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PRISONERS OF HOPE June 2009

EDITORIAL..BR N. NKOMO
The Bible is truly an amazing and inspired book. I am often amazed at how, when I read the same verse at
different stages in my life and walk with God, it seems that my understanding of it gets richer and richer. I
have learnt that I should never assume that I have garnered all there is to garner from a particular verse
and it makes me look forward even more to studying the scriptures in heaven.
I have read the verse below on a few occasions, and my wife has quoted it before with reference to a num-
ber of issues, but I had never fully personalized it. It is a very important verse given its application and we
believe that we as Adventists would do well to take head of it.
Ezk 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem,
and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done
in the midst thereof.
A cursory reading of the verse tells us that God is sending His angel through Jerusalem with instructions to
do the sealing work. The seal of God is to be placed upon the foreheads of all mankind that sigh and cry for
the abominations that are being done in Jerusalem.
As the remnant, we understand that this prophecy applies directly to us. We are living in the very toenails
of the statue in Daniel 2 and the sealing work may have already begun in some of our lives. Jerusalem, in
this verse, refers to us as congregations of believers that profess to believe in the Three Angels Messages.
What is also evident from the verse is that there are abominations being done in Jerusalem. Broadly speak-
ing, an abomination is something morally reprehensible. These God defying deplorable acts are being done
of the very midst of Laodicea, and there is a class of faithful witnesses who are sighing and crying as a re-
sult of them.
The reason why this verse took on extra meaning for me was not that there are abominations being com-
mitted amongst our congregants worldwide, nor was it that there are seismic shifts in our belief system
being pushed downwards through the structure, these have been well documented and I have witnessed
the first hand. What nearly brought tears to my eyes was the full force of the realization that we, as congre-
gants, are not all going to make it to heaven. What pains me even now as I type, is the understanding that
we have a vast body of knowledge given to us from above, the Bible and SoP, that we as a people refuse to INSIDE THIS ISSUE

stand fully upon. What troubles my soul, is that we listen to messages from men sent of God, in some con- Editorial ......................... ……1
gregations less frequently than others, but our lives are never changed by them. Many of our hearts are not Questions....................... .….2
fertile ground. By This Shall All Men ... .….3
Lift Up Your Heads ....... ..…6
There is another class to whom the verse alludes. This is the class of sentinels that “sigh and cry” for Jeru-
Peter Learned ................ …..8
salem. Strong‟s defines the word translated sigh as “groan, moan, sigh”, and the word translated cry as “to
God Is Love ................... …..9
shriek, cry, groan”.
Both words, but especially more so the former, have the picture of living saints that are groaning because of
what they are seeing amongst their beloved “remnant”. Groaning and moaning not only brings across the
imagery of the pain that they are feeling because of these abominations but also the fact that they are giving
utterance to their disapproval of the backsliding that often masquerade as liberalism and cultural sensitiv-
ity in our midst. To shriek is to give a high pitched piercing cry, and this is the idea behind the latter word.
These verses bring across more forcefully the fact that we truly are our brothers‟ keepers. These verses
bring across the fact that there are tares amongst us. These verses bring across that those that those that
raise their voices to pierce the hearts of those committing detestable acts among us are the ones that will
be sealed.
A word of caution, being a watchmen and being on the correct side of this verse is not an easy thing. You
will be misunderstood, attacked by those that hold dearly to their evil ways and in all likelihood maligned
by leadership in our congregations. You will feel lonely being a sentinel on the walls of Zion, but Christ is
always with you, even unto the end of the world. The question we should each ask ourselves is, am I one of
those that “sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof”, or am I one that is
being sighed and cried over? My prayer is that we are part of the former.
 QUESTIONS FROM CATHOLICS PART2... BY SR T NKOMO
Last month, we looked at the official church stance on abor-
tion and how this stance has given some of our Catholic
friends, something to use against us. One question being
“how can your church be so militant about a day of the week
yet countenance the breaking of the 7th commandment?” In
this section, we will take a look at the verses one of them
used, to support his belief that the unborn baby is indeed, a
LIFE. A life that none of us has the right to take.
“Luke 1:39-44 39 During those days Mary set out and trav-
eled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she
entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When
Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her
womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a
loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this hap-
pen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my
ears, the infant in my womb leaped for
joy.
Isaiah 42:2, 24 Thus says the LORD
who made you, your help, who formed
you from the womb: Fear not, O Jacob,
my servant, the darling whom I have
chosen. Thus says the LORD, your re-
deemer, who formed you from the
womb: I am the LORD, who made all
things, who alone stretched out the
heavens; when I spread out the earth,
who was with me?
Ecclesiastes 11:5As thou knowest not
what is the way of the spirit, nor how
the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even
so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the na-
tions I appointed you.
