Prophetic Vision, Spring 2023, #107, Pentecost is for you today!

PENTECOSTISFOR

WHYPENTECOSTISFORTODAY

Ioftenreceivelettersquestioningthe stateoftheChurchtodayingeneral; somespecificallyquestionthestateof theCharismaticMovement–andIdo fullyandregretfullyunderstandwhy somecriticisecertaingroupsasdivisive andoff-the-rails.

Butfirst,lookathistory. WhentheRomanEmperorlegalisedChristianityin 313AD,Christianitybecame,likeso manyotherreligions,politicisedand,like theJewishreligionwhenChristwas born,corrupt.Jesuscondemnedthe Jewishreligiousleaderssayingtheydid everythingforshow,takingthebest places,devouringwidow’shouses,beingfullofwickednesslikewhitenedsepulchresthatarefullofdeadbones.As theRomanEmpirecollapsed,the Churchinheriteditsearthlypower,splittingintoEastandWest,RomeandConstantinople,dividedgeopolitically betweenCatholicandOrthodox,as showninmyfilm,TheRapeofEurope.

Butlet’snotforgettheearlyCeltic ChurchinBritainandIreland,thespearheadofevangelismwithsignsandwondersintopaganEurope,unfortunately laterbecomingabsorbedintoRome. AlsoweshouldremembertheBiblebasedArmeniantraditions,ArmeniabecomingthefirstChristiancountryin301 AD,devotedtopublishingtheNewTestamenttextswhich,fromthebeginning andthroughoutthecenturiesinfluencedtheWaldensiansinFrance,the MoravianChurch,Luther,andbeyond–providingtheon-goingmomentumfor reformoftheChurchaccordingtoBiblicalstandards.

In1517LutherandtheReformationsplit theChurchinEurope,which(alongwith thequestionoftherejectedannulment ofhismarriage)gaveHenryVIIIhisopportunitytobreakawayfromRomeand createalightly-reformedChurchof England.TheWesleybrothers(whofirst experiencedtheinfluenceoftheHoly Spiritthroughtheirfellowshipwith Moravians)wereeventuallyforcedout oftheChurchofEnglandbecauseof theirevangelismandBiblicalbeliefson

ChurchAuthority;sotheMethodist Churchwasformed.Significantlyother splitsallre-introducedneglectedBiblical teaching.TheBaptiststaughtBiblical baptism,repentancethroughfaith,and rejectedinfantbaptism.TheBrethren taughttheBibleisthesupremeauthority forchurchdoctrine.TheearlyPilgrim FathersfledtoAmericatoescapepersecution.ManygroupsliketheScottish CovenanterswhohelddeartheWord ofGod,splitfromthemainstream Churches,seekingtobringtheChurch closertoBiblicalTruth.TheQuakersbelievedintheBaptismoftheHolySpirit–hencethe‘quaking’.Believerswere lookingforarevival,arenewingand restorationtotheBiblicalpatternofthe EarlyChurch.In1904cametheWelsh RevivalunderEvanRoberts.Myown father,aprofessingBaptist,foundareal conversionexperiencein1905inthat WelshRevival.

IwouldsuggestALLTHIShasbeenpart ofalongstruggletobringbackBiblical Truth.IbelieveGodwasandisworking.

Many,includingmyfather,werespendingtimeinprayerseekingarestoration ofthedynamicPoweroftheEarly Churchthatfollowedtheoutpouringof theHolySpiritontheDayofPentecost. ItwasanAnglicanPastor,RevAA Boddywho,duringprayerinhischurch in1908,begantoexperiencethisPentecostaloutpouringoftheHolySpirit,the firstgiftmanifestedbeingspeakingin tongues.ThisoutpouringtookplacealmostsimultaneouslywiththatinAzuza Street,LosAngeles.Aspeoplereceived theHolySpirit,theynotonlyspokein tongues,butdemonstratedallthegifts. OutofthiscamepowerfulBritishevangelistssuchasGeorgeJeffreysand SmithWigglesworth,bothfamousfor theirgreatHealingCrusademeetings. Thousandscamefromwhatwerevirtually‘dead’churchesfindingareal ‘born-again’experienceintheseRevivalmeetings.Thousandswerebeing thrownoutoftheirchurcheshereinthe UKbecauseofthisexperienceofspeakingintonguesandmiraclesofhealing.

ThisiswhenmyfathermetGeorgeJeffreys;togetherwithothers,theyformed theElimPentecostalChurchestoaccommodatetherejectedbelievers.The MoveoftheSpiritspreadworldwide, evenfromUkraineintoRussiaduringthe earlycommunistdays!Thisrenewingof whathadhappenedontheDayof Pentecostcontinuesworldwidetothis day.

Iwasbornintoitin1932andgavemy lifetoChristaged8.ThenasIbegan preachinginmyteens,IfoundthatItoo neededthisHolySpiritexperience,inordertobringHolyGhostconvictionofsin tomypreaching;thiswasandisthe foundationofmyministryofevangelism andhealing.Beingtwicemiraculously healedofcancer;firstofthroatcancer in1961,thenlungcancerin2004,both withnomedicaltreatment,thishasonly confirmedtheauthorityandevidence ofmyministry.

Itissadlytrue,thatintheCharismatic andearlierPentecostalmovements, manyhaveexercisedtheirministryout ofwrongmotives–fortheexerciseand displayofpower,position,andasthe meanstogainwealthoratleasttolive. Ofsuch,theLordhasalreadyassured us,Hewillsaytothem,awayfromMe,I donotknowyou.TherightadministrationofthegiftsoftheHolySpiritdependsentirelyonaclose,obedient, andintimaterelationshipwiththeLord.

