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change your life. change your world.

Vol 1 • Issue 4

Mountain Men
The whispers that
changed history

The Source
of True Love
How to put more love
into your life

It’s Free!
Heaven is yours
for the asking
Browse our website or contact one of the
distributors below to enjoy the inspirational,
motivational, and practical help offered in
Vol 1, Issue 4 our books and audiovisual material.
www.activated.org
Activated Ministries
PO Box 462805
Escondido, CA 92046–2805
USA

personally speaking
Toll-free: 1–877–862–3228
Email: info@actmin.org
www.activatedonline.com
Some people live in eternal insecurity. Activated Europe
They can never be sure, no matter what Bramingham Pk. Business Ctr.
Enterprise Way
they do or don’t do, that they will go to
Luton, Beds. LU3 4BU
Heaven when they die. It’s enough to make a nervous wreck out of United Kingdom
anybody—and I once read about a man that it did just that to. +44 (0) 845 838 1384
He had received Jesus as his Savior and tried his best to live Email: activatedEurope@activated.org
according to Jesus’ teachings, but found he couldn’t live up to other Activated Africa
people’s standards, what they said was necessary to merit salvation. P.O. Box 2150
Westville 3630
According to them, every time he made a mistake or had an South Africa
unholy thought, he lost his salvation and was right back where he +27 (83) 556 8213
had started, a lost sinner. Email: activatedAfrica@activated.org
Finally he wound up a nervous wreck and was hospitalized. Activated India
While recuperating in the hospital, he spent much of his time P.O. Box 5215
reading the Bible. One day he read Ephesians 2:8–9: “By grace G.P.O.
Bangalore – 560 001
you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is India
the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast”—and he Email: activatedIndia@activated.org
finally got the point. Salvation wasn’t dependent on anything that Activated Philippines
he had done or could do beyond believing that Jesus had died for P.O. Box 1147
sinners like himself. He got so excited about this simple truth that Antipolo City P.O.
he felt better immediately and started sharing his discovery with 1870 Antipolo City
Philippines
everybody around him: “Do you know that all you have to do to Cell: (0922) 8125326
be saved is believe, that’s all? Just believe! God’s grace plus your Email: activatedPI@activated.org
faith plus nothing!” Activated Australia
And he was so right! We’re saved by grace through faith—not +61 2 8011 4345
by good works, or by being perfect, or doing penance, or keeping Email: info@activated.org.au
an endless list of dos and don’ts. Jesus has already done it all! And www.activated.org.au

just like you are saved by grace, you are kept by grace. You don’t Editor Keith Phillips
need to worry about losing your salvation, because you can’t. Once Design Giselle LeFavre
saved, always saved! Production Jessie Richards
© 2009 Aurora Production AG
www.auroraproduction.com
Keith Phillips All Rights Reserved

For Activated Printed in Taiwan by Ji Yi Co., Ltd.


All scripture quotations, unless otherwise
indicated, are taken from the New King James
Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson,
Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Finding
Faith
By John Margaillan
“Pray with them to find the a hug and thanked me for
The three women were key,” a familiar voice spoke to my praying. “It was a miracle!” she
frantic. Stopped at a petrol mind. It was Jesus, and He was said. “We were still looking
station, they were now running putting me on the spot. Praying all around, and there were no
back and forth between their car in public with strangers is not other cars at the station. Then a
and the cashier, who was inside. one of my strong points, but He man pulled into a parking space
When one of the women passed always knows best, so I humbled near ours, and as he got out of
the stand where I was selling myself and asked one of the his car, he asked us what we
books, I asked her if there was women if she believed in Jesus. were looking for. When we told
anything I could do to help. “I’m not sure,” she replied. him, he reached down, picked
“We lost our car keys!” she I tried another approach. up a key from the ground, and
exclaimed. “We’ve looked “Well, do you believe in prayer?” asked, ‘Is this it?’ The key is on
everywhere, and they’re gone. She mumbled yes, so I told a bright yellow key ring, so of
We’ll need to find a locksmith and her that I wanted to pray for course we would have seen it if
have him make another key.” her and her friends to find the it had been there all the time.
The cashier phoned around, missing key. She was willing to I know this was a miracle!” she
but couldn’t find anyone who try anything at that point, so the said again.
could do the job. It was an two of us prayed. “When you asked me if I
expensive car with a sophisticated Twenty minutes later the believed in Jesus and prayer,
security system, and only the manager came over to me, I really didn’t know what to say.
manufacturer could make astonished. “They found the key!” I used to believe, but my life got
duplicate keys. That would take he exclaimed. “I was watching so busy that I never put much
48 hours. The women were you from the station as you thought or effort into prayer.
traveling and more than 1,000 prayed with one of the women, This has renewed my faith!” 1
km (600 mi) from home. The and now they’ve found it!”
only thing they could do now, it At that same moment, the John Margaillan is a member
seemed, was find a place to stay woman rushed over, literally of the Family International
until the new key arrived. jumping for joy. She gave me in South Africa.

