NOV–DEC 2019 • VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 6CHURCHOFGOD.COM

THEGOSPEL TRUMPET

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet.” Isaiah 58:1®

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THE MOSTAMAZING BOOK

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Please request a tax receipt for donations, if so desired.This work is supported through free-will offerings.

SIS. SUSAN MUTCH | EDITOR-IN-CHIEFeditor@thegospeltrumpet.com

Editorial Index4 | THE MOST AMAZING BOOKIf the Bible is merely a book written by man, void of divine inspiration, then what an amazing group of men!

6 | GOD SENT FORTH PREACHERSGod sends forth preachers to do a work which, according to man’s judgment, seems impossible. 7 | CONVICTION OF SINConviction of sin is one of the rarest things that ever strikes a man.

8 | OPPRESSING THE DEPRESSEDWith sin surrounding man on every side, is it any wonder that so many are succumbing to depression? 10 | THE WHOLE WORLD LIETH IN WICKEDNESSAs one fully reclined in a chair, the whole world is lying in wickedness. 11 | THE CONSEQUENCES OF ATHEISMAtheism, like all worldviews, has consequences.

12 | ARMAGEDDON NEWS 13 | THE BREVITY OF LIFE How can it be that man is not more earnestly mindful of the fact that he is but traveling through this world on a swift probationary flight?

14 | OBITUARIES

As we behold the changing of the seasons once again, we also see the passing of lives from this world to the next. Two of our precious brethren, both ministers of the gospel, were recently released from their labours in this time-world to obtain their exceedingly great reward in the glories of Paradise. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord” (Rev. 14:13)! We do rejoice in our brethren’s victory, though feeling our loss. Thank God for faithful labourers! Our beloved brother was but thirty years old and left us so quickly after a very brief illness. Reader, remember the frailty of life. It can be taken from us in a sudden instance. Are you prepared?

The multitudes are far from God as the myriads applaud all manner of ungodliness and vice. The cures they offer to the suffering, broken populace but serve to further their affliction. Doubt not that there is a real devil that is the inspiration behind this mass destruction. Indeed, Satan is working with a furious intent, compelled by great wrath at knowing that his time is now very short. Be assured that the devil believes and trembles before the Almighty God ( James 2:19), and he knows that he will be thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10) at the soon coming of Jesus Christ.

Reader, believe this and AWAKE! Escape the wrath to come by escaping the spell of sin now! Refuse Satan’s opiates and revolt from his strongholds. Run for refuge in Christ and His church!

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TESTIMONIES & LETTERS

God Made the Impossible Possible Many years ago David prayed, “Hear,

O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper.” Psalm 30:10. It is such a wonderful privilege to still be able to pray to the same God and know He still hears and answers prayer. I can truly witness that the Lord is indeed our helper when we are in great need, and He never forsakes us.

Several months ago, I experienced a se-vere gallbladder attack that left me in poor health. The pain was so severe and intense, that I started losing feeling in my neck and legs. My husband was absent on a business trip at that time, but our local ministry was called to come. Those precious sisters came and prayed for me for hours, calling on the Lord to help and intervene on my behalf. Inside my body it felt like a war zone and it seemed there was no end to the terrible pain. Suddenly, the pain became bearable and I dropped onto my bed, exhausted, scared to move and afraid it would start all over again. But the Lord was so good to me and gave me a break that night. By this time, the whole church was praying for me.

Prior to this attack, I had a few basic tests done to know what was wrong in or-der to better care for myself, as I had suf-fered these attacks for years, though less severe. I now received a call concerning the test results and they were very concerned and wanted to see me immediately. I was informed that my liver, pancreas and gall-bladder were in trouble, and I had jaundice. The results showed several gallstones, one was blocking the pancreas, a large kidney stone, the common bile duct was dilated, my bilirubin was at 348 (reference range is

at <20), and much more. I was told I had no time to lose and was urged to go im-mediately to the emergency room, stat-ing that it was medically impossible to fix things without surgery. She said, “You will die waiting on a miracle.”

We looked to the Lord for a miracle. At this point, I was barely walking, still in pain and unable to eat.

During that time, I remember asking our apostles for prayer and, without fail, the Lord would send relief over and over again.Throughout the following weeks, I started to improve. He increased my faith and I claimed His promises, knowing that He is a healer, and if it was His will, He could restore my health completely.

At this juncture, I want to thank the ministry and the saints that persevered in prayer for me. I started feeling better and better. It didn’t take long and I was fully restored, full of energy, running my house-hold again and taking care of our precious children. I give God the glory for healing me! He truly made the impossible possible.

Upon seeing me a few weeks later, this same medical professional marvelled at how well I was doing. She asked if I would be willing to again do the tests to see how things looked. The results were amazing. She said when she held the results in her hands that she felt goose bumps all over her body. She stated that if any doctor would compare the before and after results, they would declare it medically impossible. One of the reports read, “The gallstones previ-ously identified are no longer evident,” and my bilirubin is now at 5.