NotonlyCharismaticsandPentecostals, ALLwhowouldbeleadersinministryor simplyfollowersofChristhavebeen, andare,subjecttothesametemptationsHewastemptedwith,asdescribedinMatthew4andLuke4. Namely,thedesireforpower,position, togainaliving.Andsomejustbecome religious,likethereligiousJewsofJesus’ day.Noneareexemptfromthese temptations.That’swhyweshouldpray foroneanother,andwhyJesusin Heaveneverlivestointercedeforus.

ThefailuresofsomanywithintheCharismaticmovementarenotproofthat whattheysetouttodointheHolySpirit iswrong,butprooftheyfailedthetest.

DavidHathaway

WHYPENTECOSTISFORTODAY

TheincrediblerevivalwesawinUkraine inthe1990swaswiththenewindependentCharismaticChurcheswho werelivingbytheNewTestament,unrestrainedbyoldchurchdoctrines.Irememberthejoyofmeetingwithyoung menwhohadneveropenedaBible before,whoundercommunismwere fullyignorantofChristiantraditions,yet whoreadtheGospelsandwentout anddidwhatitsaid!Wewerelivingas inthedaysofChristonearth!

ButfartoomanyChristiansarelikethe figtreethatJesuscursedinMark11:12-14 –allleavesandnofruit.ThetreeHe cursedwitheredfromtheroots!Howdid Hedothat?!!Hereplied,v23,“Have faithinGod.Whatsoeveryoushallsay… anddonotdoubtinyourheartbutbelievethatwhatyousayshallcometo pass…shallhavewhatsoeveryousay!” Sayitanddon’tdoubtit!Revivalcomes whenyoutaketheWordofGodliterally, pray,andactonitinfaithDoyoubelieve?Ibelieveeveryword.Ilivebythe TruthoftheWordofGod.

Iamsorrytosay,greatnumbersfrom thefreeWesternworldturnedupin Ukrainetoteachthesenewbelievers otherdoctrines,andwewatchedthe revivalmovement,inpart,becomedivisiveandBiblicallyoff-the-rails.The commonestproblems:greedforgain andstatusatthecostofthepeople; and,nothavingfoundthetruedemonstrationofthePoweroftheHolySpirit, these‘ministers’substitutedafalse(and moreeasilygained)lowerpower.In 2014whentheRussiansfirstinvaded Ukraine,thenationwaspoliticallydivided,andthechurcheswerespiritually divided.

In2015IcalledEVERYconfession,denominationandgroupinUkraineto cometogetherandpraytogether,in UNITY,basedontwothings:one,that theBibleistheONLYAuthorityinthe Church;twothatSalvationisONLYin theNameofJesus.Leavingbehind everydivisivedoctrine,wehaveheld7 NationalDaysofPrayerforUkraine;we believethisiswhy,whenRussiainvaded on24thFebruarylastyear,Ukrainehad becomeaUNITED,UNDIVIDEDnation–inanswertoourUNITEDprayer–anationthatthe2ndmostpowerfularmyin theworldhasbeenunabletodefeat,to theGloryofGod.

Concerningthequestionpeopleask, werethegiftsoftheHolySpiritonlyfor theEarlyChurch,oraretheyfortoday, inActs2:38Petersaid,“Repentandbe

baptised...intheNameofJesusChrist fortheremissionofsinsandyoushallreceivethegiftoftheHolySpirit–this promiseistoyou,yourchildren,those whoarefaroff,ANDASMANYASTHE LORDSHALLCALL.”InActs4:30-31, whentheyprayed,askingGodto stretchoutHisHandtoheal,andthat signsandwondersmightbedoneinthe NameofJesus–thewholeplacewas shakenandALLwerefilledwiththeHoly Spirit,speakingtheWordofGodboldly. InActs10:44theHolySpiritfellonCorneliusandhisWHOLEfamily.InActs 19:2-7Paul,onhisarrivalinEphesus asked,“HaveyoureceivedtheHoly Spiritafteryoubelieved?”No…SoPaul laidhandsonthem,theHolySpirit cameonthemandtheyALLspokein tonguesandprophesied.

ButifwesaytheBaptismoftheHoly SpiritwasonlyfortheEarlyChurch,then logicallyonecouldclaim,Salvationby FaithandtheBaptismofRepentance werealsoonlyfortheEarlyChurchand notfortoday!ThisiswheretheChurch haslostitsauthority!Personally,Iwant everythingGodoffersusthroughScripture,andmywholelifeandministry havedemonstratedthis.

SotowhomdidJesussay,“Thesame worksthatIdo–andgreater–shallyou do!”?Tothe11only?The150?ThefirstgenerationChurch?Jesussaid,John 14:12,HETHATBELIEVESINMEWILLDO THESESAMEWORKSANDGREATER. Churchhistory,secularhistoryrecord thatmiraclescontinuedthroughout theearlycenturiesofpersecution–andhavecontinuedthroughoutthe generationsuntilthispresentday.

Thegreaterthings–theworkingof thegiftsofthe HolySpirit throughmen–wasneverrestrictedto someBiblicallyunspecified,limitedtimeperiod. Theywereandare,for‘him thatbelievesonMe’.

I’mhungryforGod!Hungry,thirstyfor theHolySpirit!MarkedinmyBibleis Jeremiah32:17,AhLordGod,Youhave madetheHeavenandtheearthby YourGreatPower,isanythingtoohard forYou?No!NothingistoohardforYou! I’maskingallthetime,isanythingtoo hard?!Absolutelynot!Nothinginthe wholeworldistoohardforGod. Jeremiahsaysin32:20,‘Youhavedone signsandwondersinthelandofEgypt, andinIsrael,eventothisday,andYou

Recommended:TonyCooke’swell-researchedbook, ‘MiraclesandtheSupernaturalthroughoutChurchHistory’; also,MaxLucado’snewlyreleasedbook,‘Helpishere:FindingFreshStrengthandPurposeinthePoweroftheHolySpirit’

havemadeaNameforYourself!’God wantstoshowHisPowerandmakea NAMEFORHIMSELF–bywhatHedoes. Notforme,notforyou–aNAMEFOR HIMSELF!

