This past March 5, I contracted the bond of marriage once again. It was the greatest wish of my new bride to be allowed to travel once to Israel. So it was obvious that we should spend our first vacation week after our wedding in Israel. This land is a prime point of attraction for many Christians. However, a few hurdles had to be overcome before we reached our destination, the hotel in Eilat. Involuntarily,

I had to think of the journey to the heavenly land of Canaan, which is in store for everyone who is born again.

After comprehensive security checkups, we finally stood in the airport of Tel Aviv before the counters of the passport control. Depending upon whether one had a passport of Israel or of another nation, one had to stand in a certain line. While all arriving passengers were eventually allowed to enter Israel, it is in principle different with the heavenly Canaan. This entrance control accepts only one “nationality”: he who wants to enter must have the citizenship of heaven!

Paul writes in Ephesians 2:19: “Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” We received this heavenly identity the moment we turned to Jesus and He redeemed us, whereby we became the children of God (John 1:12). No one can take this heavenly status away from us (John 10:28). However, on the way to our heavenly destination, we are asked again and again to prove our legitimate status. We come to crossroads where it is worth keeping our destination firmly in sight, lest we lose the way. When the people of Israel left Egypt and wandered about in the desert for 40 years in order to reach the Promised Land of Canaan, they had to pass many tests. Moses confronted them with the Commandments, and then said, “…that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God gives thee, a land that flows with milk and honey: as the LORD God of thy fathers has promised thee” (Deuteronomy 27:3). Moses showed them the ways of blessing and of the curse. Obedience brings the blessing, disobedience brings the curse. In Deuteronomy 28:12, Moses even promises: “The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, heaven….” The Lord has also prepared such blessings for us. And the best is to be with Jesus in the end.

After our arrival in Israel, we drove in a rented car for several hours through the desert to our destination. Soon, it grew dark. Finally, we were once more stopped at a checkpoint shortly before our destination. The watch sentinel pointed to our light; it was not in order. Our way in life to the heavenly goal often resembles a drive through the desert. The sun does not shine all the time. And many a time, we are even surrounded by darkness. Therefore, it is vitally important to keep driving to our destination, and not to fall asleep. And now and then, we should also check our light. If God’s Word no longer speaks to us, then our light becomes weaker and weaker. Jesus says of Himself that He is the Light. And He says in John 12:35-36: “Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light.” If we remain firm in His Word and do not neglect to read it and to receive it in ourselves, we will not stumble. God Himself gave His people this advice to take with them on the way: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8).

Note on Peter Malgo

For our readers who are unfamiliar with the Editor, we supply this information:

Peter Malgo is the firstborn of Wim and Annie Malgo’s 12 children. His first wife, Wanda went home to be with the Lord in March 2010, after many years of illness. Peter and Wanda had 2 daughters and 2 sons, along with 9 grandchildren.

Midnight Call Page Reduction

In accordance with resources supplied by friends and subscribers of Midnight Call, we have reduced this month’s issue to 32 pages, and may do so for the next two months. Please keep Midnight Call Ministry in your prayers, and thank you for your continued support.

Subscription Renewals

All of us know we have entered the electronic information age and that printed publications are on the decline. Many of us, however, want the magazine in our hands; we prefer leafing through the pages and reading the many fascinating, informative and uplifting articles without the bother of a computer.

Here is how you can help us continue this important work:

1. Renew your subscription at least four months before the expiration date. That will help significantly in cost reduction, saving the additional renewal notices we may send you.

2. Introduce someone to Midnight Call magazine. There are probably family members, relatives and friends who need to be updated of the events that are taking place today relating to the eternal Word of God. For that reason, we continue to offer gift subscriptions for only $12. When you send four gift subscriptions, yours will be extended for free: that’s a $28.95 value. See page 12 for the order form.

Atlantic Coast Prophecy Conference 2011

You are invited to hear six Bible scholars expound the general theme “Israel, the Church and the Future” during the 2 ½ days of the Atlantic Coast Prophecy Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 16-18 October 2011.

Israel lay waste and silent for almost 2,000 years, until suddenly she burst onto the world scene when the country was proclaimed into existence on 14 May 1948.

Today, Israel is recognized by the majority of the nations of the world. This nation has developed into a leader in many scientific fields as well as agriculture.

Yet, two cardinal issues remain unresolved: 1) Where are the borders of the Promised Land? 2)Will Jerusalem remain the capital city of the Jewish state of Israel? So, importantly, what does the Bible say about the future of Israel?

Don’t miss this year’s information-loaded prophecy conference.

Be sure to register early and reserve your hotel accommodations, as rooms are available only a first-come, first-serve basis. See pgs. 16-18 for more information.