3
The source of
true love
God created us with the need to love and of God that far surpasses any earthly loves.
be loved, and He alone can satisfy the deepest To receive God’s love in Jesus, all you have
yearning of every human soul for total love and to do is open your heart and ask Him to come
complete understanding. The things of this in. Jesus promised, “Behold, I stand at the door
earth can satisfy the body, but only God and and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens
His eternal love can ever fill that aching spiritual the door, I will come in to him and dine with
void in our hearts that He created for Himself him, and he with Me.”3 Jesus waits lovingly
alone. The human spirit can never be completely and meekly at your heart’s door, not forcing
satisfied with anything less than utter union with Himself upon you, not pushing the door open,
the great and loving Spirit that created it. but waiting for you to simply ask Him in. If
“God is love.”1 He is the very Spirit of love you haven’t yet done so, you can right now by
itself, true love, everlasting love, real love, praying a simple prayer like the following:
genuine love that never ends from a lover who
never leaves, the lover of all lovers. He’s pictured Dear Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of
in His Son, Jesus, who came for love and lived God and that You died for me. I need Your love to
in love and died for love that we might live and cleanse me from past wrongs. I now open my heart
love forever. “For God so loved the world that and I ask You to come into my life. Please fill me to
He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever overflowing with Your love. Amen.
believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life.”2 When you have done this, your life will be
—David Brandt Berg (D.B.B.) changed. Like a newborn baby, you’ll be born
into a whole new world of love you have only
When we find Jesus and receive Him as our dreamed of. He can give you a whole lifetime of
Savior, we make direct, personal contact with the love—all the love you’ll ever need to live your
creator and source of love, God Himself. New days to the full and come through any situation
worlds of love open to us. Our perception of victoriously—but He can’t give it to you all at
love in its many human forms deepens and gets
better. But there’s even more than that in store 1
1 John 4:8
for us: We can experience the supernatural love 2
John 3:16
3
Revelation 3:20

4
The things of this
earth can satisfy the
body, but only God
can fill that spiritual
void in our hearts
that He created for
Himself alone

once. Jesus and His love are always there for you, and yieldedness to Him. He’s always looking
but you need to keep coming back for more. You for ways to show His love if we’ll just let Him.
need to let Him fill you up daily, and sometimes He’s just waiting for us to make a way, an
even hour by hour or moment by moment. avenue for His love to pour forth, and we do
As you spend time praying to Jesus, reading His that by staying close to Him, by loving Him,
Word, and listening to His voice in your heart, and by doing the things that He wants us to do.
He will impart His love to you and it will become —Maria Fontaine
part of you. Little by little you will become more
like Him. You’ll become more loving; His love If people could just understand the magnitude
will spill out of you on others. As you grow and of the Lord’s love—how truly unconditional it
mature in His love, His Spirit within you will is, how vast and deep and wide and unending
enable you to do the humanly impossible: love it is—it would solve so many of their problems.
God with all your heart, and your neighbor as They would find freedom from so many of
yourself.4 their fears and worries and regrets. If they could
—Shannon Shayler just understand that, then they’d know that
everything is going to work out, that He is going
His love for you is unconditional. No matter to cause everything to work together for good,5
how weak or disheartened you may feel right because He is in control of every detail and His
now, or how disappointed you may be in yourself hand on their lives is so perfectly loving.
or others, He still loves you. His great, perfect, —D.B.B. 1
marvelous, unconditional love is not lessened, no
matter what the circumstances or conditions. He For more inspiring and thought-
keeps pouring it on, and pouring it on without provoking material on the world’s all-
measure and without limit. time favorite topic, love, order the
His love is always there for us, pouring booklet L ove’s M any Faces from one of the
forth in full measure, gushing forth in such addresses on page two of this magazine.
abundance! And we can freely experience that
love; we can have it manifested in our lives as Matthew 22:37–39
4

