Tag: Featured

Testimonies

A Baby, a Miracle, and a Loving God

The story I am about to share is one that happened a couple of years ago. The foreknowledge of the Creator of the heavens and the earth never ceases to amaze me. As I recall this wonderful testimony, my mind is drawn to Isaiah 65:24, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” God knows what we need before we do. Many times, He has already arranged everything before we’ve even whispered a prayer for help.

At the time, I was still employed as a logger. The work we had lined up for the summer was alongside a beautiful lake. It was very remote, and several hours away from the town where we call home. After packing up all our belongings, we began the journey of moving our little 10×30 logging camp to a spot near the worksite. We had a gorgeous view and a small creek trickling past our campsite. Although it was beautiful, my wife will tell you the mosquitoes were not.

As we progressed into the summer, it became hot and dry. It had been several weeks without any substantial rain, and the fire hazard was verging on extreme. We were already on night shift, and it looked like we might get shut down completely. 

Then one day, a dry thunderstorm blew in and started a fire near our campsite. It now became a mad rush to pack up camp and move to a safer location. We worked well into the night and ended up finding a nice spot by the lake. Exhausted, we finally collapsed into bed around 1 am.

The next morning the smoke was thick, and you could hardly see the lake. It was evident that a few fires were now burning in the area, but the fire crews had already started their work to keep the blaze under control. Although there were fires in the area, they were small, and we were able to continue our work. 

The attempt to keep working did not last long, however. Another dry lightning storm rolled in and started a fire on the ridge right above the cut block. My boss decided it was best to move the equipment out, and it was good we did. The next day, the fire wiped out the whole valley. Due to increased winds, the blaze spread from 100 hectares to 11,000 overnight. Sadly, another contractor in the area lost all his equipment to the fire.

The spot we had moved our camp to was in the main valley, which was still free from fires. We were safe for now, but what were we going to do? How long would it be before we could resume work? We didn’t know, so we spent the next few weeks out by the lake waiting to find out where we would go next.

It ended up being a slow summer due to the fires. To top it off, we had a wet fall, which led to more time off work. We were expecting our first child at the time, and circumstances were leading to financial stress. We were unsure how we were going to make things work, but we put our trust in God. Oh, how wonderful it is to have such a solid rock and foundation to lean on during uncertain times!

To our surprise, a month before our due date, my wife went into labor. We were surprised as there were no warning signs. Out of nowhere, my wife’s water broke, and by the time we were rushing off to the hospital, she was at 2-minute contractions. 

To understand the full scope of the picture, I must add that we were 2 hours away from our midwife. The hospital in our town does not deliver babies, so we were stuck doing the 2-hour drive. To top it off, the first 30 minutes was down a bumpy dirt road. Not fun for my poor wife!

Because our newborn girl was pre-term, we ended up having to stay in a hotel for a week. The previous lack of work had drained us financially to the point that we did not know how we were going to cover the additional expense. To our surprise and wonderment, our church family pulled together and covered the cost of our stay. The Lord had provided for our needs. Just wait, it gets better! 

Things finally began to settle down, and we were able to establish some normalcy with a brand new baby. Thanks to the support of our church family, we were slowing starting to get back on our feet. It was at this point that a lady in our church approached us after the sermon indicating that she wished to speak with us privately. What could it be?

She began to tell us about a certain savings envelope which she uses for emergencies. She’s been using it for roughly the last ten years if someone is in trouble. She proceeded to tell us that several days before, she had been listening to a sermon that strongly moved her. The speaker told a story about how the Lord sometimes impresses us to help someone randomly. A strong impression then came that she should give the money in her envelope to us. She asked, 50% Lord? The impression came even stronger, no, all of it!

When she gave us the envelope, there was $1120! Shocked, we didn’t know what to say. She proceeded to explain that she had never seen that much money in the envelope before! She continued to tell us that God impressed her that we were only to spend it on the baby, nothing else. But how could we possibly spend so much money on a baby who already had everything she needed? Later that day, we chuckled at how many diapers a person could get for a thousand dollars. We were hesitant even to take such a generous gift. But who were we to question God’s will as expressed to this dear sister? Humbled and slightly uncomfortable, we accepted the cash and drove home in quiet bewilderment.

A couple of days later, we discovered that our daughter had a severe lip and tongue tie. This is a genetic condition affecting tongue and lip mobility. It was causing my wife tremendous pain during nursing due to a poor latch. If left untreated, ties can cause oral issues later in life, such as speech impediments, trouble eating, and even gum decay. The most effective surgery to correct the tie in our case was a laser revision. This surgery is performed by a pediatric dentist and is very expensive. On top of it all, the nearest clinic that could perform the laser revision was 4 hours away.

I bet you can all guess where I am going with this. The money in the envelope was just enough to pay for the procedure and expenses with only ten dollars to spare! God provided no more than we needed, and no less.

God will certainly take care of all our needs. He cares about the little details in our lives, and even answers prayers we have not yet uttered. I hope that this testimony will bring a blessing to all who read it. This experience has increased my faith, and I hope it will do the same for you.