Psalm 139: 13-17 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou
hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise
thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are
thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My sub-
stance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and
curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes
did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book
all my members were written, which in continuance
were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how
great is the sum of them!
2
Most scientists believe that the embryo is alive as soon as it
starts growing, which is immediately after conception-when
the cells start to divide and differentiate. Not only that, but
babies in the womb can feel pain, and excruciating pain at
that. Pain receptors develop first in the baby, before the pain-
modifying system has developed in the brain. When surgeons
have performed surgery on 20 week old fetuses, the baby has
moved away from needles, showing their aversion to pain. At
around 5 weeks, the heart has already started to divide into 4
chambers and to start pumping blood, and the baby is receiv-
ing nourishment from the mother.
The type of abortion that is performed earliest in the preg-
nancy is the abortion pill. It‟s actually a series of pills that is
taken, starting with the RU 486. This basically starves the
developing baby of oxygen and nutrition as it causes the uter-
ine lining to be shed by blocking the production of progester-
one. A second dose is given, then an-
other pill is given a few days later that
causes contractions and excretion of
the embryo.
Other ways abortions are performed
are either by sucking the baby out, or
cutting the baby out, piece by piece.
This type of abortion procedure has
led to perforated uterus, bowel and
bleeding leading to death. Sometimes
babies survive this procedure, leading
to them being born with limbs miss-
ing or other types of damage. Some
were carrying twins, aborting one,
only to realise later that they were still
pregnant.(For more info, Google the
phrase „abortion survivors‟)
A third type of abortion method is using a saline solution to
basically burn the baby internally and outside. The baby is
also starved of oxygen. A day later, the baby is expected to be
delivered dead. If not, they are either left to die-no nourish-
ment or warmth is provided, though legally, they are allowed
to be given a blanket. Testmonies before court have been
heard about how perfectly healthy babies have been aborted
because the ultrasound showed they had problems such as
spina bifida. Sometimes these babies are left on the counter
for 2 hours until they breathe their last. Is this what God
would condone, or is it what God would condemn and cen-
sure us for?
In 1997, Obama voted in the Illinois Senate against SB 230, a
bill designed to prevent partial-birth abortions" Nowhere
in ..cont p5
 BY THIS SHALL ALL MAN KNOW…..BY BR T WATERS
Can you finish not, would recognize that this kind of love cannot be generated
this verse? Jesus through anything but a moment by moment surrender to His will.
says there is They will “know” that our response could not be rehearsed, fabri-
something that cated or because we are gritting our teeth to prove that we won‟t
you and I can allow ourselves to get upset.
experience that
will reveal our So are we to conclude then that there will be some great moment in
union with Him our Christian experience that we become partakers of this Christ
to all men. By like love, and until then we are all just doing our best to express
this! So what is our human love? No! This I Corinthians 13 kind of love is being
it? “If ye have learned and experienced on the same basis as other aspects of our
love one to an- character growth. It is being cultivated, tested and revealed
other...” through the trials, associations and circumstances we find our-
selves involved in. Often we are blinded to our lack of this deeper
There is a love love because circumstances have not called forth a deeper need. Let
that will unmis- me illustrate.
takably convince
people that how I find myself involved with someone who has made accusations
we are responding to them, and how we are caring for them, is against me of lying to him in a real estate transaction several years
coming from a source of power greater than we ourselves can gen- ago and blaming me for a series of events that he believes unfair. I
erate. By this they will know, even if they make no profession of have attempted to work through these things on a basis of princi-
Christianity. But this love has very purposefully been counterfeited ple, tack and a deepening understanding of love toward someone
and adulterated by Satan. who is vehemently angry and at times irrational toward me. When
this situation began unfolding I soon recognized that my love was
This love has been so misstated and confused that many today in being tested and as I have been willing for God's will to be done, He
the world equate the word love with anything goes; and to many in is bestowing a deeper love. At least I am aware that it is deeper and
the church, “come as you are, stay as you are and go to heaven as different than I had been called upon to express before. But it
you are”. Then there is a love that appears genuine but only works seems to be easier for me to experience this love toward this person
on our human terms and conditions but quickly fades out when self for one very important reason; he does not profess to be a Chris-
is wounded. tian. Therefore my expectations of a good response from him are
not there and I'm not disappointed. It is also easier because I‟m not
The love that will reveal our union with Christ is clearly described confronted with regular association that necessitates renewed sur-
in I Corinthians 13. Paul says that this love (charity) suffers long, is render and the feelings associated with being maligned.
kind, does not envy, does not vaunt itself, is not puffed up, does not
behave unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, But what happens to us when we are falsely accused, misunder-
thinks no evil, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, stood and maligned by our spouse, child, parent or friend(s)? What
endures all things and never fails. How do we measure up? do we do when we are told by someone that we really love and care
for, that they know our thoughts and they don‟t? When they mis-
Before our wedding, Alane and I made the decision that beginning construe our words and motives and then accuse us of things that
on that day we would read 1 Corinthians 13 together daily. We had they themselves struggle with? The human response, our natural
a book with 30 different renditions of the chapter and began our tendency is to say something like, “with friends like that, who
first reading on our wedding night. I even wrote my own para- needs enemies?”
phrase and gave it to my bride. Everything seemed so wonderful.
