young men through the area. Officers wearing gas masks fired tear-gas canisters and flash-bang devices designed to stun suspects, but the groups continued throwing rocks and bottles. At one point, the crowd reached 600 people, officials said.
“Finally, police marched shoulder-to-shoulder down the street shouting to people to stay inside, and the crowd broke up.” (By John Seewer, The Associated Press, October 16, 2005)
IN FINANCE
The Financial conditions in the world reveal that “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven [the eccleastical powers] shall be shaken.” (Luke 21:26)
The G.N.P. (Gross National Product) was up 3.7% in 2005; the G.N.P. is predicted to be up 3.3% in 2006. The prime rate will be up 8% in 2006, and inflation will be up 3% in 2006. There will be 2 million more jobs in 2006 after a 1.8 million in 2005. This is amazing after all the trouble in 2005. 7.8 million houses are predicted to be sold in 2006 and retail sales growth will steady at 4-5%. The sale of autos will still be falling to 16.8 million and oil will contribute largely to the increase in inflation in 2006.
Oil will contribute largely to the increase in inflation. What is amazing is that with all the trouble in 2005 there will be over 2 million new jobs.
Princeton University geologist Kenneth S. Dffeyes is one of many experts who predict “a permanent state of oil shortage” beginning in about 2010. Major oil-consuming countries will experience crippling inflation, unemployment and economic instability. They believe that it will take a decade or more before conservation measures and new technologies can bridge the gap between supply and demand. There are many, however, who doubt the doomsday scenario will ever come true. Industry analysts think production will continue growing for at least another 30 years and peak at somewhere around 65 billion barrels per year. By then, substitute energy sources will be available to ease the transition into a post-petroleum age.
The Iraqi war is still going on. Terrorism is striking all over the world. Weather is costing the U.S. billions of dollars. The hurricane relief alone will cost billions and that doesn’t even include tornadoes and other disasters. It also affects the average American homeowner with increased insurance premiums.
President Bush didn’t get the permanent repeal of tax breaks Congress passed during his first term. The tax breaks will lapse in 2010. Because of the war and weather there will probably be a modest revamp of the tax code.
The U.S. trade deficit was over $625 billion and in 2006 is predicted to increase to $640 billion. China is making a big difference ─ they are still buying steel and cement. Gold prices in 2006 will be high.
Even though things look good for 2007 some of our largest companies are in serious financial trouble. General Motors’ plant closing and layoffs are only the start. With pension plans being under-funded, a disaster can be avoided only with tough measures.
Since we are in the Time of Trouble it is difficult to predict the future. Our advice is “Seek ye the Lord, all the meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment: seek righteousness, seek meekness, it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” (Zeph. 2:3)
IN RELIGION
THE LAYMENS HOME MISSIONARY MOVEMENT: The Present Truth, Summer 2005: This issue of the LHMM’s Present Truth demonstrates their dire straits to come up with something to “prove” their Consecrated Epiphany Campers class. They cite Tabernacle Shadows, page 114, but it proves the reverse. It says, “The white curtain, which sustained by those posts, formed the ‘Court,’ well illustrated the same justification or purity. Thus, justified ones should continually hold up to the view of the world (the ‘Camp’) the pure linen, representing Christ’s righteousness as their covering.” This definitely says the curtain which formed the court, is held before the world, not any consecrated group.
Then on page 18 there is this: “The Camp” represented the condition of the world of mankind in sin, needing atonement and desiring it and its blessings, however indistinctly it analyzes its cravings and groanings. In the type the ‘Camp’ was the nation of Israel at large, which was separated from all holy things by the curtain of white linen, representing to those within, a wall of faith, but to those without, a wall of unbelief which hindered their view and access to the holy things within.” So, the Campers, could only see the white curtain, which formed the Court, one purpose of which, was to hide the holy things within from them.
Then the LHMM says that the “other sheep” of John 10:16 will enter into the “one fold.” Here is what That Servant says: “One Flock, But Not One Fold - ‘There shall be one fold and one Shepherd,’ but this is not borne out by the Greek text, which is more properly rendered in the Revised Version and in the Diaglott - ‘There shall be one flock and one Shepherd.’ This is in full agreement with the Apostle’s statement (Eph. 1:10) that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one [literally, under one head] all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth, even in him. Ultimately all of God’s creation will be under the headship of this great Shepherd.” (Reprint 4158, bottom) This indicates that the “other sheep” will not be of one flock until the end of the Millennial Kingdom, and will not be of “one fold.” To our understanding this means that the very elect will be in one fold (heavenly) and the Restitutionists will be in another fold (earthly).