A Testimony of Cory and Rachel Lamming

Salvation

The Sanctuary Service and What it Can Teach Us Today – Part II

In the last issue, we looked at the first promise of salvation God gave to humanity. Today, we will look at the establishment of the sacrificial system and what lessons God intended to teach.

The story of Cain and Abel is one that is known by most, whether Christian or not. By this point in history, it is clearly seen that the sacrificial system had already been established. Abel’s sacrifice was pleasing unto the Lord and accepted, while Cain’s was not. Why? Because God had already set up a type that would keep their eyes fixed on their Redeemer. Abel obeyed the instructions given by God, while Cain created an offering that did not meet the requirements.

There is no direct account in the Bible of what God told Adam and Eve when this institution was established. There is, however, an inference as to when this happened. Shortly after hearing the first promise of redemption, God kills an animal to make coats of skin for them. As you will soon see, there is a lesson to be learned from this act. You will also see how it is inferred that the sacrificial system was set up at this time.

Abel understood the importance of the sacrifice, and in obedience, brought a lamb. On the other hand, Cain brought an offering that was the result of the labors of his hands. Cain had a form of religion, while at the same time, he disobeyed the requirements of God. We must be careful not to enter into the same type of presumptuous worship as Cain. God has given clear instructions on what He requires of us and what pleases Him. We also may please the Lord as Abel did if we will worship in faith and obedience.

So what lessons can we learn from the first dawnings of the sacrificial system? In the account of Cain and Abel, Abel used a lamb of the firstlings of his flock. Many times throughout the Bible, we see a lamb used as a symbol of the Messiah. John the Baptist declared of Christ, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. We will now look at three aspects found in this early account of the sacrificial service. The fourth aspect (the fat) brought to view we will discuss in the future.

A Lamb Without Blemish – Jesus had to be without blemish. Without a single failure. Why? Because He was to take our life of failures and give us His life of perfect obedience and victory. He was to die the death we deserve. In return, He gives us His life, which we don’t deserve. Oh, what love! 

Jesus was to come and live a life without sin. To overcome where we failed, and make a way of escape. By His humanity, He lays hold of our hand. By His divinity, He lays hold of the Father. 

Jacob saw a representation of Christ on his way to Padanaram. He saw a ladder reaching from heaven to earth and angels of God ascending and descending the ladder. Jesus is that ladder. He bridged the gap that our sins created. He made a way for us to be reunited with Him and the Father. Jesus did all this by becoming the Lamb of God, without blemish or fault.

The Firstling of the Flock – In the account of Cain and Abel, we find that the original Hebrew word used for firstling is “bekowrah.” The meaning behind this word and its use throughout the Bible sheds significant light on this subject. Let’s quickly look at its definition.

“Birthright, primogeniture, right of the firstborn.”

BDB Lexicon

Here we see two aspects: the primogeniture (right of succession belonging to the firstborn) and the firstborn itself. The lamb used by Abel was a firstborn. So was Christ the firstborn of the human race?

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:…And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence.”

Colossians 1:15,18

Christ is the firstborn of the dead and the head of the human race. In all things, Christ has preeminence. So what is the birthright that Jesus was to receive? To understand this, we need to look at the original heir of this earth.

Adam was given dominion over the whole earth and every creature in it. Adam was the prince of this world and the head of the human race. So what happened when Adam sinned? He gave this heirship to Satan, who became “the prince of this world.” John 12:31.

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

1 Corinthians 15:22

Jesus is the second Adam. Although we have received an inheritance of death and suffering from Adam, we may receive eternal life from Christ. The earth is His through creation and redemption. The birthright implied in the sacrifice was the heirship of the earth that Christ would wrest from Satan’s hands. 

The Coats of Skin – These skins would have come from the first sacrifice that God used to institute the sacrificial system.

When Adam and Eve sinned, they became aware that they were naked. They tried their best to cover themselves, but when the presence of God came into the garden, they were afraid and hid. When asked why they hid, they said it was because they were naked. They were unable to make a covering that was suitable for the presence of God. God, Himself had to make a covering for them.

That covering could only come from one source, Jesus. We can only be seen as righteous in the sight of a holy God by becoming covered by Christ’s righteousness. Let’s look at a couple of verses.

“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.“

Revelation 3:18

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.“

Revelation 16:15

Salvation can only come through Jesus. He paid it all. But do you also notice how He also gave a command, “buy of me.” The price is free, but there is a part for us to play. We must ask and seek for these gifts and turn from our rebellion to allegiance to God. God does set requirements of obedience. The whole Bible is full of instructions on what pleases and displeases the Lord. Thankfully we serve a patient and loving God who is willing to take the time to train us in the path of righteousness. We must always remember that God is working for us and wants to see us succeed.

I hope you have received as much of a blessing from this article as I have gained in writing it. Continue to join me next time as we continue our journey into this subject.

Written by Cory Lamming

Salvation

The Sanctuary Service and What it Can Teach Us Today – Part I

From the very day that Adam and Eve sinned, God made a way of escape for fallen humanity. Yes, there were consequences to their actions, but with them came a beautiful promise.