This made me jump for joy and I re-

joice and glorify my Lord and Saviour. It’s an overwhelming feeling to know that the God of heaven hears our cry. I will forever be grateful for His divine touch. Most of all, that He died for my sins and washed me clean and brought me to His wonderful church.

“O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.” Psalm 30:2.

Sis. Julia Hildebrandt Ontario, Canada

God Stopped the GrowthI believe that too many times we are

not glorifying God enough for the miracles He has done and still does for us.

I thank the Lord for stopping a very fast growing pterygium growth in my eyes. According to the optometrist, I would lose my vision in 3 years. Already having irrita-tion in my eyes, I did not look forward to losing my sight in my early thirties.

Troubled, I went and told our apostle, Susan Mutch, about it. She said she would pray that God would stop the growth. Trusting in our almighty God and believ-ing He could help, we looked to Him. Be-fore the optometrist’s predicted time that my sight would be lost, the growth stopped, and the discomfort ceased. Anumber of years have since passed, and now, at age 40, I am still enjoying comfortable eyes and good vision.

It’s wonderful to trust the Lord for body and soul. To God be the glory for re-storing His church which has taught me to trust Him in all things and for allowing me to be a little part of it. Sis. Anna Unger

Ontario, Canada

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Editor-in-Chief: Sis. Susan MutchGerman Dept.: Sis. Doreen ErtmerRussian Dept.: Bro. Waldemar Anselm

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Godly Sorrow and RepentanceActs 3:19; 17:30, 2 Cor. 7:10The New Birth–a Radical Conversion John 3:3-7Freedom from Sin/A Holy Life1 Jn. 5:18, Lk. 1:73-75, Tit. 2:11-12Entire Sanctification–a Second Cleansing1 Thess. 5:23, Act 15:8-9 Unity of God’s People/One ChurchJohn 17:21, Matt. 16:18Divine Healing James 5:14-15, Isa. 53:5OrdinancesMt. 28:19-20, Jn. 13:14-15, 1 Cor. 11:23-26Plain, Modest DressDt. 22:5, 1 Tim. 2:9-10, 1 Cor. 11:14-15Sanctity of MarriageMt. 19:5-6, Mk. 10:11-12, Lk. 16:18, Rom. 7:2-3Non-Violence Luke 3:14; 6:27-29; 18:20Restoration (Sounding 7th Trumpet) Rev. 10:7; 11:15Eternal Punishment or Reward Matt. 25:46

THE BIBLE TEACHES:

This definite, radical, anti-sectarian holiness pa-per is published in the name of the Lord for the edification of the church of God. Its mission is to point souls to full salvation through Christ and to expose the errors of spiritual Babylon (false reli-gion). We desire this paper to be used as a sharp instrument in the hands of the Lord, breaking the spiritual silence in this time of restoration.

This publishing work is supported through free-will offerings. Biblical quotes are from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. We reserve the right to edit or decline any material and are not responsible for the return of any items. Articles printed in this publication are used on the merit of the truth contained therein and should not nec-essarily be understood as a commendation of the writer. The Gospel Trumpet Publishing Co. and its subsidiaries are operated under the authority of the General Ministerial Body of the Church of God.

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SIS. SUSAN MUTCH

THE MOST

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Skeptics seek to discredit the Bible as a divine revelation. This they do for they are loathe to believe in the existence of a God requiring their obedience, else how can they sin with impunity? Time magazine stated that “Atheists can’t wait to prove the whole thing is a fairy tale.” Their waiting will be futile.

Let them hurl a barrage of vain reasonings against the sacred writings if they must–the Bible will stand unshaken while their humanist darts shatter and fall to the ground.

Furthermore, if the humanists were right in thinking that the Bible is merely a book written by man, void of divine inspiration, they ought to

showcase it as the greatest attestation to the power of man! What an amazing book! Perhaps it ought to be their manifesto. Consider what manner of men those writers must have been, for…

• The biblical history is accurate–some of which was recorded hundreds of years before the actual events! This includes the foretelling of the fall and rise of empires. What a marvel! How far-sighted can mortal man get?!

• The forty writers of this volume lived over a span of about 1,500 years. Despite coming from different times, cultures, and strata of life, their writings are strikingly unified, without contradictions. Have you ever known such a like-minded group of writers? Perhaps there is a special secret here we have yet to discover.

• Its humanitarian message has the power to soothe the human heart, spreading love and

comfort to all. The writer exhorts us to remember the poor and the widows, go the second mile for others, and love one another–even your enemies! Be forgiving, treat others as you would appreciate being treated. If followed, these teachings, and the many more in the Bible, will produce harmony among mankind. Violence would cease and wars would be no more!