As for their contention that there will be no more consecration for Youthful Worthyship after 1954, read what the Epiphany Messenger (founder of the LHMM) says, “Non truth Great Company and Youthful Worthy Brethren, the new ones not yet consecrated, are to be won for the Truth, some of whom will be won before Babylon is destroyed and others of them afterward.” (E-10-672) Also, there is this: “The Epiphany Camp in the finished picture is the condition of truly repentant and believing, but not consecrated Jews and Gentiles.” (E-10-209) And again from The Epiphany Messenger: “The Scriptural doctrine that those faithful consecrators from 1881 until Restitution sets in, for whom there are no crowns available, and no spirit begetting for Gospel-Age purposes possible, will be the Millennial associates of the Ancient Worthies in reward and service.” (E-4-342)
“INTERFAITH GROUP UNVEILS PUBLIC-SCHOOL BIBLE TEXT: An interfaith group released a new textbook Thursday aimed at teaching public high-school students about the Bible while avoiding legal and religious disputes.
“The nonprofit Bible Literacy Project of Fairfax, Va., spent five years and $2 million developing The Bible and Its Influence. The textbook, introduced at a Washington news conference, won initial endorsements from experts in literature, religion and church-state law…
“Educators know biblical knowledge is valuable ─ 60 percent of allusions in one English Advanced Placement prep course came from the Bible ─ and that polls show teens don’t know much about Scripture. Yet few public schools offer such coursework, partly because of demands for other elective classes, partly over legal worries.” (By Richard N. Ostling, The Associated Press, September 23, 2005)
Comment: We submit that teaching the Bible should be done in the home, not in schools or Sunday Schools. “If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (1 Tim. 5:8) The wording of this passage definitely shows that it definitely refers to religious teaching. Besides teen-agers can make their own decisions about important matters, if given the opportunity.
“GRAND CANYON TOURS REVEAL CHASM BETWEEN CREATIONISM AND EVOLUTION: GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK ─ Tom Vail who has been leading rafting trips down the Colorado River here for 23 years, corralled his charges under a rocky outcrop of Carbon Creek and pointed out the remarkable 90-degree folds in the cliff overhead.
“Geologists date this sandstone to 550 million years ago and explain the folding as a result of pressure from shifting faults underneath. But to Vail, the folds suggest the Grand Canyon was carved 4,500 years ago by the great global flood described in Genesis as God’s punishment for humanity’s sin…” (By Jodi Wilboren, New York Times News Service, October 7, 2005)
Comment: If we read the Genesis account of creation, we will see that it does not relate to the creation of the planet earth. It is only stating the ordering of the earth for human habitation. So we do not know how long before the ordering of earth was begun. It could be millions of years, but the scientists are merely guessing about that, but also about how the foldings were formed.
Tom Vail is correct in his statement that the flood of Noah’s day was 4,500 years ago. But both the geologists and the religious take the common belief that the earth was ordered for habitation in 6 literal days. This cannot be true, for the sun and moon were not created until the 4th day (Gen. 1:15-19). Then God rested on the 7th day. If we can determine how long God’s day of rest is, we will know the length of the creative days. God has rested for 6 thousand years, for he turned the earth over to mankind to allow them to rule it in their own way. But He will continue to rest for another thousand years, because Jesus bought mankind, the earth and everything in it and Jesus will reign over the earth for that length of time, and will then turn it back to God. So we see that God’s rest day lasts 7 thousand years and it stands to reason that each creative day would last the same amount of time. This would make up the creative days 6 x 7 = 42,000 years). Then God’s rest day would fill out the full week of 49,000 years. This is more reasonable than the 24-hour days of creation. “Come let us reason together.” (Isa. 1:18)
“HOW OUR COLLEGES GRADUATED FROM RELIGION: Book looks at how far schools have come since their founding by churches. A requirement for students at one prominent American college:
“‘Everyone shall consider the main end of his life and studies to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life.’
“Sounds like Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University or Pat Robertson’s Regent University? In fact this regulation (in modernized spellings) was established by Congregationalists soon after they founded Harvard in 1636,
“At the nation’s second campus, the College of William and Mary (1693), all teachers vowed assent to the Church of England’s 39 Articles of Religion and all students learned the mother church’s catechism.
“Those schools were followed by other pre-Revolutionary institutions under church auspices: Yale (Congregationalist, 1701), Princeton (Presbyterian, 1746), Brown (Baptist, 1764), Rutgers (Reformed Church, 1766 and Dartmouth (Congregational, 1773), alongside the multidenominational but Protestant University of Pennsylvania (1740) and Columbia (1754).
“Yet in the 20th century these and other campuses came to embrace thorough secularism, even hostility toward traditional belief. That evolution is depicted in a classic history written a decade ago, still available in paperback and well worth attention: The Soul of the American University: From Protestant Establishment to Established Nonbelief (Oxford University Press).
“Author George Marsden is a University of Notre Dame professor and past president of the American Society of Church History.
“His book sidesteps Roman Catholic and smaller Protestant colleges to focus on major universities that have dominated American intellectual life.
“The loosening of traditions on these campuses resulted naturally from immigration by Roman Catholics and Jews. It seemed only fair to drop doctrinal limits in hiring teachers and admitting students.