We enjoyed I Corinthians 13 together, had a great honeymoon and I can remember the day this happened; as we listened we were
had no idea that we didn‟t have that kind of love for each other. Not both overwhelmed with emotion and literally lost all appetite in a
until the honeymoon was over, and the pressures of temporal life feeling of nausea. For more than one and a half hours we were told
set in, did we begin to recognize something was wrong with our things very hard to hear; some of them were true, some were mis-
version of love. construed and some of them (where they told us what we were
thinking) were wholly untrue. Our minds raced as we went back
It wasn't long until we decided it was futile to keep reading about a over the various scenes where we had reached out, and now we
love that was long suffering, that didn‟t seek its own way, was not were being told that it was “plastic”.
easily provoked, would bear all things and in the process of all that,
would not think evil. We did not understand that our greatest bat- Friends, I don‟t share this brief account so you can sympathize with
tle was the surrender of self to the will of God. Our intentions were me and think how unkind this was of these people, but rather to
good, our human love was as good as anyone else‟s, but we needed draw from it the lesson that is the subject of this article. I use this
a power outside of ourselves to bring heaven's kind of love into our example to illustrate that there is often more freedom to express
lives. We needed a practical understanding of what was happening genuine love for the non-Christian or casual acquaintance than to
when self was crossed, and the tools to begin to respond to God choose to love in circumstances where you are likely to be misun-
and to each other. I‟m so thankful that we didn‟t give up on each derstood no matter what you do. You see, this situation has driven
other and that God has not given up on us as we continue to learn - not drawn - yes, driven me to see my greater need and my greater
more of His kind of love in our marriage and in our relationships dependence upon my Saviour. It is revealing to me that I need a
with others. much greater divine love then I‟ve ever recognized before. God is
using this experience to show me yet another part of me that is very
When Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disci- much alive and must be crucified and replaced by His divine love.
ples”? He knew that any person, whether a professing Christian or

3
One of the hard things, and yet at the same time beautiful, is that
we really can‟t hide from it. When we‟ve been stung repeatedly,
our human nature wants to recoil from it and avoid having it
happen again. We‟re fearful of becoming vulnerable and risking
being misunderstood and maligned. But the Lord in His mercy
comforts us with words like these, “We cannot afford to let our
spirits chafe over any real or supposed wrong done to ourselves.”
That means I have no excuse for holding wrong feelings toward
the person who has wronged me, even if I‟m 100% right, and this
is not the case! The next line of the statement says, “Self is the
enemy we most need to fear” Ministry of Healing p. 485.
Theoretically, we should not be disturbed with what others may
think or say about us, or even what they do to us, if we are in
oneness with Christ and in fellowship with His Spirit. This brings
us to the stark realization that we are not at one with Christ when
we start blaming, surmising and feeling hurt and wounded over
the supposed or real wrongs we think someone has done to us.
One reason why we experience so much difficulty in practically
implementing this oneness with Christ is that often when we‟re
not in circumstances that require our conscious dependence, we
thoughtlessly drift back into a self-management mode of opera-
tion. Then even though self may not be shown in a particular be-
haviour, it is quietly, by neglect of watchfulness, positioning for
the ascendancy when temptation strikes. So now let us place our-
selves in an interaction with a friend or loved one. If one or both
of us slips into self, we are being set tip for misunderstandings
and wounded feelings.
Then there is the tendency to cast blame, point the finger and
wonder why we are being treated this way, especially when the
other person professes a high standard. In other words we hold
the person accountable and view them through their profession
rather than through recognizing that they are weak and need en-
couragement like I do. The problem is compounded when the
person you are talking with tells you that they are in the Spirit
and not in the flesh. Should we really need to tell someone we are
in the Spirit? These kinds of situations are not easy and certainly
reveal and call us to our need of divine love.
The point of it is this, the devil is working vigorously to create
scenarios that will break down friendships, marriages and fami-
lies and rob us of the unity and steal from us the very mark that
reveals we are Christ‟s disciples. For some of you, as you read
this, you may not relate to it on the basis of a misunderstanding
with a friend or a non-Christian who has falsely accused you. You
may find yourself going through a similar experience; maybe it is
with a spouse, another relative or a church relationship. You may
also be recognizing along with me that without this heaven born
love we aren‟t prepared to enter heaven. Satan taunts us with our
weakness and tries to convince us that we‟ll never make it. But
this is only a lie from the accuser of the brethren.
