They’re like gold bullion lying forgotten in a Swiss bank vault!

by Norbert Restrepo Jr.

Special promises and prophecies have been given for every age. When Daniel understood the Lord’s promise “to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem,” he cried unto the Lord in prayer asking for their fulfillment! Daniel 9:2. Nehemiah also cried unto the Lord as he recognized the unfulfilled promises of his age, and God opened the doors allowing him to be actively involved in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

When we read John’s letters to the seven churches in Revelation, we find wonderful promises offered to each of them. The blessings promised are based on the condition of hearing what the Spirit has to say. This hearing implies obedience.

The message to the church of Laodicea, the church or our age, emphasizes this opportunity of hearing Jesus in a special way: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20. In fact, Revelation begins with a blessing for those who read and “hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3.

Today, as we are living in the antitypical Day of Atonement and Christ is finishing His redemptive work in the most holy place, we should cry unto the Lord and search the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy to see the promises and duties that apply to us. Then we should set ourselves to fulfill them. There are promises for us to claim right now—we must not wait till the Sunday law comes about.

God desires to make us a “spectacle unto the world, and to the angels, and to men.” 1 Corinthians 4:9. Just as Nehemiah was an instrument in the Lord’s hand to bring about the restoration of Jerusalem, we can be His special servants in these last days. We can arise and rebuild the walls—the walls of biblical economy, true education, and Christian service. As we perform this practical work motivated by God’s love, the world will marvel. Our neighbors and community will perceive the love of God and the wonder of His law. Our message will have power when His promises are fulfilled in us and through us. Oh that we may experience revival and reformation!

Millions are dying without this vital substance.

by Joseph Ware

If I told you of something that people lack so desperately that they are dying in need of it, would you be interested? And if you learned that you could help supply the lack to these dying people, would you be curious?

You might say, “There are so many things lacking in this world. We hear of food shortages in third world nations, of gas shortages in Eastern Europe. We hear of companies with deficits. Countries like Somalia, Afghanistan, and Thailand lack peace. All these shortcomings are so big. Where could someone as small as I help? What lack could I fill? Besides, with the economy the way it is, I’m beginning to lack things myself.”

And I would answer, “This need of which I write is not something like food or money, of which there will never be enough. There is no such thing as an infinite supply of food or oil, but there is an infinite supply of this mystery thing. For a Christian, there’s no excuse for having less of it even when the economy is plummeting.”

“Don’t keep me waiting,” you would say. “Tell me what this mystery substance is.”

The Bible says in Ephesians 6:20, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Unto whom? God, of course—the God of power and love, the God of our salvation. Notice the verse doesn’t say: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly when the economy is doing well.” Our God is infinite, unconstrained by the economy. He is the infinite Supplier who will fill us with power.

You ask, “But where do I fit?”

The last part of the verse answers this: “according to the power that worketh in us.” God has chosen us to be the channels of His mighty power—the power that can change the way you act, that can spark love in your heart for the unloved.

There is a world ignorant of the power of God to save. You can play a part in dispelling that ignorance. As you receive power from God, you will be empowered to share with those who are perishing for a lack of this power. The cupboards might be bare, the clothes threadbare, but nothing says that a Christian can’t have an infinite supply of the power of God. Do your part to fill this lack and tap into the power of God.

by Colin Standish

There is nothing that provides foolproof economic security in this world.

Many of you are hearing the doomsday messages concerning the economy of the United States, and by extension, those of other countries. Some of these warnings have come from responsible sources. There are those who say that we are facing the greatest economic collapse in the history of the world. That would certainly be devastating, especially knowing the results of the 1929 stock market collapse.

Five years ago, a friend of mine was called into his bank manager’s office and was told that similar conditions to those in 1929 were already developing in America. The difference was that it would not be the stock market that would bring down the economy, but the housing industry. All can recognize that this prediction has met its fulfillment in the magnitude of recent home foreclosures. The closing of banks also indicates serious economic difficulties.

Of course, it is possible that governments and banks are down-playing the imminent dangers. Most of us will have to rely on the most trusted media sources available to us to have any idea of what might be ahead. Perhaps even the financial geniuses in this country are not certain of the final outcome. There seems to be no way to escape the imminent doom or to guarantee security. Some people are banking on precious metals. Others believe investments in oil companies will bring security. In the past, many banked on real estate, but they are now realizing loss of equity in these properties. In reality, there is nothing that provides foolproof security in this world.

For this reason, the wise stewards of God’s people are called to be faithful with the resources God has entrusted to us. When we place our treasure in heaven, there will be no loss of equity, and the work of God will be seen in souls who will be led to the kingdom through His diverse ministries.

At Hartland, we are taking the warnings seriously. What a responsibility we have! I cannot bear to think that even one cent of God’s money might be misappropriated, whether it be income from Hartland’s internal operations or the donations of faithful supporters. We need the wisdom of heaven to guide us, and we ask for your prayers to that end.

May God also bless you in your decisions, and guide you step by step to the eternal kingdom.