BULLETIN

228 NORTH EL MOLINO AVENUE, PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91101-1675

Otis Q. Sellers, Founder       David R. Hettema, Director

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Thoughts from the Editor

Jane S. Hancock

When I was teaching middle school, the World History framework required that we teach a unit on world religions. Since no history teacher is ever able to teach everything required of them to teach, I found this unit one I wanted to skip over as quickly as possible.

Knowing what I know about Christianity and about being a Christian, how could I teach it? I definitely could not say, "This is what the text book says about Christianity but here is my version." And if what the text says about Christianity is too nebulous, then how could I say with conviction that the text paints an accurate picture of Islam, Buddhism, or Judaism?

Since I don't like to stereotype anything, what it boils down to is that I am a Christian (someone who believes that Christ is my Savior and the Savior of the world) but I don't want to be classified with all the other Christians in the world. Hence the name "Christian individualist." "Individualist" with a small "i" rather than a capital "I." That gives me liberty to "study to show [myself] approved unto God" (2 Tim. 2:15) and to believe what I find to be true.

This is probably difficult for others to understand because people like to associate with organizations and groups. I am a registered voter and in California I have to identify with one of the political parties. But that doesn't mean I have to vote a straight ticket. I am free to think for myself and vote any way I want to. I have a friend who votes a straight ticket every time. How easy it is for her on election day!

My dad, Otis Q. Sellers, said it this way: "Most men revere organizations, and they worship crowds and numbers to such an extent that they cease to have any personal feelings. They are persuaded that if a thing is believed or practiced by many people it must be true and right and all others should conform to it. Thus they cease to have any real personality or character because all their springs of individuality have dried up. Personality and character are built by the exercise of discrimination, evaluation, and choice. If these personal faculties are not used, they grow blunt and dull and finally wither away. When this happens a man becomes depersonalized, a human automaton.

"This is an intolerable situation for the active believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Why should he fight with some great organization in order to take one step in advance in
the truth? He is constantly urged to read and study the Bible, but he is subjected to abuse if he finds anything in it that contradicts the traditional creed. Thus the only path open to him is one of Christian individualism. In this way of life he can fulfill his place as a believer in this unbelieving world."

I never will forget the look on the face of a student when she asked me what I was going to be doing on Easter Sunday. When I told her "nothing special," her eyes welled with tears and she said, "But, Mrs. Hancock, I was so sure you were a Christian."

So yes, I am a Christian. Yes, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He is God. And what follows is where the similarity ends with others who claim to be Christian.

I believe in creation.

I believe that we are living in a period right now called the Dispensation of the Grace of God.

I believe in the miracles of the New Testament, as a foretaste of what life will be like in the Kingdom of God.

I believe that the coming of Christ physically and personally to earth is not the next event on the calendar, but that the Kingdom of God is.

I believe that God is working in secret today.

I believe that I show my faith by taking God at His Word and acting upon it and that His Word appears in the inspired Word of God.

I believe that the dead are dead.

I believe that I am a soul, not that I have a soul.
I believe that the earth is our future home, not heaven.

I believe in the resurrection of the dead.

I believe in prayer.

I believe that Satan is active in today's world.

I believe that my salvation depends upon my believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is my Savior, not on membership in a church or rituals.

And this is Christianity, to me.

For More Information On These Beliefs, See Seed & Bread Nos. 27, 31, 56, 57, 65, 67, 70, 71, 75, 77, 79, 80, 82, 83, 99,101,100,132, 147,152,176 and 180.

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From the Director

David R. Hettema

Many friends have been inquiring about the health of my beloved wife Nonna so I will give you a condition report. She is finally back in our home after four months of serious illness and passing through three crisis periods that threatened to take her life. Norma has been in three different hospitals during her illness, but has recovered enough to come home in the early days of July, where she can recuperate, and get back to a normal life with help from her therapists and also her family.

As for me, there will be increased involvement with Norma's care at first, but at all times while I am able, I hope to never cease in my Bible study and the presentation of God's Word by teaching or writing. I also have come to the realization that I must now step aside and let someone else take the overall responsibilities of Director. Stepping aside in a timely order is much better for the Word of Truth Ministry. Because we are a small and scattered group on the West Coast, the possibility exists that with the upcoming changes in leadership, we will need a larger field of potential Board members than California can supply.

