BULLETIN

THE WORD OF TRUTH MINISTRY

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

We’ve A Story to Tell

We’ve a story to tell to the nations

That shall turn their hearts to the right,

A story of truth and mercy,

A story of peace and light,

A story of peace and light.

For the darkness shall turn to dawning,

And the dawning to noonday bright,

And Christ’s great kingdom shall come to earth,

The kingdom of love and light.

Colin Sterne and H. Ernest Nichol

We sing this song in Bible class often and it reminds us, even though we don’t need reminding, that we do have a story to tell and that’s what we do in every class, in every bulletin, on every CD, on our Web site. We tell the story of the “kingdom of love and light.”

That is our message. We can’t say it often enough. Every Sunday morning, that is the subject, because no matter where we go in the Bible, whatever chapter and verse of book we choose, we end up connecting it to the teaching that the next great event will be the coming of the Kingdom of God.

The current chart on the white board in our meeting room, a chart designed by David Hettema, is the outline for the order of events within the coming of the Kingdom of God. I’m sure he will be writing about this himself soon giving you much more detail and you can hear him if you order our Sunday Morning Messages, but this is my summary of the first five events of God’s glorious Kingdom.

The Enlightenment

First comes the Enlightenment. See Psalm 98:1-3 which ends with these words: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Or Psalm 97:1-6, a descriptive passage which closes with these words: The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the people see His glory.

Do you need more proof? How about Joel 2:28: I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh. Or Jeremiah 31:34 or Luke 8:17 or Psalm 22:27-28?

And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness, the meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel . . . They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine. (Isa. 29:18, 19, 24).

The Judgment of All Living

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom (2 Tim. 4:1). So first comes the Enlightenment. Everyone hears the message. Everyone becomes aware of their future status—the judgment of the living. Which leads us to the next order of events.

The Resurrection of the Dead Begins

Let’s look at John 5:24: Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. Makes sense, doesn’t it? If the dead are going to be judged, they have to be resurrected first. And going a little further in that same chapter: Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Read 1 Corinthians 15 to learn about the order of the resurrections. Verse 23 says, “But every man in his own order.” All of Israel’s dead are part of that first order. God has said, “I will leave none of you there any more.”

Cyrus Appointed to Build Jerusalem

Who is Cyrus? What a great honor to be chosen to build Jerusalem again. What do we know about him? Not much. We know he is a Gentile who will be anointed by God to build Jerusalem and to lay the foundation for the temple. Isaiah 44:28. We know that he will be God’s right hand man, that he will expedite the job, get the infrastructure done. We know that God will subdue nations before him, make the crooked places straight, give him treasures and riches. Isaiah 45: 1-5. And that is all we know.

God Meets with Israel

When all of Israel are accounted for, God secretly meets with His people, communicates with them as He previously has done and brings them under the New Covenant.

And that is the beginning of the story we want “to tell to the nations,” the first five events of the Kingdom.

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FROM THE DIRECTOR

David R. Hettema (page 2)

The saying “We live in a troubled world” has never been more accurate than it is today. The other nations of the world who are having their own problems are watching our new leaders attempt to prevent or offset a financial collapse of our country’s economy.

Whatever that future is that the elected determine holds for us is to be seen and experienced. We live in a nation that is currently overwhelmed by great problems. We are not alone in this quandary. It does seem that all the nations of this world are troubled and lacking in wisdom to solve their own problems. Over twenty years ago, I can remember Otis Q. Sellers pointing out from 2 Timothy 3:1-9 how men shall be in the perilous last days (resultant days). They will be self-lovers, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, unholy, having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. This condition is increasingly with us today. We still await the promise in that passage that God told Timothy to write: They shall proceed no further, their folly shall be manifest to all men (2 Tim 3:9). God will intervene.

In our concerns we should continually pray to our God for our leaders and follow the instructions of our Savior Jesus Christ Who said: Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matt 6:8-10).

What an immediate, tremendous change in this earth would instantly take place when God answers that amazing prayer. All of the waiting kingdom Scriptures would break into reality. This world of troubled nations would become a drastically changed-for-the-better earth, free of sin and corruption, flowing out in bountiful blessing. In every nation under His government there will not be one person who is hungry or sick due to Adam’s sin. God’s redeeming government will fill its national obligations perfectly.