How compassionate, forbearing, and loving the man who penned such ideologies! His writings need to fill the earth! Get this book of man out! And if these excellent precepts were embodied in his living, then behold the man and follow him!

German philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein, stated, “If a man could write a book on Ethics which really was a book on Ethics, this book [the Bible] would, with an explosion, destroy all the books in the world.”

If the Bible were to be read through the eyes of one who viewed it simply as the product of mortal man, they ought to marvel at such men. Their cumulative wisdom, knowledge, and understanding is unsurpassed. This group of writers has succeeded in creating the world’s best-selling, most enduring and distributed book, making them worthy of the highest accolade for both literary and humanitarian excellence.

An honest reader must conclude that they wrote under divine inspiration.

I will conclude with the words of Erwin Lutzer: “Perhaps the reason for the Bible’s longevity can be found not in the men who wrote it, but in the God who inspired it.”

THE MOST AMAZING BOOK

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T[Twenty] centuries have now passed away since God sent forth a few Jews from a remote corner of the earth, to do a

work which, according to man’s judgment, must have seemed impossible. He sent them forth at a time when the whole world was full of superstition, cruelty, lust, and sin. He sent them forth to proclaim that the established religions of the earth were false and useless, and must be forsaken. He sent them forth to persuade men to give up old habits and customs, and to live different lives. He sent them forth to do battle with the most grovelling idolatry, with the vilest and most disgusting immorality, with vested interests, with old associations, with a bigoted priesthood, with sneering philosophers, with an ignorant population, with bloody-minded emperors, with the whole influence of Rome. Never was there an enterprise to all appearance more quixotic and less likely to succeed!

And how did He arm them for this battle? He gave them no carnal weapons. He gave them no worldly power to compel

assent, and no worldly riches to bribe belief. He simply put the Holy Ghost into their hearts, and the Scriptures into their hands. He simply bade them to expound and explain, to enforce and to publish the doctrines of the Bible.

The preacher of Christianity in the first century was not a man with a sword and an army to frighten people, like Mahomet, or a man with a license to be sensual, to allure people, like the priests of the shameful idols of Hindostan. No! He was nothing more than one holy man with one holy book.

And how did these men of one book prosper? In a few generations they entirely changed the face of society by the doctrines of the Bible. They emptied the temples of the heathen gods. They famished idolatry or left it high and dry like a stranded ship. They brought into the world a higher tone of morality between man and man. They raised the character and position of woman. They altered the standard of purity and decency. They put an end to many cruel and bloody customs, such as the gladiatorial fights.

There was no stopping the change. Persecution and opposition were useless. One victory after another was won. One bad thing after another melted away.

Whether men liked it or not, they were insensibly affected by the movement of the new religion, and drawn within the whirlpool of its power. The earth shook, and their rotten refuges fell to the ground. The flood rose, and they found themselves obliged to rise with it. The tree of Christianity swelled and grew, and the chains they had cast round it to arrest its growth snapped like tow.

And all this was done by the doctrines of the Bible! Talk of victories indeed! What are the victories of Alexander, and Cæsar, and Marlborough, and Napoleon, and Wellington, compared with those I have just mentioned? For extent, for completeness, for results, for permanence, there are no victories like the victories of the Bible._________________________

J.C. RYLE (1816-1900)

God Sent ForthPREACHERS

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“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for. Charles Spurgeon

“Christians alone are in a position to rescue the perishing. We dare not settle down to try to live as if things were “normal.” Nothing is normal while sin and lust and death roam the world, pouncing upon one and another till the whole population has been destroyed. A.W. Tozer

“Five minutes inside eternity and we will wish that we had sacrificed more, wept more, bled more, grieved more, loved more, prayed more, and given more!!! Leonard Ravenhill

“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation.” 2 Corinthians 7:10

CONVICTION OF SIN IS ONE OF THE RAREST THINGS THAT EVER STRIKES A MAN. It is the threshold of an understanding of God. Jesus Christ said that when the Holy Spirit came He would convict of sin, and when the Holy Spirit rouses a man’s conscience and brings him into the presence of God, it is not his relationship with men that bothers him, but his relationship with God—“against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight.”

Conviction of sin, the marvel of forgiveness, and holiness are so interwoven that it is only the forgiven man who is the holy man. He proves he is forgiven by being the opposite to what he was, by God’s grace. Repentance always brings a man to this point: “I have sinned.” The surest sign that God is at work is when a man says that and means it. Anything less than this is remorse for having made blunders, the reflex action of disgust at himself.

The entrance into the kingdom is through the panging pains of repentance crashing into a man’s respectable goodness. Then the Holy Ghost, who produces these agonies, begins the formation of the Son of God in the life. The new life will manifest itself in conscious repentance and unconscious holiness, never the other way about.

