Sound the Trumpet!
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season.”
2 Tim. 4:2
Dear friends, brot-hers and sisters in Christ!
I greet you with the words of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ: «Peace be unto you!» On behalf of Russian Evangelistic Ministries and the missionary families who are encouraged by your prayers and support, I wish to express to you our profound gratitude for your part in the tremendous cause of the Gospel!
I pray that the verse above encourages you to remain steadfast in your efforts for Christ’s Kingdom! The Apostle Paul gave this instruction to his fellow laborer and spiritual son, Timothy. Years of experience on the mission field compelled the Apostle to challenge the young minister of the Gospel to preach, to raise his voice and not to remain silent, even when it seemed entirely inappropriate. When the circumstances do not appear conducive to the success of God’s cause, and when the attention of the people whom you are called to serve is focused elsewhere, our purpose is to point them to Christ.
Christians often remain silent about Christ and do not tell others about repentance because they believe that the time has not come and because the people around them are not in the right state of mind to hear such truth. Thus, Christians often wait for a more favorable time and remain silent. The Apostle warns Timothy against this temptation: you must proclaim the Word of God whether it seems that the time is right or not.
“He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap” (Ecc. 11:4). In a world ruled by the prince of this world, where people are often influenced by demons, there will rarely be a complete calm or stillness in sinners’ minds: sinners are rebellious by nature, they angrily shout «crucify Him» and violently reject the Savior. Therefore, for the missionary, as a sower of truth, one purpose remains constant: no matter what, proclaim the Gospel and call people to repentance.
And such behavior by a missionary is not a display of bad manners. On the contrary, it reflects the urgency of the mission: this might be their only chance to tell them about Jesus as they head down the path of destruction!
It is encouraging to see that missionaries have taken to heart Paul’s instruction to Timothy as clearly evident in their testimonies. Today’s circumstances, which unexpectedly have impacted the way of life for all the nations around the world, have not become an obstacle for ministry. In many cities and towns in the former Soviet Union, the Gospel is being publicly proclaimed! Some may think this is bad timing, but missionaries hurry to call people to repentance. They invite people to accept salvation in Christ, our Lord. In many cities, converts have joined the church through believer’s baptism!
The sun of God’s grace has not yet set. No matter what the circumstances around us dictate, it is absolutely essential for us to proclaim repentance to sinners. May God bless all of us in this effort!
In Christ,
Rev. Vladimir A. Okhotin
REM’s Founder and President
2020-3-en