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

Genesis 3:15

Let’s take a moment to dissect this verse. It is important to note that this is a prophecy – the first prophecy given in scripture. The context also tells us that the contention will be between the serpent and the woman. Let’s look into what a serpent and woman can represent in Bible prophecy.

The Serpent – Many verses in the Bible can be used to show what a serpent represents, but this one is so clear that it will suffice. 

“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

Revelation 12:9

The Woman – In Ezekiel 18, we see God’s church represented as a harlot. Of course, this was because they had entered into idolatry with the heathen nations around. We see similar examples in the book of Hosea. In Revelation, we see both a faithful, pure woman (church) and an unfaithful church described as a harlot. These examples clearly show the use of a woman to represent the church. It is between the church and Satan that enmity would exist.

There is also another interesting point which must be considered. In this prophecy, we see a seed (posterity) coming from both the serpent (Satan) and the woman (God’s Church). Let’s look at the posterity of both sides to see if we can glean some light.

The Seed of Satan – I think it is safe to say that the devil, who was once known as Lucifer before his fall, is the leader in the rebellion against God. Jesus said, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44. If the devil is the head of the rebellion against God than all who choose to follow him in this rebellion become his seed. 

The Seed of God’s Church – The Bible is very clear on this subject. Christ is both the foundation and the head (Matthew 21:22-24; Ephesians 5:23). All those that accept Christ as their Savior become the children of God. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Paul also states in his letter to the church in Galatia, “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29.

So now that we understand the context of this prophecy, what hope does it give us? Satan would strike a blow at the church by killing Jesus, but it was a wound that would heal at the resurrection of Christ. It was not a deadly wound. The promise comes that Satan would receive a fatal wound to his head, and he did. Christ has broken the power of Satan over us if we will accept the help and strength Jesus offers. 

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me…For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Philippians 4:13; 2:13

Here is the first glimpse we get of the plan of salvation in the Bible. God had tempered the judgments that came as a result of sin with mercy. Humanity did not have to move forward in a hopeless state. God was to make a way of escape, and all those who lived before Christ came to this earth were able to live by faith in this promise.

We have only just begun our journey, and you will soon be able to see where I am going with this. For now, we must end our study. But join me soon as we continue on our journey into this subject.

Written by Cory Lamming

Prophecy

How Much Time is Left? Part III

In this series, we have been looking at the prophecies given by Jesus on the Mount of Olives. We have looked at the reason for all the natural disasters, diseases, and tension between the nations. We have seen how one by one, the prophecies given by Christ are being fulfilled. In the last issue, we looked specifically at the great earthquake prophesied by John in Revelation 6:12. 

In this issue, we will deal with the rest of the prophecy given in that passage and see its connection to the same signs given by Christ. If you haven’t read the rest of the series, I encourage you to click on the prophecies tab and check out the previous articles on this subject.

The apostle Matthew records, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heavens shall be shaken.” Matthew 24:29. When viewing these same signs, the prophet Joel wrote, “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come.” Joel 2:31. And the beloved John saw in vision, “and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.” Revelation 6:12,13.

First, we will deal with the sign that the sun and moon would be darkened. Has such an event already taken place? There is such an event that can fit this description, and it is known in history as “The Dark Day.”

The United States of America had just a few years prior gained their independence, and the country was beginning to flourish. As exploration of the west had not yet taken place, the majority of the population was concentrated on the east coast. To most, life seemed full of opportunity. On May 19, 1780, fear seized thousands as an oppressive darkness descended on the New England States and parts of Canada. 

As many residents arose, it seemed to be just another gloomy day, but soon dark clouds rolled in, and by noon the darkness was at its peak. The sun had been darkened and would not be seen until the next day. That night the moon would also not give its light until about midnight when it was seen shining in its brilliance. 

Professor Samuel Williams of Harvard College recorded many details on this event. While at Cambridge, the darkness rolled in, and thanks to his insights, we can take a more in-depth look into the magnitude and severity of this great darkness. On the depth and extent, he wrote, “In most parts of the country it was so great, that people were unable to read common print – determine the time of day by their clocks or watches – dine – or manage their domestic business, without the light of candles.” 1 In respect to the effect it had on the animals, he wrote, “the birds having sung their evening songs, disappeared, and became silent; – the fowls retired to roost; – the cocks were crowing all around, as at the break of day.” 2

The intensity of the darkness itself is worthy of notice, but the effect it had on the population was also significant. A large portion of the New England States were Protestant Christians, and many saw this as a sign that the day of judgment was at hand. In Connecticut, the legislature was in session as the darkness descended. Abraham Davenport was among those present, and his bravery is preserved to this day in a poem.

“This well may be
The Day of Judgment which the world awaits;
But be it so or not, I only know
My present duty, and my Lord’s command
To occupy till He come. So at the post
Where He hast set me in His providence,
I choose, for one, to meet Him face to face,
No faithless servant frightened from my task,
But ready when the Lord of the harvest calls;
And therefore, with all reverence, I would say,
Let God do His work, we will see to ours
Bring in the candles.” 3

Although the day of judgment did not come in 1780, another sign given by our Lord had been fulfilled.

