INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE PENIEL '99
"THE JUBILEE"
(To enlarge, Click on the pictures)

God ordained three solemn feasts for the children of Israel after He delivered them from Egypt and before they entered the Promised Land. Exodus 23 teaches us that barely three months after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea God spoke of these feasts on Mount Sinai. Deuteronomy 16 also tell us about the feasts in detail when Moses reminded the people of them 40 years later just before they crossed the Jordan River. After having set them free from their oppressors, our wonderful God said to them:

"Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people; for all the earth is mine; and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation".

These words, filled with love and promises, were followed by many other words which formed the foundation of the relationship of this people with their God. Among the things God ordained for His people were these three solemn feasts that they were to celebrate from then on.

During the last week of February, here at Peniel Church of Argentina we just celebrated our third solemn feast of the year, our third convocation. We did it by the grace of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit upon our lives, just as the biblical text says, with great joy. During these days of celebration, which we named "The Jubilee" because the Peniel work in Argentina just completed its 50th year, the Holy Spirit taught us, encouraged us, took us into intercession for our country, and then, each morning and evening, lifted us into such places of joy and gladness in Him, that it was difficult to end the meetings.

During these days of celebration, which we called "The Jubilee" because the Peniel Work in Argentina is already 50 years on the way, the Holy Spirit taught us, He encouraged us, He took us to make intercession for our country and then, each morning and evening, He lifted us unto such places of joy and happiness in Him, that it was difficult to conclude each meeting.

The Lord instructed His People through the words of his servants with deep truths of spiritual life and of our relationship with Him. Simple words amazed us with the truths they contained. These simple words took us towards new light, new consecrations and towards a greater love for the Lord Jesus. However, the most significant word in this conference was without a doubt that the Lord was giving joy to His people, and this He surely did! The Lord said, "...thou shalt rejoice!" and also, "...thou shalt surely rejoice!" It was tremendous how the Lord filled us with the joy of His Presence. There is a song that we sing that goes, "I can't stop praising the Lord, I can't stop, I can't stop..." We couldn't stop rejoicing. This is all recorded on both video and audio tapes, and copies are available upon request for anyone who wants them.

This conference took place in a huge auditorium the members of the church of Buenos Aires built in about 100 days on the Peniel grounds in the outskirts of the city of Buenos Aires. In an effort we all admire, they spent their strength and pocketbooks, day and night, so that up to three thousand people would be able to have a place to meet for this conference. What the construction of this building meant to them can't be understood by those who didn't participate in it. The most wonderful thing was that while dedicating it to God each one of them put on the altar all they had invested into that building of their lives: their time and their money, their strength and their will. The race against the clock was not easy; their effort was immense.

Those who came from the other churches participated with them in this with much respect and joy, although this was something only the church of Buenos Aires could offer, because they were the builders. However, something more arose from them, which allowed the whole congregation to join into a unity of a feeling of gratefulness.

The incense that rose to the heavens that first evening, the dedication service, was extremely fragrant to all those present. Everything was placed on the altar; they burned it all there leaving nothing for themselves; everything was offered to our God. Although this was something only the church of Buenos Aires could offer because they were the builders, those who came from other churches participated along with them with much respect and joy. Nevertheless, from them arose something more which allowed the whole congregation to join into a unity of the spirit of gratefulness. The gratitude of all present ascended to God for the grace which the Lord had shed over one man to become a source of inspiration for hundreds of others and a guide of the many blind towards the Light and Revelation with which he had been illuminated many years before. The magnificent auditorium, after having been dedicated to the Lord, was named "The Edward Miller Auditorium". This was a small homage on behalf of all the brethren for whom this man had shed his tears. This was a total surprise to Pastor Miller who felt uncomfortable with all this. He had always said that it was not his work, that he was just an instrument, and that everything was done by the hand of the Lord. We all knew this since it is part of what he himself taught us. However, for all those present it was a very moving act through which many of Pastor Miller's spiritual children, congregated here and representing several countries, could unite to thank him for having spent his life for them.

Those present at this Convocation of the Lord came from the north, south, and east of Argentina, but also many came from other countries such as Uruguay, Paraguay, the United States, Taiwan and Malaysia. It was a true feast. Songs filled the place. The spirit of communion flooded the area in and around the auditorium, and joy was everywhere. The beauty of the Presence of the Lord reigned. In reality this is what happened:

"...I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself."

And this is what is to come:

"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people; for all the earth is mine; and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation".

 

ˇHALLELUJAH!

Pictures courtesy of David Hayes