The bedrock of Christianity is repentance. Strictly speaking, a man cannot repent when he chooses. Repentance is a gift of God. The old Puritans used to pray for “the gift of tears.” If ever you cease to know the virtue of repentance, you are in darkness. Examine yourself and see if you have forgotten how to be sorry.

OSWALD CHAMBERS

Conviction of Sin

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OPPRESSING THEDEPRESSED

SIS. EDEL NEUFELD

Continued on Page 15

drug was originally tested as a treatment for high blood pressure, but failed to per-form as hoped. Subsequently, the company planned to use the drug as an anti-obesity pill, but the drug proved unsuccessful again. When the drug was tested on those hospi-talized for depression and those diagnosed with psychosis, it only made some worse. Finally, the drug was tested on five people with mild depression. When all five seemed to respond positively, the drug was widely

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marketed as a wonder drug to alleviate de-pression. So successfully was Prozac mar-keted, that people were requesting the drug by name the first day it launched.4 In the United States, the company reached $350 million in sales in the first year alone.

Today, Prozac is still one of the most frequently prescribed antidepressants. But the drug has failed to live up to its advertising as a safe wonder drug. People committed suicide after taking this “happiness in a pill.” A common link has been found between mass shootings and antidepressant use. Following extensive trials, the FDA admitted that drugs like Prozac increase the risk of suicide, violence, and homicide in all ages. In 2004, the FDA issued a black box warning, its strictest warning, for nine different antidepressants, of which Prozac is one. Nevertheless, antidepressant use is soaring in every country around the world. And while the masses suffer, the pharmaceutical companies rake in the dollar bills as they dispense pills that can never cure the problem.

But there is One who has always taken note of the downcast and oppressed. The Israelites had suffered under the Egyptians. Fathers had watched helplessly as their sons were ripped from their wives’ bosoms. Brides had bandaged the bleeding backs of their husbands. From generation to generation, the Israelite nation served under hard taskmasters. Many eyes had lost their sparkle. Many hearts had grown weary and melancholy under the daily oppressions.

But the day of their deliverance drew nigh. God told Moses, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people and have heard

Dawn came slowly, illuminating the world with the morning’s first rays. But the golden gleams could not diffuse the darkness I felt. I knew morning had come and I must face another day. But still, I nestled myself deeper into the blanket and closed my eyes, wishing I could escape reality a little longer in unconscious sleep. The familiar sound of small, scurrying feet reached the bedroom. My two-year-old had woken up. The duties of the day awaited me, but I lingered as long as I could. Every small task seemed overwhelming, every inconvenience a tremendous frustration. Engulfed by a perpetual emptiness, I longed for something I knew not how to define. Guilt assailed me as I lay awake at night, fatigued but unable to sleep. Guilt over another day lived in vain. Guilt over my inability to be the person I wished to be as I struggled through the overpowering feelings of discouragement.

DEPRESSION. Although it is experienced differently and in varying degrees, this is far from the only one who has suffered under its torment. More than 300 million people around the world suffer from depression, according to the World Health Organization. In the past years, these numbers have dramatically increased, making depression the leading cause of disability worldwide. 1 On average, a suicide occurs every 40 seconds. In fact, suicide has become the second leading cause of death among young people. 2

This world has perhaps never been more conducive to depression. Sin, the cause of humanity’s first tear, has never been as unrestrained or tolerated as it is today. We are surrounded on every side by the promotion of sin, from the classroom curricula presented to us when young to the doctor-assisted suicide offered to us when old. The devil has set up a thousand and one forms of oppression, and his envoys have faithfully ensured the bondage of the masses.

And while we wrestle with life’s hardships, Satan delights in separating us from each other. Never has humanity been more dissociated from each other. Although today’s technology has enabled us to be more plugged in and readily-connected than ever before, we are lonelier than we’ve

ever been. No longer can we draw help from the village in rearing our children. Past are the days of companionship with our neighbours. ’Tis the day of disposable relationships, when it is a rarity to see a couple grow old together after the “I do’s.” A social life mainly consists of catching up via an assortment of devices and social media, where each is pressured to keep up a polished online image. And if our technological devices weren’t isolating us enough, an array of prejudices prevail that have successfully separated us from our fellow-men. And thus, we face life’s disappointments and difficulties largely bereft of the authentic friendships that would offer the support we need to overcome life’s many challenges. Is it any wonder then that so many are succumbing to depression?

Not knowing where to find help for life’s hardships, over 40 million people, 12 years and older, are turning to antidepres-sants in the United States alone.3 Antide-pressants first became popular in the 80’s when Eli Lilly, a pharmaceutical company, developed a drug they named Prozac. The

This world has perhaps never been more conducive to depression. Sin, the cause of humanity’s first tear, surrounds us on every side. It is promoted from the classroom curricula presented to us when young to the doctor-assisted suicide offered to us when old.

