Adventist
Crossroads
April - June, 2001
Freedom
in the Truth
Kwok Ther Ling, Balestier Road SDA Church
“Let
not your heart be troubled…I will come again.” (John 141-3).
This was the theme of the Bible Camp held on 7 to 10 June, 2001 at the Putri
Resort, Melaka. A total of 57 church members, 20 children, and 22 non-church
members attended the camp. The messages did much to soothe the troubled hearts
of the listeners who were seeking the truth.
Jesus’ second coming and the events of Revelation was disturbing news
to me, as a non-Adventist Christian, studying Bible prophecy. Before I understood
the truth, I was troubled; terrified that I would be “left behind”
after the “secret rapture” and persecuted in the “Great Tribulation.”
But my fears left after reading the book of Revelation and letting the Bible
interprets itself. “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make
you free.” (John 8:32). And I am relieved to know that there is no eternal
hellfire, no secret rapture, and that the Great Tribulation will take place
after God’s people are sealed!
My search for the answers to these same truth was found in the Amazing Facts
topics that Pastor Lowell Hargreaves explained during the Bible Camp. The topics
included:
The true identity of the Antichrist Beast (Rev 13) – He’s already
been at work for centuries!
The Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast – No, it’s not a barcode
or microchip, but a test of obedience. Everyone must choose: Jesus Christ or
the Antichrist.
Sound an Alarm! – Time to wake up, you who love Jesus. The final test
of your faith is coming!
Three Steps to Revelation’s Victorious Kingdom – With Jesus victory
over sin is not impossible.
Modern Magic, Miracles and The Occult – Four tests of genuine miracles,
signs and wonders.
Armageddon and the Seven Kings of the Apocalypse (Rev 17) – The truth
about the “mystery of Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes. What
should our response be?
Revelation’s Remnant and the Wrath of the Dragon –Does God have
a true church on earth in the last days that resembles the original apostolic
church founded by Jesus? What are her identifying characteristics?
The presentations were tactfully done. Feedback from participants indicated
they enjoyed all aspects of the camp, including the accommodations, food, fellowship,
messages and music. Credit goes to the organizing committee for doing a wonderful
job.
However, the highlight of the whole camp actually took place in Singapore, as
Pastor Hargreaves saved his best sermon for to the last. “The Saddest
Story in Earth’s History” dealt with Pontius Pilate’s hesitancy
to take a stand for Christ. He thought to transfer responsibility to the mob
by asking, “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called the Christ?”
This same question can be asked of each one of us. In Pilate’s case his
neutrality costs him his salvation.
During the altar call, many responded and requested for baptism, rebaptism or
rededication. Let us pray for all those who made decisions for Christ during
the camp, and for those who are still hesitating. If you had missed out on the
blessings, I urge you to order the tapes from the Amazing Facts.
When we are tempted by the enemy to give up, let us remember God’s message
of hope, “hold fast till I come” (Rev 2:25). “My reward is
with me.” (Rev 22:12). Let us not give up on Jesus now, for we are almost
home!
Miracles
Today
Chan Shee Wai, Pastor
Balestier Road SDA Church
On 29 May
together with my family I drove to Kuala Lumpur, West Malaysia for a short vacation
and also to meet my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law from Kuching, Sarawak.
Unfortunately, the new environment and the cold air-conditioned hotel room made
it difficult for Janelle to sleep properly at night. She cried most of time;
switching off the air-conditioning did not help. She soon developed a running
nose.
Late one night, she cried uncontrollably until her forehead became very cold.
We became terribly worried. I prayed earnestly that God would help her. When
we were about to bring her to the hospital, a miracle took place. The crying
stopped and Janelle slept. Even her body temperature returned to normal. We
offered praise to the Lord for hearing our prayers!
On our return home, we used the North-South highway. About noon, the car suddenly
stalled. After checking I discovered that the radiator hose had burst draining
all the water and caused the engine to overheat. We sat in the sweltering heat
of the car, 105 km from Johore Bahru. In sheer desperation, I called out to
God, “Oh Lord, not at this time! Please help us!”
Then I recalled that last year I had to repair a leak in the radiator hose.
I had then bought another spare hose just in case. Never did I realise that
I would need it so soon. With hope in my heart, I retrieved the spare hose from
the trunk. After an agonising 20 minutes replaced the damaged hose. But I still
had an empty radiator. I called out, “Lord, please send someone with water.”
After 30 cars ignored my desparate signal for help, one finally stopped to offer
me water. But it was not enough. I waved for help again. After what seemed a
long time another car stopped and offered two bottles of distilled water. It
was still not enough. In desperation I poured our remaining drinking water into
the radiator. It helped us drive to the nearest rest area to top up.
Looking back I realised that God had answered before I called by having prepared
a spare hose a year ago. Miracles do happen today!
"Counter-Strike:The
Cosmic Battle"
Youth Evangelistic Crusade Strikes A Chord
John Tan, Youth Ministry
What’s
with the gas mask design?’ asked the technician at the Young Musicians’
Society Art Centre pointing to the black t-shirt worn by the Adventist youth.
“Oh, this is to represent the battle between good and evil and also to
refer to the Counter-Strike computer game,” came the quick reply.
This conversation, which led to a brief discussion of the Gospel between the
youth and the non-Christian technician, took place in the midst of the Youth
Crusade 2001 held from 1 to 3 June.
The gas mask motif was evident on the t-shirts worn by the youth members, and
on posters and post cards distributed to the public just prior to the 3-session
evangelistic crusade. The Counter-Strike theme, which resonated with teens who
linked it to the smash computer game, actually presented the Adventist distinctive
teaching of the Great Controversy.
Pastor Marc Woodson, the crusade speaker who returned to Singapore after an
impactful crusade last year, delivered once again in his inimitable “Ebonics”
the implications of the cosmic battle.
He invited the audiences at the three sessions to join the winning side of Jesus
Christ. On the final day, they responded to this invitation.