much as we desire, according to our obedience Romans 8:28


5

5
It’s free By David Brandt Berg

Salvation is by faith—pure and simple! Salvation is the


result of believing: “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will
be saved.”2 If you get an emotional high or some other physical
manifestation—a “feeling” of any kind—that is a bonus and
beside the point. You are saved by faith in God’s Word, because
He promised you salvation if you would meet His simple, single
condition: believe. You’re not saved by your feelings.
It doesn’t matter how you feel, because God’s Word is unchanging
and is not affected by that. It’s your faith that counts. If you believe
the Word, regardless of how you feel, you’re saved! Eventually you
probably will have some feeling, but it is not the “experience” or the
feeling that saves you; that is a result of your being saved.
God’s plan from the beginning is based on free choice—your
choice. God gave us free will to either choose to receive Jesus or to
reject Him. Salvation is there for you. It’s yours, ready for the taking,
DONE DEAL but you must make the decision.
Salvation is a gift. All you have to do is reach out your hand of
You don’t need to worry about faith and receive it. Salvation is a miracle of God, but it’s yours for
whether or not you are going to lose the asking. All you have to do is receive Jesus into your heart. He’s
your salvation or how you are going there, waiting to come in.
to manage to stay saved, because Believe and you’re saved. Period! Plus nothing! The Word plus
eternal salvation by grace means faith plus nothing! That’s it! If you believe the Word and receive
once saved, always saved. Once Him, it’s done! Of course, if you are thankful for Jesus’ love and the
you’ve received Jesus Christ as your gift of salvation, your life will show it.3 But the instant you believe,
Savior, there are no ifs, ands, or buts it’s done, before you even have a chance to thank Him or show Him
about it—you are a saved child of how much you love Him in return.
God! “He who believes in the Son Salvation is not a reward. It’s not payment for anything good you
has everlasting life.”1 That one verse may have done or anything bad you may have not done. It is a gift
should be enough to end all your that you don’t earn and can’t earn by any kind of works of your own.
worries. You have eternal life right “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of your-
now, and you can’t lose it. selves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”4
Besides, you can’t keep yourself All you have to do is receive it. That’s what He means by “not of
saved any more than you could yourselves.” The one thing you have to do, anybody can do, even a
save yourself in the first place. Even little child: Receive it. You don’t have to work up some emotional
though you’re not perfect and you’re experience. You don’t have to pray it down or work it up. You just
bound to make mistakes, God is have to receive Him, that’s all. Plus nothing! 1
going to save you anyway. Salvation
is forever. He’s already given it to 1
John 3:36
you, and He’s not going to take it 2
Acts 16:31 NIV
3
James 2:17–18
back. It’s yours! 4
Ephesians 2:8–9

6
“I began to see that
the things I owned,
New
Beginnings
owned me.”
four-year art course—only the enough; my heart was not satisfied.
By Michael, from Canada second student in the history of the I began to understand that “one’s
college to receive this placement. life does not consist in the abun-
As the son of a successful corporate At the end of my fourth year, I was dance of the things he possesses.”1
lawyer, growing up was pleasant given another scholarship and a I began to see that the things I
for me. In my early teens my grant to travel. After returning from owned, owned me. I wanted to find
parents sent me to an elite private extensive travels in Europe, I was the true meaning of life.
boarding school. Due to my great hired by the Canadian Broadcasting Then one cold winter night on
interest in art, I was then sent to a Corporation, where I worked for the downtown streets of Toronto,
high school specializing in art and four years as a graphic designer. Canada, I met a total stranger who,
academic studies. My artwork and I also did freelance illustrations in less than an hour, explained
academic achievements there won for a top agency in New York and passages to me from the Bible
me a scholarship at the Ontario for major newspapers, magazines, that changed my life in the most
College of Art, Canada’s most book publishers, TV, and animation profound way. That night I asked
prestigious art college. companies. Jesus into my heart and found the
When I entered college, I was I had climbed the ladder of greatest of all riches—Jesus and the
placed in the third year of the success in my field, but it wasn’t Word of God. 1

