August - 2010
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Blessed Assurance |
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By James Rafferty |
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| Did you know that there are seven distinct, yet unifying, descriptions of God's end–time church found in Revelation 12 through 15? Revelation 12:1 describes the first and, in some ways, the most significant description: "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars." read more... | |||
In the Bible, a woman is often a symbol of God's people or His
church (Ephesians 5:31–32; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Jeremiah 6:2).
The sun is a symbol of Jesus Christ and His righteousness according
to Malachi 4:2, NKJV: "But to you who fear My name the Sun of
Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings."
This indicates that God's people, His end–time church, trust fully in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for forgivness, holiness and immortality (1 Corinthians 1:30).
The moon that the woman stands upon is the lesser light, the reflector of the "Sun of righteousness." It represents God's Word, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105, NKJV). God's end–time people will allow the Word to guide their feet every step of their walk with Jesus.
The crown of 12 stars represents the unity and structure of God’s church. The number 12 is the kingdom number and represents organization as both the Old Testament church and the New Testament church were organized under the 12 tribes and 12 apostles (Revelation 21:12, 14; James 1:1). This indicates that God's end–time people form an organized church for the purpose of taking the message of the gospel to all the world.
According to the book of Daniel, the stars symbolize God's people in this organized body who shine brightly for Jesus and direct the world to righteousness: "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever." (Daniel 12:3, NKJV).
The righteousness we lead people to is identified in Jeremiah 23:6, NKJV:
"In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."
Our righteousness is the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, pointing people to righteousness means pointing them to Jesus both in our lives and in the truths we teach.
So here in Revelation 12, in this first description of God's end–time church, we find a people who have responded to God's love for the world by accepting the gift of Christ's righteousness, standing firmly upon the Word of God and forming an organized body that turns many to Jesus. We invite you to be a part of this people by accepting from Jesus the gift of forgiveness, holiness and promised immortality. Amen.
This indicates that God's people, His end–time church, trust fully in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for forgivness, holiness and immortality (1 Corinthians 1:30).
The moon that the woman stands upon is the lesser light, the reflector of the "Sun of righteousness." It represents God's Word, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105, NKJV). God's end–time people will allow the Word to guide their feet every step of their walk with Jesus.
The crown of 12 stars represents the unity and structure of God’s church. The number 12 is the kingdom number and represents organization as both the Old Testament church and the New Testament church were organized under the 12 tribes and 12 apostles (Revelation 21:12, 14; James 1:1). This indicates that God's end–time people form an organized church for the purpose of taking the message of the gospel to all the world.
According to the book of Daniel, the stars symbolize God's people in this organized body who shine brightly for Jesus and direct the world to righteousness: "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever." (Daniel 12:3, NKJV).
The righteousness we lead people to is identified in Jeremiah 23:6, NKJV:
"In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."
Our righteousness is the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, pointing people to righteousness means pointing them to Jesus both in our lives and in the truths we teach.
So here in Revelation 12, in this first description of God's end–time church, we find a people who have responded to God's love for the world by accepting the gift of Christ's righteousness, standing firmly upon the Word of God and forming an organized body that turns many to Jesus. We invite you to be a part of this people by accepting from Jesus the gift of forgiveness, holiness and promised immortality. Amen.
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Convocation Report |
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By Ty Gibson |
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| What is the Light Bearers Convocation? read more... | |||
Well, for starters, it's an annual event we hope you'll put on your
calendar and plan to attend.
Why?
Because it is a spiritual retreat that centers on preaching the Word of God with power and clarity, in fellowship with brothers and sisters who are passionate for God, in a rejuvenating environment of natural beauty. And in addition to the adult meetings, there are also meetings for children of all ages. What could be better?
The event is held on the new campus of Laurelwood Academy, which is directly across the street from the office and publishing house of Light Bearers Ministry. The Willamette River flows through the garden property. There are plenty of spaces for RVs and tents, as well as local hotels within a fifteen–minute drive from the grounds.
This year's convocation was held July 6–10.
The messages delivered by the speakers were so powerful. The presence and influence of the Holy Spirit was palpable. God's love was made vivid to minds and hearts. A strong sense of revival was evident in the congregation. Faces were eager, eyes sometime filling with tears, as the truths of Scripture were unfolded with unusual clarity. A general feeling of liberty in Christ pervaded the atmosphere.
Dr. Fred Bischoff shared a series that opened up vital insights to the fact that each member of the Godhead testifies to the truth of their love and that we are invited to join their testimony.
Meiring Pretorius was our special guest from Africa, where he and his wife, Juanita, are fulltime missionaries at Riverside Farm Institute in Zambia. In addition to sharing mission reports regarding the impact Light Bearers literature is having in Africa, Meiring preached a series of messages that made abundantly clear the powerful gospel principle that our motivation to serve God will be directly proportional to our comprehension and acceptance of God's forgiveness, as illustrated in the experience Mary Magdalene had with Jesus.
Taj Pacleb, Central California Conference Evangelist, moved hearts with his personal testimony of radical transformation from drug addict to intellectual convert to backslider to full–heart convert to preacher of the gospel. Among other insights, his message led us through the three veils of the sanctuary, exploring the kind of relationship God is eager to have with us.
James Rafferty delivered a fast–paced, gospel–centered series on the Seven Trumpets of Revelation. He clearly showed the veracity of the historicist application of the Trumpets (inclusive of past, present and future events) in contrast to the futuristic applications that are gaining popularity recently.
Steven Grabiner, Vice President of OCI, shared with us "Another Look" at Revelation, showing that its prophecies are intended to communicate to us a clearer revelation of Christ, not merely of world events. Jesus is the center of the book. As such, when we understand the real message of Revelation, it will unveil to us the work of Christ for our salvation.
