The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Isaiah 13:6-7, “Wail, for the day of the LORD is near! It will come as destruction from the Almighty.

7 Therefore, all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt.”

The phrase, “the Day of the LORD,” is repeated more than twenty times in the Bible. That Day commences with the Great Tribulation and continues into the Millennial Kingdom of the LORD – a

Kingdom of world peace that lasts for 1,000 years.

Since the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been living in the Church Age. But,

that age will cease when the LORD Jesus returns and His Church is caught up to meet Him in the air.

This is called the Rapture (snatching away) and Paul speaks clearly of this in First Thessalonians when he says,

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain

until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep.

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the

archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the

clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thes. 4:15-18).

The Church is not a particular denomination, as we think today (e.g., Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, etc.);

The Church is comprised of all truly born-again people –individuals that have truned away from sin,

asked and been forgiven by the LORD Jesus Christ. They have hope (future certainty) of an eternal

home in Heaven. Salvation is not gained by personal righteousness. Our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6 KJV); rather, it is granted freely to those who believe totally in the LORD Jesus Christ, who died for them on the Cross and arose from the dead, and is alive forevermore!

the Coming of the LORD Jesus Christ. We will discuss “The Judgment Seat of Christ,” “The Marriage

Supper of the Lamb,” “The Great Tribulation,” “Armageddon,” the Second Coming of Christ,” and much

more. We earnestly seek your prayers for the writer and for all who are recipients of this Letter. We

want everyone we can reach to know and receive the Saving Gospel of Jesus! The time is short!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Zechariah 7:9-12, “’Thus has the LORD of hosts said, “Dispense true justice, and practice kindness and

compassion each to his brother;

10 and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your

hearts against one another.”

11 But they refused to pay attention, and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from

hearing.

12 And they made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the

LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore, great wrath came from

the LORD of hosts.’”

Did you ever observe an obstinate child cover his ears and shout, “I don’t want to hear it”? Usually, it is

a response from a reprimand or an accusation for having done something wrong. Yet, in any event, the child is determined not to hear it, and so covers his ears.

Through the prophet Zechariah, the LORD was instructing his people. They were to deal justly with

others and “practice kindness and compassion.” They were not to be unjust in dealing with widows, who had no husbands to support them. They were also to treat orphan children kindly and honestly. It all had to do with the heart. “Do not devise evil in your hearts against one another,” was the LORD’s command.

Sometimes we receive the LORD’s command for our lives as we read the Scriptures. Sometimes He

speaks to us through the words of our pastor or the counsel of a close and trusted friend. Certainly, we

are to weigh the words of counsel and seek the coroboration of the LORD in prayer. In many instances of life, we will hear instructive words that do not please us. We must never, however, cover our ears and close our minds to counsel that is honestly intended for our benefit. We must not dismiss counsel simply

because it does not comply with what we want to hear or believe. The LORD has many avenues whereby He conveys His will to us.

Pride builds walls of steel against truth and spiritual counsel. We tell ourselves that we don’t need counsel. We can handle it. But if that were true, why is the situation still plauguing us? Those who have

trusted Christ Jesus as their LORD and Savior, have been given the Holy Spirit to live within them and

to guide them in His way. Failure to adhere to His counsel will result in exceedingly great wrath from the

LORD. Therefore, keep your ears open and your heart ready for His counsel. Who cares more for you

than the LORD? And if you do not know Him, time is elapsing with every tick of the clock. The Master

is coming and is calling for you.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Romans 15:5-7, “Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the

same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus;

6 that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.”

Did you ever read after a writer or listen to a speaker who seemed to be saying the same thing he had just said? Yes, we call it repetition; but why is it repeated so often? Just think about it. You may have missed several other points, but you remember the one that was repeated. Now, do you know why the writer or speaker said it so often? Right! So you would remember!