“In addition, Marsden recounts, the influential ‘mainline’ Protestants favored mildly liberal religion that didn’t resist full-blown secularism.” (By Richard N. Ostling, The Associated Press, September 24, 2005)
CATHOLICS: “CATHOLIC BISHOPS WORLDWIDE MEET TO DISCUSS KEY ISSUES: VATICAN CITY ─ Bishops from around the world will begin tackling major issues facing the Roman Catholic Church today, including whether Holy Communion should be given to Catholic politicians who back abortion rights and to divorced people who remarry without getting an annulment.
“The priest shortage and whether celibacy contributes to it, as well as dwindling Mass attendance are also expected to be discussed at the three-week Synod of Bishops, during which bishops will offer recommendations to Pope Benedict XVI on running the church.”
(Associated Press, October 2, 2005)
Comment: This is a good example of the condition of the present ecclesiastical systems. These bishops are not to discuss Biblical doctrine or anything relating to that. They are merely going to try to decide what is good for the Catholic church. They are concerned about politicians who back abortion rights and divorced people who remarry without an annulment, and other similar questions that they are afraid are weakening the church. All these things are more or less social or civil considerations rather than the concern of a church.
“HIDDEN HOLOCAUST CHILDREN: During World War II Catholic families hid Jewish children and their identities from authorities and the children themselves. It is unknown how many were hidden or how many were returned to their parents.
“The Vatican has been unwilling to open its documents on this subject and these children are still an issue 60 years after the end of the liberation of Auschwitz. Rabbi Shamuel Herzfeld stated at a news conference at the Vatican embassy in Washington said, ‘It is time for the Vatican to hear loud and clear: ‘We want our children back…’ As long as the children of all those murdered at Auschwitz do not know their true identities, how can we truly say that Auschwitz has been liberated?’
“There is additional Jewish interest because a short time ago a document came into Jewish hands indicating that Pope Pius XII had approved a church mandate not to return baptized Jewish children to their families. Rabbi Herzfeld also stated that court action would likely be the next avenue if the Vatican does not respond to the Jewish request for information about Jewish children and the Holocaust.” (Reported by Bible Light International, Fall 2005)
Comment: This is another instance where the Catholic church is looking out for its own interest rather than doing the right thing. It has always been the Catholic church’s purpose to increase its numbers in any way it can. So they are not going to give up these baptized Jewish children without a fight.
“Pope John Paul II’s Legacy includes recasting the Papacy into a global institution, projecting his personality through the media to extend the authority of his office.
“Although modern popes do not have the political clout of their medieval predecessors, they arguable exert more influence on moral issues. The Vatican maintains embassies with 175 nations (one more than the U.S.) and is in position to meet the imperative of the 21st century, ‘think global, act local.’ The next pope will hold an extraordinary position of moral influence and soft power.”
(Christian Science Monitor, April 8, 2005)
EPISCOPALIANS: “LIBERAL ALLIANCE GIRDING FOR A FIGHT: Episcopal Church looks at schism. Liberal Episcopalians, concerned that a split over homosexuality may be inevitable next year, have begun laying the groundwork for seizing control of church property and replacing bishops who leave the church.
“Leaders of Via Media, a loosely knit alliance of liberal groups in 12 conservative dioceses, sketched out the plan in a September 29 meeting in Dallas. Draft minutes from the meeting were leaked to the media this week.
“The ‘Day After’ blueprint ─ combined with conservative plans for ‘faithful disobedience’ and bishops who are already considering ways to divide property ─ is the latest indication that all sides are preparing for a battle royal when the church meets next summer in Columbus, Ohio…
“‘If a bishop is going to try to take a diocese out of the Episcopal Church ─ which (church law) says cannot do ─ then Episcopalians, the people who owned the property, are going to fight him on it,’ Deimel said.” (By Kevin Eckerstrom, Religion News Service, October 29, 2005)
Comment: It seems the biggest concern here is over the church property, precipitated by the question of homosexuality and gay bishops. They, and other denominations, have no agenda which is concerned with Biblical Truth. But this is a sign of how they have all fallen from grace. What is “faithful disobedience?” Our understanding is that disobedience cannot be faithful. Disobedience can be temporary, but it must be repented of and some atonement made.
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Many thanks and much appreciation for the beautiful Christmas cards received, with special thanks for the love and prayers expressed which we heartily reciprocate. We wish for all our readers that they will grow in Grace and Knowledge of the Lord for a blessed New Year.
Announcement: The date of our Memorial is April 10, 2006, after six p.m.
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“IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW”
Brother Lev Bausch of Tiberius, Israel, passed away on November 5, 2005 at 63 years of age. Lev and his wife Hava, who survives, went to Israel in 1968 with Casimer and Elva Lanowick. They returned to Israel in 1973 and settled there. Lev was a good friend of Israel, corresponding all over the world on The Miracle of Israel. He and Hava have always been good friends of ours, too. Perhaps some of you remember reading their letters in our papers giving us much news of events in Israel, which we could not get from our news media. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Hava.
We are very saddened at his death, but are sure the Lord will remember him in His Kingdom.