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THE PARLIAMENT FOR WORLD RELIGIONS

- Ignatius A le Roux

The third meeting of the Parliament for World Religions has just taken place in Cape Town from 1 to 8 December 1999. The first meeting was held in Chicago in 1893 and the second also there a century later in 1993. At that meeting it was decided to hold future meetings in a different city of the world every five years. The logical choice for the following one was to be Cape Town - to continue with what had been achieved between so many different cultures and religions previously. This is how it was explained in the Parliament which Kérugma also attended! More about that later, firstly for some:

KÉRUGMA NEWS

You have not heard from us lately, but that does not mean that Kérugma does not exist any more or that we did not regularly think about sending you the next Bulletin. We just did not touch ground. But there is good news about two more people, besides Anita Fouché the nurse from Bloemfontein, who have joined us to help us with all our commitments in their spare time. Anita came to us two years ago and devoted all her valuable time to the duplication, testing and packaging of the videos as well as many other jobs. Now Elize Fourie and Daléne Swanepoel (two Librarians) have resigned from their work, sold their houses and moved because the Lord led them to settle here. This will enable them to also help with the work here in their spare time. This is a true answer to prayer and mean a lot to us. They are presently busy applying for employment. Would you please pray with us that the Lord would provide for them in this regard.

Talking about work, part of the reason you only hear from us now is that after receiving the editing suite we previously described, we needed to go through a learning curve before we could start editing. We obtained the first of the new upgraded models, but right from the start it gave problems. Once more it was returned to Johannesburg and communication had to be established with the manufacturers in England, America and Germany. The Lord provided a local computer expert who solved the problem and thus South Africa provided the solution to the world. Although not without hiccups. We have since then worked non-stop. We worked right through the Christmas holidays, but there still remains a lot to be edited. The first Dave Hunt video was released just before Christmas. Ever since then we have been busy day and night completing a production about The Parliament of World Religions. We trust it will be available by the time you receive this Bulletin. This will be followed by the remaining Dave Hunt videos still requiring editing. Following this will be a video of a very special testimony given recently by a well-known preacher. More about that in the next Bulletin. The editing of such a video is much more timeconsuming than most people realise. The production of one such as that about the Parliament for example will take at least six weeks of editing working day and night. We mention this just so that you can understand why you have to wait patiently for certain good things.

THE PARLIAMENT

We applied for permission to attend The Parliament of World Religions as part of the media in order to produce a video about it. Permission was granted on the condition that we paid the full entrance fee. Thus my eldest son, Filip, and I went to this eight day meeting. Filip helped carry all the camera equipment. During that time he had been looking for a job for the December holidays. In retrospect we were amazed to see what the Lord led us to photograph. The Parliament hosted a substantial program of events. There were many different lectures, items and discussions that were presented simultaneously at the lecture halls such as the Cape Technikon, the University of Cape Town, the City Hall, the Civic Centre and the Good Hope Centre, etc. We had to video from early morning to late at night. The best of it all you will see on the video we are currently editing. About two weeks prior to the Parliament we heard that the well-known Reverend Soon Zevenster of Radio Tygerberg would preach about it. We approached him with a view to filming his sermon. As we started editing, we realised how accurate his research was concerning the whole Parliament movement. Initially we had planned to only show the faces of the Dalai Lama and former president Nelson Mandela when referred to in the video. In its final form it developed into a full-scale documentary video about the Parliament. You now will see and hear what those delegates said there. When Reverend Zevenster for instance talks about those who worship Mother Earth, you will see them and hear their prayers. Apart from that there are inserts about everything that is incorporated in this movement.

It is a very important production as one thing clearly came to the fore: this movement currently washes over the religious arena of the world and noopposition against it will be tolerated. Those who oppose it will just get the same treatment as everyone who has tried to swim against the tide in the political and economical field the last couple of years. It seems that those who oppose will be squashed as if they never existed.

Significant was the announcement during the Parliament that leaders of different religions will in future play a joint role at political meetings. Whether they like it or not, about one thousand religious and spiritual leaders will gather - at the urging of theSecretary-General of the United Nations - before the opening of the General Assembly in New York on 28 August 2000 for a meeting that will last a couple of days. We were also told that those who until now had not participated openly in inter-faith meetings and even those opposing it, would be there.

SPECIAL OFFER

Our desire is for you to see it and to show it to others. The video was introduced recently in anAfrikaans radio program called "Kollig op die Kerk" for the price of R75.00. The recording of the program was done quite some time in advance. Since then production has started and it is currently longer than we anticipated. Therefore the duplication costs as well as the cost per video cassette is higher. If you order it before 15 February 2000, you will get it for R75.00. Thereafter it will cost you R85.00.