WE NEED YOUR HELP AND SUGGESTIONS

I know of many of you across the states that are enthusiastic for the truth of God's Word, and the continuing testimony of this ministry. Some of you are part of a newer younger generation, which is very good. We need help to make the truth of God's coming government known. If you, or others in your group of truth seekers, feel that you might want to be involved with the work of the Word of Truth Ministry, let us know.

Remember, the Word of Truth Ministry began in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and later moved to Los Angeles, California. Then after Otis Q. Sellers passed away, the headquarters moved to Pasadena, California. In other words, if a group of believers in Houston, Chicago or Milwaukee were inspired to investigate the possibility of being a working part of this ministry let us know.

All of us realize that this testimony to the truth must continue. Where else can you hear the real truth of God's coming earthly kingdom? Pray with us for God-given wisdom to proceed! Write to us at the address at 228 N. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101-1675 or e-mail us at: wordoftruth@earthlink.net.

EVENTS THAT MARK THE FIRST DAYS OF GOD'S GOVERNMENT

Many, many years ago, God told Isaiah to write a message for all of us living in these troubled times; it has to do with Divine intervention:

When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him (Isa. 59:19).

We know that this event is still future, for when we read the prior statement in verse 19, it is talking about the beginning of God's government, when God's Spirit enlightens the World: So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun.

If you focus upon the world scene, do you see any men with the latter day characteristics as described in 2 Timothy, chapter 3?

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.

And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was (2 Tim. 3:2-9).

When the wicked spring up like grass, and when all the workers of iniquity flourish, it is that they may be destroyed forever. But You, LORD, are on high forever-more. For behold, Your enemies, O LORD, for behold, Your enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered (Psa. 92:7-9).

Our Honorary Agent in Great Britain

Mr. George T. Morris has a supply of Word of Truth materials available at his location. Audio Bible tapes are also available. A list of materials and services will be sent. Write to:

George T. Morris,
67 Wood Lane, Sutton Coldfield,
West Midlands, B74 3LS, United Kingdom
E-mail: geo.morris@virgin.net
Web Site: christianindividualism.info

The Regeneration: A Word Study

By Mark B. Hammond

In the course of our studies in God's Word we occasionally uncover passages that speak volumes to us. During an extended dissection of the book of Matthew, I encountered such a passage, one that previously had "slipped under the radar" due to the emphasis traditionally associated with some preceding verses.

We read in Matthew 19:16 that Jesus, in the presence of his disciples, is approached by a young man who presents himself as a pious (and wealthy) Jew. The man questions our Lord, and asks, "What thing may I do that I may have eternal (eonian) life?" In the exchange that follows, the young man conveys that he has kept the Law "to-the-letter," and so he asks, "What do I still lack?" Jesus responded by telling him to sell all that he had, to give the proceeds to the poor and to follow Him. The young man is unable to take the Lord at His word and respond accordingly, apparently due to the value that he attaches to his wealth of earthly possessions.

Jesus then communicates a well-known, frequently quoted phrase, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (come under Heaven's Government). And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (God's Government)." (Note: From this clarification, Jesus explicitly expresses the equivalence of the two N.T. terms for "divine government.") After having heard this exchange, the disciples wonder out loud how any person can be saved (obtain salvation). Jesus responds with another much-quoted, and often misapplied phrase, "With men this (salvation) is impossible, but with God these are possible. (Greek: panta dunata does not mean "all things are possible.")

Now that the stage has been set, here comes the "punch line." Peter, speaking for the twelve, replies with, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" And Jesus replies, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." In the verse that follows, Jesus equates the "regeneration" (Greek: palingenesid) to "inheriting eternal Life" (Greek: zoe eonian). Clearly, the future period of His eonian (everflowing) government is in view in this statement.

Now, this is a most peculiar term! Paligenesial It appears only twice in the N.T.: here (above) in Matthew 19:28 and again in Titus 3:5. To preserve the context, we show the following from Titus 3:4-7:

"But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and (even the) renewing of the Holy Ghost;

"Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;

"That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Palingenesia is a compound Greek word composed of palin and genesia. Appearing over 200 times in the N.T, palin signifies "recurrence," and is consistently translated into our English language as "again." In contrast, genesia is an uncommon word, occurring only twice, and in both instances it is translated "birthday" (Matthew 14:6 and Mark 6:21). By transliteration we obtain "re-birthday" (palingenesia).