“I traded bitterness and resentful toward Him after my and decision-making, God and
father died in spite of the deals I the Bible. He showed me from
and confusion for tried to make with Him. Now when the Bible how I too could have
I faced this life-changing decision, the peace that he had found by
peace and love.” I didn’t know who else to call on. inviting the Prince of Peace, Jesus,
I decided to give God one more into my heart. I prayed with that
By Shirley, from India chance to prove Himself. Walk- stranger right there on the side-
ing to that appointment, I prayed, walk, and immediately felt a won-
Am I doing the right thing? Is this “God, if You’re real, help me with derful inner peace—and I forgot all
what’s going to make me truly this decision.” about that interview!
happy? What if…? I was on my way As my mind returned to that That was the beginning of a
to an interview for a job overseas, crowded Mumbai sidewalk, I saw deeper and more personal relation-
and my mind was plagued with him—a stranger with a bright smile ship with my Creator, Friend, and
uncertainty about my future. I was and sparkling eyes. He stopped Companion. As I got to know Him
still reeling from a broken relation- me and asked for directions. better, I didn’t want to keep it to
ship, and my family and friends Something about him struck me myself. Now I live to help others
agreed that a change would do me as unusual. How did he manage experience the love, joy, happi-
good; my colleagues at work called to stay so cool, unperturbed, and ness, and hope that Jesus has
me an escapist. untouched by the near-chaos given me. 1
I had been raised to believe in around us? We talked, and the
God, but had become upset, bitter, conversation turned to choices 1
Luke 12:15

7
answers to some
of the most frequently
asked questions about
salvation

8
Who needs it ? you’ve asked for and received God’s forgiveness
Most people seem to think God grades on a curve. through Jesus’ sacrifice. You’re saved purely by faith
If you try to be a good person and don’t make too in Jesus. You just have to accept the fact that you
many serious mistakes, you’ll probably be given an couldn’t possibly pay enough to buy your way into
average or above average grade when you die, pass Heaven, and then humbly accept God’s gift. It’s as
the course of life, and go to Heaven; if you’re below simple as that.
average, you fail, and, well …
That might sound like a fair enough arrange- Are there any sins too bad
ment, especially if you consider yourself a better- for God to forgive ?
than-average person, but according to the Bible, it God wants to freely forgive everyone for every
doesn’t work that way. wrong they have ever committed. He says, “Let
None of us deserve to go to Heaven. The Bible the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous
says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord,
God.”1 “There is not a just man on earth who does and He will have mercy on him; and to our God,
good and does not sin.”2 “There is none righteous, for He will abundantly pardon,”8 and, “Though
no, not one.”3 Anyone who thinks they’re good your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white
enough to make it to Heaven on their own is only as snow; though they are red like crimson, they
kidding themselves—and they will miss out on shall be as wool.”9
God’s greatest gift. “If we say that we have no sin, “For God did not send His Son into the world
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”4 to condemn the world, but that the world through
You can’t be good enough. You can’t earn salvation Him might be saved.”10 He wants to forgive
or work your way to Heaven. “By grace you have been everyone, and the way to experience His forgiveness
saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the is to believe in Jesus.11 “He who believes in [Jesus]
gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”5 is not condemned; but he who does not believe is
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, condemned already, because he has not believed in
but according to His mercy He saved us.”6 the name of the only begotten Son of God.”12
So who needs it? Everyone! When people hear the truth—God’s plan of
forgiveness and salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice,
What’s it going to cost me ? explained in terms that they can understand—
“Surely there’s a catch,” you’re probably thinking. the Holy Spirit speaks directly to their hearts and
“Surely I have to give up something, work hard, or brings them to the point of decision. If they be-
do something to deserve salvation.” No, you don’t— lieve and accept Jesus as their Savior, their sins are
and that’s the beautiful thing about salvation! “It is forgiven; but if they willfully refuse His forgive-
the gift of God.”7 When have you ever had to earn ness, God’s hands are tied. “And this is the con-
or pay for a gift someone gave you? A gift is a gift. demnation, that the light has come into the world,
If you had to earn or pay for it, it wouldn’t be a gift. and men loved darkness rather than light, because
Salvation is not a reward for good works. Your their deeds were evil.”13 This deliberate rejection
good works can’t get you into Heaven any more is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which God
than your bad deeds can damn you to Hell once cannot forgive.14 God has given every person the

