General Conference World Assembly
METEPEC, MEXICO, JUNE 19 – JULY 15
The general conference delegate’s sessions and the public conference were held in a beautiful area of Mexico, near the city of Puebla, a 2 hour drive from Mexico City. The conference site was surrounded by mountains, and we could behold the beauty of God’s nature wherever we turned our eyes. Many were fascinated by the famous Popocatepetl Volcano, which could be seen smoking and sending its lava high into the air. Between meetings, many took walks into the local village and climbed up into the hills surrounding the conference site. It was a peaceful and idyllic setting, perfect for turning our minds to the beauty of God’s creation.
DELEGATE’S SESSIONS
In the early morning of June 19, more than 100 delegates from about 50 different unions, fields, and missions came together representing 120 countries where our reformation has reached.
The first few days were spent hearing the reports from the president and other officers of the General Conference. Then the regional representatives continued with their reports, which were very encouraging. The work is advancing in many different areas.
Finally the delegates started to give their reports from various countries. Satan, along with the enemies of our church have tried desperately to defeat our advancement, but the Lord has helped us, and marvelous victories have been gained.
The biggest part of the work for the delegates were the proposals and questions from various countries. Many doctrinal questions were discussed, for example the sealing of the 144,000, the nature of Christ in His humanity, divorce and remarriage, and many others.
The most important work of the delegates was the election of the new officers of the General Conference, which are as follows:
| President | Idel Suarez |
| 1st Vice President | Tzvetan Petkov |
| 2nd Vice President | Parmenas Shirima |
| Secretary | Pablo Hunger |
| Treasurer | Reichol Austrial |
| Youth Leader | Vicente Giner |
| Good Samaritan Department Leader | Santina Mashera |
| Evangelism Department Leader | Henry Dering |
| Canvassing Leader | Joel Barnedo |
| Publishing Director | Orce Raquel |
| Engineer for Building | Gerhard Kobele |
| Department for Education Director | Julio Sandoya |
| Finance Committee Director | Hans Rekker |
| Medical Department Director | Idel Suarez |
| Ministerial Department Director | Antonino DiFranca |
| Members of Ministerial Department | Tzvetan Petkov Henry Dering Orlando Flores Timo Martin Larry Watts |
| General Conference Committee | Idel Suarez, Tzvetan Petkov, Parmenas Shirima, Pablo Hunger, Reichol Austrial, Anton Salaviov, Vladimir Marinov, Larry Watts, Alphonso Reto, Emmanuel Chileshi, Antonino DiFranca, Henry Dering, Jose Giner, Santina Mashera, Julio Sandoya |
| Finance Committee | Reichol Austrial Hans Rekker John Bescec |
The main theme that most of the speakers during the delegates meetings talked about was the message of Christ’s righteousness.
Br. Sandoya Paz spoke about the law of God and righteousness imputed. He presented that perfect obedience is possible with Christ’s righteousness.
Br. Timo Martin spoke about the conditions that we must fulfill in order to receive Christ’s righteousness. Because many are not willing to fulfill them, therefore Sis. White wrote that there is not even one in one hundred who understand this message, that is so important for our temporal and eternal welfare.
PUBLIC CONFERENCE
MOTTO: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet!” Malachi 4: 5, 6.
Wednesday, July 11
The public conference was opened officially by Br. Cholich. He called all to be faithful, especially now in the view of the coming Sunday law.
Br. Petkov continued with the message of Elijah, who was prophesied to give the last message at the end of the world. Our message is similar to the message of Elijah in the time of King Ahab. We are calling people to make a decision between serving God and serving the idols of the world.
Br. Vladimir Marinov opened with the text, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” James 4:6.
Satan was proud and wanted to be like the Most High God, and this caused his downfall. The most humble being is Jesus Christ. He calls us to learn humility from Him. Even that He created all and being equal with the Father, yet He remained humble. Only the humble are willing to learn, they are also ready to forgive and to ask forgiveness.
Jesus said, “Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” Matt. 20:27. Only humble men and women can be instruments in the hand of God, and by then the Lord will finish His work on the earth.
THURSDAY JULY 12
Thursday morning dawned to a bright and sunny warm day. To get our minds in tune with the Lord, Brother Lagunas conducted the morning worship. He spoke about strange fire versus holy fire. The holy fire represents the principles that the Lord has given to us and we were encouraged to search our hearts to see if we are offering strange fire to the Lord. The Lord is not pleased when we only obey half of the truth. When we allow the world to penetrate the church or in our homes, and tolerate laxness regarding the principles we are offering strange fire. An example was given from Ancient Israel from the time the blessing of the Lord was withdrawn from their camp after Achan sinned. A thorough search needed to be made to find the sin in the camp and to remove it. If we want the church to grow, we must likewise purge the sin in the camp. Individually we are to search our hearts and ask the Lord, “How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin,” (Job 13:23) and then we are to put away the strange fire that the Lord reveals to us. “If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more.” Job 34:32. The cleansing of the camp must be done in the spirit and love of Christ in an effort to bring a reformation in the life of the offender.
After a delicious breakfast we were provided with a rich spiritual feast during the morning hours. Three speakers continued expounding on our theme about the Elijah message.
Firstly we heard from Brother DiFranca who spoke about the Christ our Righteousness message. This is the grand theme upon which our salvation depends. This is the message that the Seventh day Adventist Church rejected in 1888. “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jer. 23:6. Righteousness comes from God, not from man. “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:10. It is His gift to us. This righteousness that is offered to us involves, Justification, Sanctification and Glorification. Justification is God’s prerogative to forgive our sins, ÒBe it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:38,39. When a sinner deserves condemnation, but is forgiven, this is justification. Sanctification is character transformation, which will follow. When Jesus comes again to take us home to heaven we will be glorified. We need to yield ourselves to Christ to allow Him to do this work in us, to transform our beings so that we can be heirs of His salvation.
Brother Suarez continued by speaking on the subject of “Elijah, subject to like Passions.” “Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are!” James 5:17. The famous psychologist, Sigmund Freud said that there are two passions manifested in man, the sensual passion and the aggressive passion. Elijah suffered through both of these passions. Every man who comes into this world must deal with these passions. It is often the case that we are strict on others while we are tolerant of ourselves. Freud left out one other passion and that is appetite. A Jewish rabbi once said that there are two reasons why Jews are lost in modern generations. Firstly they don’t follow the dietary laws at home and secondly, mixed marriages with those outside their faith.
The Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to, “Flee also youthful lusts.” 2 Tim 2:22.There are three things we need to ask ourselves and consider carefully. 1) Who are your friends? Perhaps we need to change the people we spend time with. 2) What places do we frequent? 3) What things do we do? We may need to make a change in these three things.
Although He had the same sinful flesh with the passions of humanity, Jesus never yielded in even one point. He is our brother in our weakness but did not share in our passions. Christ has offered to help us control our passions. “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4. Choose whom ye will serve, modern Baal or Christ.
Brother Sandoya finished the morning session by sharing with us the subject of, “And the Word became Flesh.” “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3. Christ in eternity was one with the Father. Jesus said, the Father and I are one, although they are two distinct persons. Even though He held an exalted position in heaven, He decided to offer Himself as a sacrifice in order to redeem fallen man. He became flesh; He shared in our humanity. Although there are some who do not believe that Jesus came in the flesh fully as we are. “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist,” 1 John 4:2,3. Christ took upon Himself the weakness of human nature, but He never sinned. He remained pure. He took humanity with all the possibility of failure. He could have succumbed to temptation. When you feel tempted and feel that you are ready to fall into sin, lift up your hands to Jesus. He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15. He offers us the victory that He had. He will put his garments of righteousness around us so that we can reach the goal that is put in front of us, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12.
After lunch we continued with our study of the Elijah message. Firstly we heard from Brother Shirima who enlarged the subject of, “The Promised Gift.” “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49. “John answered saying unto all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:” Luke 3:16. Baptism by water is an important step in our spiritual walk, but we need to also be baptized by the Holy Spirit. On the Day of Pentecost it is recorded how the Early Rain fell on the followers of Jesus and a mighty work was done by the aid of the Holy Spirit. We are awaiting the Latter Rain. The promised gift of the Holy Spirit will again be poured out in a mighty manner. We are encouraged to, “Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain:” Zech. 10:1. The Holy Spirit will give power for preaching and power to witness for Christ. We need to realize what God can do through us. Those who ask faithfully will receive the gift.
Brother Henry Dering followed by sharing a power-point presentation about “Our Friend.” People are looking for friends and they are also looking for salvation in a variety of places. There are many religions in the world who are offering a variety of ways to heaven, such as work righteousness, revival meetings, monasteries, prayer wheels, infliction of pain, mass, etc. there are many more. However there is only one way to obtain salvation and that is through Jesus Christ. Although many things in the world are constantly changing, the truth does not change and the truth is that, “by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph 2:8.9. “For God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:8. Salvation is through Jesus alone, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isa. 55:7
At the end of a spiritually rich day, Brother Larry Watts brought us evening worship. He shared with us some details from the life of Elijah. Although we know that he was a Tishbite, out of Gilead, we know nothing of his childhood. After his wonderful experience on Mt. Carmel and running for 3 hours in the driving rain, what did Elijah do? He ran. Years earlier, after he spoke to Ahab, he ran to the brook Cherith and then he ran to the widow of Zarepthah. After that he ran to Obadiah, and then ran to Carmel and finally to Jezreel. Now he ran again, but this time he should not have run. “Had he remained where he was, had he made God his refuge and strength, standing steadfast for the truth, he would have been shielded from harm. The Lord would have given him another signal victory by sending His judgments on Jezebel; and the impression made on the king and the people would have wrought a great reformation.” PK 160. At the cave, where he ended up, there appeared a mighty wind, earthquake and a fire but the Lord was not in either of them. Where was the voice of God? In the still small voice. God could be speaking to us in a still small voice also and we need to prepare ourselves to hear it. There must be silence in our soul.
FRIDAY, JULY 13
Friday dawned as another bright sunny day. Brother Valverde gave us some spiritual food for morning worship in order to prepare us for the day’s activities. The only way to know the Lord is to search for Him with all our heart. Our most important need, whether we are rich or poor is to know Jesus. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3. He is a God of love as well as a God of holiness and righteousness. Some biblical examples were given to enlarge the love of God. Even though Adam and Even sinned and were unworthy to remain in the Garden of Eden, God still covered them with a garment of love. Noah knew the Lord and loved Him. He bore the ridicule of the world to do God’s will. Abraham loved God and when God told him to go, he went out Ð not knowing where he was going. He only knew Christ; he knew of God’s love. Moses knew God’s love and refused to be called Pharaoh’s son, choosing rather to leave Egypt. Those who know the Lord’s love will leave their old ways. “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 2 Tim. 1:22.
Brother Kang held the first meeting in the morning session. John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus as “the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. Jesus came into the world to save us from our sins. Adam and Eve disbelieved God and believed Satan. This may have appeared to be a small sin, however it was still regarded as transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). Our forefathers became servants of sin, which would result in eternal death. None of Adam’s descendants died this death. Only Jesus died this death to take away our penalty of death. Jesus died under the curse of God. The greatest sin in the world today is to refuse this salvation that is offered to us. God loves you and wants all of us to be saved.
Brother Reto continued by sharing with us the subject of, “The Desire of Ages shall come.” We know that the Lord Jesus Christ shall come again to release us from our problems of sin and suffering. After Calvary, He ascended to heaven to conclude this great work of salvation. He is doing the high priestly work for us. On Oct 22, 1844 he moved to the Most Holy place of the heavenly sanctuary to being this work of the investigative judgment. We are now waiting for the Latter rain, however we must first go through the early rain experience of praying in unity. We must reach perfect unity for the latter rain to be poured out. God’s people will preach with great power, and then Jesus will come as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Brother Barnedo concluded the morning session by relating to us some of his missionary experiences. He then imparted to us the “Secrets of Happiness.” These secrets include, being a loving people, being an enlightened people, being a victorious people with God’s help, being a praying people, being a working people and being temperate.
With the afternoon free to prepare for the Sabbath, we met together again in the evening as Brother Hunger gave us some “Balsam for the Broken Heart” in opening the Sabbath. Every Sabbath we should remember that we were once a slave to sin and through Jesus we have been liberated. Sabbath reminds us of the salvation of Jesus. “Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.” Ezek. 20:12. Sabbath is a Balsam for us. If we have something in our heart that is bothering us, Jesus provides the balm for the wounded heart. We do not need to carry this burden any longer. There is no wound that the Lord cannot heal. Jesus receives you and I with all our sins and bitterness and He wants to take this burden away. He says, “Come unto me” and He will receive you with an open heart.