Allmylife,allIhavewantedtodoisto livetodemonstratethatwhattheBible saysistruetoday.IbelievetheWordof God.IbelieveGodwantstoshowHis Power,hereonearth,today–THROUGH THOSEWHOBELIEVEINHIM.It’sHis Promise–toYOU!

WESHOULD ALWAYSLEARN FROMHISTORY!

KatieMorris

OurfirstdayinTbilisiGeorgiawespent walkingroundthestreetsandalleywaysof theoldtown.Whenweheldourfirsthistoric crusadeherein2010,itwasonly2years aftertheRussianinvasionof2008.Tbilisi wasagrey,tired,strugglingcity,lacking finances.Nowwefounditcolourful,so vibrant,sofullofexuberantlife–renewal burstingoutoftheancientstructures everywhere!

Iwassostruckbythis,IaskedourGeorgianorganiser,howwasitpossiblethatthis samebrightculturecouldhaveproduced JosephStalin?Stalin–oneofthefounders oftheSovietUnion.Stalin–whobecame oneofthebloodiestdictatorsinallworld history.Amanwhoseevillegacystilllives inthemindsofmillionsandcontrolswhole nations–eventoday.

Guramreplied,“Thesamecreativetalents thatarenativetothenormalperson,the samepowertothinkbigyetworkoutthe detailedstructurestosuccessfullyfulfil greatdreams,thesesametalentswere alsoinStalin.Forevil.”

Itwaswiththesethoughtsinmymindthat nextdaywewenttoGori,whereStalinwas bornandwherehismuseumstillis.Entering themuseum,wefacedagrand,red-carpetedstaircaseleadinguptoawhite marblestatueofthemanhimself.Standing besidethestatue,avisitorfromChina,her handreverentlyrestingonStalin’smarble hand,honouredthefatherofhercommunistideology…

BorninGeorgiain1878underRussianCzaristoccupation,aMarxistrevolutionaryfrom hisstudentdays,seventimesexiledinCzaristprisoncamps,Stalinwasoneofthe leadersofthe1917RussianRevolution.SucceedingLeninin1924afteronly7years,for nearly30yearsheledtheSovietUnionuntil hisdeathin1953.InthoselongyearsStalin implementedmassideologicalrepression, hundredsofthousandsofso-calledenemiesoftheStatewereexecuted;he oversawethniccleansingandmassivedeportationsofwholepopulations,andarti-

ficialfaminethatstarvedmillionstodeath.Thenumber whodiedunderStalin’sevilregimeisbeyondcountingor evenestimating.

Hedidnotsparehisown Georgiancompatriots.Inthe museuminGoriarethenames andphotosofsomeofhis countrymen,artists,intellectuals,writersandpoets,who perishedinhisgreatpurges.

AsIwritehereinGeorgia,we areonday265sinceRussia invadedUkraine.I’mreading ‘DiaryofanInvasion’by AndreyKurkov,compiledfrom thediarynoteshekeptinthe earlydaysofthewar.Herecountshow,inthoseveryfirst dayswhenRussiasweptinand swallowedthewholepeaceful KhersonRegion,onthetrain alongwiththetanks,they broughtwiththemastatueof Leninwhichtheyerectedin thebordertownofHenichesk. Kurkovwrote,‘Maybethe ideaistomaketheresidentsthinkthat theyarebackintheUSSR.Oristhissome kindofjokebyPutin,whohassaidthat UkrainewasinventedbyLenin?IntheSovietUnion,monumentstothefounderof thestateshouldstandinfrontofallstateinstitutions...’

Kurkovthenquestions, ‘...Butthenwhyis therenomonumenttotheTatar–MongolianGenghisKhaninMoscowinfrontofthe KremlinoreveninsidetheKremlin?’ [GenghisKhanwasthefatherandfounder ofmassdeportationsandextermination campsinRussia.] ‘Afterall,itwashewho organisedthetaxsystemforhisMoscow principalityandotherRussianprincipalities. ItwasGenghisKhanwhoappointedthe localeliteashisrepresentatives.Itwashe whoprogrammedtheRussianbrainwith thebeliefthatthepeopleshouldbekept infearand,attheslightestsignofdisobedienceordisagreement,beseverelypunishedorkilled.Someday,’ Kurkovteases, ‘KyivwillpresentMoscowwithamonumenttoGenghisKhan.’

UntilthecollapseoftheSovietUnion, statuesofLeninremainedineverytown andcity,theatreandCultureHouse.The statuesofthebrutalStalin,erectedinhis lifetime,werehoweverlargelyremoved afterhisdeath.Inpopularculture,Leninremainsthevisiblesymbolofcommunism, unfortunatelyStalin’sinvisiblemind-control overmillionsliveson.

AbovethehousewhereStalinwasbornin Goriyoucanseethecommunistsymbolof hammerandsickle–anidentificationof SovietSocialismwiththecrushedworking classesofpreviousgenerations.Inreality, thehammerandthesicklehavenever ceased,fromthe1917CommunistRevolutioneventillnow,tocrushandcutdown theprecioushumanlivesofthevery massessocialismwascreatedfor. YouhaveseentheRussianAggression againstUkraine.

Weshouldalwayslearn fromhistory.