Now we will take a look at the signs in the stars. As we saw earlier, John declared, “the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.” Revelation 6:12,13. One event that perfectly fits this description was the falling stars of 1833. 

Mr. Alexander C. Twining described this event as “a constant succession of fire balls, resembling sky rockets, radiating in all directions from a point in the heavens.” 4 Another described that “Their appearance was so incessant during some part of the phenomenon, that all the stars of the firmament, seemed to be darting from their places. Many persons thought a shower of fire was falling, and became exceedingly alarmed. The light was so intense, that apartments, where persons were sleeping, were strongly illuminated, and some were aroused under the apprehensions that their dwellings were in flames.” 5

What an incredible spectacle was seen that night. Although an accurate number could not be taken, it is estimated that over 200,000 stars were seen falling that night. 6 The bible could not have better described this spectacular event.

As seen earlier, these signs were to take place immediately after the tribulation spoken of in Matthew 24:21,22. In the next part of this series, we will take a further look into this time of tribulation. We will then see how perfectly these two events were timed. Both of these events had the effect that God designed for them to have. They were widely seen as signs of the near return of Jesus Christ. Many were amazed, while others feared that the day of judgment had come. Today we may look at these waymarks and see that very little time remains until we can go home with our Lord.

Written By Cory Lamming

  1. “An Account of a Very Uncommon Darkness, in the State of New England, May 19, 1780” Page 234, 235
  2. “An Account of a Very Uncommon Darkness, in the State of New England, May 19, 1780” Page 235 
  3. The Poem “Abraham Davenport” by John Greenleaf Whittier 
  4. The American Journal of Science and Arts, Volume 25(1833-1834), pg 365
  5. The American Journal of Science and Arts, Volume 25(1833-1834), pg 371,372
  6. The American Journal of Science and Arts, Volume 25(1833-1834), pg 389
Prophecy

How Much Time is Left? Part II

In the first part of this series, we had a look at some of the signs of the second coming of Jesus Christ. We saw that throughout the centuries, many of the signs have been perfectly fulfilled. We looked at the fulfillment of the destruction of the temple and the fall of Jerusalem. We addressed the terrible natural disasters and diseases that were foretold to take place in our day. And finally, we covered the time of great tribulation. Today I would like to look into a detail added by the apostle John in the book of Revelation.

“And I beheld when he had opened the six seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.” Revelation 6:12,13.

John begins the sequence of events with a great earthquake. When we look back into the scope of time, do we see such an earthquake? We do, and it was not only extraordinarily destructive but also affected future generations to come. The great Lisbon earthquake in 1755 went into history as one of biblical proportions. Not only was it severe and felt all over the planet, but it also had a significant impact on philosophy, science, and the economy.

In the 18th century, Lisbon was one of the largest and most significant cities in Europe. Gold coming from Brazil allowed King John V to sponsor magnificent buildings and churches. Lisbon was flourishing and growing. It was also an important port and played a large part in the world economy of the day. When this city fell, it would have a significant impact on the European economy and the lives of those living in this great city.

It all happened on November 1, 1755. It was all saints day, and many were gathered at the churches in the city. None knew the destructive event that was about to take place. At 9:40 am, an earthquake with a magnitude between 8.0 and 9.0 struck. For 3 to 6 minutes, the city would be shaken, causing fissures 5 meters wide to open up in the city center. Most of the magnificent churches crumbled down upon the thousands inside. Many ran down to the open spaces by the sea to escape falling debris. Only 40 minutes later, a tsunami engulfed the harbor and rushed up the Tagus river. If all this wasn’t enough, a fire broke out in the city due to the thousands of candles lit to celebrate all saints day. This fire was so hot it became a firestorm and did more damage than even the earthquake itself. It is estimated that between 10,000 and 60,000 were killed during this event in Lisbon alone. This earthquake was also felt as far away as Finland, North Africa, Greenland, and the Caribbean. The resulting tsunami swept the shores of North Africa, Ireland, and the southern English coast.

In the 18th century, it was widely accepted that natural disasters were the judgments of God upon sinners. This, however, created a problem. Most of the destruction was upon the churches, and most of those killed were Christians. The brothels, on the other hand, were spared, and many of the prisoners were released during the destruction. Voltaire, a prominent philosopher of the day, retaliated against this line of thinking. In his poem “Poème sur le désastre de Lisbonne,” Voltaire challenged the thought that a loving God would bring such destruction upon mankind. Voltaire was a deist and played an important role in the age of enlightenment. Many began to adopt this line of thinking; this largely influenced the French revolution as well as fuelled the growth of atheism.

Sebastião de Melo, the prime minister of Portugal during the time of the Lisbon earthquake, survived the devastating event. He began to ask questions on why these earthquakes happen and what would cause such destruction to unleash. This was the first earthquake in recorded history to be studied to this degree and therefore was the birth of modern seismology. The Pombaline style of architecture was also adopted and began the move to create seismic proof structures. These marked shifts have influenced the world today and added to the significance of this great earthquake.