Other portions of Scripture such as this next prophecy would unfold in the sight of all nations when God presents Jesus Christ His Son as the ruler of this world: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this (Isa. 9:6-7, NKJV)).

If your heart and mind are waiting for God’s next move, there is more to enjoy; read Psalms 46 and 47.

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WE GET LETTERS

“Your ministry has been a great inspiration to me over the years. Thank you.”

“We enjoy receiving bulletins of the ministry in the mail. Our compliments to Jane Hancock and Joanne Johnson for their work in making the bulletins interesting as well as informative.”

“I so very much like the recordings by Mr. Sellers. I’m now hearing the messages on 1 Corinthians.”

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“I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. For I have said, ‘Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.” Psalm 89:1-2, NKJV

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BIBLE STUDY AUDIO DISKS

By Otis Q. Sellers, Bible Teacher

The entire Tape Library (TL) series, consisting of numbers TL-001 to TL-570, is available on MP3 compact disks. A complete subjects list may be obtained from our Web site, www.seedandbread.org, or the home office in Pasadena, California, or writing/e-mailing:

The Word of Truth Ministry

Mrs. Gwen Staiger, Recorder

121 Wood Oak Dr., Joshua, TX 76058

E-mail: gsrecorder@sbcglobal.net

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THE INTERNET CORNER (page 3)

By Bob Hammond

Web Site Celebrates Its Third Birthday!

Suddenly www.seedandbread.org is three years old. It’s a bit like watching your children grow up; they’re grown! Part of this “growing up” process is reflected in a few statistics we’ve kept from the beginning. When we started, just what these statistics meant wasn’t clear to us; we just kept them. Here are two:

2006 _____2007 _____2008_________

1. Pages read/downloaded:

58,508 66,126 124,719

2. Number of visitors:

13,728 20,109 23,730

We still don’t know what the second statistic means, but it is fairly clear that people are increasingly using the materials available for FREE on the site. When we started this site, it was with the objective of getting Otis Q. Sellers’ materials out to more people without the bias of any religious doctrine—only the Truth of God’s Word. It was thrilling to see the year 2008 almost doubling the number of pages read/downloaded. We know we’ll never have numbers like many churches boast of. But what we have are people who thirst for greater knowledge of His Word, and that’s more important than any statistic. We invite you to help spread the word of this Web site to your friends and families. If you wish, just copy the business card reproduced below and use as you see appropriate. If you would like us to send you some cards, just let us know. They are free.

We also keep trying to make the site interesting to our readership and somewhat dynamic as well so that people will want to return again and again. Some very nice comments have been received lately and they are very much appreciated.

If you’re experiencing any problems with the new Web site, just e-mail me at roberthammond@earthlink.net. We recently had one person experience a problem with the “shopping cart.” It was fixed quickly. Stay tuned!

THE WORD OF TRUTH MINISTRY

Visit Our Web Site:

www.seedandbread.org

Honest Bible Study

Biblical Explanations

228 N. El Molino Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91101-1675

E-mail: wordoftruth@earthlink.net

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& BIBLE STUDY SATELLITE GROUP LOCATIONS &

In Southern California (Los Angeles Area):

The Word of Truth Ministry, 228 N. El Molino Ave., Pasadena; Sundays from 10:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. Mr. David Hettema presides; Dr. Milton Hammond alternates. Hettema may be reached at (626) 794-0819. Hymn “sing-a-long” before service. “We continue studies based upon the Biblical records of our Bible, and written/spoken words of the late Otis Q. Sellers.”

In New York (New York City Area):

The Chelsea Studios, 151 West 26^th Street (Room 609), New York City, the last Sunday of each month from 2 to 4 p.m. Mr. Luis Casillas, moderator. Contact Mr. Mike Steele by e-mail: quickby@juno.com. “We use O.Q. Sellers’ Seed & Bread leaflets (found on www.seedandbread.org) as a guide for our discussions.”

In New York:

Endicott, No regular schedules. Contact Mr. Robert Briggs at (607) 748-4870 for information.