1
Romans 3:23 8
Isaiah 55:7
2
Ecclesiastes 7:20 9
Isaiah 1:18
3
Romans 3:10 10
John 3:17
4
1 John 1:8 11
Acts 16:31
5
Ephesians 2:8–9 12
John 3:18
6
Titus 3:5 13
John 3:19
7
Ephesians 2:8 14
Mark 3:28–29
9
majesty of free choice, and He will not override which we must be saved.”18 “There is one God
their decision to reject His offer. and one Mediator between God and men, the
Of course, just because someone rejects the truth Man Christ Jesus.”19 And Jesus Himself said,
the first time they hear it doesn’t mean they’ll never “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one
be given another opportunity to make the right comes to the Father except through Me.”20 That’s
choice. Many people get more than one chance. just the way it is!
Still, the Bible tells us, “Now is the accepted time; Then what about the adherents of all the other
behold, now is the day of salvation.”15 “For you do religions in the world? Can’t they be saved? Yes,
not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is they can all get saved, regardless of their religion.
your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little Even if they don’t have any religion, they can still be
time and then vanishes away.”16 saved—but only through Jesus.

H ow much faith does it take ? Can I lose my salvation ?


You’d be surprised how little faith it takes to No! One of the most marvelous things about the
receive God’s gift of salvation! God doesn’t expect gift of salvation is that once you have received
you to have great faith in something you know Jesus into your heart, He is there to stay. He has
so little about and understand even less, and it’s come into your life, and He will be with you forev-
impossible to understand or appreciate salvation, er. Jesus has said that He will never leave you nor
really, until you’ve experienced it. All it takes is forsake you, and that He will be with you always,
enough faith to concede that Jesus could possibly even to the end of the world.21 There is nothing
be the way to salvation, and a sincere desire to you could ever say or do that would nullify these
let Him prove Himself to you. If you only have wonderful promises.
enough faith to pray, “Jesus, if You really are real, Jesus knows you’re not perfect and never will
and if You really are the way to salvation, show be—and He loves you just the same! When He
me,” He will! If you’re convinced enough by what forgave you for your sins, He not only forgave your
you’ve heard about salvation to give it a try, He’s past sins but your present sins and those you will yet
given you all the faith you need to be saved. commit as well.
True, you can keep yourself in line for more of
Why Jesus? God’s blessings by trying your best to please Him
“Why must I ask Jesus into my heart?” you may ask. and do what’s right, but you can’t keep yourself
“Why do I have to use that name? Why can’t I just saved! Jesus did that once and forever. Eternal life is
pray to God and find salvation that way, through not a sometimes thing—saved and lost and saved
His name?” again, every time you make a mistake and say you’re
Because Jesus is the only One who came to earth sorry. There’s no such thing! Once you’re saved,
and gave His life for you. Jesus said, “I am the you’re saved forever!
door”—into His Father’s house, the kingdom of Of course, if you willfully do wrong once you’re
God. “If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved.”17 saved and don’t repent and make things right, you’ll
So if you want to get to Heaven, you have to walk suffer for those sins in some way. The Lord will have
through Jesus, the open Door. to let you reap the bad results so you’ll learn a lesson.
Jesus is also the only door. “There is no other “For whom the Lord loves He chastens.”22 But even
name”—no name but Jesus—“under Heaven by then, you won’t lose your salvation! 1

15
2 Corinthians 6:2 19
1 Timothy 2:5
16
James 4:14 20
John 14:6
17
John 10:9 21
Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20
18
Acts 4:12 22
Hebrews 12:6