Let us turn all of our attention to the solution because the solu-
tion is a practical part of the title of this article. Think for a mo-
ment what it would be like if each one of us would heed the fol-
lowing words, “Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of
another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering
evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing.” I
Peter 3:8 & 9.
Listen: Really be willing to listen to what the other person‟s per-
spective is. Even if they don‟t do it in a very courteous way, and
even if they are just venting. James 1:19 says be “swift to hear.”
That means, try to hear through the avenue of humanity what the
Spirit wants to communicate. “Slow to speak” - don‟t be so quick
to respond human to human - it only makes things worse. “Slow
to wrath” -whether we are right or wrong our irritation and frus-
tration does not work the righteousness of God - it only slows the
process.
Confess and repent: As we have honestly listened, even if the per-
son is projecting upon us their own faults and weaknesses, or we
have done the same to them, we must be willing to confess and
repent of our part. We are told, “If you have committed one
wrong and they twenty, confess that one as though you were the
chief offender.” Review & Herald vol. 1 p. 489. If our motive here
is to lead them to confess their faults, God‟s blessing will not at-
tend. My confession must be specific, relating to my wrong and
my side of the relationship.
Forgiveness: There must be a willingness to forgive and press
onward even if that person has not asked for forgiveness. While
it is ideal when both parties seek forgiveness we cannot depend
upon this for our peace. This true forgiveness, as with each other
step in this process, requires a Power outside and above us. None
of this can be done by good intentions, emotional moments, or
gritting our teeth.
“The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17. True faith exercised
brings the enabling power of Christ needed. Deal with the
thoughts: This step could be placed at the beginning, in between
and at the end for this whole solution process. In II Corinthians
10:5 Paul tells us of the importance of
"bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
Why is it so critical to have our thoughts brought under such
strict obedience to Christ? Think for a moment and please do this
little exercise.
Think about someone that right now you are not fully at peace
with or that has misunderstood you or possibly misrepresented
you. Did you think about them? Well, unless your thought was
governed by Divine grace the thoughts naturally turn toward
your own
self-perspective. Next, if the situation is particularly hard and
resolution is not coming quickly, feelings started to mix with
those thoughts. Maybe you felt anxiety, hurt, frustrated, irritated,
angry, or bitter. With these feelings that are emotional, often
there is also a corresponding physical response like lack of appe-
tite, nausea, increased pulse, blood pressure and tension. You see
friends; our thoughts have a very close relationship to our feel-
ings and the two combined very quickly become who we are at
this moment, regardless of our profession. We are told that “if
our thoughts are wrong, the feelings will be wrong, and the
thoughts and the feelings combined make up the moral charac-
ter.” Testimonies vol. 5 p. 310.
4
From P2: “his speech is there any concern over the un-
born child who is stabbed in the back of the neck while her
head remains inside her mother," a commentator said.
"Nowhere is there any concern over that child‟s pain or
death.""What of the little girls who have been killed using
this heinous procedure? What of their equal rights?" she
asked
Michelle Madden, 18, was a college freshman when she be-
came pregnant. Michelle decided to have an abortion after
a doctor told her that the drugs she was taking for epilepsy
would cause her baby to be deformed. O.B. Evans per-
formed the abortion at the Family Planning Medical Center
of Mobile, Ala. Three days after the abortion, Michelle col-
lapsed and had to be taken to the hospital. At the hospital,
doctors found a leg bone, two pieces of the baby's skull and
some of the placenta inside Michelle's uterus. Michelle died
of a blood infection resulting from the abortion three days
after admission to the hospital.
During her abortion, Cheryl, age 22, suffered a three-and-a
-half-inch laceration of her uterus and a one-inch lacera-
tion of her colon. The next day she was hospitalized with
symptoms of these complications and doctors discovered
that the head of her fetus had been pushed through the
uterine laceration into her abdominal cavity. She required
a hysterectomy, a colostomy, and six units of blood.
One survey conducted by the Elliott Institute of 260
women reports that more than half of the mothers had feel-
ings of guilt, depression, sorrow, regret, shame, unworthi-
ness and self-condemnation immediately after their abor-
tion. Only 2-3% of mothers had feelings of power, happi-
ness, inner peace or liberation after their abortion.
Questions continue to arise about long-term emotional or
psychological effects from abortion. Pro-choice advocates
refer to studies that show that long-term psychological
problems occur more often with women who already have
pre-existing psychological issues prior to their abortion.
However a recognized 2006 study in New Zealand showed
that teens had a significantly higher incidence of substance
abuse, depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviors after an
abortion. This study caused enough doubt about the long-
term emotional problems after abortion that the American
Psychiatric Association withdrew their official statement
that abortion does not increase the likelihood of subse-
quent emotional problems.
