PERSECUTION JEWELS!--No.3!       DO 2873  1/93

Winds of Adversity Help Us Fly Even Higher!

         1. Hear the wind moaning? I always liked that. Oh wow! This is absolutely marvelous! Thank You Jesus! It gives you such a peaceful feeling to see those birds soaring in the wind. They don't mind it. They're taking advantage of it; it helps them soar better without much effort. It's like the winds of adversity and persecution--they help us soar better and fly higher without so much self-effort. Like the Lord has done with all of our recent victories--in spite of all the persecution, we fly even higher! Thank You Jesus! Praise the Lord! In fact, even because of our adversities we're flying higher and easier, just like the birds do against the wind. That's a good illustration.
         2. The wind is blowing so strong the birds can almost hover motionless in the air! See? That's like the Lord does with us. When He blows the strong wind of adversity, it may stop us sometimes, but it also makes us float higher easily without any self-effort. So even though the wind seems strong sometimes, it's good for us and helps us fly even higher. Thank You Lord!

Prayer for the Persecution!

         3. Bless Thy Family today, Lord. Keep them here and everywhere and make them a blessing as they spread Thy love around the world. Make each of these attacks of the Enemy work out for good and to publicize Thy message and Thy love, giving the world an example of real Christianity, real love. Thank You for our wonderful young people and such good fruit! May they be a strong witness and testimony for Thy glory in each case.--In Jesus' name, amen.

Persecution Will Backfire in the End!

         4. Our enemies use all of their lies and bad publicity from the media to stir up public sentiment against you, so that the System feels that the public is ready for them to attack you. Or if the System attacks you before the public has been thoroughly propagandized against you, then they work overtime to smear you in the media in order to justify their attack against you. The process hasn't changed since the days of Jesus' betrayal, false trial and unjust execution.--All to persuade the mobs and the general public that He was not a prophet and not the Messiah. But it sort of backfired when He rose from the dead. Thank the Lord! Well, it may not backfire fully on them until Jesus returns and we rise from the dead; then we'll give them theirs!

Jesus' Enemies Filled with Envy!

         5. It says that Jesus' enemies were filled with envy (Mat.27:18). They envied the Christians because they wished they had what the Christians had.

History Repeats Itself!

         6. You have to be careful that you don't tell the Enemy too much, even about what you know about him. It just isn't wise to let him know how much you know--like opposing intelligence agencies sharing information with each other. However, sometimes for the sake of giving information to you, the Family, we have to operate contrary to that principle. If it is important for you to know about something, we just trust the Lord that He will take care of the consequences, even if it means that our enemies will eventually get their hands on it too.
         7. Our relationship to the government is just exactly like Jesus and His relationship to the government. The Roman government didn't even want to touch His case, but His enemies forced them into it. Pilate didn't even want to hear the case or have anything to do with it. He rightly told them it was not really his business, and as far as he could see, Jesus hadn't done anything wrong. But the [Scribes and Pharisees and Chief Priests] insisted. They were determined to get Him and they were determined to make the government responsible. (See Luke. 23:1-23.)
         8. There's nothing that's happening now that hasn't happened before. It all follows the same pattern. The Devil's own agents follow the same procedures and try to trap God's people with false accusations and smear them with bad publicity, and then accuse them of breaking laws, bringing them before the courts and trying to convict them, punish them and even kill them.
         9. It wasn't the Roman government that was Jesus' enemy, it was the devilish religious zealots. That religious system was certainly of the Devil--ruled and controlled by the Devil! (John 8:44). So things haven't changed much today, except that the Devil is getting more subtle and deceitful and adept at hiding his true identity. Overtly religious systems are pretty smart in concealing any dirty work they do against us and inspiring the government to do it for them, just as they did in Jesus' day.
         10. I think we are aware of these things, and I hope our people are learning from past history and the Bible that the Devil hasn't changed his tactics any. They're just new subjects and new accusations, but he usually works in the same way with the same procedures. He tries to stir up the public against us with bad publicity, and tries to make the government ashamed for not doing something in his attempt to sic the reluctant officials on us.
         11. Yesiree, I'll tell you, those ACs and our enemies are certainly of their father the Devil--liars and the fathers of it! It shows you what terrific impact and influence we're having on his evil business by exposing his dirty tricks.--And the ACs hate exposure! They try to pose as being so self-righteous, religious, upright and moral, just like the Scribes and Pharisees and Chief Priests did in Jesus' day. Whereas, as Jesus finally told them off publicly, they were "whited sepulchers full of dead men's bones!" They could wash the outside of the platter, but the inside was filthy! (Mat.23:25-28).
         12. Boy, in that last week just before His crucifixion, Jesus really let them have it, and they were furious! They were determined to kill Him then! They thought that by killing Him they could shut Him up. Instead of that, what they did to Him saved the world and assured the ACs' defeat. And that's how it's happening to us. But the Lord will always use it to His glory and it will always work out for good. "All things work together for good to them that love the Lord" (Rom.8:28). Praise the Lord! Thank You Lord!
         13. We're having a real effect now in much higher places and circles of power than we ever had before! We've had publicity, and we've had attacks in the past, but we've never been forced into such close examination and into such a powerful witness with the high and mighty as we have recently. (Maria: And it's amazing how the Lord allowed it to start with what seemed like some of our weaker people who hadn't been as closely shepherded and whose standard, at the time of the initial persecution, was not quite as good as some of the rest of the Family. But still, in spite of all that, they have come through all this victoriously and have become better for it. It has even made them stronger. It just proves that it's not whether you're weak or you're strong, but it's whether you've got Jesus within. And if you do, His strength will carry you through.) And the fight even makes you stronger!
         14. So it's all for the good and the best, and as the end draws near, the battle will get hotter, and we'll have even more influence and greater effect, and infuriate the Devil's forces even more!
         15. Anyhow, praise God! We're not only going to win the war, we're even winning some battles! Praise God! So our battle cry should be, "A mighty fortress is our God!" That hymn shows what a fight Luther was in! He knew what it was like to be in the thick of it! With the most powerful Satanic powers on Earth and governments and religion all against him, he still won! Thank God!
         16. So keep on fightin'! We're winning, slowly but surely, and in the end you're going to be glad you fought the good fight, because there are going to be glorious rewards!--Plus the joy and the satisfaction of battle and of victory over our enemies, right up through the day when we wipe'm out by force in the Battle of Armageddon! Thank You Jesus! And then the Lord tosses these unbelieving ones right into the fires of Hell! Thank You Jesus! Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!
         17. Amen, Lord, give our people courage, strength, faith, wisdom, power, anointing, all they need for this task, in Jesus' name! Give them faith, Lord, to trust You that You're going to work it all out for good in the end and that You're going to win! You can't lose, Lord! Thank You Jesus!--In Jesus' name, amen!

