EXPLOSION IN BRAZIL!
An
explosion of lay missionary work is taking place in Brazil, and it is
spreading to other South American countries.
The crisis
came when Seventh-day Adventist Church members wanted to preach the third
angel's message in public evangelistic meetings.
They were
told not to do this.
They also
wanted to distribute missionary literature, which taught our historic
message.
They were
commanded not to do that either. So they did it anyway.
Our
denominational leaders in Brazil were horrified, for they feared that such
activity could disturb Catholic and political leaders in the nation. They
considered it an act of rebellion. Yet we need not be surprised at this, in
yesterday's mail, I received this prayer request from somewhere in America:
"We also request your prayers. We have been sending out missionary
books and the conference has said if we send any more books out, they will
take away our branch Sabbath School (status)."
Because the
faithful in Brazil refused to stop, in some instances, entire local
churches were disfellowshipped. In others, when they were told that they
could not preach the truth in Adventist churches, they simply went down the
street, rented a building, began worshiping and preaching there, and using
it as a staging area for widespread literature distribution. One Catholic
priest has already joined them.
As I write this, there are now
about 42 or 43 congregations in Brazil, which are no longer, connected with
the denomination. One has over 150 members. They did not want to be
separate; but they had to obey our historic, Bible/Spirit of Prophecy
teachings, calling on them to share the truth about the law of God and the
Bible Sabbath.
These people are so on fire for
historic Adventism, that they are going beyond many of us here in the
States. They are posting thousands of signs on public streets, in bus
stations, train stations, and close to government buildings,-which declare
that the seventh day is the true Sabbath and God's sign to the world, plus
an address where to contact them. Their literature explains the entire Sabbath
message, similar to what you will find in the Sabbath study in the back of
our Steps to Christ and the newspaper ads we make available.
In one instance, a congregation
was told, "You can't preach this, because it is not authorized by the
Adventist Church!" They replied that they were going to do it anyway.
"Then we will send the police to arrest you!" was the response.
At the demand of Adventist Church
leaders, the police came to the independent church leaders. "Why are
they sending us to you?" inquired the police, "Because we are
preaching the message of the church," was the reply. 'Just keep on
preaching:' the police said. "Don't worry, there are people in the
police who are watching what you are doing and are favorable to it."
In other
churches, as mentioned earlier, when they refused to obey a church order to
stop publicly preaching the third angel's message, entire churches were
disfellowshipped. They immediately rented meetinghouses for worship and
evangelistic meetings, and kept at their work, Similar experiences are
repeatedly taking place elsewhere.
The lay
church is growing faster than the conference churches in Brazil! That
should not be surprising, since the conference churches are forbidden to
distinctly share the message with anyone. Fearful of being cast out of the
church, their members obey. They fear the wrath of leadership more than
they respect the plain commands of God. In past years, we have reported on
similar developments in parts of America.
Aware of the
fact that both branches of the Adventist Reform Movement have their largest
number of members in Germany and Brazil (with relatively few in North
America and elsewhere), I inquired whether one or the other of those
branches might try to penetrate these separated groups and take control of
them.
I was told
that the laymen are being kicked out of the Reform Church just as fast as
out of the main church! The reason: The leaders of both the General
Conference churches and the Adventist Reform churches are frightened at
what they cannot control-and neither want the third angel's message
preached to the public!
In addition,
none of those leaders want the book, Great Controversy, or portions of it,
widely circulated.
A number of
faithful believers have left the Reform Church and united with the
faithful. They too want to have a part in giving the final message,
something that is not done in the Reform Church.
The leaders
have told the active laymen that, if they want to return, they must submit
to church control and do what they are told to do, and stop doing what they
are told not to do.
In November, the first
continent-wide lay church meeting was held in Sao Paulo, a city of 18
million. It was attended by over 450 believers from Brazil, Peru, Chili,
Argentina, and Paraguay.
Last week (I am writing this on
January 29, 2002), a ten-day meeting was held in Renacka,
Chile (close to Vina del Mar, not far from
Santiago). Chile has about eight lay churches and is growing fast. A congregation
of about 250 was earlier disfellowshipped in Renacka,
for preaching the third angers message. On January 30 to February 2,
another meeting will be held; this one in San Jose, Costa Rica. It will be
attended by believers from both South and Central America.
