Do Business till I come!

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04000640egdysm.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Arial" ><B>Church of God, In Truth</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B>    |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church of God, In Truth"><B>home</B></A></div> <div> back to<B>  </B><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Edification Articles"><B>Edification Articles</B></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#0000BF" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <div> <A HREF="am_i_going_to_heaven.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Am I going to Heaven?">Am I going to Heaven?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="why_does_the_earth_have_a_mo.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Why does the Earth have a Moon?">Why does the Earth have a Moon?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="connecting_the_dots.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Connecting the Dots!">Connecting the Dots!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="yielding.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Yielding">Yielding</A></div> <div> <A HREF="marriage_and_wedding_supper_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Marriage and Wedding supper of the Lamb">Marriage and Wedding supper of the Lamb</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_great_controversy.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Great Controversy">The Great Controversy</A></div> <div> <A HREF="last_days_events.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Last Days Events">Last Days Events</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="worlds_way_or_mans_way.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Worlds Way or Mans Way">World's Way or Man's Way</A></div> <div> <A HREF="freemasonrythe_invisible_emp.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Freemasonry...the Invisible Empire">Freemasonry...the Invisible Empire</A></div> <div> <A HREF="who_is_on_authority.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who is on Authority?">Who is on Authority?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="first_fruits_of_barley.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="First Fruits of Barley">First Fruits of Barley</A></div> <div> <A HREF="timeless_truth.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Timeless Truth">Timeless Truth</A></div> <div> <A HREF="how_do_sheep_differ_from_goa.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How Do Sheep Differ From Goats?">How Do Sheep Differ From Goats?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="deceived.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Deceived">Deceived</A></div> <div> <B>Do Business till I come!</B></div> <div> <A HREF="new_beginning.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="New Beginning">New Beginning</A></div> <div> <A HREF="ultimate_liberty.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ultimate Liberty">Ultimate Liberty</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="the_cave_of_adullam.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Cave of Adullam">The Cave of Adullam</A></div> <div> <A HREF="what_do_you_think_impresses_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What do you think impresses God the most">What do you think impresses God the most?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="what_is_truth.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is Truth?">What is Truth?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="life_in_kenya.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Life in Kenya">Life in Kenya</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_assurance_of_salvation_t.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The assurance of salvation through faith">The assurance of salvation through faith</A></div> <div> <A HREF="person_of_interest.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Person of interest">Person of interest</A></div> <div> <A HREF="what_christians_need_to_know.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What Christians Need To Know About Islam">What Christians Need To Know About Islam!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="you_reap_what_you_sow.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="You reap what you sow">You reap what you sow</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="be_still___.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Be still . . .">Be still . . .</A></div> <div> <A HREF="how_short_is_life.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How short is life?">How short is life?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="sharing_gods_word.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sharing Gods Word">Sharing God's Word</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="nimrod_resurrected.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Nimrod Resurrected">Nimrod Resurrected</A></div> <div> <A HREF="have_you_wondered_why.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Have you wondered why?">Have you wondered why?</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="the_readers_corner_mayjune_2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Readers Corner: May/June 2009">The Reader's Corner: May/June 2009</A></div> <div> <A HREF="declaring_the_end_from_the_b.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Declaring the end from the beginning">Declaring the end from the beginning</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_renewing_of_our_mind.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Renewing of our mind">The Renewing of our mind</A></div> <div> <A HREF="sacrificed_for_our_sins.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sacrificed for Our Sins">Sacrificed for Our Sins</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_readerss_corner_marchapr.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Readerss Corner: March/April">The Readers's Corner: March/April</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_redeeming_blood.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Redeeming Blood">The Redeeming Blood</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="tempted_in_all_points.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tempted in all points">Tempted in all points</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="passover_attitude.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Passover Attitude">Passover Attitude</A></div> <div> <A HREF="readers_corner_whats_is_in_a.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Readers Corner: Whats is in a name like ">Readers Corner: What's is in a name like Israel</A></div> <div> <A HREF="life_comes_from.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Life comes from?">Life comes from?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="commitment.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Commitment">Commitment</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_purpose_of_the_bible.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Purpose of the Bible">The Purpose of the Bible</A></div> <div> <A HREF="doing_the_will_of_god.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Doing the Will of God">Doing the Will of God</A></div> <div> <A HREF="spiritual_encouragement.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spiritual Encouragement">Spiritual Encouragement</A></div> <div> <A HREF="faith_and_patience.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Faith and Patience">Faith and Patience</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_gifts_of_the_maji_and_ou.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Gifts of the Maji and our Destiny">The Gifts of the Maji and our Destiny</A></div> <div> <A HREF="solomons_wisdom.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Balanced Outlook on Live!">A Balanced Outlook on Live!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="what_is_truth1ce.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is Truth?">What is Truth?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="satans_snare.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Satans Snares">Satan's Snares</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="are_you_ready_for_the_return.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Are you ready for the return of Christ?">Are you ready for the return of Christ?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="readers_corner___september_2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Readers Corner September 2008">Readers Corner - September 2008</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_ultimate_plan.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Ultimate Plan">The Ultimate Plan</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="called_to_be_a_kingdom_of_pr.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Called to be a Kingdom of Priests">Called to be a Kingdom of Priests</A></div> <div> <A HREF="readers_corner_july_20008.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Readers Corner July 20008">Readers Corner July 20008</A></div> <div> <A HREF="knowing_god.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Knowing God">Knowing God</A></div> <div> <A HREF="living_without_gods_word.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Living without Gods Word">Living without God's Word</A></div> <div> <A HREF="trauma_in_america.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Trauma in America">Trauma in America</A></div> <div> <A HREF="proverbs_31_wife___an_exampl.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Proverbs 31 Wife An Example for the Chu">Proverbs 31 Wife - An Example for the Church of God!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="cremation.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cremation">Cremation</A></div> <div> <A HREF="change.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Change">Change</A></div> <div> <A HREF="only_one_mark_of_the_beast.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Only One, Mark of the Beast?">Only One, Mark of the Beast?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="how_should_pentecost_be_coun.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How should Pentecost be counted?">How should Pentecost be counted?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="gods_planned_parameters.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods Planned Parameters">God's Planned Parameters</A></div> <div> <A HREF="human_nature.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Human Nature">Human Nature</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id434.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Christian Burnout">Christian Burnout</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id433.