Persecution Makes the Scriptures Come Alive!

         18. I got the verse the other day, "Because he knoweth that his time is short" (Rev.12:12). The Devil comes in with great rage because he knows that his time is short. All these major attacks seem to be indicating that the end is getting very close.
         19. This persecution sure makes the Scriptures come alive and helps you realize what the Early Church must have gone through! (Maria: Yes, like the scripture that says, "Everywhere this sect is spoken against" [Acts 28:22].) It makes the whole Book of Acts come to life!
         20. Praise God, those who are faithful will stand! Those that endure unto the end shall receive a crown of life (Rev.2:10), and that certainly fulfills a lot of what Daniel said, that persecution is to purge and make us white, some shall fall and so on (Dan.11:35). It sure makes a lot of Scripture come to life.

Court Battles Help to Publicize the Message!

         21. It's all in Your hands, Lord! We know You'll take care of these cases if we do our part. If we do what we can, You'll have to do the rest. And it's all for Thy glory to make us good, faithful witnesses and tell the world the truth. Help our lawyers, Lord! Give them real strength and courage and wisdom and the victory as much as possible.
         22. Well, just remember, if we win them all there wouldn't be anything left to fight about. (Maria: When we win one, it seems like our enemies attack us with another one. We've already won quite a few, and then more come up; but that gets us publicized more in different countries. It seems like we're probably going to have to have one in every major country--or at least a media battle--just so public attention can really be focused on us and so people can really know the truth.) Amen.

Devil's Trick to Take the Children!

         23. It's been one of the Devil's tricks down through the ages to try to take the children away. When the Babylonians took the Hebrew teenagers, it resulted in a greater victory, because they were such strong powerful witnesses. Lord, bless our teenagers! Help them to stand up strong and true and unafraid, with their faith solidly in You, Jesus! It's in Your hands, Lord. Our enemies are going to try to do something bigger this time, but the Lord can make it a bigger calamity for them!

Prayer for Our Lawyers and Family!

         24. Give our lawyers strength, Lord! It's all in Your hands and You're the One doing it, so You can put our enemies to shame and deliver us. Not only deliver us, but squelch them! Do it with such effectiveness that they won't want to try it again!
         25. Thank You for the lawyers who have given us their hearts. You've given us their hearts. It's Your doing, Lord. Thy will be done. Thank You for Your children, Lord. Squelch our enemies! Put them to shame! Make them sorry they ever brought this case against us! Praise You Lord! Thank You Jesus!
         26. Heal and strengthen our lawyers, Lord. Give them mighty power by Thy Spirit! You promised You'd be able to give us "a mouth and wisdom that no man shall be able to gainsay nor resist" (Luk.21:15). That's a good verse for the lawyers! Praise the Lord!
         27. Give Thy children faith and favor! Encourage them! Help them to keep their eyes on Thee and look for Thy succor, for Thy rescue, Thy deliverance out of the hand of the Enemy. Lord, You have so many verses in Your Word that promise to deliver us out of the hand of the Enemy. He's starting to get his hands on us, and he already got his hands on some of our children temporarily, but You delivered them. Thank You Lord!
         28. Bless and strengthen our children, Lord! May they be strengthened by this ordeal and have faith, and be faithful witnesses and not discouraged, not afraid. Help them and their parents not to fear, but to keep their eyes on Thee. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You Lord! Hallelujah! "The voice of their father shall encourage them in the battle!"

