The Hiding Place from the Wind (continued)

Beloved, if you remember, last week I interrupted my series of letters in order to place more emphasis on Christ and the “True Meaning of Christmas.” This week, I want to continue writing about “The Hiding Place from the Wind.” During the period of Judgment, men will know that no mortal man can hide them from the coming tests. A man called “the Antichrist” will attempt to draw men’s attention to himself, but he will eventually lose his influence as the days of Tribulation and Great Tribulation approach on this earth. However, during this time, there will be “…a man [who is destined to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah. He] shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land” (Isaiah 32:2). This is the “man” Christ Jesus. By this, I mean the God-Man. He was “…manifest in the flesh…” (I Timothy 3:16) more than 2000 years ago. Men will look to Him for salvation – I promise – during this time. All eyes will be open to the truth. When Paul said that “…at the name of Jesus every knee [shall] bow…and…every tongue [shall] confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:10-11), many people believe that Paul was speaking only of the time when all souls will be judged at the “White Throne of Judgment.” On the contrary, during the period of God’s wrath here on this earth, trust me, all who are alive will acknowledge Jesus as God, and this confession and commitment will be their “Hiding Place from the Wind.”

Precious Ones, it is with divine wisdom that I caution you. You and I had better be sure that we have found our hiding place from the destruction, sorrows, and woes that are coming upon the earth! Yes – Isaiah said that there is a “tempest of hail” coming that will be “…cast down to the earth with the hand [of God]” (Isaiah 28:2). Beloved, it was only a matter of time (December 14, 2003, to be exact) before the middle-Eastern tyrant, Saddam Hussein, was caught. In like manner, it is only a matter of time before God pours out judgment on this earth for her sins. Is Jesus your “Hiding Place”?

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, I pray a blessed New Year to all.

I love you SO very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

The True Meaning of Christmas

Beloved, I don’t usually pause during my series of letters, but the birthday of our Savior warrants the attention. I want to write briefly about “The True Meaning of Christmas.” I will continue our series on “The Hiding Place from the Wind” next week!

Precious Ones, the true meaning of Christmas has nothing to do with receiving, but everything to do with giving. David prophesied about the day when Christ Jesus would enter into this world, and what His mission would be. “Then said I [God], Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation…I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation…” (Psalm 40:7-10). Beloved, let us now fast-forward to the time of the manifestation of Jesus Christ. When Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, saw Him, he said, “…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). We learn from this that Jesus was born to give, not to receive (at this time). Even before Mary’s delivery, Gabriel the archangel told her that Jesus would “…save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Chosen Ones, this teaches us that the true Christmas scripture is not Matthew 2:11, where we read that “…when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.” Notice that those gifts must have been for Mary and Joseph because Jesus, as a baby, could not benefit from the gold and spices. However, the scripture that reflects the true purpose of Christ’s birth and celebration (Christmas), is Matthew 25:34-40, which says, “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

So, Children of God, the true meaning of Christmas that rewards and reaps eternal life is TO GIVE “inasmuch” as Christ gives to you. We give not according to the standards of men, but by Jesus’ standard. Don’t bring gifts unto Christ that he cannot use! Don’t bring him “frankincense and myrrh.” Bring Him a heart of charity toward your brothers and sisters in Christ!

I love you all SO very much.
Have a Blessed Christmas and an Anointed New Year.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

The Hiding Place from the Wind (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “The Hiding Place from the Wind” – I guess you figured out from last week’s lesson that “the Wind” represents the future tribulation period that God will permit on this earth. He also tells us that “a man” is going to rise up and become a “hiding place from the wind” large enough to protect those who will be affected by this dispensation (since the saints will be gone). This man will become “…a covert from the tempest [from all the plagues and judgments that the earth will reap for its past sins]” (Isaiah 32:2).

Precious Ones, in another place, scripture records that we should “[s]anctify the LORD of hosts [ourselves]; and let him be [our] fear, and let him be [our] dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary…” (Isaiah 8:13-14). In other words, during the dispensation of Judgment (particularly the Tribulation and Great Tribulation periods), the Spirit of the Lord will not be found. This is why Isaiah wrote, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near…” (Isaiah 55:6). Those who will exist during this time will only find sanctuary in what they know and believe, but not in what they will feel. What a scary thought! Only those who believe, without any manifestations of God’s presence at all, will be able to experience God becoming a special abiding place, wherein His believed presence will continually dwell with those who place their trust in Jesus.

Chosen Ones, the purpose of this series of letters is to help us to appreciate how fortunate we are to live in this dispensation of Grace and Truth, and to motivate us to take full advantage of God’s Spirit and presence today.

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this,

I love you all SO very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

The Hiding Place from the Wind (Part 1)

Beloved, I would like to write to you from a new subject that the Lord Jesus has laid on my heart, entitled “The Hiding Place from the Wind.” It is a blessing to learn where we are in these perilous times. The scriptures teach us that we are hidden in God from wickedness – “…when the wicked rise, a man is hidden” (Proverbs 28:12). The scripture also teaches that “…a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert [shelter] from the tempest [storm]; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow [shade] of a great rock in a weary land” (Isaiah 32:2). Beloved, the scripture claims that a man shall fill these positions.

Chosen Ones, the wind spoken of in Isaiah 32:2 is not the wind that shakes the trees. On the contrary, we read in the Book of Daniel that “…the four winds…strove upon the great sea” (Daniel 7:2). This scripture speaks of the conflicts among the nations of Babylon, Medeo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. In the Book of Revelation, we are told that “…four angels [stood] on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth” (Revelation 7:1). This scripture speaks of the time period after the Rapture of the Church – the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Precious Ones, after the Rapture, four nations on this earth will dominate all the nations of the world, and God will be the Sanctuary – the hiding place for those fortunate few who will die for salvation in those days.

I will write more on this subject next week.

I love you all so very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy