November 2007
 For
many, the past months have been filled with
destruction and tragedy as we view the war
in Iraq, the floods, tornadoes and hurricanes,
plus the recent fires is Southern California.
Yet, a voice of thanksgiving for personal
safety and compassion for those with loss
rises from the ashes. It is good to see
the conscience of mankind alive with hope..
10th Year Memorial
On November 20, 2007, it
will have been 10 years, since the passing
of Raymond Hoekstra to be with the Lord.
He was fondly known by millions as “Chaplin
Ray” during his 35 years of ministering
to inmates in prisons around the world.
In 1975, he visited me in prison, and shortly
afterwards, I came to Christ in 1975.
Chaplin Ray received Christ at the age
of 19, when he witnessed the conversion
of a jailed friend, Ronald Bayles, through
the fence at Preston School for Boys (only
a mile from where I am in prison today).
It was a prisoner who led Chaplin Ray to
Christ, and because of that, one ministry
associate said, “He would not stop
his work for a minute because he loved prisoners
so much.”
He was once labeled by The Los Angeles
Times as having visited more prisons and
jails in America than anyone else alive.
His oldest son, Raymond Hoekstra, Jr. said,
“He touched millions, just in this
country, because each person he touched,
touched others.” We all miss Chaplin
Ray very much, whose ministry is still alive,
along with his wife Leola needs strength
and I request you pray for her. If you would
like to be a part of this International
Prison Ministry, click
here.
The First Resurrection
Chaplin Ray is part of
the first resurrection like all of us who
trust in “…Jesus Christ, the
first born from the dead… He loved
us, and washed us from our sins in His own
blood, and has made us kings and priests
to His God and Father, to Him be glory and
dominion forever and ever. Amen …”1
Jesus said “…the hour is coming
in which all who are in the graves will
hear His voice and come forth – those
who have done good, to the resurrection
of life, and those who have done evil, to
the resurrection of condemnation.”2
Jesus spoke of two resurrections. If we
are part of the first resurrection of life,
we will not be part of the second resurrection
of death. Only the spiritually dead will
be raised for the Great White Throne judgment,
or the second death.3 In other words, people
who are born twice, not only physically
but spiritually die to faith in Jesus Christ.
They die once physically, but do not experience
spiritual judgment which leads to the second
death. But those who are born only, which
is physically, die twice because they have
not been resurrected to life or born again.”
Jesus said, “You must be born again!”4
The first resurrection came as a result
of Jesus being crucified for our sins, and
being raised from the dead by His Father.
As believers, “…if we have been
united together in the likeness of His death,
certainly we also shall be in the likeness
of His resurrection.”5 Jesus said,
“…he who hears My word and believes
in Him who sent Me has everlasting life,
and shall not come into judgment, but has
passed from death into life.”6 Click
here for a chart that clearly lays out the
first and second resurrections.
The Revelation of Christ
It is important to understand
the different people in The Revelation of
Jesus Christ, which is the final book of
the Holy Bible. The chart mentioned above
helps us to understand not only the first
and second resurrections, but who the revelation
of Jesus Christ describes. By seeing it
more clearly our faith will increase, not
only for ourselves but for the children
of Israel, the apple of God’s eye.7
Those in The Revelation of Jesus Christ
are the redeemed, glorified Saints, the
tribulation martyrs in white robes, the
saved Israelites both glorified and as sheep
going into the millennial kingdom, and the
unsaved or goats, who are destroyed and
judged by Christ. This may sound harsh,
but “The Lord is not slack concerning
His promise, as some count slackness, but
is longsuffering toward us, not willing
that any should perish but that all should
come to repentance.”8
The Lord promises life, but He promises
damnation for those who reject His life.
We can see His longsuffering or patience
throughout the Bible with children of Israel,
and to make it personal, His patience with
each of us. In the book of Revelation, during
the great tribulation, we see His patience
with Israel. He sends forth one hundred
and forty four evangelists to share the
good news of His blood shed for their sin,
desiring their repentance. Many will give
their lives as martyrs during this time.
And at His second coming, still He separates
the sheep and the goats not willing that
any should perish. Has He sent an evangelist
for you to hear the Good News?
Faith In Jesus Christ
It is important to realize
that you are not saved by your good works.
Only by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ
are you declared righteous.9 “For
by grace you have been saved though faith,
and that not of yourselves; it is a gift
of God, not of works, lest anyone should
boast. For we are His workmanship, created
in Christ Jesus for good works, which God
prepared beforehand that we should walk
in them. “ 10
My heart cries out for you to accept Jesus
Christ not only as your Lord and Savior,
but also as your Righteousness. This word
righteousness is often defined as “right
standing with God”. It is the ability
to stand in God’s presence without
the sense of sin, guilt or inferiority.
The revelation of Jesus Christ is having
your faith simply in the blood if Jesus
Christ for your righteousness, which is
a free gift.11 As a result of His righteousness,
your unrighteous spirit is regenerated by
the Spirit of life or born again.12 You
become part of God’s family or the
Kingdom of God, experiencing righteousness,
peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.13
The Lord made known to me His righteousness,
peace and joy in the Holy Spirit at the
age of 29. It was on a Friday evening over
32 years ago. The guilt and pain caused
by my sin was very hard to deal with in
those days. I remember hearing the Good
News of Christ very plainly that evening.
For the first time, I understood that by
surrendering to Jesus, all my sins would
be forgiven, and I’d be freed from
all my guilt and shame. He drew me to His
side that night and took all my pain, caused
by my sin. Oh, what peace and joy flowed
through my soul and continues still today.
I have never been the same, nor desire to
return to that old life, which is like a
fleeting moment in time. As the chorus goes,
“I’m a new creation, I’m
a brand new man, old things have passed
away, I’ve been born-again.”
14
A Prayer for You …
Heavenly Father, I believe
that Jesus paid the price for my sin with
His blood, and He took my punishment for
sin at the cross. I believe You forgave
me and cleansed me from all unrighteousness
so that I can now stand righteous before
You in Christ without any fear, guilt or
inferiority. I believe in my heart that
You raised Christ from the dead to give
me a new and eternal life. I welcome You
to live in my heart and to live Your life
through me. Amen!
Scripture References:
1 Rev. 1:5,6
2 John 5:28,29
3 Rev, 20:6, 11-15
4 John 3:3-7
5 Rom. 6:5
6 John 5:24
7 Zech. 2:8,9
8 2Peter 3:9
9 Rom. 3:21-26
10 Eph. 2:8-10
11 Rom. 5:17-21
12 Rom. 8:10
13 Rom. 14:17
14 2Cor. 5:17
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