July 2009
Dear Friends,
Here are today's headlines:
- Seventh Day videos provoke opposition in the virtual world.
- China launch: Hope Channel, Internet and “underground” distribution.
Before I follow up these headlines I want to share an excerpt from a letter addressed to Alan Reinach, director of the Pacific Union Conference Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty.
My husband and I have been researching Scripture and historical information regarding keeping the Sabbath for years. During the past year, we have concluded that we must obey Scripture regarding this; it has become a heartfelt conviction.
The “clincher” came after viewing a history DVD narrated by Hal Holbrook and produced by LLT Productions. Of course, we know there will be obstacles to overcome as we transition to this—especially since both my husband and I currently are employed in positions that require working on Saturday—so I contacted the production company and was very graciously referred to you by Pat Arrabito.
The lady goes on to describe their employment situation and asks for advice about how best to deal with employers on the sensitive issue of Sabbath work. Will you join me in praying for these folks as they commit themselves to honor God’s holy Sabbath?
And please pray that the Lord will to use The Seventh Day as "the clincher" for thousands of others who seek the truth about the Sabbath.
Perhaps you know someone in a similar situation. Thank God, there are resources! The North American Religious Liberty Association goes to bat for people facing employment problems due to their religious beliefs— regardless of their church affiliation. Information is available online at www.religiousliberty.info.
Now, back to the news.
Seventh Day videos provoke opposition in the virtual world.
Someone is teaching “heresy” on the Second Life (SL) website. That’s the charge leveled against a friend of ours who shows the Seventh Day videos at his SL “amphitheater.” The accusation comes from a major Christian organization that maintains a large presence on the SL site. Other religious groups on SL have issued similar warnings.
What’s this all about? What is Second Life, and what does it have to do with us?
Second Life is an online virtual world—a 3D environment where companies, organizations, schools, and even private individuals can buy “real estate" from which they can operate. Students at an online school can take part in real-time virtual classrooms and interact with teachers and other students without leaving the comforts of their own home or workplace.
Nearly every denomination owns SL “property.” They offer online church services, Bible studies, prayer meetings, newsletters, counseling and much more. They think that Second Life is a great tool for spreading the gospel and extending their ministries to a virtual “mission field.”
Our friend, a Seventh-day Adventist educator, asked our permission to show the Seventh Day series on SL and we agreed, curious about the venue and its influence. Well, The Seventh Day has had an impact! Listen to his report:
People were quite shocked by the teachings of the videos. Most of the viewers were surprised to find out that the Bible teaches that Saturday is the Sabbath!
At first, quite a few of the viewers were skeptical and asked if I was a Jew trying to convert them away from Jesus. Yet, when they found out that I was a Christian, and as they watched the videos, these criticisms vanished and I was surprised to find out how many of them wanted to know more.
I praise God for raising up creative Christian partners who have a vision for using today’s advanced technologies for spreading the truth about the Sabbath. They are getting to people who could never be reached in any other way.
China launch: Hope Channel, Internet, and “underground” distribution.
150 years ago a huge part of China was claimed for God as part of the Kingdom of Heavenly Peace. That was the time of the great Taiping Revolution—a peasant movement with a distinctly Christian flavor. The Chinese version of the Ten Commandments was at the very heart of this movement, and the seventh-day Sabbath was carefully observed.
A great deal has changed since then. It’s time to bring the Sabbath back to the people of China. So here is some very good news: The Chinese version of The Seventh Day is finished!
After a year and an half in production, the DVD’s are dubbed in Mandarin and include two sets of subtitles, Simplified and Traditional Chinese. That’s so people in Taiwan, mainland China and Hong Kong can all understand it.
Hope Channel’s (CHTV) internet presence in China will soon be functioning with live audio and video plus Audio on Demand and Video on Demand. Internet “evangelists” will follow up interests. CHTV plans for satellite TV coverage reaching all of China by sometime in 2010. The Seventh Day will be an important part of CHTV’s ministry.
There are more than four thousand Seventh-day Adventist congregations in China. Thirty or forty local Adventist groups with their own websites will link to CHTV. This will greatly extend the reach of The Seventh Day. But China has a booming “underground” duplication industry. Distribution of “illegal” Seventh Day videos might surpass distribution by legitimate means.
So please pray for the opportunities—legal or otherwise—in China. There is a great work to be done for the Chinese people. There are 1.3 billion of them—more than 20% of the world’s population! They need the Sabbath rest just as we do. They, too, need to be prepared to meet the final issues of loyalty and obedience to the God of heaven.
Will you prayerfully consider joining us in giving the Sabbath message to the nations of this world? Will you help us provide the knowledge that will empower them to choose God's holy day?
When the earth is made perfect and new, the Sabbath of creation will still be a day of rest and rejoicing. Heaven and earth will unite in praise as, from one Sabbath to another, the nations of the saved will bow in joyful worship to God and the Lamb (see DA 769, 770).
Isn't that a wonderful picture—the nations of the saved worshiping God together?
Sincerely yours,
Pat Arrabito
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