EVANGELISM–TBILISIGEORGIA–CAUCASIANMOUNTAINS

TheinternationallyrecognisedDayofTolerancewaschosenandproposedtousbytheMinisterof ReligiousAffairsfortheopeningdayofourevangelisminGeorgia.Whenweagreed,thegovernmentassistedusbypubliclypromotingouractivitiesonnationalTV.

Theday–andourwholeevent–beganwithatelevisedPressConferencewiththeheadsofthe manyChristiandenominationsandreligiousorganisationsinGeorgia,convenedbytheHeadofthe StateDepartmentofReligiousAffairshimself,MrZazaVashakkmadze.NeverinthehistoryofGeorgia,haveallChristianconfessionsevercometogetherpubliclyastheyhavedoneforourevangelism!Thiswasafirst…

…Evenso,traditionally,(disregardingtheSovieteraofcourse),Georgiansareatolerantpeople:in thisculturallydiversenation,theword‘tolerance’hasaverystrongandpracticalmeaning.There hasbeenacontinuousJewishsettlementinGeorgiasincethetimeoftheexilethattookplace27 centuriesago.EveryyearatPassoverGeorgianJewsmakepilgrimagetoJerusalemtocelebrate thedeliveranceoftheJewishpeopleoutofEgypt.ButeveryyeartheyalsocelebratebeingreceivedasexilesinthelandofGeorgia–because,uniquelyinalltheworld,Georgiahasnever, throughoutthemanygenerations,persecuteditsJewishpopulation.ChristiansandJewshavealwayslivedtogetherhereinmutualtolerance.

Infact,itissaidthatitwasJewsfromGeorgia–presentinJerusalemwhenChristfirstpouredoutHis SpiritatPentecost–whobroughttheChristianfaithbackwiththemtoGeorgia.

Alsounique,hereinTbilisiGeorgia,evenSunniandShiiteMoslemsworshiptogetherinthesame mosque...NowhereelseintheworlddothesetwowarringfactionsofIslamcometogetherinpeace!

MrZaza,theHeadofReligiousAffairs,madehiskeypoint:itwastheintoleranceofthereligiousJews inJerusalemthatcrucifiedChrist;butfromthecrossHesettheexample,Heofferedforgiveness.

TheSovietera,1921-1991,broughtadifferent,hatefulspirit,foreigntoGeorgia.And wherethereishatredthereisconflict.The Pentecostalmovement,whicharrivedin Georgiaasearlyas1914,waspersecuted asanenemyoftheState.

Becauseoftheturmoilinpost-communist GeorgiaandtheRussianinvasionof2008, in2010wewerethefirsttoholdmass evangelismthere.Itwasabsolutelydauntingforthissmall,repressedgroupofevangelicals,alwaysreferredtobythenational religiousauthoritiesasa‘sect’,toorganise. Theyhadnolegalstanding;howcould theyevenadvertise,letalonehostthe meetings?Ontheopeningday,the fearedattackcame.TheheadofthenationalchurchtooktimeoneveryTVchanneltodenounceourevangelismandto tellthepeopleofGeorgianottovisit!He said,“Salvationcanonlybefoundinside anOrthodoxchurchbuilding!”Activists withbaseballbatspicketedtheopening meetingthatnight.Nonetheless,10,000 crowdedin,includingcameracrewsfrom ALLthemajorTVstations–whofilmed EVERYTHING–theywereshocked–they couldfindnothingbut goodtoreport!

Theverynextday,Saturday,becauseofthecontinuedthreatofviolence,thePresidentofGeorgia,MrSaakashvili,convenedanextraordinary sessionofParliamentgrantingallreligiousminorities(theevangelicalsandourevangelism)equal legalstatuswiththeOrthodoxChurchinGeorgia.

Guram,ourGeorgianorganiser,bothbackthen in2010andnowin2022,isapowerfulmemberof thisformerlypersecutedEvangelicalPentecostal ChurchinGeorgia.AtthePressConference,on the16thNovember,theInternationalDayofTolerance (seeboxabove), Guramopenedthehearts ofallpresentwhenhetoldthestoryofhowitwas thatin1992,inanOrthodoxchurchbuilding,he turnedtoChristfromalifeofcrimeanddisappointment.Itwasattheopeninganddedication ofthefirstpost-SovietOrthodoxChurchinhiscity. Itwasinatimeofchaos,lackofeverynecessary thing,noelectricity,nothing,nohope–nooneto help.Standingthereinthatchurch,heheardin hisheartthesewords, “MyGeorgia,mychild, standup,Iwillhelp!” Guramcontinued, “Atthat momentIwasfilledwithloveforeverybody!I dedicatedmylifetomyGodandtomynation.I felldownmanytimes,Ihaddoubts.Butthemiracleofthatfirstdayhaskeptmestrongthrough everywildernessofmylife!”

MrZazaandDavid

MrZazaandGuram

EVANGELISM–TBILISIGEORGIA–CAUCASIANMOUNTAINS

FollowingtheDayofTolerancePressConferencecamethe openingmeetingofour3-dayevangelisminGeorgia.The sportarenawasfilled.Davidspokeofthemiraclesand adventuresofhislifeasaChristian.HepreachedChrist whocametoearthand,for33years,livedjustaswedo, whosolovedusinoursin,Hediedtobringusforgivenessand peace.Hesaid, “GodhasbroughtmeheretoblessGeorgia. ButfirstyouhavetocometoJesusforforgiveness,onlythen GodcanfulfilHispurposeinyouandforyournation.”

TheHeadofReligiousAffairs,MrZaza,attendedthemeeting, bringingwithhimmembersofthegovernmentanddiplomaticcorps.Theystayedthroughout,rising,alongwitheveryoneelse,torespondtothecallofChrist.

