“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13
On the evening of August 3, members and visitors gathered together for a spiritual feast over the weekend. Believers came from all over North America to partake of the feast.
Knowing the time in which we live, the theme of the 2018 Canadian Field Conference was, “Enduring unto the end.” We know that Jesus is coming soon—the end is in sight; however, the devil is relentless in his attacks, and the attacks will not weaken. We are therefore encouraged to endure until the end; to fight the good fight of faith. This is not possible in our own strength, but in the strength of the Lord all things are possible.
The new Canadian Field President, John Bescec opened the conference by asking what thoughts go through your mind when you think of the word, “endure”. Endurance means to keep going when every part of your being is tired and wanting to give up, but you continue to push forward. The verses prior to Matthew 24:13 give a description of the types of people that will not endure. “Many [shall] be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matthew 24:10–12. Many of these people in this description are people who once were in the church, but became tired and discouraged, and for one reason or another left the church. Although the way may seem impossible, we know that Jesus went before us and opened up the way. We need to focus on the goal and not on the trials along the way. Jesus showed us that enduring unto the end is possible.
In the final warfare on this earth, we fill find ourselves wrestling against principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:12–13). Brother Elder Hernandez shared some thought regarding this battle. When the Apostle Paul wrote this, it was a time when there was a lot of injustice, cruelty, and unjust bloodshed on the part of the evil ruler, Nero. However, the final battle will be more deceptive. “I have been shown that evil angels in the form of believers will work in our ranks to bring in a strong spirit of unbelief. Let not even this discourage you, but bring a true heart to the help of the Lord against the powers of satanic agencies.” –Selected Messages, bk. 3, p. 410. It is a time when we need to pray more than ever for wisdom and discernment, pray for the guidance of the Lord. “The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray.” –Steps to Christ, p. 94. Darkness may be all around us, but with the Lord, we can have light.
We have been promised victory through Christ. We can be more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37). Brother Neptali Acevedo spoke of the most dangerous enemy. He quoted Dan Brown as saying, “The most dangerous enemy is that which no one fears.” This enemy may be dangerous, but we feel safe. This enemy is an infiltrated enemy within us. Almost no one fears this enemy because this enemy is “self”. Although Satan has masterminded hostile forces against God’s people in the past, the infiltrated enemy is the most dangerous because we do not fear it, but actually trust it. Although some have left the ranks of the world, they still face an internal struggle, because they are still attracted to the things of the world. Ask yourself, “Where is your heart? Your dreams and desires?” Satan has access to your life, only through your self. He cannot have any success with you, unless your self allows it. Satan cannot read your mind. We are counselled to, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5. We need to destroy the spy within. The infiltrated enemy must be put to death. “When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which
man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 324. Jesus condemned sin in the flesh. He has defeated the enemy. Our efforts to overcome should not focus on sin and Satan, but on “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31. The enemy is destroyed when you let Jesus in. Jesus’ victory can be yours.
This theme was further developed by Brother Pablo Hunger on Sabbath morning. He gave examples from history of people who endured, for example, Thomas Edison. When inventing the lightbulb, he tried 1000s of times to get it right, and did not give up. Many things may tire us out and discourage us, but we cannot give up. We are all on a journey—not a short journey of a few years, but a lifetime journey. We face challenges but must move forward. When Lot and his family departed from Sodom, Lot’s wife still had her heart in Sodom so she looked back and perished with Sodom. We are counselled to never look back. “No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62. We all have a goal we are reaching for and we must endure, and not get distracted along the way, in order to reach this goal. We will have problems, but are never to give up. The two things we are to keep in mind are, “Never give up” and “Do not look back.” Renew your covenant with the Lord, and go forward.
Sabbath afternoon was for the children and youth. After their musical presentation, Sister Margi Seely, the General Conference Education Department Leader, gave a presentation on educating our children, comparing public education with Christian education. In order for your children and young people to be able to endure until the end, they need to be properly educated. Unfortunately, the public education system has left God completely out of the picture, whereas in Christian education, He is included in every subject studied. “The Holy Scriptures were the essential study in the schools of the prophets, and they should hold the first place in every educational system, for the foundation of all right education is a knowledge of God. Used as a textbook in our schools, the Bible will do for mind and morals what cannot be done by books of science and philosophy. As a book to discipline and strengthen the intellect, to ennoble, purify, and refine the character, it is without a rival.” –Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 422
Brother Victor Handiya, visiting from Zambia, encouraged the believers to read their Bibles, look to Jesus and share the light they have given. We are to push the work forward. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. It is He that will give us the victory.