10
Power
Jesus told His followers that He
would “send the Promise of the
Father” upon them, so they would

Up!
be “endued with power from on
high.”1 If you have received Jesus
as your Savior, if you have been
“born again of the Spirit,” then you
have already received a little of that
Holy Spirit power. But that doesn’t
mean that you’ve received the full it’s powered by the Holy Spirit.
measure of the Holy Spirit. This is Spirit-filled prayers reach their
usually a separate experience that destination loud and clear, and
happens later. they really get results.3
A glass of water makes a good Power to get more closely
illustration. If the glass has at least connected. Shortly before His
some water in it, you could say that crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus
it’s a glass of water, even though it’s promised His disciples that He
not a full glass. Many Christians are would send them a Comforter
like glasses with just a little water, a or Helper, the Holy Spirit, to
bit of God’s Spirit. But those who have strengthen, empower, lead, and
prayed for an infilling of the Holy Spirit guide them in their spiritual lives
are like glasses that have been filled and relationships with Him. “The
till they overflow. Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the
Have you received the full power Father will send in My name, He
of God’s Spirit? If not, you can will teach you all things, and bring
right now. You just have to ask for to your remembrance all things that
and receive it by praying a simple I said to you.”4
prayer like the following: Power to make positive changes
Dear Jesus, I know that I need in your life. Self-help books,
more of Your love and power in my resolutions, and willpower aren’t
life, so please fill me with Your Holy enough! What you really need to
Spirit right now. Amen. make positive changes in your life
is God’s help. You may be able
Power for what? to make some changes yourself,
Love power. God is the very but to get real and lasting deep
Spirit of love itself,2 so when He fills changes, you need the renewing
you with His Holy Spirit, your heart power of the Holy Spirit.5
overflows with love—love for Him Power to share the Good News
and love for others. with others. If you find it difficult
Prayer power. In order to receive to share your faith with others,
or transmit messages, a two-way you’ll be happy to know that one
radio must be plugged into a power of the main purposes of the Holy 1
Luke 24:49
source; the greater the power, Spirit is to give you the boldness
2
John 4:24; 1 John 4:8
3
Romans 8:26–27
the better the radio operates. and the courage to tell others 4
John 14:26
Prayer works the same way, and about the Lord and His love. 1 5
See Titus 3:5

11
Mountain Men
By David Brandt Berg

When Jesus climbed the mountain, He left the accomplished. Pioneers must have vision—vision
multitude behind. “And seeing the multitudes, to see what no one else can see; faith—faith to
He [Jesus] went up on a mountain, and when He believe things no one else believes; initiative—
was seated His disciples came to Him.”1 Mountain initiative to be the first one to try it; courage—
peaks are never crowded. Why? Because it’s hard the guts to see it through!
work getting there. Not very many people desire to On the mountain you feel like you’re living
climb mountains. in eternity, whereas down below they’re living in
There is more light on the mountain. Long after time. You see the world in its proper perspective,
the valley is in darkness, you can still see the sun. with range after range to be conquered and a
The valley is almost always dark—full of people world beyond the vision and horizon of normal
and things, but usually in darkness. The mountain men. You see distant peaks yet to be climbed,
is windy and cold, but thrilling. distant valleys yet to be crossed. You see things
If you’re going to climb a mountain, you have that the men in the valleys can never see, or even
to have the feeling that it’s worth dying for. Any comprehend.
mountain—the mountain of this life, the moun- In the valley, people get so caught up in the
tain of accomplishment, the mountain of obstacles, multitude and the little make-believe world of
of difficulty—has to be worth braving wind and materialism that they can’t see anything but time
cold and storm, symbolic of adversities. and creatures of time and things of time, which
Only pioneers climb mountains—people are soon to pass away. But if you thrust your head
who want to do something that few have ever above the multitude, you become like a mountain
done before, ­people who want to get above the
multitude and go beyond what has already been Matthew 5:1
1

12
in their midst, and they will resent and resist and
fight you because they can’t understand you and
don’t want you.
They don’t even want to know that there are Beaten paths are
mountains! They don’t want others to hear there
are mountains, nor to have a breath of fresh air for beaten men,
from those crystal peaks. They want to keep
everyone shut in down in the valley, in the mud but mountain
and mire. They don’t want it to be known that
there is any other place to go than the valley, and peaks are for
they will do everything they can to discourage you
from climbing the mountain. mighty pioneers
Man dominates the valley, but only God domi-
nates the mountain, and the men living on the
mountains know this. But men living in the valleys
think they are God, because they dominate them- They were never the same. What changed them
selves. They have become so secure that they think that changed the world? They heard the voice of
they don’t need God. They have forgotten there is God teaching them things that were completely
any God, for they can’t see the sky any longer. contrary to what was being said in the valley!
Beaten paths are for beaten men, but mountain In the valley they were saying, “Blessed are
peaks are for mighty pioneers. the Romans—the proud and the powerful. Look
What do you hear on the mountain? Things that what they’ve done! They’ve conquered the whole
are going to echo around the world. What do you world!” But on the Mount, Jesus was saying just
hear in the stillness? Whispers that are going to the opposite:
change the course of history! “Blessed are the poor in spirit [the humble], for
The greatest laws ever given to man, whereby theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”2 Simple little
most of the world is still ruled, were given to one illiterate fishermen were listening to a carpenter
man alone on a mountain. Moses came down tell them something that would make them greater
from a mountain with the Ten Commandments, rulers than the Caesars of Rome!
and the Hebrew nation was never the same, nor “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
was the world! righteousness, for they shall be filled.”3 The people
The greatest sermon ever preached, the Sermon on the mountain hunger and thirst for the truth,
on the Mount, was given to a handful of mountain and only God can satisfy them. The people down
men by the greatest mountaineer of all, Jesus, who in the valley can’t see any further than the end of
finally climbed His last mountain, Mount Calvary, their nose and are satisfied with themselves and are
Golgotha, and died alone for the sins of the world. full—and He sends them away empty.4
That was a mountain that only He could climb for “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see
you and me, but He made it! God.”5 There’s no smog on the mountain. The air
After Jesus’ disciples heard His Sermon on the is pure. The water is pure. The people are pure in
Mount, they came down and changed the world. heart. They see God.
Life is on the mountain! Get out of the valley!
2
Matthew 5:3 “Flee as a bird to your mountain.6 1
3
Matthew 5:6
4
See Luke 1:53
(The above was excerpted from David Brandt
5
Matthew 5:8
6
Psalm 11:1 Berg’s article by the same title.)

