PER:Christian Information Bureau December 1987  by Dave Hunt

   Dear Praying Friends;

   Last month we spoke of the great need for refomation as a foundation
for genuine revival. Our recent visit to Australia and New Zealand
confirmed this even more in our hearts. It is impossible to share in a
few words the month Ruth and I spent on this last trip. We are grateful
to the Lord for His care and provision; to those who arranged the
numerous meetings and media opportunities; to the many who were of such
great help and kindness during our travels and to all who supported us
in prayer.

   We can hardly claim great understanding of these two countries on
the basis of our one short trip. Of more value than our own personal
observations were the statements of the many Aussies and Kiwis with
whom we had contact. It was indightful also to have some frank
discussions with partors who oppose my "negative" teaching. It seemed
quite clear that the same false teachings and practices so prevalent
here (psychology, selfism, visualization, positive/possibility
thinking, positive confession, the success/growth/
wealth-proves-God's-blessing syndrome, kingdon/dominion/ restoration
etc.) are deceiving the church "down under." My first Sunday in Sydney,
turning on TV to see what was available, there was Robert Schuller's
"Hour of Power" with Norman Vincent Peale as his guest. Both are
greatly admired by Christians there and emulated by church leaders.
Yonggi Cho and John Wimber are also very influential, with "church
growth" and "signs and wonders" seemingly far more appealing to many
than sound doctrine.

   Everywhere I went people asked the same questions and expressed the
same concerns as here in the US and Canada. There are many ( including
pastors who contacted me privately) who are deeply burdened for the
condition of the church, whose hearts are broken to see so many
succumbing to deception, who are trying to combat error and are meeting
increasing opposition. Please pray for them and for the church down
there.

   It surprised me that opposition to SEDUCTION and to me personally
seemed much stronger in both Australia and New Zealand than here, with
Australia by far the worst. At the last minute I was canceled from the
only Assemby of God that had been willing to have me speak in Sydney.
In one area no church would have me or support my meetings, so I spoke
to unsaved farmers. The response at all of my meetings was very
encouraging. Many had been troubled by teachings and practices without
fully understanding why, and were grateful to have the issues clarified
in the context of Scripture. Audio and video tapes of the meetings and
media interviews were made and will have a wide impact. Please pray to
that end.

   The recent "stock market crash" occurred shortly after we had
arrived in Australia. Many have asked about that and specifically
whether it changes anything I wrote in PEACE, PROSPERITY AND THE COMING
HOLOCAUST. (Actually we had taken that book with us to re-edit and
update it.) I do not pay much attention to financial markets, world
banking and economics etc. because I consider the moral and spiritual
situation to be of greater importance and give my time and energy to
that. So my opinions are based more upon my understanding of Scripture
than upon any special knowledge of the current financial, economic, or
political situation.

   How quickly the stock market will recover I don't know, but I would
expect continuing prosperity (though it may have little genuine
foundation and will eventually collapse) and the appearance of
improving prospects for world peace. I think the recent "crash" was due
to irrational panic rather than representing the start of another
"1929." It amy very well, however, quicken the pace toward worldwide
economic and financial cooperation, important steps on teh road to the
eventual total control by Antichrist. And the fact that another "1929"
did not develop could breed pride that the "system held" and even
greater overconfidence than before.

   The above opinion is based mainly upon my deep conviction that we
are in the "last days," that Christ will rapture His bride soon and
that this will occur during a time of apparent "peace and prosperity."
If the world is presently sliding over the cliff into a severe
financial collapse (which it surely will suffer after the Rapture
during the Great Tribulation), then, in my opinion, that would set back
the time-table of our Lord's return substantially - yet so many other
signs point to its imminence. Of course I could be entirely wrong. Each
of you must come to your own convictions, so I urge you to be daily in
serious study of God's Word.

   Whatever the case, we are to be watching and longing for His return.
In our witnessing to the lost and warning the wayward we must proceed
with urgency as though we have little time; yet we must also act
prudently in all things in case our Lord should tarry, which He very
well may for His own reasons. Whatever extension of time He gives
should be used to His glory and to rescue as many as possible before it
is too late.

   Surely the Church, which is Christ's bride, ought to be living in an
attitude of expectancy and longing to be caught up to meet Him in the
air. In traveling widely I see little of that genuine expectancy and
sincere desire to depart this world to be with Christ. That in itself
is another sign of the nearness of His return, which He said would come
at a time when most would not expect Him (Matt. 24:44). In the parable
of the ten virgins, "as the Bridegroom tarried" even the five wise
"slumbered and slept." That description hardly fits with a post-trib
return in the midst of Armageddon, but it certainly seems to
characterize the present time. Christ went on to say, "At the midnight
hour, a great cry arose: Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to
meet Him!" I would like to hear His return spoken of among Christians
with that kind of excited anticipation! That must characterize any
genuine spiritual "awakening!"

   Your help in sharing audio and video tapes, books, catalogs and
getting others on the mailing list will have eternal consequences. Your
financial help enables C.I.B. to extend its ministry. As 1987 ends and
we enter 1988 (should the Lord delay His coming and spare us to serve
Him further), may it be with the renewed determinatin to be the
instruments of His will, to give Him the love and praise He deserves,
to know Him better and to make Him known as widely as we can.

   May the joy of the Lord be your strength, and may His good hand of
blessing be upon all that you seek to be and say and do to His glory!

   In Christ's love, Dave Hunt

   This has been put up on the board by the kind permission of the
staff of CIB, and I would encourage you to write to the address that
was at the beginning of this message to order their monthly newsletter
for $12.00 U.S. per year, (subject to change without notice.) Make sure
that chegues are made out on a U.S. money order and payable to:

   Christian Information Bureau

   PO Box 3120

   Camarillo Ca 93011