A solemn ceremony also was witnessed with the ordination of Brother Nicholas Anca, to be an elder in his local church of Calgary. Brother Anca attended three years of missionary training in Hungary, under the direction of Brother S. Gutnekcht and has worked as a missionary for 22 years. The Lord has now called him to greater responsibilities. We pray that the Lord will continue to use him as His messenger in the Canadian Field.
Brother Nicholas drew our attention to the dangers of the cares of this life (Luke 21:34; 8:14). Satan distracts some from the race by slowing them down with the cares of this life. We are not to isolate ourselves, and be busy with the things of this world. We to submit our ways and our service to the Lord similarly as our Lord and Master submitted to the Heavenly Father when He was on this earth. As we submit ourselves to the Lord, He has promised to be with us and help us in this fight. The world is our field and we must live the standard we teach if we are to be effective witnesses. The salvation of souls should take precedence over the cares of this life. We are to reach forward to the future life, which is more important than any of the cares in this world, which will soon pass away. And we must run the race with no distractions from the world if we wish to reach our goal when Jesus comes.
On Sunday morning, we witnessed six dear souls turn their backs on the things of this world and begin a new life in Christ. They buried their old lives in the watery grave of Lake Ontario, and set their feet on the heavenly pathway that leads to eternal life. They have just begun their journey; pray that they will continue to run the race to the finish line.
We are not expected to run alone. We are encouraged to help one another along the way. Brother Edwim Torres spoke of the necessity of helping each other. Firstly, there are certain things we should not help our brethren with. We are not to encourage their unbelief (Romans 11:23), or their sin (Romans 6:1–2). Secondly, there are specific ways in which we are to encourage our brothers and sisters in the endurance race. We are to help each other to endure in: love, in prayer, in correct doctrine, in the keeping of the Ten Commandments, in fellowship at church, and in witnessing. Thirdly, we encourage our fellow believers in their private lives by comforting one another, by forgiving one another, admonishing one another, and helping to restore those out of the way. Although the race is an individual race, we are to help and encourage each other to keep on running—enduring. Jesus has promised victory in the end.
Brother Renso Suarez gave the concluding thoughts on the theme, by giving a very important message on love. It is love that endureth all things. We may do many great works for the Lord and have great knowledge but without love, we will not endure. We have two choices in life. We can either exist or we can simply live. Some simply exist; they work, eat, sleep, and continue on that cycle. Others find joy in life, and live for more than simply the cycle of existence on this earth. Those who find joy in life have a love for helping others. True love does not abuse the one they claim to love. If we say we love Jesus, can we abuse Him by sinning? True love will desire to seek and save the perishing souls around them. Jesus loves you. Nothing you do makes Him love you more or less. The most happy people on earth are those who have learned of the love of Christ. Jesus said, “If ye love Me, keep My Commandments.” John 14:15
In conclusion, Brother Pablo Hunger brought our minds back to the theme of endurance. He encouraged us to remain faithful, quoting from 2 Thessalonians 3:13, “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” We had a blessed time at the conference and now it is time to go back to our home churches and face the challenges ahead. We will not be surrounded by 100’s of members, but there are millions of people around our homes who need to hear the gospel message. We need to share the good news with them. The four men who carried the man who was sick with Palsy to Jesus showed their faith by their actions. When the house was crowded, they simply went to the roof top and cut a hole in the roof so that they could let their friend meet Jesus. “When Jesus saw their faith” (Mark 2:5), He healed the sick man. The faith of all five men was honoured. They were not deterred by any obstacle. We must also not let obstacles slow us down. The Lord will always provide a way. We will all meet challenges, but “let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9
With the conference coming to a close, we all left with renewed strength and vigor to run the race and endure until the end. It is our prayer that all believers continue in this endurance race and not give up before they reach the finish line.
Amen