The Elliott Institute survey also reveals that long-term
emotional problems after abortions are not rare. About
25% of women reported having flashbacks, hysterical out-
breaks and difficulty in maintaining and developing per-
sonal relationships following an abortion. 22% of women
became preoccupied with thoughts of death. About 1/4 of
mothers surveyed felt that they had experienced a major
personality change after having an abortion and 28% re-
ported attempting suicide. Over 40% of mothers consid-
ered that their emotional problems after their abortion
were severe.

Do you see how quickly the delicate nature of love can be squashed Christ. Do not assume that you will be understood and then rest
by our thoughts, and how vital it is that we cooperate with the will come. We must find the rest alone in Christ, not because the
Holy Spirit when He prompts us about a thought, and where it will situation is resolved humanly. Our rest comes from how success-
soon lead us? I have found that part of the solution to cultivating fully we respond to the Holy Spirit, not the outcome of the situa-
love is to ask God to prompt me when my thoughts are going to tions that burden the soul.
lead me away from my surrender and dependence into unlovely
traits of character. If your human nature is like mine, you may find Dear reader, as you have read this article the Spirit may have im-
yourself having to repulse and turn from certain thoughts many pressed upon you some person, some difficulty, some painful mis-
times. Don‟t become discouraged; just keep responding to the understanding that is robbing you of the peace and rest that only
Spirit, His grace is sufficient. When we choose to yield ourselves tocomes from Christ. It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will help
Christ, He will give us His divine power, and the temptations to you, as He has helped me even as I write, to measure it with Cal-
wrong thoughts will lose their strength as they find no answering vary. Measure the hurt or difficulty, the unwillingness to let go,
cord in our heart. with Christ in Gethsemane as He cries for another way if possible
than the cup that trembles in His hand. He was despised, op-
When we have been misunderstood or misrepresented, when it pressed and afflicted; yet He opened not His mouth. Friends, to
seems that it must always be me that must give. Remember, to have the love that Christ is calling us to experience, we must have
give back understanding when misunderstood, to continue to the unconditional giving of our all and the partaking of His all.
reach out when the hand has been slapped, is to experience more Just as our peace can only come from Christ, so also can this love
of His love for another. This is a freedom that is higher than being only come through our surrender and dependence upon Him.
understood and this freedom only comes when we are willing to Then, and only then, will you and I be able to love and truly give
fully surrender the situation, no matter how difficult, and choose ourselves for the other person as Christ loved and gave Himself
to focus our prayers and thoughts on allowing the heaven born entirely for us. May we be merciful to one another as we learn this
love to work in us and through us. We need to allow God to show kind of love. He loves us when we misunderstand Him; betray
us that “when self is unsubdued, we can find no rest.” Desire of Him and even when we crucify Him afresh. May God help us to
Ages, p.336. Do not assume that finding or implementing the solu- experience this kind of love one to another. Then, by this shall all
tion means that everything will turn out comfortable, it didn‟t for men know!
5
 LIFT UP YOUR HEADS...
For this month a desire to contribute to the betterment of society and
LUYH section, I thus testify to the religious and spiritual values that
have decided to put help sustain public life. I assure you that the Catholic
together a compila- Church is committed to join in this noble undertak-
tion of some quota- ing. In cooperation with men and women of good will, she
tions from will seek to ensure that the light of truth, peace and goodness
Ratzinger during continue to shine forth from Galilee and lead people across the
his recent visist to globe to seek all that fosters the unity of the human family.
the Middle East. God bless you all.”
Emphasis has been
Benedict XVI’s Address to Rabbis and members of the
supplied in BOLD
Jewish community in Jerusalem, May 12, 2009:
for key phrases.
“Distinguished Rabbis, I reciprocate by expressing
May we all be granted understanding from on high!
my own respect and esteem for you and your commu-
Benedict XVI’s Discourse to President Shimon Peres at Presi- nities… Jews and Christians alike are concerned to
dential Palace in Jerusalem, May 11, 2009: “Religious lead- ensure respect for the sacredness of human life, the cen-
ers must therefore be mindful that any division or ten- trality of the family, a sound education for the young, and the
sion, any tendency to introversion or suspicion among believ- freedom of religion and conscience for a healthy soci-
ers or between our communities, can easily lead to a con- ety… Today I have the opportunity to repeat that the Catholic
tradiction which obscures the Almighty’s oneness, Church is irrevocably committed to the path chosen at the Sec-
betrays our unity, and contradicts the One who re- ond Vatican Council for a genuine and lasting reconciliation
veals himself as „abounding in steadfast love and faithful- between Christians and Jews. As the Declaration Nostra
ness.‟ My friends, Jerusalem, which has long been a cross- Aetate made clear, the Church continues to value the spiritual
roads for peoples of many different origins, is a city which af- patrimony common to Christians and Jews and desires an
fords Jews, Christians and Muslims both the duty and the ever deeper mutual understanding and respect through bibli-
privilege to bear witness together to the peaceful coexistence cal and theological studies as well as fraternal dialogues.
long desired by worshippers of the one God; to lay bare the
Benedict XVI’s Address to Greek Orthodox Patriarch
Almighty’s plan for the unity of the human family an-
during ecumenical meeting, May 15, 2009: “Of particular joy
nounced to Abraham.
for our Churches has been the participation of the Ecumenical
Benedict XVI’s Discourse to Leaders of different relig- Patriarch of Constantinople, His Holiness Bartholomew I, at
ions from Galilee, May 14, 2009: “Dear Friends, Grateful for the recent Synod of Bishops in Rome dedicated to the theme:
the words of welcome offered by Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Mar- The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church. The
cuzzo and for your warm reception, I cordially greet the lead- warm welcome he received and his moving intervention were
ers of different communities present, including Christians, sincere expressions of the deep spiritual joy that arises from
Muslims, Jews, Druze and other religious peoples… the extent to which communion is already present be-
Galilee, a land known for its religious and ethnic diver- tween our Churches. Such ecumenical experience bears
sity, is home to a people who know well the efforts required to clear witness to the link between the unity of the Church and
live in harmonious coexistence. Our different religious her mission… I pray that the aspirations of the Christians of
traditions have a powerful potential to promote a cul- Jerusalem will be understood as being concordant with the
ture of peace, especially through teaching and preach- aspirations of all its inhabitants, whatever their religion: a
ing the deeper spiritual values of our common humanity. life of religious freedom and peaceful coexistence… Your
By molding the hearts of the young, we mold the fu- Beatitude, I thank you again for your kindness in inviting me
ture of humanity itself. Christians readily join Jews, here, together with the
Muslims, Druze, and people of other religions in other guests. Upon each of
wishing to safeguard children from fanaticism and you and the communities
violence while preparing them to be builders of a bet- you represent, I invoke an
ter world. My dear friends, I know that you accept cheerfully abundance of God‟s bless-
and with a greeting of peace the many pilgrims who flock to ings of fortitude and wis-
Galilee. I encourage you to continue exercising mutual dom! May you all be
respect as you work to ease tensions concerning places of strengthened by the hope of
worship, thus assuring a serene environment for Christ which does not dis-
prayer and reflection here and throughout Galilee. appoint!”
Representing different religious traditions, you share
6
Benedict XVI’s Address to journalists on flight back to Rome,
May 15, 2009: “I have also had the opportunity to meet the
leaders of the various Christian Churches and ecclesial commu-
nities as well as the leaders of other religions in the Holy Land.
This land is indeed a fertile ground for ecumenism and inter-
religious dialogue, and I pray that the rich variety of reli-
gious witness in the region will bear fruit in a growing
mutual understanding and respect…”
Benedict XVI’s Farewell Discourse at Tel Aviv International
Airport, May 15, 2009: “There are three fundamental impres-
sions: the first is that I found everywhere, in every context,
Muslim, Christian and Jewish, a determined readiness for in-
terreligious dialogue, for encounter and collaboration among
the religions. And it is important
that everyone see this not only as an
action – let us say inspired by politi-
cal motives in the given situation –
but as a fruit of the very core of
faith. Because believing in one God
who has created us all, the Father of
us all, believing that God is love and
wants love to be the dominant force
in the world, implies this encounter,
this need for an encounter, for dia-
logue, for collaboration as a re-
quirement of faith itself.”
After Benedict XVI visited the Al-
Hussein Bin Talal Mosque, he had a
meeting with Muslim leaders and
gave an address on May 9, 2009: “Places of worship, like
this splendid Al-Hussein Bin Talal mosque named after
the revered late King, stand out like jewels across the
earth’s surface. From the ancient to the modern, the
magnificent to the humble, they all point to the divine,
to the Transcendent One, to the Almighty. And
through the centuries these sanctuaries have drawn
men and women into their sacred space to pause, to
pray, to acknowledge the presence of the Almighty, and
to recognize that we are all his creatures. For this reason we
cannot fail to be concerned that today, with increasing insis-
tency, some maintain that religion fails in its claim to be, by
nature, a builder of unity and harmony, an expression of com-
munion between persons and with God.
Indeed some assert that religion is necessarily a cause of divi-
sion in our world; and so they argue that the less attention
given to religion in the public sphere the better. Certainly, the
contradiction of tensions and divisions between the followers
of different religious traditions, sadly, cannot be denied. How-
ever, is it not also the case that often it is the ideological ma-
nipulation of religion, sometimes for political ends, that is the
real catalyst for tension and division, and at times even vio-
7
lence in society? In the face of this situation, where the oppo-
nents of religion seek not simply to silence its voice but to re-
place it with their own, the need for believers to be true to their
principles and beliefs is felt all the more keenly. Muslims and
Christians, precisely because of the burden of our common his-
tory so often marked by misunderstanding, must today
strive to be known and recognized as worshippers of
God faithful to prayer, eager to uphold and live by the
Almighty’s decrees, merciful and compassionate, con-
sistent in bearing witness to all that is true and good…
And God endows us with the capacity to participate in
his reason and thus to act in accordance with what is
good. Muslims worship God, the Creator of Heaven
and Earth, who has spoken to hu-
manity. And as believers in the
one God we know that human
reason is itself God’s gift and that
it soars to its highest plane when
suffused with the light of God’s
truth… Together, Christians and
Muslims are impelled to seek all that is
just and right… And we are reminded
that because it is our common human
dignity which gives rise to universal
human rights, they hold equally for
every man and woman, irrespective of
his or her religious, social or ethnic
group. In this regard, we must note
that the right to religious freedom ex-
tends beyond the question of wor-
ship…”
Benedict XVI, answer to a question during his flight to the Mid-
dle East, May 8, 2009:
Question to Benedict XVI: “Your Holiness, this journey has two
essential dimensions of interreligious dialogue - with Islam
and with Judaism. Are the two directions completely separate
from one another, or will there also be a common message con-
cerning the three Abrahamic religions?
Part of the answer from Benedict XVI: “… it is important on the
one hand to have bilateral dialogues – with the Jews and with
Islam – and then also trilateral dialogue. I myself was the Co-
Founder of a foundation for dialogue among the three relig-
ions, at which leading figures like Metropolitan Damaskinos
and the Chief Rabbi of France Rene Samuel Sirat and others
came together, and this foundation also issued an edition of the
books of the three religions: the Koran, the New Testament and
the Old Testament. So the trilateral dialogue must go forward,
it is extremely important for peace and also – let us say – for
living one’s own religion well.”[iv]
Here Benedict XVI tells us that each person should live his own
religion well – no matter what religion he believes in!
 PETER LEARNED TO DEPEND ON GOD.... BY SR EG WHITE
Lk 22:31-34 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath
desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat: But I have
prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art con-
verted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am
ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I
tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou
shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
How true was the Saviour's friendship for Peter! how compassion-
ate His warning! But the warning was resented. In self-sufficiency
Peter declared confidently that he would never do what Christ had
warned him against. "Lord," he said, "I am ready to go with thee to
prison and to death." His self-confidence proved his ruin. He
tempted Satan to tempt him, and he fell under the arts of the wily
foe. When Christ needed him most, he stood on the side of the en-
emy, and openly denied his Lord. MS 115, 1902
There is nothing so offensive to God or so dangerous to the human
soul as pride and self-sufficiency. Of all sins it is the most hopeless, Satan can never touch with eternal disaster one whom Christ has
the most incurable. COL, p154
Peter, when brought to the test, sinned greatly.
In denying the Master he had loved and served,
he became a cowardly apostate. But his Lord did
not cast him off; he freely forgave him. RH 19
May 1910
Lk 22:61-62 And the Lord turned, and looked
upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of
the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the
cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter
went out, and wept bitterly.
When the crowing of the cock reminded him of
the words of Christ, surprised and shocked at
what he had just done he turned and looked at
his Master. At that moment Christ looked at Peter, and beneath
that grieved look, in which compassion and love for him were
blended, Peter understood himself. He went out and wept bitterly.
That look of Christ's broke his heart. Peter had come to the turning Many today stand where Peter stood when in self-confidence he
point, and bitterly did he repent his sin. COL, p152
He began to see himself as he really was. Memory was alive, and
his sins were pictured before him in all their heinous light. Peter
threw himself on the spot where a few hours before Jesus had
prayed and wept in agony, and there the disciple prayed as he
never before had prayed. With deep repentance and terrible re-
morse he pleaded for forgiveness, and he rose a converted man;
but he felt that although Jesus would forgive him, he could never
forgive himself. RH, February 6, 1913
He was like the publican in his contrition and repentance, and like
the publican he found mercy. The look of Christ assured him of
pardon. Now his self-confidence was gone. Never again were the
old boastful assertions repeated. COL, p154
Not until he had learned his weakness, could he know the believer's when God has said, "Let him take hold of My strength, that he may
need of dependence on Christ. Amid the storm of temptation he
had come to understand that man can walk safely only as in utter
self-distrust he relies upon the Saviour. AA, p515
There are some lessons that are never learned only through failure.