I took up the latter rain theme, defining what it is, how it is to be received and God's intent for us as a people.
All the messages are now available on our website: lbm.org, or you can order them on CD or DVD.
Here are a few observations from attendees:
"My life will never be the same again. Never have I understood the gospel so clearly as it's been presented in these meetings."
"The messages are so urgent, Spirit–filled and focused on God's love."
"I have been struggling to hold onto the Lord and about to give up. I came to Light Bearers camp meeting reluctantly, not expecting much–religion as usual–but this has totally changed my life."
"Praise God for the outpouring of His Spirit on each of the speakers. I am filled to overflowing and so much want to share the blessings with others."
"I had a moral fall last year and felt like I could never regain my relationship with God. A group of my friends invited me to come with them to Light Bearers' camp meeting. And I can say now that because of the messages I've heard here, I am not going to give up. I am giving my heart back to the Lord."
Why?
Because it is a spiritual retreat that centers on preaching the Word of God with power and clarity, in fellowship with brothers and sisters who are passionate for God, in a rejuvenating environment of natural beauty. And in addition to the adult meetings, there are also meetings for children of all ages. What could be better?
The event is held on the new campus of Laurelwood Academy, which is directly across the street from the office and publishing house of Light Bearers Ministry. The Willamette River flows through the garden property. There are plenty of spaces for RVs and tents, as well as local hotels within a fifteen–minute drive from the grounds.
This year's convocation was held July 6–10.
The messages delivered by the speakers were so powerful. The presence and influence of the Holy Spirit was palpable. God's love was made vivid to minds and hearts. A strong sense of revival was evident in the congregation. Faces were eager, eyes sometime filling with tears, as the truths of Scripture were unfolded with unusual clarity. A general feeling of liberty in Christ pervaded the atmosphere.
Dr. Fred Bischoff shared a series that opened up vital insights to the fact that each member of the Godhead testifies to the truth of their love and that we are invited to join their testimony.
Meiring Pretorius was our special guest from Africa, where he and his wife, Juanita, are fulltime missionaries at Riverside Farm Institute in Zambia. In addition to sharing mission reports regarding the impact Light Bearers literature is having in Africa, Meiring preached a series of messages that made abundantly clear the powerful gospel principle that our motivation to serve God will be directly proportional to our comprehension and acceptance of God's forgiveness, as illustrated in the experience Mary Magdalene had with Jesus.
Taj Pacleb, Central California Conference Evangelist, moved hearts with his personal testimony of radical transformation from drug addict to intellectual convert to backslider to full–heart convert to preacher of the gospel. Among other insights, his message led us through the three veils of the sanctuary, exploring the kind of relationship God is eager to have with us.
James Rafferty delivered a fast–paced, gospel–centered series on the Seven Trumpets of Revelation. He clearly showed the veracity of the historicist application of the Trumpets (inclusive of past, present and future events) in contrast to the futuristic applications that are gaining popularity recently.
Steven Grabiner, Vice President of OCI, shared with us "Another Look" at Revelation, showing that its prophecies are intended to communicate to us a clearer revelation of Christ, not merely of world events. Jesus is the center of the book. As such, when we understand the real message of Revelation, it will unveil to us the work of Christ for our salvation.
I took up the latter rain theme, defining what it is, how it is to be received and God's intent for us as a people.
All the messages are now available on our website: lbm.org, or you can order them on CD or DVD.
Here are a few observations from attendees:
"My life will never be the same again. Never have I understood the gospel so clearly as it's been presented in these meetings."
"The messages are so urgent, Spirit–filled and focused on God's love."
"I have been struggling to hold onto the Lord and about to give up. I came to Light Bearers camp meeting reluctantly, not expecting much–religion as usual–but this has totally changed my life."
"Praise God for the outpouring of His Spirit on each of the speakers. I am filled to overflowing and so much want to share the blessings with others."
"I had a moral fall last year and felt like I could never regain my relationship with God. A group of my friends invited me to come with them to Light Bearers' camp meeting. And I can say now that because of the messages I've heard here, I am not going to give up. I am giving my heart back to the Lord."
| Consider This ... | Speaking Schedule | |||
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Many are suffering in consequence of the transgression of their
parents. They cannot be censured for their parents' sin; but it
is nevertheless their duty to ascertain wherein their parents
violated the laws of their being, which has entailed upon
their offspring so miserable an inheritance; and wherein their
parents' habits were wrong, they should change their course, and
place themselves by correct habits in a better relation to health.
Ellen G. White,
Ellen G. White,
Ellen G. White,
Ellen G. White,
Ellen G. White,
Ellen G. White, |
August 4–7 ASI International Convention Orlando, Fl James and Risë Rafferty • (301) 680–6450 August 21 Fall Creek SDA Church, WA James Rafferty • (541) 937–3526 September 2–18 Lusaka, Zambia Ty Gibson and James Rafferty • 260–211–21–24–15 September 24–25 Montana Men's Summit, Bozeman, MT Ty Gibson • (406) 369–1832 (406) 240-7267 September 28 Bible Study, Light Bearers Ministry Ty Gibson • (541) 988–3333 October 8–9 SAGE Convention Walla Walla Valley Academy, WA James Rafferty • (509) 525–1050 October 8–9 Poplar Bluff SDA Church, MO Ty Gibson • (573) 785–1226 October 12 Bible study, Light Bearers Ministry Ty Gibson • (541) 988–3333 October 15–16 Albany SDA Church, OR James Rafferty • (541) 928–9555 October 22–23 Carolina Conference Camp Meeting Summerville, OR Ty Gibson • (704) 596–3200 |
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