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IT HAPPENED INCREMENTALLY …or it could not have happened at all–that social swing, that reconditioning of the collective mind, that losing of society’s moral conscience. Oh, yes, it happened incrementally–a slight chipping away, a little tap, tap, tapping on long-standing societal proprieties and sensitivities. The media stealthily did its work. Do you remember the old black and white televisions that invaded our homes? Quite the invention, right? I say, quite the venue. Whatever the chosen channel, Hollywood crept in with its immoral agenda. We watched, and we listened, and we started

to conform. The billboards, the books, the movies, the music–they all worked as one insidious beast to break down any bastions of godliness in the people.

We hardly knew what was upon us. Whirlwind-like influences shook until things were turned so up-side-down that people do not know what right-side-up is anymore.

With multitudes donning green, red, or purple hair, tattoos, very revealing clothing–the streets of our towns and cities look incredibly different now! Politicians march front and centre in LGBTQ Pride parades. (Forty years ago, one might guess LGBTQ to stand for Little Girls’ Bastketball Team Quest.) The madness is

further advanced by governments in some places that will now take children away from parents who seek to dissuade their child from any homosexual/transgender leanings. Christian parents are especially suspect.

Consider, if you will, this spiritual law: When a person sins, that sin will make room for another…and another, and so on it goes. The sins committed in the 1960s were the seed for a harvest in the ensuing decades. Oh, the proliferation of evil! Out of it vomits the Jeffrey Epsteins of the land. Yet, Mr. Epstein’s pedophilia and sexual trafficking is but a small indicator of the

cesspool of corruptions behind the closed doors of the rich and powerful elite.

Indeed, the whole world lieth in wickedness! As one fully reclined in a chair, the multitudes have given themselves over to all manner of sin. They lay back, seemingly content to have lost their footing, though they have landed in the mire. Enslaved to their lusts and emboldened by their numbers, the unregenerate mass even calls for the sacrifice of Innocence, saying, “Give us the children!” Educators, psychologists, librarians, judges, entertainers, and governments heed the call. With a murdererous drive, they work furiously, changing school curriculums, changing laws, changing minds. Unsuspecting and

“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” 1 John 5:19 

defenseless children are groomed for the sacrifice. The number of victims to Molech’s altar pale by comparison.

Some even insist on the fruit of their own womb joining them in their miry repose, as though it were a new kind of love. Other parents, not having joined the maddened crowd and longing to protect the innocence and dignity of their children, fight to protect them from the darkened regions of sin and hurtful lusts. “To the courts, with you!” the voice from the corrupted mass cries. The courts, predictably compliant, pass the sentence–the parent is guilty of abuse against his child by resisting their participation in the popular agenda of Satan.

This is 2019 and the whole world is lying in wickedness! The cup of God’s

wrath is soon to spill over. Jesus Christ is returning in flaming fire to take vengeance on them that obey not His gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8). And we, who know that we are of God (1 John 5:19), sound forth this urgent warning to this sin-laden generation: “Awake to righteousness, and sin not”! “Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.” Ezekiel 18:30b.

O that the multitudes would awaken from their sinful sleep! This vain life will soon be over, and all will be leaving this world to meet their Creator and Judge. It is time to arise, and prepare to meet God!

“O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord”! Jeremiah 22:29.

The Whole WorldLieth in Wickedness

SIS. SUSAN MUTCH

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Atheism, like all worldviews, has consequences. Worldviews have destinations. They are courses that carry us on to some arrival point, whether that point is good or bad. Therefore, the most important question in life that we could ask ourselves is, “Where is my worldview taking me?” What does your worldview presuppose? What does it give place to? If you were thoroughly honest, would evil people be able to adapt your worldview to justify their evil deeds? If you are an atheist who desires to be sound in your reasoning, you would have to say, “Yes.”

“Wait a minute,” you may say, “Have there not been individuals in history who have committed evil deeds in the name of Christianity, such as the crusades and inquisitions?”

Of course. Sad to say, much has been done in His name that has nothing to do with Him or His true people. However, the consequences of your atheistic worldview deprive you of your ability to even judge such matters. If there really is no God, no Supreme Judge who governs us, who are you (or anyone for that matter) to say it is wrong to slaughter thousands of people in the name of Christianity? In fact, who are you to say that anything that anyone does is right or wrong? If there is no Judge who has set a Judgment Day to punish the wrong and reward the right, what value is there to supposed “wrong” or “right?” What good reason would we have to endeavor to be right and avoid wrong, if indeed it is ourselves and not One Supreme Being who defines right from wrong?