Another large international meeting is scheduled
for May. Those believers are discovering that they are not alone! All this
time, it seemed to each little group that they were the only ones in the
world that loved the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy, practiced health reform
principles, and wanted to preach the third angel's message. -But now the
little groups have discovered one another, and they are discovering us also!
-And we are going to help them! As
soon as I learned about this, by faith, I offered to help them produce a
Portuguese translation of our book, World Crisis Foretold. We will provide
the funds with which to translate it; and, at no charge, we will also
arrange the final text and layout, and make all arrangements for printing.
We don't
have the money to do this; but, by faith, we must move forward. You know it
and we know it. God's truth for this time in history must go to the people
of Brazil! We cannot wait for our church publishing houses to decide to
take such messages available, and at such a low cost.
You can have a part also! We may have to
help pay for the first print run. Working together, we accomplish more.
As, together, we move
forward by faith, our heavenly Father will open doors. making it possible
to do all that is needed.
Yes, those
little groups in South and Central America thought they were alone. But now
they are finding they are not. I say to our friends who will read this
report we send to North America, Britain, Europe, Australia. New Zealand.
Singapore. Japan, and the Philippines.-you are not alone either!
Not only are
we united in the faith of the Bible, Spirit of Prophecy, and Third Angel's
Message,-but we have all heaven on our side!
Keep pressing
forward. Give the message in every way you can. If you cannot preach, hand
out the precious books containing the message. Do not slacken, do not
weary, do not give up. There is resting by and by, but not in this world.
We must keep at our work.
We did
something similar in the mid-1980s for a group of
Koreans living in the States. They wanted a translation of Great
Controversy (and later Ministry of Healing). We cared for all the details
in getting it printed, at no charge, and they paid for the print run. We
are so thankful for any part we might have in these projects.
The
political climate is such now in Central and South America, that the
Catholic Church does not have the power it used to have. Yet our church
leaders remain frightened. It would appear as if they have entered into
agreements not to give the divisive Sabbath message publicly.
But that
should come as no surprise, for our General Conference has maintained close
ecumenical contacts with the Vatican and other major denominations, extending
back to 1967. Its close contacts with the World Council of Churches (WCC)
go back to the late 1950s.
For a very large collection of historical
and documentary evidence relating to this. see our Seventh day
Adventist/Vatican Ecumenical Involvement set of two books: Book 1: History.
80 pp. ($6.00 + $2.50); Book 2: Documents. 146 pp. ($11.00 + $3.00).
In addition,
we entered into a formal agreement at WCC headquarters in Geneva several
years ago, to tone down our public presentations of the Bible Sabbath, a
teaching which is divisive and causes our Protestant/Catholic friends to
dislike us.
For more on
this, see Secret Interchurch Planning Agreement IWM-906]
and Update on the Secret Interchurch Planning Agreement [WM-914].
In Ellen
White's time, we were anxious to defend the truth and proclaim it. In our
time, we are anxious not to lose the many friends we have made through
interfaith dialogues and at WCC committees in Geneva.
The concern of the faithful in Brazil is
how to unite their interests in giving our precious Bible/Spirit of
Prophecy truths to the world. In order to do this, they are starting. what
they call Acts of the Apostles churches," with lay pastors. They are
preaching. distributing literature, and winning souls - which are then taken, by baptism, into
their churches. They are doing what the denomination refuses to do, and God
is blessing their efforts.
When anyone
wants to preach, that person must not only be fully grounded and orthodox
in his understanding and presentation of our historic beliefs and
standards, but he and his family must personally practice healthful living
in diet, etc. He can be a member of the church while eating junk food, but
he will not be permitted to preach. We need standards like that in America.
On all levels, we have too many meat eaters in offices, where they should
not be.
Ellen White
predicted that both separation and unity would be seen in our ranks. We are
seeing that today. Throughout the world field, our people are separating
themselves into two classes: one which wants to be as close to the world as
it can; the other which wants to serve the God of heaven. She also said
that we must draw warmth from the coldness of others. Our zeal must
increase as we near the end of time.
Most
powerful messages must be given, urging our people to take hold of the work
and give the final message to the world. I intend to continue having a part
in this. I believe you intend to also.