Today, the cause of earthquakes is known. We now know much more about tectonic plate movements and how the hot magma flows below the surface affect the earth. Yet with all this knowledge, we cannot stop them from happening or even predict precisely when they will come. Because of the shift that took place in the 18th century, most now would not believe that such destruction comes from God. Today the theory of evolution has taken front stage and is widely accepted. This has led many to deny the existence of God, and even many Christians are adopting theistic evolution.

Now is when we need to look to the word of God. We must stand on the Bible and the Bible alone. In the book of Genesis, the Bible speaks of a literal seven-day creation of the earth. David tells us, “For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” Psalms 33:9. Can not the same God that spoke the world into existence use the storehouses of power we see in nature? Why would God even want to use such a powerful force upon mankind? Was there a reason the churches received so much damage during this event?

For many centuries the Roman Catholic Church martyred millions of Christians who only wanted to follow the dictates of their conscience. This period in earth’s history is known as the dark ages. Although the 18th century was the age of enlightenment, the power of the church over consciences had not yet been completely broken. To counter the protestant reformation, the church had instituted inquisitions in many countries. One of the main stages for the Portuguese Inquisition was in Lisbon. The grand inquisitor condemned many in this great city, and many were burned at the stake for not conforming to the church’s wishes. God never forces the conscience, and it displeases Him to see men do this.

God chose the Jewish nation to be the expositors of His law. When Israel fell short of fulfilling this role, He instituted the Christian church. In the days of Israel, prophets were raised to correct His people. When all these measures failed, and the prophets were persecuted and killed, God would send judgments to awake His people and save the remnant He had remaining within. Just as Israel departed from the will of God, so did the Christian church during the dark ages. God raised up reformers just as he once had raised up the prophets. Sadly the Christian church disregarded these warnings and martyred these men of God. God had to use judgments to get the attention of His people. You know what? God deals the same with His church today.

Friends, God is trying to get our attention. He is doing all he can to save us and wake us up from our slumber. The signs we see fulfilled in history, as well as the ones we see today, are waymarks. They show us how close we are to our destination. The second coming of Jesus is nothing to be feared. If we are hidden in Christ, he will carry us through every event and give us peace through every trial. The plan of salvation is a rescue mission, and the second coming is our deliverance. As we continue through this series and see how near we are to this wondrous event, we may become excited, for soon we will meet our Lord!

As you can see, this event in earth’s history was a significant one that largely shaped the world we see today. It could not have more perfectly fulfilled the sign spoken of by the apostle John. But this was only a small part of the prophecy given in that verse. What about the signs in the sun, moon, and stars? We will address these events in the next issue. I hope this article has helped strengthen your faith in the prophecies of God as much as it has for me.

Written by Cory Lamming

Salvation

The Ultimate Coronavirus Cure

As we look at the world today, we see widespread panic and uncertainty. Many things in this world can strike fear into our hearts, but few can match the terror that an invisible army can bring. War, famine, and natural disasters are all terrible, but pestilence seems to top them all. Disease is not something you can easily hide from or see coming. It quietly waits for its next unsuspecting victim.

One thing that I have noticed as this epidemic has progressed is how quickly our normal way of living can fall apart. The way we interact and go about our daily business has drastically changed. Essential supplies have become hard to find. Many are buying all they can to try to prepare for the worst. But do we need to fear? Is there a solution that can bring back peace and hope?

There is a solution to not only this epidemic but any other problem we may face in the future as well. The solution is not a miracle cure but a Person. There is One who has never lost a battle with disease. He can calm the storms and even supply our basic wants. His name is Jesus Christ.

There was a time in my life when I tried to do things my way. I tried to fill my life with possessions and entertainment to find happiness. All I found was misery and hopelessness. 5 Years ago, I gave my whole heart to Jesus Christ. I have never experienced happiness and peace as I have now. I don’t need to fear like I once did.

The Bible holds the solution to every problem we may face. There were many times that Jesus healed the lepers. This was a disease that left its victim in a hopeless condition. Those that contracted leprosy were feared by the population and quarantined. They had no hope of recovery, but only had to look forward to a slow, painful death. Jesus was able to heal all who came to Him, and you know what? He still lives.

We put so much faith in the medical staff who are human like us but shrink from putting our faith in One who never lost a case. It is good that we trust the medical staff. They became doctors and nurses because they love to help people. God often works through these men and women and blesses them with wisdom to know how to help. But we must realize where our faith must lie; in Jesus Christ. 

Here is a promise that was given to the disciples shortly before Christ returned to heaven. “They will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:18 (NKJV). Did the disciples have anything to fear? No! They had a promise of divine protection. As they followed the commission to spread the good news, they didn’t have to fear or worry. And what was the record of how this was fulfilled? In Acts 28:2-6, Paul was bitten by a venomous viper. He shook the serpent off and was left unharmed. Those that were looking on were convinced that he must be a god, for no man could be bitten by that snake and not suffer the results. We also can rely on the promises of God.