You see, the consequences of atheism actually destroy the concept of consequences. If people are brought to actually believe that there is no God who defines morality, that they themselves define it, and that there is no Judge who will punish or reward them for the wrong or right they do, they will fundamentally (even if not consciously) suppose there are no consequences

to their actions. A society that is inoculated with such a belief is a dangerous society–and that is, increasingly, our society.

“I don't believe there is a God. I live as I please, without any control from another. I define what is right and what is wrong for me. Truth is relative, depending on people and circumstances. There is no life after this; when we die, that is all there is.”

This is the creed that has indoctrinated this generation. It is exactly what has led us to believe that there are no consequences to our actions, yet the consequences are devastating. This creed is what lodges in the hearts of all liars, oppressors, murderers, and the immoral.

“They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?” Psalm 64:5.

In other words, “Where are the consequences? Where is the Supreme Judge of my actions?” Perhaps you are an atheist who feels you are a good, moral person; that you have not done wrong to anyone, but are you really the exception? Even if you are right, would the worldview, the course, the destination of atheism allow you to stay that way?

The Consequencesof Atheism

Atheism, like all worldviews, has consequences.

BRO. CHRIS LEPELLEY

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SIS. SUSAN MUTCH

REPORTED BY BRO. DANIEL EICHELBERGER

ARMAGEDDON NEWS

Babylon never ceases to amaze. From one shocking revelation of a debased and immoral society to another, we are carried along. Of which do we write? Is there ink enough in the world to pen it all? Is there paper enough? There is a definite “no” to this last question by the modern-day earth worshipping crowd. Never in history has mankind been so bent upon its own de-struction. They are saving the whales while killing the unborn.

This is the slaughter that is Armaged-don, where the souls of men are so much chattel to be used and abused for a godless agenda. Anyone and everyone is expend-able to advance the cause of sin.

Personal Heroes and Modern-day Saints?

The very Reverend Katherine Han-cock Ragsdale, an Episcopal priest, was re-cently awarded the prestigious position of President and CEO of the National Abor-tion Federation (NAF), a pro-abortion organization. Ragsdale, who is openly gay and married to a fellow female priest, had served as the interim president of NAF since September, 2018.

Apparently, Ragsdale has quite the credentials for becoming the organization’s 6th president since 1977. In a press release from NAF, the organization stated, “Ragsdale has preached about how abortion is a blessing and has been active in clinic defense work and other activities to support abortion providers for more than 35 years.”

In response to her position being made permanent, Ragsdale gushed, “It has been a great privilege to lead this organization for the last year and work alongside the incredible and dedicated NAF board, staff, and membership. Abortion providers are some of my personal heroes and modern-day saints. It is an honor to be able to serve

and support NAF members as they provide compassionate healthcare amid increasing attacks and challenges.”

With heroes and saints like those, we tremble to know what demons are like. Surely, the insatiable fires of the belly-god Moloch burn still.

20 Percent by 2025

“The role of television in changing hearts and minds has never been more important.” This is the blatant admission of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) in their recent re-port, Where We Are on TV 2019 – 2020. In its report, the organization details sur-vey findings that LGBTQ characters are underrepresented on the screen. “So this year,” they state, “we are issuing a new chal-lenge. GLAAD is calling on the industry to ensure that 20 percent of series’ regular characters on primetime scripted broadcast series are LGBTQ by 2025.”

The report also mentions the strides children’s programming is making toward incorporating the LGBTQ agenda. Well-known cartoons such as “Arthur” and “My Little Pony” received honorable mention for episodes depicting same-sex couples.

Currently, a record 10.2% of regular characters on primetime shows are LG-BTQ.

Need any more prompting? Get rid of your TV.

Save the Planet!

“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.” Genesis 1:28. Such was the good counsel of the Creator to our first parents. But, according to 11,000 sci-entists from all over the world, this is bad advice. The Alliance of World Scientists

is very alarmed about climate change, and they are making no bones about doling out ways to slow it. One of their suggestions?

You guessed it: population control.According to a statement on their web

page, scientistswarning.org, “Adding mil-lions more carbon emitters to the planet every week places a greater burden on all other solutions to climate change we might employ. Stabilising population enhances their benefits.” To back up this statement, they refer us to Project Drawdown, an analysis of ways to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and avoid climate catastrophe.

“The Project Drawdown analysis of available and workable policy measures to minimize global greenhouse gas emissions ranks family planning and educating girls among the top 10. It found that together, they would reduce projected CO2 emis-sions by 120 gigatons by 2050—more than onshore and offshore wind power com-bined.”

Project Drawdown itself states on its webpage that 45% of pregnancies in the United States alone are unintended. But they aren’t seeking government mandated attempts at population control. Rather, they are encouraging more access to healthcare provisions for women and empowering them with control and equality in repro-ductive health.