The faithful ones south of the
border were told, for years, that "the time to give the message has
not come yet." Finally, they were convicted that they could wait no
longer-and they began giving it as earnestly as they can. They refuse to go
back to sleep. This is a lesson for us. We are told, in Desire of Ages,
that the people were impressed with John the Baptist because he was a
blazing light. Just as they are doing down south, we too must do right
where we are. We must give the message as earnestly as we can. No pausing,
no turning back, no taking time to quibble with those who fear the results.
Where do we
each one stand in this matter? Will you also share the message as widely as
you can through conversations, handing out books, doing whatever it takes
to give the final message to those in your area of contact? Yesterday, a
man phoned and ordered a case of International Meat Crisis and, then, asked
to speak to the author. I discussed the subject with him for a few minutes,
then I mentioned our Evolution Cruncher. He said that, for all he knew,
evolution was right. He added that, although he was an atheist, he was
open-minded. So I told him my view of the matter: Evolution teaches that
everything was made by random chance, and I maintain that anything made by
chance can be made by a trained scientist in a well-equipped laboratory in
an hour and a half.
The truth of
that sentence stunned him. Excited, he said he wanted my book. Then I told
him about the Bible Sabbath, and he wanted books on that also. We included
Beyond Pitcairn, Great Controversy, and Desire of Ages in the package sent
to him. Wherever you are, every day, you can do a lot! This morning,
another man phoned and wanted to speak with the author of our books on the
meat crisis. I discussed all the above with him, and he was very
interested. Every day you and I have opportunities to speak and share
literature!
It was when
faithful brethren here in the States began sending books and literature
down there, that the awakening started among the Adventist churches there.
Do not forget that. Books are powerful! Never underestimate their power-not
only in the world. but in the church as well. The printed words of truth
enable men to become free from Satan's delusions.
They begin
thinking for themselves, as they begin reading and obeying the Word of God.
I want to
tell you about the progress of our book, World Crisis Foretold. This will
be a powerful, low-cost book, when it is printed. Earlier this week, I sent
the complete sheets of the typeset English and Spanish editions to a friend
on the West Coast, so a final proofing of the Spanish edition could be
made. As soon as it is returned, we will send it to the printing house. We
ask for your continued help to carry this project through. ( Note- it is
now printed!)
As mentioned
last month, we also need funds with which to print Defending God, a
powerful book which directly answers the three leading charges against the
goodness of God: (1) The error that He causes the suffering in our world.
(2) The error that He will burn people as soon as they die, and will
continue doing it forever. (3) The error that He has no moral laws
governing us, yet holds us responsible for our sins.
If it is
given to the people, the Word of God is powerful. If we leave it on our
shelves, that power is locked within its closed pages. Ancient Israel did
that for centuries -refusing to share their faith-until they were taken
into captivity and only a remnant survived.
Let us learn
our lesson while there is still time. God is testing character. He has
given us the truth. What will we do with it?
At a time of
great apostasy among the people of God. Caleb stood firm (Num. 13:30-14:9).
He defended God's truth, even though it was at the risk of His life (Num.
14:10). The end result was not pleasant (Num. 14:37-38). Those experiences
are examples for us today (1 Cor. 10:6).
"Now
all these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for
our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him
that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."-1 Corinthians
10:11-12.
"It was
Caleb's faith that gave him courage, that kept him from the fear of man,
and enabled him to stand boldly and unflinchingly in the defense of the
right. Through reliance on the same Power, the mighty General of the armies
of heaven, every true soldier of the cross may receive strength and courage
to overcome the obstacles that seem insurmountable."-Review. May 30.
1912; 1 Bible Commentary. 1113.
"Calebs have been greatly needed in different periods of
the history of our work. Today we need men of thorough fidelity, men who
follow the Lord fully, men who are not disposed to be silent when they
ought to speak, who are as true as steel to principle, who do not seek to
make a pretentious show, but who walk humbly with God, patient, kind,
obliging. courteous men, who understand that the science of prayer is to
exercise faith and show works that will tell to the glory of God and the
good of His people. . To follow Jesus requires wholehearted conversion at
the start, and a repetition of this conversion every day."-Letter 39.
1899; 1 Bible Commentary. 1113.
Think not
that the giving of the Three Angels' Messages are of little importance! It
was to do this work that the God of heaven brought our denomination into
existence!
It is not
rebellion against God to stand free, if need be, in order to give those
messages to the world. In stark contrast, it is rebellion of the worst sort
to try to prohibit God's people from doing so.
God's
faithful ones are those who accept the message and give the message!
