From the Editor

Andrew Smith

Dear Friends

2 Peter 3:1...

"Beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up
your pure minds by way of remembrance:

That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before
by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and
Saviour:

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days
scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

And saying, where is the promise of his coming? For since the
fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of
creation.

For this they are willingly ignorant..."

Good word scoffers -– nothing to do with eating either. It
means mocking, sneering and making fun of. The end times message, and teaching
on the second coming of Jesus can now officially be called 'unpopular' in
many modern churches -– both traditional and Pentecostal. Many church people do
not want to know.

Many of the Churches my father used to visit regularly when
we were growing up, closed their pulpits to the end times message in the mid
nineties, as they began to teach that Jesus wants to establish His Kingdom on
earth now. How often do I hear "We've heard this second coming message for
years -– nothings changed, Jesus still hasn't come back..." This in itself
is a prophetic indicator of the times in which we live. I believe this message
is vital and 'keeps us on our toes'. It's not fear based but faith based!
God wants us to be ready.

Reading further from verse 5 (2 Peter 3) -– we are reminded
midrashically (prophetic patterns or types) of the topic of the flood, and Gods
judgement on the earth. We are also told in verse 10 that planet earth will soon
receive God's judgement once again -– this time, a new heaven and earth will
be required -– God is going to destroy the old...

We must be ready! And we can be, thanks to God who has
revealed His Word to the prophets and apostles -– for our benefit today. It's
wonderful.

As 2002 draws to an end, may you know the peace of God which
passes all understanding, and the joy of the Lord as your strength.

Maranatha

Andrew Smith