SOMEONE TO PRAY FOR

Attending the World Parliament left me with various impressions. The point of view of leaders such as the director, Mr Jim Kenney, was clear. According to him they are not trying to establish a one world religion. They only strive towards establishing harmony between the different religions, as conflicts often develop because of religious differences. If peace and co-operation could be brought about between religions, it would lead to world peace. That was his point of view, but it was soon evident that many of the delegates at the Parliament came from all over the world to attend the day's meetings in search of something more. Thus there were also leaders who - as you will see on the video - clearly implied that they differ from the official viewpoint of directors Jim Kenney and Dick Ficca. According to them everybody at the Parliament was aware that they actually all worship one and the same God. There could only be real harmony, as they put it, if there was real unity. It was significant that often the work of the "Good Spirit" or the "Spirit" was referred to and much was said about the work of the "Holy Spirit", in their midst at the Parliament.

At one of the first meetings where we filmed a group who spoke in this way, I noticed a certain person. Later we met amicably and spoke a little bit. The next day he was part of an audience where they specifically spoke about the topic, the "truth". It was clearly emphasized that truth is something we only discover the day we die. One felt like calling out asking if they had never heard that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. The person I mentioned was also present. During the question time he mentioned certain things which his "holy book", as he put it, teaches. His question about truth struck me. It was as if he was desperate to learn more about the truth. The vague answers he received were just as unsatisfactory as the whole lecture.

His question stayed with me. Suddenly it occurred to me that some of the people who were there, had never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of them were there because they are searching. Many Americans, for instance, grew up in schools where religion was prohibited. They do not even know about Moses or Abraham. Let alone about the Lord Jesus. The only thing these people knew about Christianity is the appearance of the Pope on television.

After this Marina and I spoke every evening about us giving this man a Bible. Filip and I arrived home so late at night though, that we never had the opportunity to go to a bookshop. The second last day however, as I walked past my bookshelf on the way to the car, I noticed a Study Bible with a real leather cover. It was as if the Lord gave me peace to give it to this man. This specific Bible contains study notes with simple explanations and it shows the way of salvation clearly. Little did I know that this man's wife also attended the Parliament. The thought arose that I had to be careful not to give him the Bible if his wife was not with him. Up until then we had seen him almost every day and he was always glad to see us. On the way there in the car Filip and I asked the Lord specifically to grant us a meeting with the man that day.

We knew that the next day would be the closing of the Parliament where the Dalai Lama would speak and that it would be as crowded as the Sunday when former president Mandela addressed the meeting. The chances of then running into this man and presenting him with the Bible were slim. The Lord tested our faith and only at five o'clock that afternoon did we run into them. He then introduced us to his wife! What a wonderful opportunity the Lord gave us to present him with the Bible. Together we walked to the car. There I first gave him a copy of the footage we shot of him on the first day and told him that we thought he would probably like to see what it looked like. After that, I took the Bible out of the car. When his wife saw this, she called out: "O, it is holy Bible!" When she furthermore saw the leather cover, she said: "But it is a most expensive gift!" He took it with both his hands, pressed it against his chest and said: "It must be the Holy Spirit who told you to do this." I explained to him that it was indeed the Holy Spirit as I just knew deep in my heart that I had to give it to him. After that I opened it at the gospel of John and placed the ribbon there, I advised him to start reading exactly there.

I knew that he would without a doubt find that which he was looking for about the truth among other things in John 14 and 16. After that we exchanged addresses. From his business card I gathered that he has a professional career in one of the big cities of the world. He explained to me that they were from India originally, but now live in that city. And then he said to me something moving: "This is my work, see, but I only work for two days a week at the office. The rest of my time I spend searching for the truth. I also help by organising local interfaith meetings." How much time do we spend to find the truth? I then explained to him that it was for this very reason that the Holy Spirit led me to give him the Bible. He then gave his camera to his wife in order to take a photograph of him together with Filip and I.

About two weeks ago we received a Christmas card from them with one of these photographs inside!

Would you not pray with us that the Lord will save this man and his wife? Greetings in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Naas le Roux.

SEALSKINS IN THE DESERT? - Ignatius A. le Roux

In the first newsletter that we sent out we told you about our aim to launch the TABERNACLE PROJECT. From the limited amount of research we have been able to do about the tabernacle, wonderful things have emerged. We are excited about it and wish it were already available on video. Some of these things even cast light on that which we wrote about in the first newsletter. Whilst trusting it will also be an inspiration to you, we gladly share it with you.

In Exodus 25:2 the Lord tells the nation to bring freewill offerings for the building of the tabernacle. In verses 3 to 7 He tells them which items are needed. Amongst these are "ram skins dyed red and sealskins"(ASB). Where would the Israelites obtain that in the desert? In Exodus 35:21-23 we read that "everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came (and brought) blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen, or goat hair, ram skins dyed red or sealskins."

