October 2014 Letters
From Ontario: Dear Brooks, In reading Alan Campbell’s column, it appears we are heading into a very dark period in the world, with wars, weather conditions, etc. Are there any other concerns we should be following that signal the last times perhaps?
Thanks Ontario: I called Pastor Campbell on your behalf and while he is still convalescing, he offered a few things to carefully watch. He suggested keeping our eyes on the decline of the big fishing grounds, reminiscent of Hosea 4:3. He added that the massive dying-off of starfish along the west coast of America is startling. The invasion of the Israel nations seems to be picking up from non-Israelite peoples, particularly in America with the border invasion from Mexico. And accompanying the invasion is the pestilence we were warned about in Deuteronomy 28:21, as new diseases are springing up that Israelites for which are not immune. The Ebola pestilence and possible plague is a frightening sign and even if created, as some suggest, it doesn’t matter at this stage, because it does have the potential to spread to our lands. Then, we have all heard about the earthquake dangers from fracking, which is the extraction of natural gas from deep layers within the earth. But there are accompanying numerous safety, health and environmental hazzards, not to mention the vast usage of precious water resources, estimated 8 million gallons per fracking. Finally, and this list is by no means complete, the dangers of genetically modified foods will emerge as labelling restrictions are relaxed.
From Vancouver: Dear Editor, we brought up our son to attend church and be a good Christian but since he began high school he has fallen away badly and describes Christianity as a fairy tale. His friends think the same way and many of them were never brought up in Christian homes. Any suggestions?
Hi Vancouver: It’s tough! I am reminded of a story I read in an old Prophetic Herald about a man who had a singing canary. A friend wanted to teach his sparrows to sing. He borrowed the canary, and placed it in the sparrow’s cage. The poor canary got so timid that it stopped singing, and began to chirp like the sparrows. The owner took it back; but it would not sing. He then put it alongside another canary that sang well. Soon it regained the old note, and began to sing as lovely as ever.
Your son is like so many other Christians, because, like the canary with the sparrows, they keep company with others, including many educationalists, and get immersed into false doctrines, half-truths, new-ageism and sadly, perhaps even atheism. The best thing for them and all of us is to associate with “those of like precious faith”, not with chirping sparrows, so to speak. The large churches have attracted many young people through rock music and milk-toast services but this is better than nothing. Somehow, we must strive to offset what our young people are exposed to in the outside world, perhaps through home communication, Bible studies and encouraging association with Christian friends. If it was easy, we might have more young people seeking our message but despite the challenge, we must continue to pay attention and communicate the things learned, lest we drift away further. Judging from all the signs, the day is coming when all of lukewarm Christendom will seek the counsel of Christ, as He implored in Revelation 3:18.
From South Carolina: Good Morning: I was thinking about when Israel cried and screamed for a King during the time of Samuel and Saul and when reading chapters of 1st Samuel 8-12, I was greatly reminded of the United States clamoring for a king when George Washington took office. Now as we fast forward, it is so interesting to read 1st Samuel 12:13-25. In many respects, the USA has clamored for a king such as our present administration and God has provided our wish. As I read verse 19, the perspective in the KJV version says, “And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask for a king”. Verses 24 and 25 sum up the chapter for all ages, this is a simple yet astounding truth that there is only one king and we are to serve only one king. If we serve the king in truth, then we can receive the blessing and if not, the curse.
Thanks SC: A great observation! Certainly America seems to be paying for what it clamoured for. In fact, the control of True Israel everywhere is almost complete and it will take the King of kings and Lord of lords to lift the bondage. I like what Daniel Webster had to say in reflecting upon the decline of our Israel nations, “If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper, but if we and our posterity neglect its instruction and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury our glory in profound obscurity”. Happily, the fulfillment of Ezekiel 34:27 is eagerly awaited by those of us with knowledge of the Israel Truth, “….. and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them”.
Editor: Our good friend, Lester Hanson, from Queensland, Australia publishes a small newsletter and it contains some very interesting articles. It’s pretty obvious that he does a great deal of research for his ministry. One that he published some time ago referred to a 1944 article by Olive S. Ford entitled “All These Signs.” He quotes her as saying, “Astronomers admit that no one knows who named the stars but the secret is revealed by the Psalmist when he said that God himself “calleth them all by their names.”(Ps. 147: 4). She continued, “That must be true, else how could one account for the entire destiny of the Son of Man – from virgin birth to crucifixion and eventual return to earth as King – being written across the heavens in the silent language of the lovely stars?”
Then, she makes some important observations:
Those who wisely study God’s Word will not overlook that the primary purpose of the stars is to provide signs about coming events, especially at the end of the age when “none of the wicked will understand, but the wise shall understand.”(Daniel 12: 10).
The Pole Star changes every few thousand years. In about 75 years (2019) our New Pole Star is scheduled, under ordinary circumstances, to be found in the constellation of Cepheus, which is the figure of a king seated in power in highest heaven.
Among the names for this figure are “King” and “One who cometh to rule.” The name of the bright star in the shoulder of Cepheus is called Al Deremin, which means “the quickly returning One,” while another star is called Al Phirk – “Redeemer!”
However, because of the quickening pace of the star movements the time of this change is being rapidly shortened. One can only say with Peter, seeing that all these things seem due to appear very soon, “what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.” (11 Peter 3: 11). (Ed. Could the quickening coincide with the 2014/2016 period discussed in our recent articles)
She also makes this important statement, “Thus on every hand are signs in fulfillment of the Master’s own words, sent by a loving, heavenly Father to warn His heedless and headstrong children”.
Then, Mr. Hanson ends the article by recording this caution, “Blind indeed are His servants who fail to note such eloquent warnings to prepare for the time when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father’s and of the holy angels” and he refers us to Luke 9:26.