Central Canadian Region Conference (Dec 24-26, 2010)
For the final Sabbath of 2010, the Canadian Field decided to hold a second conference (in addition to the summer-time conference). The whole world is in a stir, many in a frenzy of activity, getting into the “Christmas Spirit.” It is a time where people spend extravagant amounts of money for gifts for others (often useless), and feasting and gluttony, all in the name of celebrating Christ’s birth. What a difference from the account we read in the Bible from the actual time when Christ was born over 2000 years ago.
While the rest of humanity is feasting on the things of this world, God’s people decided to gather for a spiritual feast, providing an alternative to family and friends as a refuge in this time of revelry.
The theme of the conference was, “Behold the King”, with the Scripture reading taken from Isaiah 33:22. “For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.”
Friday:
Brother Clive Russell gave the opening address on Friday evening, by introducing the theme and the Scripture reading. This scripture reading (Isaiah 33:22), relates three basic needs for the Christian. We need a Judge who can give us justice. We need a Lawgiver to make laws to guide us, and we need a King to govern. There are many judges, lawgivers and kings on this earth, but only one who will judge righteously. We must choose carefully who we want as our judge and king. We were encouraged not to choose from those who have no part with Jesus. To them the preaching of Christ is foolishness. Behold the King whom you’ve chosen. Choose carefully. Jesus wants us to choose Him for our Judge, Lawgiver and King because He wants to save us.
Brother Errol Fletcher continued by conducting the next meeting. Although Jesus is all-powerful, limitless, omnipotent, He is the Branch that will execute judgment; the LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, we read of Him as, “lowly, and riding upon an ass.” Zech. 9:9. We have before us a King that the world has never seen before. With all His power and glory, He was without sin, full of goodness and truth. He rules over all the universe, yet He became sin for man. From His birth to His death on Calvary we see how lowly He was. He was born in a manger, baptized in the Jordan River and no one noticed Him until pointed out by John the Baptist. He was surrounded by children, publicans and sinners. Although He was lowly, He was also very dignified. We need to learn from Him and become lowly also. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.” Matthew 11:29.
Sabbath:
Sabbath morning dawned, and although the air was very cold, it was bright and sunny. After a lively Sabbath School, Brother Morris Lowe presented the Divine Service. “Behold the King.” Not a king, but the King. The Lord is our Judge. Why do we need a Judge? He determines our case and we all will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. He determines our destiny. Jesus has the last word and it cannot be repealed. He determines whether we live or whether we die eternally. He is a kind and benevolent King and will judge righteously because He knows and understands where we have been. He will rule over the righteous, not the wicked–those who do not love Him. He will set up a kingdom where there will be no more sin. There are those who do not love Jesus because there are “too many rules”. They want freedom; however, they end up serving Satan which is the worst kind of bondage. Jesus says to take His yoke because it is easy and light. You have a choice to make. You must choose Jesus as King if you want to live forever in His eternal kingdom.
After a delicious lunch the children and young people presented songs and texts giving glory and praise to our King. Jesus is preparing mansions for us and we need to be patient a little longer. While Jesus is building mansions for us, we need to be building characters to be prepared to live in these mansions. Many promises made by our King were quoted, “Peace I leave with you,” “Another Comforter Will I give to abide with you forever.” “Fear not for I am with thee, when thou walkest through fire, I’ll be there.” “Ye shall seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Sister Angela Russell then brought our attention to the immense physical suffering our King endured at the hands of His enemies. This physical suffering is greater than any that man has suffered. We will never understand fully the physical pain; however, it was not from physical suffering that He died. He died of a broken heart for you and for me. Ponder what Christ did; the extreme suffering. Who will you give your allegiance to? He who harasses you? Or He who suffered for you? The choice is yours.
Brother Timo Martin reiterated the fact that we still have freedom and peace to do missionary work and we should earnestly use our time for this, because soon the time of persecution will be here, making it much more difficult to work. In Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, pg. 400, we read that it would do well for us to study the history of the Waldenses. They suffered and were terribly persecuted, but in the time of the end it will be worse, more intense. Brother Martin shared with us some of the history and sufferings of the Waldenses as well as the victories. It was truly a terrible time. God’s people have suffered many times in the past. In 1914 the faithful souls were betrayed to the authorities and many died in prison camps, but they were not afraid. Many faithful men in the Bible had to endure suffering before being exalted to positions of honour (i.e. David and Joseph). Daily we also are being tested. God is preparing us today for the future trials. There is only one thing we need to be afraid of–not the trials–but we need to fear sin. It will bring us eternal death in the end.
Following an encouraging testimony meeting, Brother Nicholas Anca gave our final meeting of the day. When Jesus comes, He won’t change us. The change needs to be made day-by-day. We need to come to the true Shepherd for assistance. Jesus is our true Shepherd. We read from the life of David of how faithfully he guarded his sheep, risking his life. Our Shepherd gave His life for His sheep. The sinner needs compassion, and this the Shepherd will give. He has promised us a covenant of peace.
SUNDAY:
In the morning Brother John Bescec shared with us the importance of titles. Titles are given to people to show status and importance, i.e. Professor, doctor, king, minister, priest, etc. It has often been the case that people do not live up to the titles they carry. Their behaviour proves them unworthy. To be called, The King means He is the King of Kings, the ruler of all. This title belongs to only one person – Jesus Christ. Jesus deserves the title. He will never fail us or back out of His promises. Soon our King is coming back to this earth and “every eye will see Him.” Will this be a happy event for you?
All too soon came the time for the closing address. Brother Clive Russell encouraged us to reflect. Behold the King, our Judge and Lawgiver. He is so humble and lowly and came down to save us. Let us be grateful to God. He has given us another year of life. He has brought us thus far from different places. Although our King was meek, lowly, gentle and kind, He was also very dignified. May God grant us grace in the New Year to continue to walk in the straight and narrow pathway. The only way our spiritual life will be successful is if we, “Behold The King.”