SABBATH JULY 14
Brother Salaviov for morning worship gave us some encouragement to keep the Sabbath according to God’s plan. Although we enjoy the Sabbath are we really restoring the breach? For God’s children the Sabbath is a pleasure and a delight because we are meeting in the presence of God. In order to obtain the true Sabbath blessing we need to keep it both physically and spiritually.
After a lively Sabbath School, Brother Suarez presented the Divine Service. “Behold I send you Elijah the Prophet.” Mal. 4:5,6. The promise was given that Elijah would be sent. Who is Elijah? Jesus said that Elias had already come, meaning John the Baptist. In the time of the end Elijah will come again. “The prophet here describes a people who, in a time of general departure from truth and righteousness, are seeking to restore the principles that are the foundation of the kingdom of God.” PK 678. These divine principles include not only the 10 commandments, but also the dress and health reform, as well as the divine institution of marriage. John the Baptist came to call the people to repentance as there are many who suffer under the burden of guilt of their past sins. In Jesus they can find salvation.
After lunch a youth meeting was held. We began with several special songs and musical items. The little children sang hymns and recited the 10 Commandments, waving their flags and animal pictures. An illustration was given with a glass that was full of polluted water. When clean water was poured into it, it changed. Little by littlie the polluted water became cleaner but it needed constant pouring of the clean water to change it completely. So also our hearts are polluted with sin and need to receive the water of life from the Lord to cleanse it completely.
The missionary directors were called together and asked, “What is the most important purpose of their schools?” the answers were to educate the youth to be future workers so that they can spread the gospel to all the world. Young people who were interested in becoming canvassers were called to the front and several responded.
Following the youth meeting we were blessed to have a testimony meeting. First we heard the experience of a brother who imparted to us how the message entered Pakistan. Today there are 237 members in Pakistan. The missionary work is difficult and many Christians are in prison because they tried to convert people to this religion.
We then received a report from Burundi. Burundi has two different tribes and they fought their great war against each other. Our members did not want to participate in the fighting, therefore they were persecuted by their own tribe members for ten years. Some were killed and others lost their possessions and their houses were burned. Let us pray for our brethren in Burundi.
From our worker we heard a testimony from Indonesia. On December 26 there was a terrible disaster called the Tsunami. Thousands of people died as waves 50 feet (about 15 metres) high entered the shore lines. By the miracle of God nothing happened to our members or their houses. Our churches in Indonesia were organized in 1976 and now there are 134 members and many preparing for baptism.
We then received a report of a wonderful experience that happened in Mexico. Our members were traveling in the back of an open pick-up truck in the rain. All around the rain was falling but not one drop fell on them at the back of the truck. Three members of (her relatives) decided to be baptized because of this experience.
After the wonderful spiritual feast of the Sabbath, the day came to a close with Brother Chileshe leading out in the Sabbath closing service. In the time of the building of the temple of Solomon, as they were nearing the completion they were looking for a suitable stone for the cornerstone. A stone that had been rejected earlier was found to be the perfect one to fit in that place. “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.” Psalm 118:22. We need to let Jesus be the cornerstone of our lives. This is the time to seek out our salvation because the end of all things is at hand.
SUNDAY JULY 15
The final day of the public conference had come. After the closing service of the conference by Brother Petkov a beautiful baptismal service was conducted which saw a number of souls from the Mexican Union give their lives to the service of the Lord. They buried their past lives in the watery grave and came up rejoicing in the Lord in newness of life.
It was a sad time when the conference concluded and we had to go our separate ways, however we took a rich blessing with us. Soon Jesus will come and we can be together forever; never more to separate. Until then, may God help each one of us to go out in the Spirit and Power of Elijah, having the courage even to rebuke kings, to spread the gospel message in whatever corner of the earth we may live in. Then when the work is finished Jesus will come again. I pray that each one of us will do our duty and be ready when He does appear in the clouds of glory.
AMEN
Timo Martin and Wendy Eaton