In New Jersey:

430 Boulevard Ave., Pitman, Mondays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mr. Sam Marrone presides as host and may be reached at (856) 589-6256. Marrone notes, “Bring your Bible and a hunger for the Word.”

In Texas (Houston Area):

5847 Chinaberry Drive, Houston, Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 or 1 p.m. Mr. and Mrs. Don Black are hosts and may be contacted at (713) 462-2250. “We usually listen and study one of Otis Sellers’ tapes.”

In Minnesota (St. Paul Area):

622 Selby Ave. (Room above Mississippi Market Food Co-op), St. Paul, Every other Friday, 6 p.m. Mr. Nathan C. Johnson presides and may be reached at (651) 737-0144. Johnson encourages: “Please contact me, and come enjoy your time around God’s Word with our group.”

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VARIOUS NAMES OF GOD/CHRIST

By Joanne L.H. Johnson (page 4)

What are the various names of God? Have you heard them all? Or are you familiar with just a few? In this article we will quote Scripture with a few various names for God/Christ. “In Thy Name shall they rejoice all the day . . .” (Psa. 89:16).

The Gospel of John has a beautiful description of one of God’s names in the first chapter: “In the beginning was the Word (Expression), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1; see Seed & Bread No. 102, Who Is “The Word” in John 1:1-14?). God tells us plainly who the Word was.

Otis Q. Sellers used to say that the Jehovah Messiah of the Old Testament is the Jesus Christ of the New Testament. They are both also known as “God” (see Seed & Bread No. 2, The Lord Jesus Is Jehovah and Seed & Bread No. 159, The Deity of Jesus Christ).

Mary the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ said this wonderful praise: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46-47; see Seed & Bread No. 21, God Our Savior).

Christ is described as “The Light” in John 1:9: “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” Christ enlightens all mankind in the world.

The twelve disciples called Him “Christ, the Son of the living God” in John 6:69. Notice how He is called “Son of the living God.” God is not a god of the dead ones but of the living ones.

Christ is called “the Son” and God is called “the Father.” But they are one: “. . . The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14; Christ is called the Savior, which is what God is called) and “I and My Father are One” (John 10:30; see Seed & Bread No. 3, The Father and The Son).

Christ named Himself “the Bread of Life”: “I am that Bread of Life” (John 6:48). “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51). Christ died on the cross for all the sins of mankind. And if mankind eats or digests or is found believing the Word of God then he will live forever after being resurrected from the dead.

Jesus Christ is heralded as “the only begotten of the Father” in John 1:14: “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” And it should have been translated “only” instead of “only begotten” (see Seed & Bread No. 173, What Does Monogenes Mean?).

Before Christ was born He was called “Emmanuel”: “. . . They shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matt. 1:23; see Seed & Bread No. 172, How Can A Man Be God?).

Christ’s deity is proven when He told the Pharisees who He really was: “. . . Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 9:58). This is in direct reference to God’s Holy Name given to Moses when God met him at the burning bush: “And God said to Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shall you say to the children of Israel; I AM hath sent me unto you” (Exod. 3:14).

The English name “LORD” for God is the Hebrew name “JAH” which is short for “Jehovah.” In the Interlinear Bible, which shows the Old Testament Hebrew text of the Bible, you find in most instances “Jehovah” for “LORD.” For instance in the Psalm 23:1 it reads: “The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want.” But it translates from Hebrew, as “Jehovah is my shepherd I shall not want.”

Christ calls Himself “the Good Shepherd” in John 10:14-15: “I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine. As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep.”

Isaiah 9:6 shows us some beautiful names for Christ before His natural earthly birth some years later: “. . . and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” These are all future titles for the Kingdom of God.

The Apostle Paul calls Christ “the Lord Almighty” in 2 Corinthians 6:18: “And [He] will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” Christ is the all-sufficient One and the all-powerful One; He is the Almighty God from the Old Testament. In Job 40:1-2, we find God continues talking to Job: “Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct Him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it.”

These are just a few names of God/Christ. There are many more which could not be used for lack of room here. In Old Testament times the Israelites used to name their children for different aspects of God like for instance “Samuel,” which Hannah named her first son, which means “asked of the LORD.”

May we be found worshipping with these names our great God, even our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ.

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“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17, NKJV

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