MidnightCall Magazine
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News From Israel MagazinePhilippians 1:6
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
As we seek guidance for the future and look back at the past, we have selected Philippians, the 50th book of the Bible, to study during Midnight Call Ministries’ 50th anniversary. We are confident in the One who called this work into existence to fulfill His intention with Midnight Call Ministries. One of my greatest joys has been serving and being a co-worker of Midnight Call for the last 37 years. What He has begun is decisive. I must confess that we have started many different projects over the years. Some have been great undertakings, but all have fallen by the wayside because we were at work. Only the work He has begun will He “perform… until the day of Jesus Christ.”
I vividly remember receiving the first English edition of Midnight Call from Europe in 1968. My wife and I eagerly distributed copies to members of our local church in Hamilton, Ohio, but we were discouraged because we saw little or no reaction from the congregation. Finally, the pastor came to our home and, after a friendly conversation, he grew serious and said, “Arno, when the prophetic bug gets hold of you, the devil got you.” Instead of rejoicing, supporting or even taking a neutral position in relation to our newfound task, we were strongly rebuked and even accused of being ensnared by the devil.
In 1955 Dr. Wim Malgo, a young Dutch evangelist who worked in Switzerland, produced his first radio broadcast entitled “Midnight Call.”
Wim Malgo, his family and a few close friends had the inner assurance that the time had come to emphasize Bible prophecy, an important part of the Holy Scripture. Midnight Call magazine began shortly after the debut of the radio ministry. Today, Midnight Call magazine is available in all major European languages, as well as in some Asian and African languages. Additionally, the English edition sponsors two international editions: one for Asia, which is printed in and distributed from India, and one for Africa, which is printed in and distributed from Kenya.
If the Lord wills, we will publish more details about the various branches of the ministry during the year.
BIBLICAL MISSIONARY
The Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to record the introductory Scripture, which expressed his complete confidence that the work the Lord had begun in the hearts of the Philippians would be completed. What type of work was Paul referring to? “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (verses 9-11). What would be the result? They would be “filled with the fruits of righteousness…To the praise of the glory and praise of God.” A mystery is hidden in this simple statement: The believer who is filled with love becomes an object “unto the glory and praise of God.”
Paul wrote a similar statement to the Ephesians when he revealed the position of the believer: “Be holy and without blame before him in love.” Then he revealed the purpose: “To the praise of the glory of his grace” (Ephesians 1:6). As individual believers we must become God’s creation, formed in the image of the beloved Son. That doesn’t make us better, but it provides a way for us to give Him praise, honor and glory. For example, an artist who paints a beautiful portrait produces his masterpiece according to the desire of his heart; that painting becomes a creation that showcases his abilities.
The Apostle Paul fully recognized that he was nothing; only what God created in him counted: “Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace” (verse 7). Paul then explained that his imprisonment was for the advancement of the Gospel: “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel” (verse 12).
Within this blessed work, however, arose a conflict that becomes clear from the following statement: “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice” (verses 15-18). Paul was referring to believers he identified as “brethren in the Lord.” Some of them joyfully preached the Gospel in love, while others may have said, “He had it coming.” Regardless of these contradictory motives, Paul rejoiced that the Gospel was being preached — one way or another.
That, however, doesn’t apply to unbelievers who teach a false gospel. He revealed to the Corinthians that Satan also preaches a gospel, another gospel presented by another spirit that proclaims another Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:4). Verse 15 says: “Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:15). This type of proclamation doesn’t call for rejoicing; rather, it calls for the condemnation of evil works.
Another instance is recorded in Acts 16:16-17: “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.” This woman no doubt was telling the truth: “These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation” (verse 17). But because a demonic spirit possessed her, Paul did not rejoice. Verse 18 says, “But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour” (Acts 16:18).
This revelation relates to the preaching of the Gospel in truth and the preaching of a false gospel. Therefore, if we hear preaching or teaching from brothers in Christ who may not agree with us about certain issues, we should rejoice nevertheless because the Gospel is being preached.
The Apostle made it clear that his life in the flesh was only beneficial if he served to spread the Gospel: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith” (Philippians 1:21–25). Clearly, Paul had nothing to look forward to on earth; his goal was to be with Christ.
Instruction to be separate from the world is particularly clear in verse 28: “And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.” In verse 29 the apostle explains: “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.”
May these few words encourage your spirit, soul and body for the new year. It may be that our Lord will come this year, just as Paul testified in verse 6: “Until the day of Jesus Christ” and verse 10: “till the day of Christ.” Thus, we continue to pray, “Come soon, Lord Jesus.”