Dear Friends in Faith,
    The Kitchener Fellowship in Canada, on November 8, was a great time of learning and fellowship. It is always a positive experience to get together with our Canadian brethren.
    Dean Hough spoke on Paul’s statement in Romans 2:16 that “God will be judging the hidden things of humanity, according to my evangel, through Jesus Christ.” The Greek word translated “according to” (kata) could be translated “in accord with” or “corresponding to.” It speaks of harmony and agreement. There is much of contrast between God’s work of judgment and His work of salvation spoken of in Paul’s evangel. But there are important points of harmony. Both are concerned with all the sins of all humanity, even the hidden ones. Also the blessings of life, glory, honor, peace and justification which Paul says are reserved for anyone who does not sin (Rom.2:7,10,13), even though there are no such people (see Rom.3:9-20,23), are the very blessings God gives gratuitously through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. These blessings eventually will be received by all (Rom.5:18,19).

    Tony Nungesser spoke on the proof of how it is that Christ must be the Messiah. Based upon what the messenger Gabriel told Daniel, when the word went forth to rebuild the temple until Messiah the Governor would be seven sevens and sixty-two sevens. This works out to be 7 x 69 year periods = 483 years (see Daniel 9:25,26). To make a long story short, from Nehemiah 2:1-8 until Matthew 21:6-9 is the time period needed. The people who comprised the Qumran community, who also wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls believed that the account in Daniel was a precise mathematical prediction of when the Messiah would come. They believed that they were living in that period of His coming.
    Christ “empties Himself, taking the form of a slave, coming to be in the likeness of humanity, and, being found in fashion as a human, He humbles Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore, also, God highly exalts Him, and graces Him with the name that is above every name, that in the name of Jesus every knee should be bowing, celestial and terrestrial and subterranean, and every tongue should be acclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord, for the glory of God, the Father” (Phil.2:9-11).
    Concerning the above Philippians text, I have been asked “Why didn’t God just tell people they were justified by His say-so, without Christ having to die?” I would say that God requires a just basis for justification, and also wants to win mankind’s hearts and not just their heads. If mankind could have been justified without Christ dying for them, they would have probably just said “thanks,” and gone on with their lives. But once humanity sees the very huge sacrifice God had to make, once they see the extreme love God displayed in the death of His Son for them, this will overwhelm them with affection for God and Christ.
    We would appreciate information on any plans for Bible conferences or special meetings in 2004 supporting the truth that God is the Saviour of all mankind. We also welcome information about new publications on this theme and other relevant news items. We are always glad to hear from our readers. May God give us all endurance and patience with joy (Col.1:11).

Yours in God’s Grace,
Dean Hough and Tony Nungesser