So, what is the promise given to those that love the Lord? “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Psalms 91:10, 11. Even death is nothing to be feared if you love the Lord, for the promise comes to us; “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:3.

Will you turn with me to the One who can banish all our fears and worries? Who will never leave us or forsake us? Jesus cares just as much about us as He did the lepers 2000 years ago. I hope you will join me in finding peace in Jesus in these uncertain times.

Written by Cory Lamming

Testimonies

Saved By an Angel

As I look back on my life, I am reminded of many times that God has protected and cared for me. One story stands out in my mind, which I will never forget.

Approximately 30 years ago, my husband and I owned an auto body shop in Edmonton, AB. I worked with him and gave him a hand wherever needed. On this particular day, we needed to move a truck into the paint booth. Unfortunately, the battery was dead. We decided to boost it with another battery, which we then balanced on the edge of the truck. Being so short, it was right in front of my face. 

My job was to unhook the booster cables once he started the vehicle. The truck started right up, and I was going to unhook the wires when suddenly I was picked up and moved back about 10 feet against the wall. It had happened so fast. I was stunned and puzzled as to how I got there. I looked at the place where I had been standing just a split second before to see the battery had fallen. There was acid flowing into the paint booth, and it was then that I realized what had happened. My guardian angel had just saved me! The most miraculous thing about it was that I had not been thrown against the wall but gently placed there. At a later date, I found out that I was pregnant with my firstborn. Not only could I have been badly hurt, but also my unborn child.

My husband, along with one of his employees came running over to see what had happened and if I was hurt. I asked them if they saw my guardian angel pick me up and move me out of the way. All I could do is keep saying, my guardian angel saved me! The employee who had come running over with my husband happened to be one of his friends and asked me if he had an angel protecting him too. I told him that he does and that God assigns angels to watch over us.

I am so thankful for God’s protection and tender watch care over us. I don’t think that any of us can even imagine how many times we have been saved from harm and danger in our lifetime. God is so good and merciful to us! Remember that there is a God that cares for you and has stationed angels to guard and keep you.

Written By Denise Lamming

Prophecy

How Much Time is Left? Part I

When we look at the world today, what do we see? We see a world full of chaos and impending conflict. Fear is coursing through the hearts of many because of random acts of violence. Month to month, the death tolls rise, and more places seem unsafe. Natural disasters are on the rise and are becoming more intense. Fires have destroyed thousands of homes, and some have even lost their lives. Floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes have left destruction in their path. Disease and famine are claiming the lives of thousands. On top of this, the world is in a fragile economic state and is holding on by a thread. So what does this all mean? Does it foretell some great event about to take place? 

 The Bible has accurately predicted the state of things today and even thousands of years in advance. There are significant events about to take place very soon. Do you want to know what is about to happen? Do you want to know what preparation is necessary to make it through these events? Let’s have a quick look at what the Bible has to say about the state of the earth just before the second coming of Christ and compare that to what we see today.

 Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 are all accounts of the same discourse given by Jesus. On the Mount of Olives, Jesus gave the disciple’s signs for two events; signs both of the fall of Jerusalem and the end of the world. Each gospel adds details that provide us with a clearer picture of what Jesus was trying to reveal.

 God does not want these events to take us by surprise and has forewarned us. The prophet Amos said, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7. And Paul revealed in 1 Thessalonians 5:4, “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” There is, however, a warning in verse 6. “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” If we watch for the signs, we need not be worried about being caught off guard.

 So what are the signs of the second coming of Jesus Christ? Here is what Jesus first revealed, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Mathew 24:4-6. Keep in mind that these were not only signs for the second coming, but also the fall of Jerusalem. Jesus tells us that these things will happen, but the end is not yet.

 These first signs were a warning to the Christians living in Jerusalem during the first century. Although the end of the world had not come yet, there were significant events to take place during this time. There were wars, uprisings, and civil outbreaks. In 66 AD, the first Jewish – Roman war broke out. In 70 AD, Jerusalem was besieged, and the temple destroyed. The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus wrote, “Now the number of those that were carried captive during this whole war was collected to be ninety-seven thousand; as was the number of those that perished during the whole siege eleven hundred thousand, the greater part of whom were indeed of the same nation [with the citizens of Jerusalem], but not belonging to the city itself; for they were come up from all the country to the feast of unleavened bread, and were on a sudden shut up by an army, which, at the very first, occasioned so great a straitness among them, that there came a pestilential destruction upon them, and soon afterward such a famine, as destroyed them more suddenly.”1 Due to the increased number present in Jerusalem, 1.1 million died, and another 97,000 were enslaved. Jesus foresaw the fall of this great city and did not want any Christian to have to partake of this terrible suffering. 

 Were there false Christ’s and prophets during the first century? Josephus tells us of a man named Theudas, who claimed to be a prophet while Fadius was a procurator of Judea. The same author also tells us of an Egyptian false prophet who rose during the time of Felix. There were also false messiahs during this time. Simon bar Giora and Menahem ben Judah are a couple of examples of Jewish messiah claimants. Simon Magus and Dositheos, the Samaritan, are examples of those that claimed to be Christ within the Christian sphere during this time. 