Guramreports: “Actuallythiswasanunprecedentedevent whenrepresentativesofthediplomaticcorpsandgovernment,besidesdifferentreligiousorganisations(including Moslems),celebratedtheDayofTolerancetogether!Things

likethishaveneverhappenedinGeorgia.

“ThesocietyofGeorgiareceivedastrongmessagethat EvangelicalChristiansaren’tsimplyafanaticalsect,because everyonecouldseewiththemwereworldfamoussportsmen (ChristianNBAbasketballplayersfromAmerica),singers,publicfiguresandministerswhohavecommittedthemselvesto GodandwhodeclarethattheLordJesusisaliveandwants tocomeintothelifeofeveryhumanbeingwhowillopen theirhearttoHim.

“TheEventwasfilmedandshownonthemajornewschannelsofGeorgiaandreportedonlocalradioandTVshows.

“TheRepresentativeofthePrimeMinisterofGeorgiasaidthis wasahistoricalmoment,layingdownthefoundationsfora futureopensocietywhereChristwillbefreelypreached,and Christianvalueswillbeimplemented.”

3-DAYEVANGELISM

Our3-dayeventwasheldinthemodernOlympicPalaceinTbilisi.Itwas successfullyfilledbytheunitedefforts ofmembersofallthedifferentChristiandenominationsthatexistandwork intherepublicofGeorgia;pastors, leadersandpeopleunitedinthelove ofChrist.Thisco-operationcreateda tremendouspublicwitnesstothelove ofGodandanatmosphereofunity andharmony–theBodyofChrist–unitedinaction.

MrZazaVashakkmadze,Headofthe StateDepartmentofReligiousAffairs, openedthe3-dayeventwiththese words, “Wecouldneverimaginethat weallcouldbefriends.Even6years agothiscouldn’thappen,butlookat usnow:wearefriends,loveeach otherandtogetherserveournation, Georgia.MrDavidismyfriend!”

Theevangelismwas2yearsinpreparation,havingbeendelayedbyCovid –butthisonlygaveourGeorgian workersthetimetobetterdevelop plansatthehighestlevelsinthegovernment,societyandinthereligious spheresofthislittlenationGeorgia.All ofwhichresultedinsignificantexposureonnationalTVwithinterviews, breakfastshowsandenergeticcreativeadvertising.Davidhasawonderful

localteamledbyGuramImerlishvili since2009,alwaysworkinginclosecooperationwithDavid’sRussianinterpreterMisha,whoisalsoDavid’sRepresentativeintheseformerSoviet countries.

Thethreedaysofmeetingsbeganwith adrumanddanceshowfortheyouth, testimoniesfromworldfamousChristianbasketballplayersfromAmerica andMissUkraine2007,LikaRoman, followedbya100-strongchoirleading usinworshipintotheverypresenceof Godeachnight.

ThenDavidbroughthisdynamicGospelmessagebasedonhislife’sexperienceswithChrist.Itseemednoone couldkeeptheirseatwhenheled theminthesinners’prayer,somany hundredseachnightwhoprayedwith David–andthencametheprayerfor healing.

Although,becauseofthelayoutofthe arena,itwasimpossibletocallthe peopleforwardfromthestandsonto thefloortogivetheirhealingtestimoniespublicly,storieswerequicklyrelayedtousofthosewhowerehealed orhadacceptedJesusastheirSaviour.Peoplewerehealedinthehall andontheirwayhome,whilstothers

werehealedwatchingandlistening throughmobilephonesinthehallor liveonFacebook.

Onthelastnight,hundredsofyoung peoplestayedbehindtalking,unable totearthemselvesawayfromthe arenawhich,forthreedays,hadbeen filledwithsuchanatmospherefrom Heaven!

OntheSundayDavidwastheguest speakerinthepacked-outchurch buildingofourkeyGeorgianorganisers.BishopOlegsaid,“Everythingwe sawinthese3dayswasonlythetipof theiceberg,butwhatwentonunderneathwasmassive,andinthedaysto comeweshallseethefruitofit.Itwas somethingweneverthoughtcouldbe possible–aninterconfessional,intergenerationalteamwork.Butitwasthe Lord’sWork,wehavedonenothing!”

Davidsaid,“Whathashappenedin Georgiaisoneofthegreatestand mostimportantevangelisticmissionsof mylife,oneofthebiggestspiritual breakthroughswehaveeverseen, where,asinUkraine,adividednation hasdecidedtocometogetherasone –justasJesusprayedwewould: “Father,maytheybeoneasWeare One.””

THEDOORISOPEN

Iamaskingyoutoprayurgentlyforall CentralAsia–forallthe ofCentralAsiaANDincludingGeorgia andArmenia.ThedoorthatGodis openingformehereisspecificbothin placeandtiming.Andthetimeis NOW.WegoinwiththePowerofGod!

IseewhatwillbetheresultofPutin’s waragainstUkraine.Russia’spowerwill bebroken,shewillhavenomore powertocontrolorinfluenceher formersatelliteSovietstates.Theywill nolongerfearRussia,norwilltheybe abletodependonherforhelp. Neithercantheydependonany Westernpower.

Manyyearsagonow,backin1986, theLordshowedmeinavisionfrom theHolySpiritthattheWHOLEofthe formerSovietcountrieswouldexperienceamassiverevival;thishasbeen, andstillisbeingfulfilledinafargreater waythanevenIforesawinmyvision.

Thedoorformeiswideopen. What GodisabouttodonowinCentralAsia willbejustasmuchapioneerworkas itwasinUkraineandRussia40years ago!Whichallbeganwiththeclear visionGodgavemeinthe1980sthat

support,pursuedsuchanintensive programmeofevangelisminallthe formerSovietcountries.Iamthankful toyouforyourfaithfulsupportoverso manyyears.

