Wednesday, August 12, 2015th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, & friends,

By God’s grace the classes on Revelation and on the events occurring at the end of time got off to a good start on Monday, August 10. Brother Juanito Balbin and his sons (Dudley, Sonni, and C.B.) along with other brethren have done their work well in makeing all the necessary arrangements. Our venue is a rented function room at the Homitori Dormitel where many college students stay. There were 65 preachers who enrolled and received Dan King’s workbook on Revelation, Robert Harkrider’s workbook on Revelation, and Mike Willis’ workbook on Then Comes the End. I taught five lessons introducing Revelation and covering chapters 1-3 including the individual letters addressed to the seven churches of Asia. Lordy Salunga taught chapters 4-7 on the throne scene, the Lamb who had power to open the seven seals of the scroll, and the messages revealed as each seal was broken regarding the future trials of the church at that time.

We emphasized the value of Revelation to fortify the faith of saints who faced martyrdom at the hands of the mighty Roman Empire for refusing to worship the Caesars. We also stressed the value of the book to us today in learning Christ will be victorious over all the forces of Satan, and we must be faithful to the end to receive our reward. The open forum generated good questions which reflected how well the men had paid attention to the lesson.

The Tuesday classes began with Lordy Salunga’s 8:00 A.M. presentation of Revelation 8-11 regarding the seven angels sounding trumpets announcing God’s judgments against Rome which persecuted and executed his saints who refused to worship the emperor. From 10:00 A.M. to noon my lessons dealt with chapters 12-14 where the dragon tried to destroy Jesus when he entered the earth, and the dragon’s war on the saints though the agency of the sea beast (the Roman government) and the land beast (emperor worship).

After lunch Lordy covered the seven bowls of wrath poured out on the empire (chapts. 15-16). I followed with a study of God’s judgment against Rome symbolized as the harlot Babylon (chapts. 17-19), and the final victory of the martyred saints in chapter 20 pictured as their ruling on thrones with Christ on his throne for 1,000 years – symbolic of perfect victory.

The open forum was very fruitful as I answered questions generated by today’s studies. For instance, I clarified that “the first resurrection” in Revelations 20:5 refers to the victory of the martyred souls whom we first meet crying out to God from under the altar in chapter 6 but who rise to rule with Christ in chapter 20. Nothing is said of resurrected bodies, but we read of “souls” in chapter 6 and “souls” again in chapter 20. This victory of their righteous cause is called “the first resurrection” to distinguish it from the resurrection of their bodies on the last great day (Jn. 5:28-29).

Our attendance today was 75 as some latecomers arrived. Several men have already expressed appreciation for what they are learning because they still have the bagged of confusion on Revelation because of their denominational background.

We would not be here engaged in these studies were it not for the love, sacrifices, and prayers of so many of you who are reading this report. Please continue to pray for us as the classes continue through Friday, God willing. And pray for Rody Gumpad, Keith Greer, and Grayson Key who are preaching on the island of Mindoro.

I still have not been able to see the moon but understand there is to be a beautiful and unusual meteorite shower tonight which can be seen around the world depending on how clear the sky may be from place to place. Truly, the heavens declare the glory of God every moment of every day!

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook

August 6–9, 2015 Update from Rody C. Gumpad

I hope & pray this finds all of you again in the best of health! Brethren, about midnight now but I want to send first this update report before going to bed, thanking God that I have Server & internet Connection!

Brethren, last Thursday, we traveled a distance also to Bayugon (Northern part of Palawan) where we were also scheduled to preach. The preacher there is bro. Yolie Buncag. We were welcomed by the brethren. Their building packed the attendance also. Bro. Grayson was requested so he led the singing! Bro. Keith preached another very powerful lesson and that I summarized. At the Invitation was extended and a young mother came forward and after her confession she was baptized in the Ocean!

Unluckily, I was infected Thursday night with whole night fever and chilled! Bro. Keith said the next morning that I should stay at the hotel to take some rest! I did and after taking medicines that I need I was able to recover! Thank you so much, brethren, for continue praying for us. Brother Keith did the Preaching in the morning and 6 were converted. After lunch bro. Keith discussed Mat. 24 that totally destroyed the so called 70 AD idea! I missed that so much but better for me to recover which God provided wonderfully!

With God’s help, we arrived safely here at Edsa Pasay before midnight due to we have done some work outside!

Our Last Sunday Worship was the record breaker for the Edsa Church with 66 attendance! That was wonderful! But attendance today here at Edsa also broke the record last Sunday with 73 attendance including 7 children! All of us enjoyed the music teaching of bro. Grayson and most especially that we appreciated the lesson of Bro. Keith about STRUGGLES OF FAITH! That was so very touching message! Invitation was extended but no response except that a young lady approached me and he told me to ask bro. Keith if he could baptize her on Sunday! Bro. Keith also graciously answered that he is more than willing to do that if it is necessary! So, we’ll wait and see on Sunday!

Brethren, kindly include us again in your prayers! Lord willing, we will travel tomorrow to Mindoro Island for our one week preaching there. There is heavy rain going on here since evening and please pray that it will not be rainy in our way tomorrow! Thank you so much again, brethren, for all your sincere prayers as you too are all in our fervent devotions. May God help and bless us all as each one of us are doing what we can, because Judgment is coming! Attached are some pictures. Thanks again if you can click the reply button and any short message ye can give will be deeply appreciated! Please continue also include our bro. Ron Halbrook in your prayers! He said that their classes in Mindanao went so well though very physically exhausting! Good night Brethren!

P.S.- Brethren, kindly include the 3 weeks baby boy who is in the attached picture! Bro. Keith, Grayson and me did our best to respond to the appeal of the parent because they want to bring him to the specialist Doctor! Hope nothing serious!

Because of Calvary,

Rody C. Gumpad