 There was also another sign given to the early Christians. Jesus said in Luke 21: 20-22, “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” As soon as the Christians saw the city surrounded, they knew they needed to flee. But if they were surrounded, how could they escape? This is where the story gets remarkable.  

 Cestius, a Roman senator and general, had surrounded Jerusalem, and much progress had been made to overtake the city. Josephus wrote on this matter, “And now it was that a horrible fear seized upon the seditious, insomuch that many of them ran out of the city, as though it were to be taken immediately; but the people upon this took courage, and where the wicked part of the city gave ground, thither did they come, in order to set open the gates, and to admit Cestius as their benefactor, who, had he but continued the siege a little longer, had certainly taken the city.”2 When you keep in mind that a victory had nearly been gained, it makes the next statement incredible. “It then happened that Cestius was not conscious either how the besieged despaired of success, nor how courageous the people were for him; and so he recalled his soldiers from the place, and by despairing of any expectation of taking it, without having received any disgrace, he retired from the city, without any reason in the world.”3

 God had opened the way for His people to escape the city. Just as God gave them signs, he has done the same for us today. Just as God wanted the early Christians to be ready for the destruction of Jerusalem, He wants us to be prepared for His second coming.

 Next, Jesus turns our attention from the fall of Jerusalem to the end of time. “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” Matthew 24:7. Have not there always been earthquakes, famines, and pestilences? Yes, but Matthew added another additional detail in the very next verse, which is worthy of notice. “All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” (ESV)

 Birth pains start with lower intensity and time in between contractions. As the birth of the child draws nearer, the birth pains become more intense and closer together. Just before the baby comes, the intensity of the contractions is almost unbearable, and they come one right after another. What Jesus was trying to tell us is that these terrible calamities would continue to get worse until the end. Just before Jesus’ second coming, there will be an extreme intensity in these disasters, and they will become frequent. 

 So now we must ask the question, is there an increase in frequency and intensity? If we look at the Annual Disaster Statistical Review for 2006, between 1987 -2006, the number of disasters nearly doubled.4 According to The New England Journal of Medicine, “There were three times as many natural disasters from 2000 through 2009 as there were from 1980 through 1989.”5 In the same article, we find this statement, “Natural disasters, particularly floods and storms, will become more frequent and severe because of climate change.”5 Jesus warned us this would happen, and we should take note that we are seeing the signs that time is running out.

  The next point I would like to touch on is the time of great tribulation. The definition of tribulation is sorrow or suffering as a result of persecution. In Matthew 24:21, Jesus warned that there would be a time of great tribulation and also added that it would be the worst the world has or ever will see. Was there a time in history that fulfilled this? There was, and it is referred to as the dark ages. 

 From 538 AD until 1798 AD persecution of protestant Christians reigned. Millions of martyrs died during this period for merely following their conscience. The terrifying methods used to both torture and kill during these many centuries will make anyone turn in horror. This indeed was a great time of tribulation. Both the books of Daniel and Revelation prophesied that this time of persecution would reign for precisely 1260 years. For the sake of time, I will not go into detail on this subject and will touch on this in the future.

 As you have already seen, the discourse given by Jesus on the Mount of Olives was both full of instruction and warning. Jesus set many signs and way-marks along the many centuries between His day and ours. He warned us that we might prepare for what was to come. He wants us to see that God’s hand has been with His people all through the centuries and that nothing was a surprise to the mighty God we serve. There are yet many signs to look at which directly precede his second coming. The ones we will look at in the next part will begin to hit closer to home, and we will see that very little time remains on the clock. 

Written By Cory Lamming

Appendix

 (1) The Wars of the Jews, Book VI, Chap. IX, Sec. III

 (2) The Wars of the Jews, Book II, Chap. XIX, Sec. VI

 (3) The Wars of the Jews, Book II, Chap. XIX, Sec. VII

 (4)  http://www.cred.be/sites/default/files/ADSR_2006.pdf

(5)  http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1109877?query=featured_home&

Testimonies

Disowned by Man, Adopted by Christ

When I look back on my life, I am reminded of how marvellously God has led me. I grew up in a Roman Catholic home and loved going to church with my grandparents. But something was missing.

 When I was about twelve years of age, my Mom and Dad started studying the Bible with some Seventh-Day-Adventist Friends. I would listen in on their conversations sometimes, and they were talking about the Ten Commandments and the Sabbath. It was very interesting, but little did I realize how drastically our lives were about to change.

 We discovered that the Ten Commandments in the Catholic Bible differed from the Ten Commandments found in the book of Exodus chapter twenty. The Second Commandment had been omitted. This is, of course, the Commandment that refers to the act of worshipping images, which is an abomination to God. The Fourth Commandment was shortened from four verses to “Remember the Sabbath Day.” And the Tenth Commandment was split into two.