13
More signs of the end
The future
By Michael Roy and
foretold, part 3 ers, without self-control, brutal, world’s population have heard
Scott MacGregor despisers of good, traitors, head- the Gospel at least once.5 Over
strong, haughty, lovers of pleasure 50 million Bibles are distributed
When Jesus’ disciples asked rather than lovers of God.”2 every year, as well as nearly 80
Him what would be the sign of His Selfishness and cold-hearted- million New Testaments. Four
return and the end of the world as ness seem to be prevalent almost billion gospel tracts are also
we know it, He answered by reveal- everywhere we look. printed each year.
ing not one sign but many, includ- According to the United Bible
ing two of the five covered in this T he good news goes Societies, the entire Bible or parts
installment of The Future Foretold. global thereof are now available to about
The other three come from the Old “And this Gospel of the kingdom 98 percent of the world’s popula-
Testament book of Daniel and the will be preached in all the world tion, having been translated par-
New Testament writings of Paul as a witness to all the nations, tially or entirely into some 2,303
the apostle. and then the end will come.”3 languages and dialects.
Unlike wars, famine, plagues, Other Christian books are also
The “me generation” and earthquakes, which Jesus proliferating. Books primarily
“Because iniquity shall abound, called “the beginning of sorrows,” about Jesus in today’s libraries
the love of many shall grow cold.”1 He said that this particular number 175,000 titles in 500
This is how Jesus described the sign—the Gospel being preached languages, increasing by four
callous condition of people’s hearts in all the world—was a specific newly published books every day.6
in the days before His return. In sign that would indicate when The Gospel is also preached in
a related passage, the apostle Paul the actual end of the age would be 38,000 Christian magazines and
writes, “But know this, that in the upon the world. on 4,050 radio and television
last days perilous times will come: According to The Almanac of stations.7 Ninety-nine percent
For men will be lovers of them- the Christian World, Christians of the world’s population have
selves, lovers of money, boasters, and Christian churches now the Gospel available to them via
proud, blasphemers, disobedient exist in every country of the Christian radio stations.8
to parents, unthankful, unholy, world.4 Missiologists estimate that Meanwhile an innumerable
unloving, unforgiving, slander- between 75 and 85 percent of the number of Christian websites,

1
Matthew 24:12 KJV
2
2 Timothy 3:1–4
3
Matthew 24:14
4
The Almanac of the Christian World (Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, 1990).
5
DAWN Fridayfax (2001 #2), http://www.jesus.org.uk/dawn/2001/dawn02.html.
6
DAWN Fridayfax (2003 #7), http://www.jesus.org.uk/dawn/2003/dawn07.html.
7
DAWN Fridayfax (2002 #8), http://www.jesus.org.uk/dawn/2002/dawn08.html.
8
DAWN Fridayfax (2001 #2), http://www.jesus.org.uk/dawn/2001/dawn02.html.