AllthisleadstotheReturnofChrist. The Bibleisclearontwothings:thefirst,Jesusreturnstorulethisworld;the second,thetimeforevangelismislimited.Theworldwillbecomesoevilthat itwillbealmostimpossibletoevangelise,andsobadthatHewillhaveto

Unfortunately,thereare,andhave been,manypropheciesofrevivalin variousplaceswhichhaveyettobe fulfilled.

WhatIamlookingfor,isforGodto move,todemonstrateHisPowerand confirmthePromisesinHisWord.We havetolivealifethatpubliclydemonstrateswhoourGodis.AsIwrite,my textisfromMatthew7:7,Ask…seek… knock…Itwillbegivenyou!

Jamesdescribeshimselfassimplya servantofGodandoftheLordJesus Christ(thoughhewastheLord’shalfbrother),andhe’swritingtoencouragetheJewishdiaspora,thetwelve tribeswhichwerescatteredamong thenations:“Mybrethren,countitall joywhenyoufallintovarioustemptations,countitpurejoywheneveryou facetrialsofmanykinds,becauseyou knowthatthetestingofyourfaithdevelopsperseverance,andperseverancemustfinishitswork,sothatyou maybemature,complete,lacking nothing.”

Thisisamajorissueforus:ourfaithwill –andhasto–faceatest.Jamesisnot talkingaboutagiftoffaith,butthe veryfaithinGodwhichisthefoundationandessenceofoursalvation;we aresavedbyfaith.Thisisthewhole themeofthisfirstchapter.Thetesting ofourfaithintheverypromisesof God!

Jamessays,“Knowthatthetestingof yourfaithdevelopsperseverance!”

Faithissomethinginwhichwecan–andmust–persevere. Somany peoplerunwellforatime,butdrift away.It’ssosad–Idon’tfindenough teachinginourChristianlifetoday aboutpersevering,notgivingup,not quitting.

Incaseyoudon’tknowmystory,in 1961Ibecameapioneer,thefirstpersonevertomaketheoverlandcrossingbyroad,bycar,fromEnglandto Jerusaleminthenewlyestablished stateofIsrael!Ifacedsomanydiffi-

DON’TQUIT–FINISHTHEJOB!

culties.IttookmetwoyearsofplanningtogetallthevisasandpermissionstogothroughtheIronCurtain communistcountriesandthehostile countriesoftheMiddleEast.Everytime wesolvedoneproblem,therewasanother…

FromthemomentIsetouttoplanthis trip,IknewthatIhadtopersevereuntil Igotthere! Togothroughthecommunistcountries,Iwastolditwouldbe almostimpossibletogetvisas;there werebanditsinTurkey,andhowwere wegoingtogetacrosstheBosphorus; togothroughSyriaIwastoldwe wouldbeshotasspies;andthefinal blow– timeandtimeagaininmylife comesthefinalblowtocrushme –wasthatbecauseofthehostility betweenJordanandIsrael,youwere onlyallowedtomakeaone-way crossing!Youcouldn’tgoback! Peoplesaid,that’stheend,youcan’t doit!ButIpersevered.Ifoundthere wasashipfromHaifathatwecould puttheminibuson,andfromAthens wecouldcontinuethereturnjourney.

Butit’saquestionofperseverance. I don’thearitpreachedmuch,butthis isoneofthekeyelementsofourChristianlife.Don’tgiveup!Don’tquit! WhentheIronCurtainopened,Imade thedecisiontotake400peoplewith metoevangelisetheFarSideof Siberiaforthreemonths!Itwasimpossible!Howcouldyou,inabroken nationwhereeverythingwasbroken–nothingworked,noteventhecomputers–howcouldyoutake400 peopleforthreemonths?!!Andthees-

timatedtotalcostbackthenwasover 2millionGBP!!!Wedidn’thavethe money!Westillowedmoneyafterthe lastmission… ButbecauseIbelievedit wasGod’scall,Ipersevered.Wewent. Wetook400peopleWestayedforthe threemonths!!Wepaidallthebillsand wecamebackhome!Andwewent againthefollowingyear!

Doyouunderstandwhatperseverance is?!!Perseveranceistheideathatyou haveajobandyou’renotgoingto stopuntilit’sdone. Ihavetolaugh: marriedmenhaveareputationof startingajobandneverfinishing!Well, Ibuiltmyownhouse,withhelp,yes, andIfinishedit!ButIalsostartjobsI don’tfinish Perseverancemeansyou finishthejobyoustart!Whatachallenge!

SothisishowJamesstartshisletter, v4ff, “Perseverancemustfinishitswork, sothatyoumaybematureandcomplete,notlackinginanything.” Thedifferencebetweenchildishnessandmaturityisperseverance.It’sonlythrough perseverancethatyoureachmaturity. Don’tforevertakethemilkoftheWord likeinfantsbutgoontothemeat whichisforthemature.Hebrews5:1314KJV.AndthisiswhatJamesis teachinghere.

Butdoyouknowhowtodoit?Inv5, Jamessays,“Ifanyofyoulackwisdom,lethimaskofGodwhogivesto allmenliberallyanddoesn’tcriticise, upbraid,orreproach,Hedoesn’tfind faultwithyou,Hegivestoallmengenerously!”Ifwelackwisdom,wejust

DavidHathaway

FromJamesChapter1

DON’TQUIT–FINISHTHEJOB!

needtoask!Idothisallthetime.I KNOWwhatjobGodhasgivenmeto do,butI’malwaysasking,“HOWdoI doit?”It’snotjustaquestionofperseveranceinthedoing,butfindingout howtodoit–andsopersevere!That comeswitheverytask.Wehaveto learnHOWtodoeachjob!