Peter was a better man after his fall. The Lord permits his children
to fall; and then, if they repent of their wrongdoing, he helps them
to stand on vantage ground. As fire purifies gold, so Christ purifies
his people by temptation and trial. If the heart has not been hard-
ened by a disregard of great light, the temptation and fall will bring
repentance. Humble, fervent prayer will save the soul from death,
and confession and restitution will hide a multitude of sins. RH,
December 16, 1902
Three times Peter had openly denied his Lord, and three times Je-
sus drew from him the assurance of his love and loyalty, pressing
home that pointed question, like a barbed arrow to his wounded
heart. Before the assembled disciples Jesus revealed the depth of
Peter's repentance, and showed how thoroughly humbled was the
once boasting disciple. DA, p812
prepared for temptation by His previous interces-
sion; for grace is provided in Christ for every soul,
and a way of escape has been made, so that no one
need fall under the power of the enemy. OHC,
p311
It was necessary for Peter to learn his own defects
of character, and his need of the power and grace
of Christ. The Lord could not save him from trial,
but He could have saved him from defeat. Had Pe-
ter been willing to receive Christ's warning, he
would have been watching unto prayer. He would
have walked with fear and trembling lest his feet
should stumble. And he would have received di-
vine help so that Satan could not have gained the
victory…. Never can we safely put confidence in
self or feel, this side of heaven, that we are secure against tempta-
tion. COL, p155
declared that he would not deny his Lord. And because of their self
-sufficiency, they fall an easy prey to Satan's devices. Those who
realize their weakness trust in a power higher than self. And while
they look to God, Satan has no power against them. But those who
trust in self are easily defeated. Let us remember that if we do not
heed the cautions that God gives us, a fall is before us. Christ will
not save from wounds the one who places himself unbidden on the
enemy's ground. He lets the self-sufficient one, who acts as if he
knew more than his Lord, go on in his supposed strength. Then
comes suffering and a crippled life, or perhaps defeat and death.
MS 115, 1902
And the same compassion that reached out to rescue Peter is ex-
tended to every soul who has fallen under temptation. It is Satan's
special device to lead man into sin, and then leave him, helpless
and trembling, fearing to seek for pardon. But why should we fear,
make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me?" Isa. 27:5.
Every provision has been made for our infirmities, every encour-
agement offered us to come to Christ. COL, p156
8

PRISONERS OF
HOPE
This newsletter is authored by
members of the SDA church
whose desire is to provide a
thought provoking newsletter
for Adventists dwelling on the
banks of Jordan; in the process
appealing to entire fidelity to
the Bible and the Spirit of
Prophecy.
GOD IS LOVE
WHAT is God declared to be?
"God is love." 1 John 4:16.
How great is God's love for the world?
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.
In what act especially has God's love been manifested?
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into
the world, that we might live through Him." 1 John 4:9.
In what does God delight?
"Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the rem-
nant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy." Micah 7:18.
How are His mercies continually manifested?
"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new
every morning: great is Thy faithfulness." Lam. 3:22,23.
Upon how many does God bestow His blessings?
"He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the un-
just." Matt. 5:45.
What did Jesus say of the one who loves Him?
"He that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself unto
him." John 14:21.
Into what relationship to God does His love bring us?
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of
God." 1 John 3:1.
How may we know that we are the sons of God?
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. . . . The Spirit itself beareth wit-
ness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." Rom. 8:14-16.
How is the love of God supplied to the believer?
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy
Ghost which is given unto us." Rom. 5:5.
In view of God's great love to us, what ought we to do?
"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." 1 John 4:11.
With what measure of love should we serve others?
"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down
our lives for the brethren." 1 John 3:16.
What exhortation is based upon Christ's love for us?
"And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacri-
fice to God for a sweet-smelling savor." Eph. 5:2.
Upon what ground does God's work for sinners rest?
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in
sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together,
and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Eph. 2:4-6. See Titus 3:5,6.
In what other way is God's love sometimes shown?
"For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth." Heb. 12:6.
In view of God's great love, what may we confidently expect?
"He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also
freely give us all things?" Rom. 8:32.
What is God's love able to do for His children?
"Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not harken unto Balaam; but the Lord thy God turned the curse
into a blessing unto thee, because the Lord thy God loved thee." Deut. 23:5.
When men appreciate God's love, what will. they do?
"How excellent is Thy loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the
shadow of Thy wings." Ps. 36:7.
How enduring is God's love for us?
"The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:
therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee." Jer. 31:3.
Can anything separate the true child of God from the love of God?
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things
present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us
from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom. 8:38,39.
Unto whom will the saints forever ascribe praise?
"Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, . . . to Him be glory and
dominion forever and ever." Rev. 1:5,6.
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