14
cyber churches, gospel webcasts understand it because it didn’t not issues), 40,000 scholarly jour-
and podcasts, and other Christian pertain to him. nals, 80,000 mass-market periodi-
ministries evangelize, inform, and Amongst many other things, cals, and 40,000 newsletters.15
pastor via the Internet. Daniel was told: “Seal the book
The story of Christ’s sacrifice until the time of the end; many Pagan revival
reached millions worldwide with shall run to and fro, and knowl- “Now the [Holy] Spirit expressly
Mel Gibson’s retelling of The edge shall increase.”12 says that in latter times some will
Passion of Christ (2004), but its Many running to and fro liter- depart from the faith, giving heed
viewing audience is dwarfed by ally means “speeding about, here to deceiving spirits and doctrines
the Jesus (1979) film. Shot on and there,” or as The Living Bible of demons.”16
location in the Middle East, Jesus renders this verse, “travel shall be Not only are many people
is a retelling of Luke’s gospel. Star- vastly increased.” unknowingly falling for Satan’s
ring a white British Jesus and with Until about 100 years ago, deceptions, increasing numbers are
a mostly Jewish Yemenite cast, it is people’s means of transporta- following rank Satanism. The Bible
an unlikely candidate for the most tion—horse and buggy, wagons, tells us that if people willfully re-
watched or most translated film, camels, boats, etc.—had not ject God’s truth, they will be given
but it is both.9 It has been trans- changed substantially for thou- “strong delusion, that they should
lated into over 1,000 languages sands of years. believe a lie.”17 When we refuse
with over 200 more translations the truth, there is nothing left to
in progress (with over 58 million Information overload believe but a lie. This is why much
products, including film, video, “Knowledge shall increase.”13 of the world today is wide open for
and audio distributed), and it has It is with good cause that the deceivers and false prophets.
had an estimated combined view- term “information overload” Two fields in which paganism
ing and listening audience of over was coined in recent years. If the and Satanism have made tremen­
6 billion.10 amount of information that is dous inroads are the popular music
Never in the course of history available is any indication of the business and the computer gam-
has the Gospel been preached in knowledge available, knowledge ing industry.18 The most shameless
has increased within our genera-
all the world to all nations as it is acts of blasphemy and desecration
right now by every means possible. tion almost beyond imagination! are now socially acceptable in the
Global information increases name of audio­visual and multi­
Globetrotters and about 30% per year, according media entertainment and “free-
jetsetters to figures developed by the dom of expression.”
“Many shall run to and fro…”11 University of California at
In 534 bc, the prophet Daniel Berkeley.14 (Continued in the next
received an outstanding revelation, Each year around a million issue of A ctivated . Excerpted
after which God told him that books are printed (that’s titles, from the booklet T he Future
even though the prophecy was not copies), 25,276 newspapers Foretold . 3rd ed. Aurora
given through him, he wouldn’t are published (that’s publications, Production AG, 2008.) 1

9
Giles Wilson, “The most watched film in history,” BBC News Online, 21 Jul 2003.
10
The Jesus Film Project, http://www.jesusfilm.org/progress/statistics.html, accessed 1 August 2008.
11, 12
Daniel 12:4
13
Daniel 12:4
14
Robert Malone, “Information Inundation,” Forbes, 8 Nov 2005, http://www.forbes.com/2005/11/08/data-func-
tions-coping-cx_rm_1107data.html.
15
UNESCO 1996, ISSN 2001, Ulrich’s 2000, Oxbridge Directory 1997.
16
1 Timothy 4:1
17
2 Thessalonians 2:10–11
18
Steven L. Kent, “Cyberplay: Why do so many games have violence and devil imagery?” CNN, 30 May 1997,
http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9705/29/cyber.lat/.
15
Connect >>
with Me

No matter what your circumstances or


how you have handled them up till now, no
matter what you have done or not done, I
love you. I see your every tear. I hear your
every cry for help. I feel your every heartache,
your every sorrow, your every frustration,
your every worry. I know your every desire. I
see straight through to your heart of hearts
and all that is in it, and I love you more
deeply than you can possibly comprehend.

I see your struggles and I want to help. Life


often is a struggle, but it is made so much
easier when you spiritually connect with Me.
I have all the love and comfort and peace
and solutions you seek. I can transform
turmoil, emptiness, and disappointment into
peace, plenty, and love.

I am right here at your side, waiting pa-


tiently for you to reach out to Me so I can
relieve your troubled mind, dry your tears,
and show you how much I love you. You
just need to connect with Me. You can do
it anytime, anywhere, and I will supply the
needs of your spirit, whatever you need most
at that moment.

FROM JESUS—WITH LOVE

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