Volume 19 Issue 3 - March 2004

WALK ACROSS AMERICA PROPHETIC TOUR

"Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul." (Ezekiel 3:17-21)

We all know it is a dangerous world out there. Turmoil churns from within our nation and threats of terrorism plague us from without. These predicaments are highlighted by our President’s new budget proposals that he sent to Congress recently. Two of the most expensive items on his budget are Home Land Security and the Military. Clearly, our government is concerned about what the future may hold for America.

For many in the Church, America’s precarious position is a "sign of the times." They view what is happening through the grid of dispensational theology and chalk all this up to the "End Times." Thus the heathen solution to the danger is to "Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die," while for many in the Church, the solution is to stay sequestered in our churches, sing songs to Jesus, and wait for the chariot of heaven to swing low and remove Christians from this evil mess.

Very few would dare to see this situation as God’s remedial judgments upon a spoiled, wicked nation. Very few would consider that our sins, such as abortion, sodomy, and pornography have reached heaven. And fewer still would preach in our seeker friendly churches this message, "In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them" (Isaiah 63:910). We would preach with passion the first part of Isaiah’s passage that reveals God’s great love and saving presence, but God becoming an enemy to His people that fights against them? This is not possible or so we nervously think. I believe this refusal to honestly and Biblically assess our true condition before a Holy God in America is producing the very thing we shudder to recognize.

For many years now, God has used Operation Rescue/Operation Save America as a prophetic witness to different cities throughout America. A little remnant of saints would show up to give God an excuse to show off. In each city, God would watch over His word to perform it with mighty, terrible signs and wonders following. This is just a sampling. In Orlando, we prophesied against the abortion industry, the homosexual agenda being promoted by Disney, and the pedophile books being sold at Barnes and Nobles. We declared that God would judge Orlando just as He judged Sodom and Gomorrah, by raining down fire upon their heads. Butch Berget, our OSA worship leader, sang at every gate we visited this song, "We Serve a God Who Answers by Fire." At the conclusion of the event, Brother Flip Benham called upon me to give the benediction. After the saints of God said "Amen," the entire area went up in flames and burned out of control for over a month.

In New Orleans, however, God blessed the city by arresting the spirit of murder and bringing peace to their streets. Pastor Bill Shanks, one of our national leaders, prophesied that if the abortion mills would shut down while Operation Rescue came into New Orleans, then God Himself would end the plague of murder that was terrorizing his city. At the time, New Orleans was the murder capital of America. Even the police were murdering other police. It was insane. Sure enough, we came into town and every abortion mill shut down. Halfway during the event, the media made mention of the fact that there was a connection between the murder of the innocent in the womb and the escalating violence in the streets. They declared, "Didn’t Operation Rescue say that if abortion shut down there would be peace in our streets? That’s what they said. Would you know, there hasn’t been one murder thus far since they have been here. Incredible!"

In Buffalo, NY, Flip Benham preached from Hosea 4:1,2 which states, "Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood." He specifically cried out against the sin of shedding the blood of our children through abortion. He demonstrated from the Scriptures that there was a direct connection between the bloodshed in the womb and the blood coursing down the corridors in our public schools. The next day two disturbed young men walked into their school in Columbine, CO, and without mercy gunned down 13 of their peers and then committed suicide. That night, we had a spontaneous solemn assembly that brought us tearfully down on our faces in the fear of God.

The following is the press statement OSA released after 9/11.

"The horrific attack on America today was not a mere coincidence. Reminiscent of accounts in the Old Testament when God used prophets to warn nations of their wicked ways, America has been given its own warnings over the years for the shedding of innocent blood through the horrific practice of abortion. The most recent national rebuke was this past weekend when a prophetic word was spoken to the White House police on Saturday, September 8, 2001.

Rev. Flip Benham, along with 18 other pro-life pastors and leaders from across the nation, gathered in the nation’s capital to bring a prophetic warning, that if we continue to sow bloodshed in the womb, we would continue to reap it in ever-increasing horror in our streets.

