Letter from Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani

"We focus on the present Truth – what Jesus is doing now. . ."
ISSN 1442-8660

Christian greetings in the precious Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have been sent the following copy of a letter translated from Farsi to English. It was written on June 2, 2010 by our Brother Youcef Nadarkhani, Pastor of a Message Church in Rasht, Iran. Brother Youcef has been imprisoned since October 2009 and was sentenced to death early this month for apostasy, that is, for converting from Islam to Christianity and preaching the present Truth, which others hearing seized with faith. His wife is serving a life sentence for the same "crime" while their two little children are in the care of relatives.

It had been my intention to prepare a correspondence to the religious and political Authorities in Iran but I have given priority to this extraordinary Newsletter, believing your fervent prayers will be more immediately effectual as only days remain in which our Brother might appeal. In the meantime may you lift Brother Youcef, his wife and other Iranian Christians imprisoned and otherwise persecuted for the faith before the throne of Mercy, and pray the Lord will touch the hearts of the Authorities.

The Son of man has come. May His Presence be seen in Iran by the manifestation of the 'third pull' to the glory of His Name and the growth of His Kingdom.

This Newsletter serves those of like precious faith. Whoever will receive the truth is welcome to feed their soul from the waters of the River of Life. Everything here presented should be confirmed personally in your own Bible.

Dear brothers and sisters, Salam.

In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am continuously seeking grace and mercy to you, that you remember me in your prayers, and those who are bearing efforts for His Name.

Your loyalty to God is the cause of my strength and encouragement. For I know well that you will be rewarded, as it's stated: blessed is the one who has faith, for what has been said to him by God, will be carried out. As we know (we believe), heaven and earth will fade but His Word will still remain.

Dear beloved ones, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of a few verses, although you might know everything, So that in them, you struggle more than past, both to prove your being chosen and for the Gospel that is supposed to be preached to the entire world as well.

I know that not all of us are granted to keep this word but to those who are granted this power and this revelation, I announce the same as Judas, struggle for the faith that was once given to the saints.

We are passing by special and sensitive days. The days that for an alert and awake believer can be days of Spiritual growth and progress. Because for him, more than any other time there is possibility to compare his faith with the Word of God, to have God's promises in mind, and to survey His faith.

Therefore he (the true believer) does not wonder for the fire that has been set on for him as something unusual, but it pleases him to participate in Christ's passion. Because he knows he will rejoice in His glory.

Dears, the judgment starts from the God's temple, and if it starts from us, what a consequence will the disobedient to the gospel of God gain? And if the righteous one is saved hardly, where can the miscreants be found?

Therefore those who are enduring burdens by the will of God, dedicate their souls to the faithful creator. Promises that He has given us, are unique and precious. As we've heard He has said "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

How can it be possible for a believer to understand these Words?

Not only when he is focusing on Jesus Christ with adapting his life according to the Life Jesus lived when He was on earth? As it is said, "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? And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the Law to fail."

Have we not read and heard: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto Life, and few there be that find it. Many attempt to flee from their Spiritual tests, and they have to face those same tests harder. Because no one will win only by escaping from them but with patience, humility he will be able to overcome all the tests and to gain victory.

Therefore in the place of Christ's followers, we must not feel desperate, but we have to pray to God in supplication with more passion to help us with any assistance we may need.

According to what Paul has said: In every temptation, God himself will make a way for us to tolerate it.

O beloved ones, difficulties do not weaken mankind, but they reveal the human true nature. It will be good for us occasionally to face persecutions and abnormalities. Since these abnormalities will persuade us to go back to our hearts and to survey ourselves. So as a result, we conclude that troubles are annoying but usually good and useful to build us.

Dear brothers and sisters, we must be more careful more than any time else. Because in these days, many's hearts and thoughts are revealed so that the faith is gauged. May your treasure be where there is no moth and rust.

I would like to remind you of some verses that we nearly discuss everyday, (Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven). but as long as our human will has priority to God's will, His will will not be done.

As we have learned from Him in Gethsemane, He surrendered His will to the Father. "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will."

What we are bearing today, is a difficult but not unbearable situation. Because neither has He tested us more than our faith and our endurance nor does He do as such. And as we have known from before, we must beware not to fail but to advance in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And to consider these bumps and prisons as opportunities to testify to His Name. He said: If anyone is ashamed of Me and My Words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

As a small servant, necessarily in prison to carry out what I must do, I say with faith in the Word of God that He will come soon. "However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"

Discipline yourself with faith in the Word of God. Retain your souls with patience. For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly.

May you be granted grace and blessings increasingly in the Name of Lord Jesus Christ.

Yusef Nadarkhani
Lakan Prison in Rasht
2/June/2010 nl655.htm

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Brother Grigor-Scott is a non-denominational minister who has ministered full-time since 1981, primarily to other ministers and their congregations overseas. He pastors Bible Believers' tiny congregation, and is available to teach in your church.

Bible Believers' Church
Gunnedah NSW
Australia 2380

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Bible Believers' Newsletter 655