Greater Victories to Come!

         29. The court case in Melbourne doesn't really disturb me because I know the Lord is going to get a great victory out of it! Apparently the Lord wasn't satisfied with the victory we won in Sydney, He's going to get an even bigger victory in Melbourne. (Maria: Maybe He's going to show up our enemies there.) Yes, when they come out full force against us, they can be exposed in a greater way. (Note: The Melbourne case was officially closed in 1995!)
         30. Well, You sock it to'm, Lord! They're to blame for bringing the case against us. So You make'm suffer for it and deliver us, in Jesus' name. Thank You Lord! It's truly wonderful what the Lord has done, truly wonderful! (Sings:) "It's truly wonderful what the Lord has done, glory to His name!" Hallelujah! You're going to do some more wonderful things, Lord. More of Thy great wonders are going to come out of this. The Lord works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. Thank You Jesus! "All things work together for good to them that love Thee!" (Rom.8:28). It's all going according to our calling, Lord, and Thy purpose. We are called according to Thy purpose, called to the Kingdom for such a time as this. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Thank You Lord!
         31. Give Thy people courage and strength and faith and wisdom, and no fear, Lord! May they rest in Thee, cast their burdens on Thee, and You'll sustain them, and the children too (Psa.55:22). The children should be convinced by this time and know who their enemies are, that the System is an enemy and no friend. (Maria: Yes, like when the prosecutor asked Lamb's 13-year-old daughter Virginia on the witness stand, "Do you consider me part of the System?" She said, "Yes." And the prosecutor asked, "Well, do you consider me an enemy?" And our girl answered, "Are you a friend?") Good for her! That's a mouth and wisdom the Lord gives them!
         32. (Maria: Our enemies are even appealing Lamb's case.) They're never satisfied! Well, they're going to be sorry. The more they do against the Lord, the more the Lord is going to do against them. The more they do against us, the more the Lord will defeat them, and make it an even greater witness. Our enemies obviously have great resources, but God is greater and has more. Thank the Lord! (Lamb won the appeal, and the judge handed down one of the strongest judgments ever made in Children's Court in our favor, thank the Lord!)

False Charges of Child Abuse!

         33. (Maria: Our enemies think they have not only boundless financial resources, but boundless "evidence" against us now. They think they hit the jackpot with all of Priebe's and Watchman's and Samuel Ajemian's and Samson Warner's writings against us, and all the new lit they stole.) The Lord can bring all that to nought and even make it a witness! The stones they throw at us are going to come down on their own heads. If they're going to try to use the Word against us, that's sure going to backfire! (See Psa.7:16.)
         34. (Maria: They try to use the Word to show that we sexually abuse our children, which of course is an absolute lie!) Yes, but it's the one accusation that raises the ire of the System the most. They've gone berserk over this issue, to the point that they're even riding those old 30-, 40- and 50-year-old [System] cases now in some places, where the children are grown up and are middle-aged adults. The psychiatrists and the government and the System are convincing them and trying to get them to come out in the open and accuse their elders, put their aged parents in jail, it's horrible! (Maria: In fact, through their psychoanalysis, they're implanting things in their minds that never even happened!--Supposedly drawing things out from years and years ago that they can't even remember, and formulating these "suppressed memories" into some kind of evil sex abuse that they now supposedly remember, with the help of the psychoanalysts!) (Editor: This is called "False Memory Syndrome," since many professionals agree that so many of these memories are conjured up in the imagination with the help of psychotherapists, and that these things never even happened.) It's all the Devil's work and our enemies are just using it as their latest excuse to go after us.
         35. No matter what their excuse is, no matter what their charges--whether sexual abuse, improper housing, inadequate food or mind control--they claim everything we do is abuse. According to the System, the only thing that isn't abuse is what they do to the children, but they're the worst abusers of all! You can just look at all the crime amongst youth today and see what their kind of abuse has done! That's real abuse, that's real crime, that's real violence. The System has turned their children into monsters! Our children are our best evidence; they're the proof of our pudding.
         36. The Lord is going to take care of us. They can't pull any weapon on us that won't be destroyed. No weapon that is formed against you will prosper (Isa.54:17). Amen! God bless and keep us all! We love you!


Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family