There you have it, dear reader. Abortion and contraception are keys to fighting cli-mate change. Can’t have too many people, uh, carbon emitters, breathing, polluting, or otherwise eroding the soil. The answer has been staring us in the face all along.

O foolish world drowning in sin and

oblivious to the righteous judgment of God! The fierceness of His wrath is come upon you, and who shall be able to stand?

THE GOSPEL TRUMPET | 13

Man’s existence: Think about it for a moment. Here on earth, the measure of his existence is scripturally described as an “handbreadth” or a “vapor,” and the rapid-ity of its flight as “swifter than a weaver’s shuttle” or “as a tale that is told.” At its very longest then, man’s earthly existence is exceedingly short, and sooner rather than later, he is summoned to leave behind his puny, little heap of trea-s u r e s – h i s money in the bank, his sports car in the garage, his yacht in the marina, his Persian rugs in the living room, his china in the cabinet, his execu-tive seat in the company, and all else he has attained to during his brief existence here on earth.

Behold now, as he enters the portals

of timelessness to an unchanging, never-ending existence in the realms of eternity. Eternity. Oh, solemn thought! It is immeasurable, even unfathomable! Despite its incalculability, assume a thought-provoking argument similar to that used by Philip Yancey: How utterly absurd and contrary to reason, that man should spend most of his time and energy in pursuing,

building up, and embracing the earthly, the temporal,

the perishable which makes up (for the sake of human reasoning) a mere 1% of his existence! Grasp it, if you can, that the remaining 99% of his existence takes place in eternity! How can it be, that he prepares so meagerly for his “long home!” How can it be that he is not more earnestly mindful

of the fact that he is but traveling through this world (how much furniture does a traveler need?) on a swift probationary flight?

“Pilgrims, don’t drive your stakes too deep. We’re leaving in the morning.”

“Treasures in heaven are laid up only as treasures on earth are laid down.”

“But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.” 1 Cor. 7:29-31.

The Brevity of Life

Man’s earthly existence is exceedingly short, and sooner rather than later, he is summoned to

leave behind his puny, little heap of treasures.

SIS. ELFIE TOVSTIGA

14 | THE GOSPEL TRUMPET

SIS. HILDE GRÖTZINGER of Germany was carried away by the angels into eternal rest on October 4, 2019, at the age of 66. She is now resting in Abraham’s bosom, forever out of reach from the fiery darts of the enemy.

Sis. Hilde was saved at an early age. In 1990, she found the true church of God and happily took her stand with His people. She

was privileged to partake in the beginning work of restoration in Germany and rejoiced to see many find the home of their souls.

In the year 2000, our beloved sister felt called to preach

and labored faithfully for the Lord. Having a great burden for the Russian-speaking countries, she assisted in several mission trips to the Ukraine, Latvia, and Russia. She also helped with the translation of the Russian Gospel Trumpet and was one of the founding teachers of our congregational school in Germany. She faithfully taught for many years, her burden for the spiritual well-being of her students being very evident.

Though Sis. Hilde suffered severely near the end of her life, she patiently endured, looking steadfastly to the hope that was before her. Surely, this beloved and faithful soldier of the cross fought a good fight and kept the faith. She proved, both in life and in death, that God is able to carry us through every difficulty.

Although we are deeply grieved by our loss, we rejoice that, through the grace of God, she triumphed over all of the sorrows of life and is now enjoying the ineffable glories of Paradise along with the saints of all ages. “There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest” ( Job 3:17)!

OBITUARIES

BRO. HELMUT SCHMIDT of Austria was received into Paradise on October 26, 2019, at the age of 30. He walked with God, and is not, because God took him.

Our beloved brother passed peacefully after a very brief illness. He simply smiled, then departed this lower world to embrace the superlative glories of heaven.

In recent months, he had expressed a particularly strong desire to go and be with His Lord and Saviour.

Bro. Helmut experienced full salvation at a young age and

was radically changed, forsaking his old sinful life to walk with God in holiness.

He threw himself into evangelical work without reserve, preaching the Word of God and composing and translating hundreds of songs. As a leader of a singing group, he sang with passion and zeal, his longing for heaven often being expressed in his songs.

Bro. Helmut felt responsible for the lost world and testified of the joys of salvation at work and on the streets. He took part in mission trips in America, Asia, and Europe.

Our brother’s heavenly living and excellent example made a deep impression on all who were privileged to meet him. Even now, his life is yet speaking.

Though we mourn the loss of such a holy man of God, we weep not as those who have no hope. To die is gain for the Christian. We rejoice in our brother’s victorious crossing and know that we shall meet again.