"God has called His church in this day, as He called ancient Israel,
to stand as a light in the earth. By the mighty cleaver of truth, the
messages of the first, second, and third angels, He has separated them from
the churches and from the world to bring them into a sacred nearness to
Himself. He has made them the depositaries of His law and has committed to
them the great truths of prophecy for this time. Like the holy oracles
committed to ancient Israel, these are a sacred trust to be communicated to
the world. The three angels of Revelation 14 represent the people who
accept the light of God's messages and go forth as His agents to sound the
warning throughout the length and breadth of the earth." -5
Testimonies. 455-456.
When we
depart from these messages, and refuse to give them, we lose our connection
with heaven:
"Many
who embraced the third message had not had an experience in the two former
messages. Satan understood this. and his evil eye was upon them to
overthrow them; but the third angel was pointing them to the Most Holy
Place, and those who had had an experience in the past messages were
pointing them the way to the heavenly Sanctuary.
"Many
saw the perfect chain of truth in the angels' messages, and gladly received
them in their order, and followed Jesus by faith into the heavenly
Sanctuary. These messages were represented to me as an anchor to the people
of God. Those who understand and receive them will be kept from being swept
away by the many delusions of Satan."-Early Writings. 256.
"The
message of the third angel is to prepare a people to stand in these days of
peril. It is to be proclaimed with a loud voice and is to accomplish a work
which few realize."-8 Testimonies. 94.
"The third
angel is leading out and purifying a people, and they should move with him unitedly." Testimonies to Ministers. 488.
Publications
will be the primary way these messages will be given to the world:
THE FIRST ANGELS MESSAGE-"They are
among the agencies represented by the angel flying 'in the midst of heaven,
having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth,
and to every nation. and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a
loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment
is come: Revelation 14:6-7.
THE SECOND
ANGELS MESSAGE-"From them is to go forth the terrible denunciation:
'Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all
nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication: Verse 8.
THE THIRD
ANGELS MESSAGE- "They are represented by the third angel that
followed, 'saying with a loud voice. If any man worship the beast and his
image. and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall
drink of the wine of the wrath of God: Verses 9-10.
THE FOURTH
ANGELS MESSAGE- "And in a large degree through our publishing houses
is to be accomplished the work of that other angel who comes down from
heaven with great power and who lightens the earth with his glory."-7
Testimonies. 140.
The Latest
on- Explosion in Brazil!
More keeps
happening in South America, with the epicenter of the quake taking place in
Brazil:
Over 3,000 laymen in Brazil are now awake and have cast off the
restraints of church workers who want them to stop sharing the third
angel's message about the law, the Sabbath, and the mark of the beast. As
mentioned in our first announcement of these developments (Explosion in
Brazil [WM1068]). published in March. they have
been forced out of their local churches because they are doing this.
There are close to a
hundred lay churches in Brazil alone. . There is now 15 or 20 new lay
churches in Chili alone. . There is a growing number in other South
American nations. . Conference leaders are now urging local Adventist
Churches to hold religious services on Sunday morning! Some larger
congregations in El Salvador are now doing this.
At
a fairly recent Ecumenical Council held in South America, Catholic
officials complained to Adventist Church leaders about the activities of
the lay Adventists. They did not like their
message and they did not appreciate the fact that so many Catholics are
being converted. In response, Adventist Church leaders said, "We'll
take care of them!" But, so far, they have not been able to fulfill
that promise.
Lay medical missionary work is now flourishing in those areas where
the laymen are coming alive and getting to work.
Someone donated a 500-acre property, to be used as a medical
missionary training center. As I write, it is being prepared for use.
A very large number of faithful
laymen have stopped using the denominational Sabbath School Quarterlies,
because those publications do not adhere to Adventist standards and
beliefs. . The laymen say they are tired of reading quotations by Billy
Graham and Protestant and Catholic theologians in the quarterly, as proof
of liberal Adventist positions. Relatively few quotations from the Spirit
of Prophecy are to be found. These problems are in both the Spanish and
Portuguese editions.
Many stopped using the Senior Quarterly
when, in the June 2001 lessons, it said that the Godhead could have a
feminine member in it.
The
Friday lesson of the last week in that quarterly mentioned the importance
of the Virgin Mary's intercession. That was obviously written to please
Catholic leaders, but it caused many believers to throwaway their
quarterlies.
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