1. Editorial: Hidden Agendas - Duncan McGregor

Search - Jun 2003

Almost invariably, when one nation makes war upon another, there is talk of the 'hidden agenda' behind the declared reason for aggression. In the world of politics no situation ever seems to be straightforward and plain, it is always liberally punctuated with grey areas. Thus it is often very difficult for 'the man in the street' to come to an informed opinion on matters of state. Judgements are formed without access to all the facts and we continually have difficulty in trusting the representatives we have elected to make the big decisions in national and international affairs.

1. Editorial:Time of the Signs? - Duncan McGregor

I had an e-mail a few weeks ago purporting to come from one "Jesus Christ". It said, "I am back. The seven seals are open. Look here first." Then it invited me to visit a web-site at "heaven.org". I declined. For one thing, I know the seven seals are not open for I do not see any of the signs given in Revelation 6. Secondly, while we are told, by both Paul and Peter, that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, the Lord will not come so secretly (the Lord Himself said so, see Luke 17:24) and every eye shall see Him (Revelation 1:7). And thirdly, and this for me is one of the most significant aspects of the Lord's ascension, those who saw Him ascend were told that He would return in like manner (Acts 1:11). So I guess that this is not the time of these particular signs!

However, this may be a time of other signs of significance, and just to prove that the facility of e-mail does have uses which far outweigh the negative use to which cranks put it, I would like to share with you some of the correspondence I get that you might like to respond to with intercessary prayer.

There are plenty of warnings in the New Testament about the persecution that Christians will have to endure for their faith and this has been the case in all times in the last two millennia. But I wonder if this is the time when such persecution is to reach a sinister new level.

Every week I receive charity-generated e-mails informing me of the atrocities that are being committed, mainly by extremist Muslim groups, on Christians in places like Nigeria, Pakistan and Indonesia, and now, most worryingly, in the Philippines for we have a number of people there who take Search . These e-mails are very disturbing but I have also been contacted recently by a man in Manilla who would like to have fellowship with our subscribers in the Philippines. You can read extracts from his e-mails on the next page.

Another encouraging message, sent by this medium, is from a man in India who says he was "forced by the Holy Spirit" into action. What a wonderful testimony to his being affected in similar fashion to those who were moved or driven along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). You can also read more of this man's e-mail opposite.

Finally, I am always pleased to get e-mails from Pastor Van Cung Tum in Myanmar (Burma) and to hear of his Evangelical Bible School in Yangon. He always asks for prayer for himself and his students in this predominantly Buddhist country run by a very cruel military regime. Those of us who live in countries that are still free of such fear and organised persecution are very blessed indeed. Let us not forget, then, our brothers and sisters in Christ for whom the dire warnings in the New Testament, of dangerous times of opposition, are being fulfilled every day.

Extracts from your e-mails

Dwight Chua, Manila, Philippines

Hello, I'm Dwight Chua from Manila, Philippines. I belong to the group of Pastor Santiago Chua who is from a Bible school in Mindanao, but has long been standing alone for the truth here in Manila, since 1978. The Mindanao island is more dangerous because it is a Muslim controlled area but here in MetroManila, it is not as bad but it's better to leave the return address blank [when mailing Search ]. About your subscribers in Mindanao, you can give them my e-mail address or even my snail-mail address, and I would like to fellowship with them in the flesh. Thanks again, and I will like to stay in touch always. I'm online almost everyday, sometimes chatting with Brian Kelson from Australia [another Search subscriber]. So nice for us to stay in touch through this technology.

K.Prabhu Dayal, Guntur, India

We greet you in the glorious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Dear brother I am so glad to make known our ministry to you. Having the great burden towards the perishing souls we get involved in outreach Gospel. As you know our country people, most of them, are idol worshippers and illiterates. They are not willing to know that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world. Even though we are facing many problems and persecutions in all aspects from some powerful groups we are going on doing the Lord`s service in faith. In these bad days our focus is on the activities of young people who fall victims and turn away from the right path. They are gradually attracted by T.V.serials and Internet illegal sites and they are wasting their time. So being forced by Holy Spirit we established a library by name of "Hermon Reading Room". We hope people may avail themselves of this ministry and get some advantage. So dear brother kindly send your free Christian literature/material whatever material is available to you so that you can support our ministry. Kindly up hold our ministry in your valuable prayers.

David Tavender, N.S.W., Australia

I hope the OBT is able to reprint Isaiah Six and Signs of the Second Coming . I feel both of these are especially helpful booklets, though I realise that a publisher cannot continue to reprint titles unless they can be moved. I have also been referring to Bullinger's The Names and Order of the Books of the Old Testament quite a lot lately. Thanks for printing each of these booklets in the past. There are many others I could mention that have been helpful to me and others here.

And finally....a letter!

Marguerite Schmid, Hombrechtikon, Switzerland

Thank you for the Booklet, Our Place in the Plan of God by Brian Sherring. It says all that we were taught since childhood. It is a wonderful thing to see that our heavenly Father opens up His Word to His children in different countries with different languages and gives the same insight into His plans. I hope to be able to pass this Booklet on to people who speak English and are willing to listen.