What a marvelous way to characterize the resurrection of the dead and their return to the service of our Lord! In light of the Limited N.T. occurrences, an investigation of classical Greek texts is also in order. A review of Homer in particular, reveals that the classical Greek writers used palingenesia to express the changes produced by the^an-nual return of the spring season.

It is my belief that the Biblical concept of "re-birthday" applies not only to the resurrection but also to the "restitution of all things" described by Peter in Acts 3:21. Not only will those "dead-in-Christ" experience a "re-birthday," but the entire global ecosystem (Greek: cosmos) will experience a "return-to-spring" unlike the earth has not since the original paradise (Garden of Eden).

So, as Louis CarroU's literary character of Alice in Alice In Wonderland introduced us to the childhood fantasy (which many of us 39-year-olds have adopted as an adult fantasy) of an "un-birthday,"the Holy Spirit has introduced us to our "re-birthday." It is a rather uncommon term which is equated to the future onset of everflowing Life, the prophesied period of divine government upon the earth. Hallelujah (praise God)!

The Dutch Lachai-Roi Web Site

Read Seed & Bread and One-A-Day in Dutch on the European Web site: www.Iachairoi.org. Johan Hansen and his son Arnoud translated these Otis Q. Sellers' writings because they appreciate bis independent studies and find answers to unsolved problems.

God's Promise of Resurrection

By Joanne L.H. Johnson

On June 5, 2004, the United States of America lost a great man and its 40th president, Ronald Wilson Reagan, whose rich life included a strong belief in God. In the funeral services held at the former president's library in Simi Valley, California, the family's Presbyterian pastor mentioned that Reagan would be resurrected from the dead. His son from his first marriage, Michael Reagan, elegantly painted a beautiful word picture of his dad joining his deceased sister, Maureen Reagan, in Heaven.

It greatly saddens me when many professing Christians fail to understand a simple verse from 2 Corinthians 15:21: "For as in Adam all die (are dying), even so in Christ shall all (every member of the human race) be made alive (resurrected)." The first part of the verse says that men die (and do not go to heaven) because of the curse of Adam that he brought upon himself, and the rest of the human race, after eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God commanded Adam, "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Gen. 2:16-17). This is the simple reason why all human beings die. It is not because of God's judgment or lack of it today, or even of some terrible act or violence of some kind that someone or some people committed or did not commit. (The last 2,000 years or so have been a time of God's silence rather than His open judgments upon mankind, which have been predicted in the O.T. to occur in the future.)

God provided Adam the opportunity to obey Him. Adam told his helpmate, Eve, about this. Eve, however, succumbed to the temptation of the serpent when he told her a bold-faced lie: "Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:4-5).

God, after conversing with Adam about what had transpired, later asked Eve, "What is this that thou hast done?" And she replied, "The serpent (Hebrew: nachash, but refers to Satan) beguiled me, and I did eat." God then said to the serpent, "Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou eat all the days of thy life." And God added a prediction
of what would happen to Christ, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed (the seed of Satan is anyone that is disobedient to God) and her seed (Christ); it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Christ died on the cross and was resurrected from the dead (ICor. 15:3-4). Satan tried to kill off mankind, including the traditional family line that Christ came through, and Satan could not do it (John 1:4-5).

God, after telling Eve what she would go through, said to Adam, "Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life ... till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Gen. 3:17-19). It doesn't say anything here about going to heaven, even though the spirits (breath of life) of men go back to God who gave it (Eccl. 12:7; see Seed & Bread No. 78).

In the second part of 2 Corinthians 15:21, it implies that all members of the human race will be resurrected from the dead at a future time (the Kingdom of God). This is solely because of Christ's sacrificial dying for our sins on the cross and being raised from the dead on the third day, as predicted by Christ Himself to His disciples (Matt. 17:21). The promise of resurrection is also reiterated in the often-quoted John 3:16: "For God so loved the world (His order or system), that He gave His only begotten Son (expression/extension of God), that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish (be destroyed permanently), but have everlasting (eonian) life." Verses 17 and 18 continue the explanation for the reward of being found believing and not believing in Christ: "For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned (outcome of future judgment): but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begottenSon of God" (For more, see Seed & Bread Nos. 79, 80.)

May we be found believing in Jesus Christ, and when we die, expect not go to Heaven, but expect our resurrection from the dead in God's future Kingdom