It is clear that there was a specific criterium for giving this offering, namely that each person had to settle the matter personally with the Lord. It was a freewill offering and was thus something different to tithing. In this case, it involved more. It had to do with sacrificially giving that which really belonged to you. It was costly and you felt it. The issue involved weighs so heavily on your heart that you gladly sacrifice that which you need, to be used for the work that must be done.

This is the way the nation contributed towards building the tabernacle. And "everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the LORD's contribution for the work of the tent of meeting, and for all its service, ...all whose hearts moved them, both men and women ..." (Ex.35:21,22). So, amongst other things, they also brought sealskins or "porpoise skins"(NAS).

According to Numbers 4, the sealskins were needed as a covering for the ark, the gold altar and everything touching/ concerning the tabernacle. Some Bible translators use "porpoise skins" (NAS) or "badgers' skins" (King James).

Another possibility is to translate the word with hides of sea cows or dolphins (NIV), but still the best translation would be "seal skins". Neither seal skins nor the hides of sea cows or dolphins were available in the desert. The same goes for the other items that the people had to bring as freewill offerings for building the tabernacle. They also had to bring gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn, fine linen and goat hair; ram skins dyed red, hides of sea cows and acacia wood; olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

Many of these items were tremendously important to the people. To some it was their only possessions which they had brought all the way from Egypt. Amongst these precious possessions was leather from the aquatic animals for their sandals. This leather is still used for sandals worn by the Bedouins in the Sinai desert today. Because of its strength and the fact that it is water and dust resistant, and therefore does not get hard when it dries, it would have been ideal as a covering for the tabernacle. And that is what the Lord asked of his people. That which they had brought with them from Egypt and needed for the journey through the desert, they had to bring to build the tabernacle, his house.

And they obeyed Him. We read the wonderful story about it in Exodus 36:3-7: "And they received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still continued bringing freewill offerings every morning...Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more. For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it."

The Lord honoured this obedience of the nation. Even in spite of their sin and rebellion during their wanderings through the wilderness, his blessing upon them never ceased. At the end of their path through the desert, He pointed it out to them clearly: "During the forty years that I led you through the desert, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet. (Deut.29:5). They sacrificed a lot for building the tabernacle. Amongst these offerings was their only material with which they could sew new clothes. But especially important was the sealskin leather for their sandals. With bare feet or worn out shoes they could not walk through the rough desert. Nevertheless, they spontaneously and heartily gave what the Lord asked.

This is faith! Faith is not a leap in the dark. Faith is to do that which is God's will, namely to obey when you know He is talking to you. As an example, to obey when He tells you to give to someone when He tells you to. Lack of faith first debates this to see if enough will really be left for himself, or whether maybe, he would suffer as a result of a shortage. Faith however, does not look at the waves around it. His eyes are fixed upon the One who speaks and he does that which He says, without first looking at his own circumstances. He knows that the One who speaks, is in control. He trusts that the Lord knows what He is doing and that He will provide for the next day. It was in such faith that Israel answered God's call and in obedience gave their most valuable possessions.

The wonderful message of this rings loud and clear: the sealskin with which they were to make their shoes, they gave for covering his dwelling place. In answer to this, the Lord rewarded them. He worked a miracle. Forty years later and the shoes on their feet were still not worn out. Are we not worshipping a wonderful God? Do we have this kind of faith? Do we really believe in Him?

His Son sacrificed Himself for us in obedience to his will. In Gethsemane He spoke to the Father about that which was really difficult for Him. He however knew what his Father's will was. Therefore He got up from his knees to go and do that which his Father longed for.

Today He sits at the right hand of the Father on the throne. As our High Priest He intercedes for us with the Father and lives and works by his Holy Spirit in our hearts. In this way, through His Spirit, He works out that same obedience in us as He had to the Father. Our work is to listen to what He says and to do it. When we thus believe in Him, He also gives us the power to obey Him.

Do you know this kind of obedience by faith? You can pray and ask the Lord Jesus to give it to you. He will do it. According to the Bible it is the Father's desire that every child of His regularly gives his freewill offerings (Deut.16:16; 2 Cor.9:7). The nation was so obedient to the voice of the Lord that the building material was enough for doing the work, yes, "more than enough to do all the work." (Exodus 36:7).

Is it not wonderful to see the zeal and obedience of the nation? Would it not have thrilled the heart of the Father? Moses and they could do the work and finish the tabernacle without any difficulty or shortage.

The Lord longs that every child of His will so have his work at heart and be so involved with it that there truly will be an abundance in his house. May He lead you clearly in that.

Copyright © 1999 Kérugma^® Productions. All rights reserved.
PO/Box 1367, KUILS RIVER, 7579 SOUTH-AFRICA Tel: +27 (0)21 903-1901 Fax: +27 (0)21 906-2637
E-mail: info@kerugma.org.za; http://www.kerugma.org.za/