“Sow Thy Seed”
In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both be alike good.” Eccl. 11:6
There is no work nobler on the earth than to spread God’s word for the salvation of the people. The signs of the times show that the end is very near, and we must quickly go out to fulfill the important commission that Jesus has left with us.
On July 23-30 with the help of the Lord we held public evangelistic meetings in Toijala and in Lempäälä. Our speaker was Brother Henry Dering from California. With the music and pictures on the screen the presentation was very interesting. In every meeting, special songs and instrumental music was presented. Sisters Virpi Sirbu and Eija Jyrkinen spoke about health and natural healing methods. Also a literature table was prepared and in the last meeting books were given to the visitors.
May the Lord bless all who came to the meetings that the seed sown will grow and bear fruit.
After these public meetings we had our annual Conference with the motto, “Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?” Ps. 15:1.
We enjoyed God’s rich blessings, and felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in this Conference.
With Br. Dering we made three mission trips. On August 2nd we went to Estonia, and on the next day we again started public meetings.
The meeting place was in the centre of the capital city, Tallinn. Here also we held seven meetings. In the last meeting again we gave literature to the visitors and invited them to the annual Conference. Some of them did come and one person seemed very much interested. The Conference motto was, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32
While in Estonia, we visited scattered members and interested souls. We celebrated the Lord’s Supper with the members and gave Bible studies to the interested souls. May the Lord bless His work and the church in Estonia.
On August 15th, Brother Hannu Jyrkinen from Finland took us to the harbour where we boarded a ship to go to Sweden. On the ship we beheld a beautiful sunset, which reminded us of the sunset of the world when Jesus leaves the heavenly sanctuary and the permanent darkness will fall upon the impenitent people.
In Stockholm we had three public meetings and in between we visited a friend whom I met three years ago when traveling on the ship. Afterwards we went to Motala, where we also had three public meetings. Into the last meeting more people came and after the meeting we had long discussions with them. God has honest children everywhere, who are seeking for the truth and the true church. Jesus said, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” John 10:16
In Motala we also had our Conference where were visitors from Finland, Norway, Denmark and the United States. The main theme of the Conference was the work of the Holy Spirit and the promised latter rain. One dear soul joined the church which gave us great joy.
On Sunday, Brother Dennis Lammes was ordained as an elder. May the Lord bless his work in Sweden.
Early Monday morning I accompanied Brother Dering and his friends to the airport where they took a plane to London, England.
I returned to Finland and two days later went to Bulgaria, where we had a canvassing seminar and public meetings. We met new, interested souls and had discussions with them.
On Sabbath the hall was full of people. In the afternoon we had the baptism of a young person in a beautiful place on the river.
The enemy of the soul wanted to destroy our joy in the missionary work when we received a message that my mother had fallen and hurt her head seriously. After a few days she passed away, waiting for the resurrection morning.
After the funeral I had to go to Sofia for a conference. There Br. Gerhard Hunger was visiting, and I had the privilege to translate him in the meetings.
On Sabbath we heard a very impressive message of “Remnant Church Vested With Power.” It reminded us that God will fulfill His promises and wants to pour out the latter rain upon His people. When the speaker asked the congregation, “Who wants to receive this power?”, then every hand went up.
On Sabbath afternoon we examined one young girl for baptism, and the next day I had to go to Serbia with Brother Hunger. We visited Belgrade and organized the church matters. Tuesday night I had to return to Sofia and take my flight back to Finland.
The time of mercy will soon be finished. Only our Heavenly Father knows when it will be, but all the signs of the times indicate that soon Jesus will declare the words, “It is done,” and then salvation will be too late.
Now is our last opportunity to sow the seed of the gospel. Now is the time to pray earnestly for the latter rain, which will enable God’s people to finish God’s work on the earth.
“Servants of God, endowed with power from on high, with their faces lighted up, and shining with holy consecration, went forth to proclaim the message from heaven. Souls that were scattered all through the religious bodies answered the call, and the precious were hurried out of the doomed churches, as Lot was hurried out of Sodom before her destruction. God’s people were strengthened by the excellent glory which rested upon them in rich abundance and prepared to endure the hour of temptation. I heard everywhere a multitude of voices saying, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
“I was pointed down to the time when the third angel’s message was closing. The power of God had rested upon His people; they had accomplished their work and were prepared for the trying hour before them. They had received the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and the living testimony had been revived. The last great warning had sounded everywhere, and it had stirred up and enraged the inhabitants of the earth who would not receive the message.
“I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writer’s inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. Then I saw Jesus who had been ministering before the ark containing the Ten Commandments, throw down the censer. He raised His hands, and with a loud voice said, ?It is done.’ And all the angelic host laid off their crowns as Jesus made the solemn declaration, ?He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” EW, p. 278-280
May the Lord help us to be ready to receive the latter rain, is my wish and prayer.
AMEN.
Brother V. Marinov, Finland