Dear Fellow-Pilgrims, Marchers to Zion, and Watchmen on the Walls,
The “New Age” is on my mind—“these days” in which we live. The world and its leaders are bent on bringing in the “New World Order,” as George Bush so prominently stated following the Gulf War. Secret pacts and partnerships, dividing the world into 10 political and economic regions, are part of “this age.”
Just recently, a 34-nation partnership that extends from North to South America was signed which implements inclusive laws, unified currencies and economies, etc. You may be aware of a meeting recently held in Rome, Italy, to establish the International Criminal Court, which would include the United States and would supersede our Constitution. Anti-abortion proponents could be considered criminal for demanding “enforced pregnancy!”
Morally blinded leaders continue to propose vicious and evil policies that stagger the minds of many Americans and provide no reasonable recourse, even at the polls. The “New Age” of “this world” speaks of one world government; anti-Christ leaders; deified man/woman; unified economies; inclusive religious tolerance (it will actually be horrific intolerance); a super race by forced genetic engineering; selective race bias; annihilation of the “typical” family to a “global family” in a “global village”; an anti-Semitic, anti-Christian polarization; global control of communication and finances; and the location of “international” citizens wherever they may be. Frightening? Yes! (See Gen. 11:1-9; Dan. 7:7,8,23-25.) Hopeless? No! God is still sovereign in His World! (See Dan. 7:9-10, 13-14, 26-27; Rev. 4-5, 7, 11.)
Past History
Much of this, though not in exactly the same way, has happened in the past. Nimrod, Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, the Caesars, Stalin, Hitler, Mao Tse-tung, many of the atheistic and godless leaders of the former Soviet Union and the Eastern bloc, as well as leaders of many other nations, have administered to some degree totalitarian regimes that, in some cases, still persecute and execute Christians—more in this century than in the past 2,000 years combined!
The Response of the Early Church
The Early Church was not intimidated by “big government” or “Big Brother.” What was the response of the Early Church to the first- and second-century equivalents to censorship, restriction of religious liberties, the banning of prayer in public schools, the homosexual agenda, the feminist movement, same-sex marriage, special privileges for the ‘disabled’, or the ongoing and concentrated attacks against the Church?
It was fervent and corporate prayer, an infusion of God’s power, and the bold and exclusive proclamation of the Gospel (that is where the “power” is—in the Gospel!) with signs and wonders. “Lord, behold their threatenings … that with all boldness we may speak Thy Word … and that signs and wonders may be done in the Name of Thy holy child Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30). The place “shook”! The people shook! The world shook! The rest is history!
The Church’s Greatest Threat
The Church’s greatest threat is not political, economic, educational, or social. Its greatest threat is complacency and the abandonment of its “first love,” so that the state of the Church could be considered “lukewarm” in the midst of the blessings of prosperity, peace, and corporate power (see, for example, the rise of Christian political action committees). We are being drugged by the very economic boom that is to collapse soon and surely!
The success of the Church cannot be measured by its size, location, acceptability with the community, budget, or program. Some criteria for God’s measurement are: its intimacy with Him and its faithfulness to the proclamation of Christ as Lord; the power Gospel in the power of the Spirit; and its “power works” in the world. Lord help us!
The True “New Age”
We too are looking for the “New Age”… “a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness”… when the Lord shall rule and reign… when “the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever…!” Until then? The disciples also longed for the “restoration of the Kingdom.” What was Jesus’ reply? “It is not for you to know … but ye shall be filled with the Holy Spirit … and ye shall be witnesses” (Acts 1:6-8).
The Church’s Response
Let us put our spiritual and financial houses in order. Let us not fear him who can kill the body, but fear only Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28). We are to “let the Lord be our fear” (Isaiah 8:13). Let us not fear this present evil age, nor the upcoming economic disasters, nor political and economic unification, nor present and future evil world rulers. King Jesus is coming—the rightful Heir of the world!
Look up! Be filled with the Spirit! Take heed! Watch! Pray! Prepare! Work (Mark 13:32-37)! The Lord, not the devil as its primary source or impetus, is shaking every kingdom of man, including the religious, so that only “those things which cannot be shaken shall remain … we having received a Kingdom” (Heb. 12:26-29). Even now He is doing it! Let us Remember! Repent! Remove! Revive! Restore! Receive! Reprove! Rejoice!
Our Present Situation
As you know, for the past year I had been associated with Reinhard Bonnke Ministries as the National Prayer Coordinator, with the primary task of enlisting prayer partners from around the world for the evangelistic outreach in 1999. Having finished the “course,” Carmen and I both sensed that it was time to move on and wait upon the Lord for His next steps in our lives.
Since April 1 we have been waiting upon the Lord for His further direction. Carmen has been teaching English as a second language to some Russian immigrants in Sacramento. I have been preaching and teaching as the Lord has provided the open doors.
Ministry Opportunities
At this juncture the Lord is opening doors of utterance here in the States and overseas to train national leadership. In the fall, the Lord willing, I will go to Europe for leadership training and then to South Africa for the same. As the Lord provides, plans in 1999 are to go to Pakistan for a crusade and pastors’ seminars. Other future possibilities of ministry include Latin America and other parts of Africa. We are open to schedule meetings with you, if you would so desire.
Prayer and Support
We ask for your continued prayer on our behalf. Thank you to those who have prayed, given financial support, and encouraged us with your letters, phone calls, and personal visits! We deeply appreciate your sensitivity and love to us. Please pray with and for us! We desire to know His will and do it, as best we hear His voice.
Know you are in our hearts and prayers. We move forward with sure step in Him and in His Word! He is faithful! He cannot deny Himself. If you have something to share with us, please do so. We would appreciate hearing from you. Onward and upward… until that Day!
Waiting, watching, and working,
Reuben & Carmen Sequeira
Revelation 22:10-21