Paul had just used the words “perseverance and encouragement” in verse four in yesterday’s Letter. Today he uses them again that you “might be of the same mind” as other believers. Why do I say “as other believers”? How do I know that’s what he means? There are two Greek words that translate the same in English, but stand in opposition in their meaning. The word is “another.” ?????os (allelos) means “another of the same kind” (Rom. 1:27), while ?????? (heteros) means “another of a different kind” (Rom. 2:1).

But, why does God give us “perseverance and encouragement”? He does so that we might “with one accord (mind) be in unity with one another in glorifying “God the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ.” A cursory study of almost any Old Testament prophecy writings will show how often the Jewish people were divided in their worship. Evil kings promoted worship of pagan gods, which directed the Jews away from their true God. The same can be true of Christians, if we leave the Scriptural pathway.

We are to “accept one another” (of the same beliefs) that they with us might glorify the LORD with the same, vibrant voice of heart-felt praise! The more I read His Word, the more I concentrate on ministers, who live in the Word and are sound in their teachings, the closer I become to Christ, and, hopefully, the more like Him I become. It’s a continuous lifestyle that makes Him more precious every day.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Romans 15:1-4, “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and

not just please ourselves.

2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.

3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached

Thee fell upon Me.”

4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance

and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

“How does that benefit me?” Whether those are the precise words or not, we’ve all said them in our hearts. There was a decision to be made, and our only concern was how it would affect us. We give no consideration to the others who are involved.

Yet, such situations concern everyone involved. We who are stronger should work to help those who have less or no strength. We are to do what is good for the one who is weak. He is our neighbor, and it is for his benefit that we are think of him first.

Paul instructs us with the example of Jesus Christ when he says that “Christ did not even please Himself.” How is that? Remember that in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, “Father, if it be Thy will, let this cup (experience of death) pass from me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Thine be done.” He was facing death for our sins –sins that were directly against the Father. That’s what Jesus meant when He said, The sins of mankind were against You, Father; but it has become My lot to pay for them in My death.

Paul then concludes by saying that the things written in Scripture in earlier times were for our instruction; and that through the steadfast truth of the Scriptures, we might be encouraged and have hope! Oh, how vital the Word of God is to us! Whether we are discouraged because of sin, or because of the circumstances of life that encircle us, there is no comfort like the Word of God! Through His Word we come to know Him and learn the comfort of His Holy Spirit. The richness of our days come from an immersion in His Holy Word! Nothing brings greater comfort and encouragement to the human soul. Have you not discovered that?

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. We Americans rejoice that we live in a Christian nation; yet it is the responsibility of all believers everywhere to share

Christ with those who do not know Him. No nation is stronger than its Christian Faith!

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Romans 13:8-10, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor

has fulfilled the law.

9 For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not

covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your

neighbor as yourself.”

10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.”

Did you ever lend something to a friend and never get it back? Oh, at the time he borrowed it, he assured you of its return. Still, it was never returned or repaid. Did you ever borrow something with the promise that you would return it? Did you return it?

Paul not only wanted people to be committed to Jesus Christ, he wanted them to live honestly, too. And the key word he uses is love (?????? agapao). You will recall from earlier Letters that there are four Greek words that translate as “love,” and only three of them are found in the New Testament. Agape is

Is the highest form of love, and it expects nothing in return. (You can think of me as you want, but you cannot keep me from loving you.”)

Verse nine lists only four prohibitions: adultery, murder, theft and inordinate desires. Certainly, there are more wrongs than four, but he doesn’t need to list them because all sinful attitudes are erased when we “love (our) neighbors” as we love ourselves. “Love does no wrong to a neighbor”; therefore, love overwhelms the law!

These Letters have often dealt with sharing Christ with lost people. Many believers think that they are personally inadequate to witness. Their excuses are that they don’t know enough Scripture; they don’t know enough to answer other’s questions or think quickly enough to counter someone’s misuse of Scripture. But, the key to effective witnessing is simply knowing Jesus and possessing genuine love for lost souls. No opposition, however fierce or intimidating, can ultimately stand in the face of genuine, spiritual love. Love is the fulfillment of all things. Learn to love Christ Jesus and He will teach you how to love lost people.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”