Imarvelatsomeladieswhocanput togetheramealwithoutreferenceto anycookerybook–buttheyhaveexperience,thatmakesiteasier!Soitisin ourspiritualexperience,wehaveto becomeskilled.Untilwereachthe maturitythatcomeswithexperience–untilwedon’talwayshavetolook backattheinstructionbook.Idon’t havetofindascriptureeverytimeto tellmewhattodo,becausethrough theyearsI’velearntthatmaturity. Somepeopleaskme,beforeyougo toevangelisesomewhere,howmuch timedoyouspendinprayertofindout ifyoushoulddoit?Idon’thaveto spendalotoftimeinprayeraskingifI shouldgo,butIdospendtimein prayerthatGodwouldgivemethe Powertodoit!Didn’tJesussay,“Go intoalltheworldandpreachtheGospel”?!!WehavetheCommission,we havethecall.Idon’thavetosay,“Do Igo?”He’salreadysaid,“Go!”Butyes, IneedthewisdomHOWtodoit.Thisis veryimportant.Thisiswherespiritual maturitycomesintoplay,it’shavinga basisoftheknowledgeoftheWordof God.

IhavereadtheWordofGodallmy life.IwasonlyinmyteenswhenIfirst readtheBiblefromcovertocover–in recognitionofwhich,mymothergave meagiftwhichIstillhave,aprecious antiqueBible.ButJesussaid,theHoly SpiritwillbringHisWordstoourremembrance!OnceyougettheWordof Godinyourheart,wedon’thaveto dowhatMoslemboysdo,wedon’t havetolearneverywordbyrotefrom covertocover–butwhenit’sinour hearts,theHolySpiritdoesbringthe WordofGodthatweneedtoourconsciousremembrance!WhenI’min conversationwiththeHolySpirit,asking theLordquestions,soofteninanswer HebringstherelevantScripturetomy mind!

WhenweaskGodforwisdom,when weaskHOW,itwillbegivengenerously,withoutfindingfaultwithus–BUT whenweask,v6ff,wemustbelieve

andNOTdoubtorwaver. Jamessays, “Hewhodoubtsislikeawaveofthe sea,blownandtossedbythewind; thatmanshouldnotthinkhewillreceiveanythingfromtheLord,being double-mindedandunstablein everything.”

I’malwaysinterestedinMark11, whereJesusseesandcursesafigtree thatisallleavesandnofruit.Peter,alwaystheoutspokenone,whenthey seethestrickentreethenextmorning, says,“Lord,whathappened?!!”He wasn’texpectingtoseethetreedead andsoquickly!Jesusdoesn’tanswer thatquestiondirectly,butHesays, “Whatsoeveryousay,ifyoubelievein yourheartanddon’tdoubt,youwill havewhatyousay!Ifyousaytothis mountain,‘Becastintothesea’and don’tdoubt,thatmountainwillbe castintothesea!”

‘Faith’,expressedwhenwespeak,will onlyactuallyhappenifwedon’t doubt,don’twaver!Thisiswhereperseverancecomesin.Wehavetopersevere,wehavetogoon,wehaveto bestrong.Ifyouquit,ifyougiveup, youdon’tgetwhatyoustartedoutto do! Whatwouldhavehappened whenIwasplanningtotakeninemen withmetoJerusalemin1961ifIhad notperseveredandbelieved?The ninehad,infaith,contributedtowards thecostoftheexpedition,believing thatwewouldgetthere–butIdidall theplanning,boughtthevehicle,got thevisas,thefoodandprovisions–I hadtomakesurethatwhatIsaid wouldhappen!

WorkingintheSovietUnionwhenit wasstillundercommunism,Iremembergoingtoonechurchwherethey wereexpectinganotherpreacherto comefromAmerica.Buthenever turnedup.Idiscoveredthatsomany preacherscame,fullofenthusiasm–“I loveyou,I’llbeback”–buttheydidn’t comeback!OneofthebiggestlessonsIlearntasanevangelistis,DON’T MAKEAPROMISEUNLESSYOUAREGOINGTOKEEPIT.IfIhavesaidspirituallyI willdosomething,theresponsibilityis onme–DOIT!I’malwaystryingto keepmypromises,it’sanimportant partofperseverance,ofnotwavering, notchanging.It’stobeconsistent,not tobeliketheseawhichisaffectedby changingwinds.Themanwhoisnot consistentshouldnotthinkhewillre-

ceiveanythingfromtheLord!A double-mindedmanisunstableinall hedoes.

Jamesgoesontoconsiderthedifferentmemberswithinthechurch,v9ff, “Letthebrotherinhumblecircumstancestakeprideinhishighposition; theonewhoisrichshouldtakepridein hislowposition,forallpassawaylikea flower.Forthesunisnosoonerrisen withburningheat,butthegrassand theflowerwitherandfallandperish”–soisthemanwhoisdependentonhis wealthandhispositionexactlythe same.Ourstability,ourenduranceis onlyintheLord.

“Blessedisthemanwhoendures,perseveresundertemptation.” Verse12. Wecomebacktothekeythought, perseverance.“Becausewhensucha onehasstoodthetest– whenheis broughttotheJudgement Seat–he willreceivetheCrownofLifethatthe Lordhaspromisedtothosethatlove Him.”

Idon’thearenoughthesedaysabout judgementandreward.AtBibleCollegeIwastaughttherearesevendifferentjudgements.Butitisclear, whetherweareBelieverorunbeliever, everyoneofusmustappearbefore theJudgementSeatofChristtobe judgedonwhatwehavedone!Unbelievertocondemnation;totheBeliever,theCrownofLife–theCrownof Righteousness,theCrownofGlory!We areclearlypromisedareward–IFWE DON’TQUIT,DON’TGIVEUP,BUTFINISH THEJOBGODHASGIVENUS.

Ourrewardisnotdownhere.Down herewehavetrials.But,Jamessays, v13,“Letnomansaywhenheistempted,‘IamtemptedofGod’,forGod cannotbetemptedwithevil,notdoes Hetemptanyone.Everymanistemptedwhenheisdrawnawaybyhisown desire.Andwhenthathasconceived, itbringsforthsin,andsin,whenitisfinishedbringsforthdeath.”Don’tgo awayfromtheTruth.

BeconfidentinGod,v17,“Everygood andperfectgiftisfromabove,and comesdownfromtheFatheroflights, inwhomisnovariableness,noshadow ofturning.”Godneverchanges.He’s constant.Consistent.FromBeginning toEnd.Let’sbelikeHim. Godblessyou!

Yesindeed,theseasonwe’releaving behindhasbeenahardone.Because oftheseasonwe’vepassedthrough together,aswequietlymeditatedon Christ’sBloodshedforus,Ifeltmyself asaninjuredsheepdesperatelyneedingtocometotheLord.Atrampled sheep.There’sdefinitelybeensome fatsheepinrecentyearsthathave troddenallover!!!Ezekiel34:20-21 cametomind,‘Thereforethisiswhat theSovereignLordsays,Becauseyou shovewiththeshoulder,buttingthe weaksheepwithyourhorns–Iwill saveMyflock!’Yes,shovedandbutted…

AndIthoughttomyself,“Hey,butI’m nottheonlytrampled-onsheepinthis world…”(Andwhichofushasn’talso trampledonothers?!OfcourseI have…)AndIthoughtabouttheLord, thesinless,perfectLambofGodwho callsustocometoHim–justaswe are,tossedwithconflict,doubtsand fears–andtrampledon!Calledto cometoJesus.

InChristianartworkHe’sdepictedasa delicate,spotlesslamb,ahaloround Hishead,aflagofvictoryrestinginthe crookofHisdaintylittlelegs.Butas soonasIthoughtofthis,theimage changed.IsawthatourLambofGod istheOnewhowasdisfiguredbeyond recognition,despisedandrejected

InEurovision,David’s ministry,weareina seasonofleavingbehindtheoldandbeginningthenew.To markthis,Davidcalled hisUKstafftogetherto sharecommunionone morning.Davidbegan byopeningupaworldfamoussongonYouTube, ‘JustasIam, withoutonepleabut thatThyBloodwasshed forme,andthatThou

aboveallmen,amanofsorrows,acquaintedwithsuffering,stricken,smitten,afflicted–piercedforourtransgressions,crushedforouriniquities… TheOnewho,asGod’sSacrificial Lamb,shedHisBloodforus,thatwe–thetrampled(andtrampling)sheep–mightsafelycometoHimforourcomfortandhealing.

Justaswearewithoutoneplea...One ofthemostpreciousmomentsinmy lifewithChristhappenedbackstage afteranevangelisticmeetinginDnipro in2015inUkraine.Ibecameawareof apresence,someone...Iturnedto givethispersonmyattention.Hewas rootedtothefloornexttome,nowdirectlyinfrontofme.Itdawnedonme,I knewhim.Someonewhohadbeen partytodeceivingandbetrayingthe ministryandourtrustyearsbefore.ButI alsoknewhehadbeenusedandabused,avictim.Withoutmoving,his eyesfixedonme,allhecouldsaywas, “Isowantedtoseeyou,Isowantedto seeyou.”Noneedforanyotherword, onlytoholdhiminmyarms,aprecious eternalmoment...

SoshallallGod’ssheepstandbefore theLordoneday,evenwewhohave beentrampledon,andhave trampledonothersheeptoo...

Onetimemydaughteraskedme

AndGodshallwipeawayalltearsfromoureyes;and thereshallbenomoredeath,neithersorrow,norcrying,

bid’stmecometoThee, OLambofGod,Icome…’

Iwasreadingthelyricsonscreen,thewordsofthe secondversewerecompletelyunknowntome; theytouchedmedeeply, ‘JustasIam,though tossedaboutwithmanya conflict,manyadoubt, fearswithinandfighting without,OLambofGod,I come…’ Yes,tossedwith conflict,doubtandfear…

aboutaparticularlypainfultime,long agointhepast.AsIfoundwordsto puttooldmemories,tearsjustwelled upfromdeepwithinandfelloutofmy eyes.“OhMum,”shesaid,“Ithought you’dgotoverthis!”–“Ihave,Darling, butnotwhenIlookatitagain...”

Psychologywantsustolookatthe past–nothingwrongwiththat–but thereisnohealinginit.Myhealing comesfromtheOnewhosufferedlike meandforme.Hedoesn’tneedmy pleas,myexplanations,andcertainly notmyaccusations,Hejustwantsme, thefruitofthetravailofHisSoul.A wonderfulSaviourwho‘justifiesmany andbearsallouriniquities’.Isaiah 53:11.

SomethinkofChristseatedinHeaven inHisGlory,andsoHeis.Butforme, HeistheOnewhoeverlivestointercedeforus,whoistouchedtothe depthofHisBeing–eveninHeaven–withourinfirmities–in2022asIwrite, andin2023asyouread.JustasChrist weptoverLazarus,IbelieveHestill weeps–overus–asHewaitsforthe DayofResurrectionwhenHewillreceiveusintoHisLovingArms,willwipe awayourtearsand,lookingintoour eyes,willsay,eventotheweakest andtothemostwounded,“Iso wantedtoseeyou!”

neithershalltherebeanymorepain:fortheformerthings arepassedaway.