 My Dad sought out his cousin, who was a priest, about these matters. He asked him about the Sabbath. He questioned why we worshipped on Sunday instead of the Seventh Day, according to the Bible. “Oh, we changed it,” was his response. Dad proceeded to ask how “man” can change God’s law, which was written in stone with His finger. From that time forward, we decided to keep God’s Commandments.

 As Catholics, we rarely read the Bible. When I began Bible studies, I found it to be filled with beautiful promises and gripping stories. The Holy Spirit was convicting and converting me. It was at an evangelistic series when I gave my heart to the Lord. I never knew I could have a personal relationship with God. Jesus loved me so much that He gave His life to save me! I could go directly to Him for forgiveness. I could talk to Him anytime, anywhere, and about anything. It was so wonderful!

 My Dad informed his employer that he could no longer work from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. And though he promised to work any other day, he was told that if this was his final decision, then he shouldn’t bother coming back ever again. 

 Holding to his convictions, he stayed home from work the following Friday night and was promptly fired. Word of our conversion swept through the community like wildfire. All the parents told their children to stay away from us because we had joined a “cult.” I didn’t even know what that word meant. Everyone treated us as if we had the plague. Scornful and disgusted looks were hurled at us like flaming arrows. It was dreadful. All we wanted to do was keep God’s Commandments. In hindsight, I believe these dear people thought that they were, in good conscience, doing the right thing. But at that age, I could scarcely understand it.

 When my grandparents heard about my parent’s decision, they were very upset. As a child, I stayed with them often, and we were very close. They tried talking me out of becoming an Adventist. They even attempted to persuade me to pray to the image of the Virgin Mary for help. I believe they did this with the deepest sincerity. However, I could not yield; for I was convicted that I could pray to no one but God. They were very distressed over this, and their travail caused me much suffering and guilt; after all, they had been so loving and kind to us all my life. With tears, they told me that they would be forced to disown us if we left the Catholic church. A fierce struggle ensued within me, for I could never imagine my life without them. However, I knew in my heart that Jesus must be placed first and best in my life. I soaked my pillow with tears that night, but deep down, I knew that I had a Friend who could dry my eyes and heal the heart that broke within me.

 Dad was disowned by his whole family, but that wasn’t all. We were no longer welcome in our community and were soon in the process of being thrown out of our house. Dad gathered us all together and knelt to ask for God’s guidance to endure this fiery trial. Somehow, through the midst of it all, I had been given a peace that I could not explain; and I am very grateful that my parents didn’t buckle under the pressure.

 Dad miraculously found a job at a Seventh-Day Adventist mill in Williams Lake, B.C. He was only working there a short time before we were evicted from our house and at the time we had very little money.

 Dad was finishing his shift before coming to move us to Williams Lake when something terrible happened. A board came flying out of one of the machines and hit him square in the chest! He was in tremendous pain, and his co-workers pleaded with him to go to the hospital, but he refused. He had to get us moved out of that house immediately!

 We were just children and all still very young at the time. We were unable to help move any large furniture and Dad was in no shape to do any heavy lifting due to his injury. He earnestly sought the Lord again in prayer and left the matter in His hands. Early the next morning, a knock came at the door. It was my aunt’s boyfriend who was looking for her. He was unaware of our situation, and having no prejudice against us, was happy to help! We were all convinced that God had sent him to us in answer to my father’s prayer! Not long afterward, an x-ray showed that Dad had broken his sternum and that he was lucky to be alive.

 But our problems were not over. We had been forced out of our home in such haste, that our parents had no time to secure a house for us in Williams Lake. We arrived with our U-Haul full of belongings and parked behind a gas station trying to figure out what to do next. My Dad figured we could live in a cheap motel long enough to find a house. This would not be easy, as there were six of us. Again he prayed to the Creator for guidance. No sooner had he said, “Amen,” a man appeared in the alleyway. He recognized Dad from work. He asked the man if he knew of any cheap motels in the area. The man eagerly spoke up and offered us his basement for the time being. When we arrived at his home, his wife was very kind and welcomed us with open arms. We took our meals upstairs and worshipped together with them. Never had I met such kind and loving Christians all my life. It was amazing to see how God took such tender care of us.

 We enrolled in an SDA school and soon made many friends. Time passed, and we were able to rent a townhouse. I finally felt like I belonged. It wasn’t easy being completely uprooted from everything we knew and being torn from those whom we loved. Even in light of all this heartache, I would never change a thing. I learned that no matter how hopeless and dark the road ahead might be, God never fails us. His promises are sure. Nothing is impossible for Him.

 This was just the beginning of my journey with God, and there were many more answers to prayer. But I cannot conclude my testimony without sharing some very heartwarming facts. Though one of my aunts never forgave my Dad, my grandparents came back into our lives. We became closer than ever. One of my aunts and her family were baptized as well as one of my uncles and his family!

 Dear friend, if you are facing problems that seem impossible, don’t give up. The same God who helped me is waiting to help you. Just give your life to Him today. I promise you will never be sorry.

Written By Denise Lamming