Standing in front of the White House, praying and proclaiming the prophetic Word of God, these gentle Christians were threatened with arrest. They refused to move, and instead continued to pray for the mercy of God on our nation. As they were given their third and final warning, Benham declared these prophetic words, "No, America! This is your third and final warning!" Then he read from Dt. 32:25, "In the street the sword will make them childless, in their homes terror will reign. Young men and women will perish, infants and gray haired men."

"The Supreme Court of the United States of America declared that children in their mother’s wombs were not fully human and therefore were not entitled to the full protection of the laws of our land," said Rev. Benham. "Because of this open rebellion and blatant disregard for the Law of God and for life, our nation is suffering under the remedial judgments of God Himself. Blood is coursing down the corridors of our schools, workplaces and streets. Because we have not hated bloodshed, bloodshed is pursuing us." (Ezekiel 35:6)

After Flip gave God’s "Third and Final Warning," he was arrested. I picked up his fallen Bible and told him I had recovered it. He told me in no uncertain terms to open it to Dt. 32:25 and preach. As I did, I stretched out my hand toward the White House and prophetically declared that if America didn’t repent immediately of child-killing then God would reduce our economic and military might to dust. Thirty hours after we left Washington DC, the Twin Towers, the symbol of our economic might, and the Pentagon, the symbol of our military might became dust.

There are many other examples that could be mentioned, but this should suffice for now. The reason for this brief history of how God has soberly used Operation Rescue/Operation Save America in times past is to try give understanding of the national implications concerning this Walk Across America Prophetic Tour. In Joshua, the word of the Lord proclaims, "Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses" (Joshua 1:3). Every step of this three thousand mile journey carries a prophetic parable to our entire nation. The warning we are bringing does not just encompass a city or a region, but our sin-soaked and blood-stained land.

The first station of the walk will be known as JUSTICE. Brother Curtis Fenison, our official OSA shofar blower from North Carolina, will be carrying an aborted baby and a set of the Ten Commandments broken. The broken baby demonstrates the injustice and the broken Commandments of God. Galatians 3:24 declares, "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." Thus following the law of God will be a donkey that I will lead. The donkey will carry a banner that reveals her name, MERCY. The Gospel message between these two stations is undeniable. The Law of God is a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ and the very mercy of God. If however, our nation spurns the goodness of God that leads to repentance, following the donkey trails a white horse led by Rev. Flip Benham. On the horse’s side a sword will hang and a banner will read "King of kings and Lord of lords." The horse’s name is JUDGMENT.

Prayerfully, you can begin to see the urgency of our obedience to fulfill this arduous task. In our opening passage in Ezekiel, God exhorts the watchmen upon the wall to cry out a warning if they see the sword coming. Flip and I are simply seeking to obey the admonishment of the Lord. We have enough blood on our hands already concerning the babies that have been murdered in our nation under our watch. We don’t need to add the blood of the wicked who allowed them to die in the first place. Brethren, pray for us!

TYRANNY IN WACO

I just got back from North Carolina where we had our annual OSA leadership meeting. Christian Pro-life leaders came together from all over America to seek the Lord for direction for 2004. It was a great gathering and many are inspired to go further up and further into God's purposes for this year.

While away, however, the cat did play and as a result more governmental tyranny against the Gospel and the Pro-life message emerged in Waco. As we are preparing for the Walk Across America Prophetic Tour, our city has passed an unjust decree that has legislated the Gospel and expunged the Pro-life message from the schools and streets of Waco. This is a direct retaliation that stems from our powerful event in November that exposed the unfruitful works of darkness at the high schools, abortion mill, Baylor, and the public highways and byways of Waco. We are duty bound to challenge this injustice in our city. Attorney Rick Nelson, from Orlando, FL will be handling our case.

We also will be pressing forward with our case with the City and Planned Parenthood over the library debacle. Our attorneys from California will prayerfully start this week on that case. If the ruling still stands that removes $700,000 from our local Planned Parenthood coffers, (please pray for this) then perhaps the nightmare of Planned Parenthood will soon fade as a distant dream in the city of Waco. Please prayer for us, brethren. The battle is raging and we have much to accomplish in a short time. Please pray for Liz and my family. She is due to give birth to our 10th child soon. Torah Grace or Benjamin Judah Moore will be here soon!