Minister of the Gospel

Minister of the Gospel

THE GOSPEL TRUMPET | 15

United States of America California (Ontario): Bro. Ernest Benion, Jr. (909) 559-2203

Illinois (Chicago): Bro. Byron Benion (815) 530-3078

IndianaVevay: Bro. Lonnie Bontrager (812) 571-3341Warsaw: Bro. Steve Hargrave (260) 433-7637

OhioColumbus: Bro. Addison Everett (918) 315-0494Greenville: Bro. Ray Tinsman (937) 670-9606

OklahomaOklahoma City: Bro. Markus Tovstiga (405) 802-3442

Texas (Honey Grove): Bro. John Friesen (903) 378-3097

WisconsinCecil: Bro. Allen Bontrager (715) 509-0000

CanadaAlberta (Lethbridge): Bro. Peter Braun (403) 915-3804

Manitoba (Steinbach): Bro. Jacob Braun (204) 326-5338

Ontario Aylmer: Bro. Henry Hildebrandt (519) 765-2331Leamington: Bro. Thomas Tovstiga (519) 854-2141

Austria (Wald am Arlberg) (0650) 760-2990

Bolivia Bro. John Hildebrandt 591 7 103 5578

Germany Meinersen Kr. Gifhorn: Bro. Alexander Kähm (05372) 67 66

Ireland Bro. Patrick O’Shea, Sr. 353 89 250 8966

Kenya Bro. Jackson Murithi Mwira 254 0710 172 189

MexicoBaja California: Mission Home (646) 117-3042Chihuahua: Bro. John Redecop (625) 283-6889 Durango: Bro. Aaron Braun (677) 100-6335 Guadalajara: Bro. Isaac Thiessen (677) 879-4572Zacatecas: Bro. Jacob Zacharias (671) 101-7479

Nepal Kathmandu: Bro. Binod Mandal (985) 103-3542Janakpur: Bro. Sanjeev Yadav (981) 624-2640

PhilippinesMarinduque: Bro. Bernard Lustado Santa CruzMindanao: Sis. Cherry Pacauncis Kalilangan, BukidnonLuzon: Bro. Josefino Faustino Quezon City, Manila Bro. Eduardo Rodil Marikina City Sis. Myrna Luzong Paniqui, Tarlac Sis. Myrna Nuguid Apalang

Contactstheir cry.” The Lord raised Moses up to be the people’s deliverer and sent him to Pharaoh with one message: “Let my people go” (Exo. 3:7)! He, of course, had no intention of letting such profitable slaves go. But the Lord’s will was stronger than the stubbornness of Pharaoh’s heart. The Lord had seen the people’s affliction. He had determined to deliver. Pharaoh had to let His people go, even if it took plagues of frogs, hail, darkness, and death to accomplish the exodus.

The Lord’s compassions have not failed even to our day. He has taken note of Satan’s oppressions. He has heard the cry of the millions who, in their anguish and desperation, seek to find respite in the form of mind-numbing pills with an array of side effects.

The Lord has not failed to see how wickedness is being promoted and facilitated in this world, ever deepening the pain of humanity. He is not oblivious to the many ways in which governments, businesses, and kings of the earth have been exploiting this pain to make enormous profits. Not content with only taking advantage of the multitudes, they further devise oppressions that will multiply their gain.

But the day of deliverance draws nigh for the heavy-laden of our day. God has restored His church in this end-time, replete with a ministry having a message of hope and deliverance for the groaning masses. “Let my people go!” The time has come for the multitudes to join themselves to Moses and defy their oppressors. The merchants of the earth will harden their hearts and do their utmost to hold on to their subjects, but we declare to those who have waxed rich by the exploitation of man, that the time has come to let the people go. We proclaim to every soul who has become depressed under the yoke of sin, that God is a Deliverer to all who will seek Him and offers refuge to all, in His true church.

A land flowing with milk and honey awaits. A place where the bondage of sin is broken; where none fight the battles of life alone, but is joined by a host that fights as one man for every brother and sister; a land where broken hearts and broken lives find healing. In this kingdom, happiness does not come in the form of a capsule, but rather, peace and joy prevail as the natural outflow of salvation, purchased for us by the powerful blood of the Lamb!

The Lord will prevail, even if it takes plagues of death, and mourning, and famine. He is freeing people from their oppressors, spoiling them as they go. And as the merchants of the earth bewail the loss of their profits, the liberated multitude will go forth rejoicing as they shout, “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!”

Footnotes:[1] www.who.int/news-room/factsheets/detail/depression[2] www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/[3] https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/11/numbers [4] https://google.ca/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/society/2007/may/13/socialcare.medicineandhealth

Continued from Page 9OPPRESSING THE DEPRESSED

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ENERO-FEB 2018 | EDICIÓN 19 “Clama a voz en cuello, no te detengas; alza tu voz como trompeta”. Isaías 58:1

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El problema del pecado El evangelio del

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“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet.” Isaiah 58:1

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JAN–FEB 2019 • VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 1

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“A man who is intimate with God is not intimidated by man.”

― Leonard Ravenhill