Dear Friends,

There is so much going on in the world that deserves our reflection that it’s difficult to comment adequately in the space available. Even television is really not fast enough to keep up with events, at least not on a once a week, basis. And print is far too slow.

Nevertheless, I’ll do my best to say something useful, if that’s possible, about the terrible tragedy in Lebanon. I really shouldn’t use the word “tragedy” because as a columnist recently suggested, this act of terrorism is not really a tragedy. A child with a terminal disease is a tragedy. Acts like bombing sleeping soldiers or shooting down passenger airliners amount to purposeful destruction—evil for its own sake. It doesn’t seem to me that those who killed our marines in Beirut hope to gain anything at all out of the situation. We can’t possibly retreat and therefore abandon our mission because we suffered casualties. On the other hand we’re not either going to make all out war because of an act of gangsterism. Things unfortunately will go along pretty much as they were and the bombers will have gained nothing at all. They merely ended the lives of a lot of young men who had little understanding of, or even interest in, the Lebanese situation. Such acts of evil are their own reward. The truck driver who blew himself up along with his 200 victims is off to receive what he supposes is some Islamic reward for a job well done. But since I know the people involved, at least to talk to, I can tell you that they are not really trying to gain anything militarily or otherwise. They merely delight in the action, in the terrorism itself. They have no delusions about anyone capitulating to their murderous anger, but they feel that by an act like this one they become more important and more spiritual.

Such perversity is not new to the area. Someone recently commented that the war in Lebanon began in 1900 B.C. and that’s pretty close. We are only the latest of a series of world powers to try to occupy the Middle East and work our will on the territory. Bible readers are familiar with the occupations of Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome before us. There were a host of medieval powers, including Christians from Europe who died on those fields, and to date no one has ever been able to negotiate or even impose peace. We were better off to leave the matter to the Israelis, in my opinion, because they and they alone in the area conduct a peaceful integrated society. I don’t want to be thought of as an Israeli chauvinist (though I favor the Promised Land simply as a Bible reader) but there are some things better contracted out than done ourselves. We obviously didn’t appreciate the treachery of the enemy when we set up that headquarters building and we didn’t take anything close to the proper precautions against our antagonists. We simply don’t know the battlefield over there. Those who do are infinitely more careful.

If I seem to be beating around the bush, I am. I have no good ideas about a resolution to this conflict except what the Scriptures tell us. The invasion of Israel from the north is inevitable, as we have been teaching right along. Ezekiel’s invasion of Gog and Magog, which we have referred to as “The coming Russian invasion of Israel”, is simply in preparation. All this military escalation and this loss of life is unfortunately a necessary part of the scenario. Or as our Lord taught, “These things must come to pass…”

Friends, I want to make more shows right away teaching about the Russian invasion of Israel. We haven’t opened that topic for quite some time and it’s surprising how many people are utterly unaware that political events are following Biblical prophecy. Even church-going Christians are largely in the dark about the logic of contemporary events.

With a single television program we can teach no less than a million souls that all of these happenings were to be expected and there are more to come. It becomes a powerful argument to open the Scriptures and to line up with the Messiah. It has simply become time to make a choice. People have always been saved with cogent explanations of prophecy but the explanations work all the better when the fulfillments are right in front of their faces. It is imperative that we get on with this project (I might say in passing that our ministry offers several books, notably The Coming Russian invasion of Israel to teach this very message. It’s available to any of you by return mail.)

But frankly we can’t think in terms of making programs right now because we’re simply broke. We have no money. As a matter of fact, we owe more than we have and for the first time in our five years on television we are having to hold on to stacks of invoices, and that’s not a good witness. I was told by a station manager the other day that this ministry receives good consideration at broadcasting outlets because it pays its bills—better than even some of the big ministries. The fact is, you have paid the bills right along and given as a good reputation with believers and unbelievers alike in the important world of television. But recently,friends, donations have dropped to a level that makes things very hard for us. I seldom tell hard luck stories, as you well know, but I am the worker you have sent and I’m here to tell you that I’m not getting the support that I need.

The situation wouldn’t be so serious if we weren’t in the midst of airing new programs. The production bills are tremendous and the economy is in a general pinch. I know many of you don’t have a lot of elective money to spend, just as we don’t, but back in the spring when I asked you about making these location programs, you voted that we should and you said you would pay for them. Brothers and sisters, we did our part.

Enough said. I need your check right now to meet our bills and that’s all there is to that. I know you hear it from everybody and it’s a great fund-raising theme but I believe you know me better than that. Please get us out of this hole. We have work to do. Thanks.

And thank you for the record album orders. Here is a way you can help us immeasurably and get something very nice for yourself. I promise you will enjoy the music which I composed and LAMB sings on our album. We’re asking a minimum donation of $20 and you well know that between all the expenses of doing what we do and making a quality album, that’s only fair. I don’t want to toot my own horn but you can rely on the opinions of our family of viewers. People are loving this record. It’s available as an album or cassette. Please send in for it. We realty need your help.

Another project we have in mind, if we can get the funds, is a “5th Birthday Program.” Our very first program was broadcast at Christmas time in 1978. It featured Bob Bruenig of the Dallas Cowboys, Dr. Tom McCall teaching about Channukah and any other number of very entertaining and relevant subjects in an hour-long broadcast. We still have the tape and we’d love to make it into two new programs for this Christmas season. If you don’t mind, I’d like you to write in about that suggestion and tell me what you think.

And I’d also like some feedback on our new location programs which many of you have already seen. They are a departure for us and it’s difficult for us to know if this is the right way to go unless you tell us. Remember you’re the owners of the ministry, we’re just the workers. Tell us how you like the project and tell us what you would have us do.

Thanks for everything—for all your prayers and all your help. Believe me, we never forget you, not for a minute.

In His love,

P.S. The enclosed Christmas brochure is the last one we’ll be sending unless you write and request additional ones for friends, etc. Thank you for your warm response so far. Space is still open on our “Christmas in Bethlehem Tour” Dec. 19–28, $1,696. Contact us immediately.