Follow Up to the Waco Tyranny -February 12, 2004

Today I was contacted by our police liaison, Officer Steve Anderson, about his unfortunate situation of having to enforce the new city ordinance against peaceful Christians who are bearing witness to the truth on the public sidewalks of Waco. It appears I will be risking arrest this Wednesday at the Planned Parenthood death camp because of this unjust ruling by our city government.

If you are in Texas and especially in the Central Texas area would you please consider coming to Waco and be present at the abortion mill at 1927 Columbus Ave at 7:00 am this coming Wednesday, February 18th? Please do not bring any signs, but bring your Bibles instead. We are simply going to be reading the Scriptures on a public sidewalk and see what the "Powers that Be" will do. None of you need to risk arrest, but if push comes to shove, I already informed Officer Steve Anderson that I will never surrender the public sidewalk, my first amendment rights, and my duty to preach the gospel at the gates of hell.

Please send this request out through your e-mail lists asking for prayer and rally folks to come on Wednesday. It is extremely important that we make a stand against this tyranny. They have passed an unjust ruling to legislate the Gospel and expunge the Pro-life message from the streets of Waco. This cannot and must not stand. For the sake of the Gospel, the babies, and the future of freedom, please come to stand in the gap and make up the hedge.

As you can see in this month’s newsletter, we are duty bound to stand against this tyranny in Waco and duty bound to go on this Walk Across America Prophetic Tour. How we will be able to do both is beyond our comprehension. We are leaving it in the hands of God and trusting in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

THE PASSION

Who Really Killed Jesus?

Enclosed in this mailing is our tract "THE PASSION, Who Really Killed Jesus?" We are making this tract available for brothers and sisters in Christ to hand out at movie theaters throughout America once Mel Gibson’s film debuts. Many hearts will be plowed by this film and it will be an opportune time to give people the message of the Gospel of the Kingdom. Love ya!

IN KING JESUS' SERVICE,

Rusty, Liz, and the Thomas Nation

P.O. Box 3126, Waco, TX 76707 Voice: (254) 836-1037 Fax: (254) 836-4092 Cell: (254) 715-3134

E-mail: elijahmin@ifriendly.com   Websites: http://mttu.com/elijahmin , www.operationsaveamerica.org 

The PASSION

Who really killed Jesus?

"Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done." (Acts 4:25-28)

Perhaps you are leaving the movie theater somewhat overwhelmed by what you have just witnessed. Perhaps there was nothing in this world that could have prepared your heart and soul for the gut-wrenching movie "THE PASSION" that was directed by Mel Gibson. Perhaps mere words are insufficient to articulate the height and depth of human emotion that has swept through your entire being.

If you are a Christian, perhaps God has plowed your heart and used this film to call you back to your first love and your first works (Revelation 2:4,5). Perhaps your heart broke afresh over the terrible price our precious Savior paid for the redemption of our lost and wayward souls.

If you are an unbeliever and maybe a part of a religious system other than Christianity, perhaps great conviction has come upon your soul for the first time. Perhaps after viewing this film, you are seeing the claims of Christ and the veracity of His word in a more distinct light. After all, the Bible declares that Jesus is the light of the world. In fact, Jesus affirmed this truth in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." It is for you, my non-Christian friend, that this tract has been written.

Much controversy has surrounded this movie since its inception. All kinds of accusations have flown to and fro. Fears of anti-Semitism have arisen and spread like wild fire. Magazines, media, articles, and debates over this film have grown up like weeds and the number one question upon everyone's lips is "Who Really Killed Christ?"

This is an extremely important question, but unfortunately, our darkened world cannot supply a truthful answer. Human nature being what it is, we cannot but help to politicize the moral, ethical, and spiritual implications raised by this picture. Though we should be grateful that the question has been raised, it is only in the Bible, the Word of God, that one can safely derive authentic answers to life’s perplexing questions.

God’s Role In The Death Of Christ

First things first. We must major on the majors and minor on the minors to arrive at our proposed destination. Our beginning passage in Acts points the finger in the right direction, if we are to understand the nature of who killed Christ. It clearly states that Christ was first and foremost condemned to die the most agonizing death possible on that cruel cross according to what "...thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done." The hand and counsel referenced here is the hand and counsel of Almighty God.

Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the Bible prophesied of His coming. Holy Writ foretold that God would become a man and the Word of God (Jesus) would become flesh (Isaiah 9:6, 7:14, and John 1:1-14). The Scriptures foretold the brutal manner in which Jesus would die (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53). Keep in mind, crucifixion had not been invented yet as a method of capital punishment, when King David described our Lord’s suffering on a cross in Psalm 22. The prophets also pronounced Jesus’ glorious resurrection, long before His miraculous incarnation (Psalm 16:10, Acts 2). In fact, there are over 300 specific prophecies in the Old Testament that concern the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The New Testament simply records how Jesus Christ fulfilled each and everyone of them.

The truth is, Jesus Christ was slain before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). Before there was a created universe, before our first parents, Adam and Eve, roamed paradise, and before man sinned and committed high treason against God to plunge this earth into death, hell, and the grave, Jesus was already slain in the heart and mind of God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost conspired in eternity past to condemn Jesus to die a bloody, horrifying death in order to redeem lost, fallen, and sinful creatures like you and me.

It is this truth and destiny that burned in the heart of Jesus that amply supplied Him with the courage and humility to honestly proclaim that no one could take His life from Him (John 10:18). Jesus received from God the Father the command to lay down His life and the power to take it up again. Jesus knew He was born to die, to bear witness to the truth, and to unleash God’s salvation upon this poor-fallen world. Jesus’ death on the cross could not be avoided. It was God’s eternal decree and no man, no devil, and no government on earth could prevent this most central, tragic, and historical event from taking place. Jesus settles the raging debate once and for all in Luke 24:25,26, "Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?"

Man’s Role In Christ’s Death

Because many have not perceived God’s role in our Lord’s death, some throughout history have looked for human scapegoats to blame. The Jews, traditionally, have fit the bill. Throughout history, either misguided genuine Christians or unconverted pagans masquerading as Christians have hurled the railing accusation of "Christ Killer" against the Jewish people. As a result, the Jews have suffered persecution at the hands of the Church, especially in the Middle Ages. They were terribly treated.

Even the Reformation did not completely end the Jew’s mistreatment. Martin Luther, at first fought for more freedom for the Jewish people under the Reformation, but as they resisted the Gospel of the Kingdom message, he wrote scathing denunciations against them. In fact, some of his writings became familiar to Hitler. It has been said that Martin Luther later recanted. One can only hope that is true. Obviously, the Jews may have some legitimate concerns when it comes to the handling of our Lord’s death in this day.

On a human level, our opening passage of Scripture in the book of Acts implicates several groups that were involved in the murder of Jesus. God’s Word implicates Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel. In one sense, God indited the entire known world at that time for the crucifixion of His Son. No one escaped responsibility. On the other hand, the Jews, the Romans, and the political and religious leaders of the day were mere instruments that were unknowingly carrying out the will of God. The Apostle Paul verifies this truth by stating, "Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

Dear friend, the truth is, it was your sin and my sin that is responsible for the spilled blood and broken body of our loving Savior. The artist Rembrandt sought to convey this truth in a painting called "The Raising of the Cross." He painted it as a self-portrait. It was Rembrandt as the soldier that nailed Christ to the cross and lifted up our Lord’s tortured and mangled body up as payment for the sins of the world.

Who killed Christ? Rembrandt knew and so does Mel Gibson. You did and I did! It was our idolatry, greed, lust, selfishness, lies, perversions, abominations, and immorality that nailed Him to the cross, but it was His love that held Him there. Jesus paid a debt He did not owe and we owed a debt we could not pay. Though Jesus never sinned, He died a criminal’s death. Out of His great love for you and me, He became our substitute for breaking God’s Law. He served our sentence for us by enduring the agonizing torture upon a cruel cross. It’s by His blood shed on that cross that we can be saved, escape the wrath that is to come, and everlasting destruction. It is through Jesus' broken body that our broken relationship with God can be restored. Please don’t delay. Call upon the name of the Lord, repent of your sins, believe in Jesus, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38). Today is the day of salvation!