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What I am living for">What I am living for</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id432.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jesus Christ The Passover The Wavesheaf">Jesus Christ; The Passover -- The Wavesheaf -- The Firstfruit!!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id431.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Beyond the veil">Beyond the veil</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id429.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="All Because of Us">All Because of Us</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id428.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="As Little Children">As Little Children</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id427.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Something to think about">Something to think about</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id423.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="OBSERVE GODS FEAST FOREVER">OBSERVE GOD'S FEAST FOREVER</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id420.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Human nature">Human nature</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id419.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Thanksgiving, blessings of gratitude">Thanksgiving, blessings of gratitude</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id418.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who has the authority?">Who has the authority?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id415.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods will">God's will</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id414.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Really good news!">Really good news!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id413.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="It wont be long now!">It won't be long now!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id412.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jerusalem Our City of the Future">Jerusalem - Our City of the Future</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id411.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Listen to God">Listen to God</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id407.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Identifying the Holy Spirit">Identifying the Holy Spirit</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id406.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The book that hold the desteny of men!">The book that hold the desteny of men!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id405.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="From Which Will You Be Chosen?">From Which Will You Be Chosen?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id403.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Always be Ready!">Always be Ready!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id401.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Without vision">Without vision</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id400.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Yielding fruit after its kind!">Yielding fruit after its kind!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id397.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Two groups of Jews">Two groups of Jews</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id396.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods Almost Forgotten Day ">God's Almost Forgotten Day </A></div> <div> <A HREF="id395.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The New Moon, The Passover and Our Calli">The New Moon, The Passover and Our Calling</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id394.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Keep the Right Day for Passover">Keep the Right Day for Passover</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id393.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Pain of Change">The Pain of Change</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id392.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Man Who crucified Christ!">The Man Who crucified Christ!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id390.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Two Churches of Revelation 12">Two Churches of Revelation 12</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id389.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Heart Knower">The Heart - Knower</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id388.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="All things work together for good!">All things work together for good!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id387.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Understand Gods Healing Plan">Understand God's Healing Plan</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id386.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Feed Gods Household">Feed God's Household</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id382.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Religion could not save us">Religion could not save us</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id381.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Know Thyself">Know Thyself</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id380.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fear Factor">Fear Factor</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id378.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Accountability">Accountability</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id374.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Why they will fight Christ at his coming">Why they will fight Christ at his coming</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id373.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Most High rules in the Kingdom of Ma">The Most High rules in the Kingdom of Man</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id372.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sharing Gods Word">Sharing God's Word</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id371.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="More reasons to rejoice at the Feast!">More reasons to rejoice at the Feast!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id370.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Why do We attend the Feast of Tabernacle">Why do We attend the Feast of Tabernacles</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id366.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Living in a world without the Bible ">Living in a world without the Bible </A></div> <div> <A HREF="id365.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="When all else failsPress On">When all else fails-Press On</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id364.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Come out of Babylon and be not partakers">Come out of Babylon and be not partakers of her sin</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id363.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="All other ground is sinking sand">All other ground is sinking sand</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id362.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Riddle of Leviathan?">Riddle of Leviathan?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id360.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Christs Message In The Parable Of Lazaru">Christ's Message In The Parable Of Lazarus And The Rich Man</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id359.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Keep Gods Sabbath Holy">Keep God's Sabbath Holy</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id358.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jesus Christ, The PassoverThe WavesheafT">Jesus Christ, The Passover---The Wavesheaf--The Firstfruit</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id357.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wave sheaf">Wave sheaf</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id356.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Let no man take your crown">Let no man take your crown</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id355.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods three appointed harvests">God's three appointed harvests</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id343.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Modern day Israel">Modern day Israel</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id339.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Planting of America">The Planting of America</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id342.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Where is God?">Where is God?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id344.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The power of words">The power of words</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id340.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Promises of the fifth commandment">Promises of the fifth commandment</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id341.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Out of Egypt I called my son">Out of Egypt I called my son</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=". . . and my People love to have it so!">. . . and my People love to have it so!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id347.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Betrayal of Christ">The Betrayal of Christ</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id348.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Purpose of Gods Law!">Purpose of God's Law!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id349.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The evils of sin">The evils of sin</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id350.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="He who overcomes">He who overcomes</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id351.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sharing Gods word">Sharing God's word</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id352.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Out of Egypt I called my son">Out of Egypt I called my son</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id318.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="GODS HOLY DAY OFFERINGS">GOD'S HOLY DAY OFFERINGS</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id320.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Time to count">Time to count</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id323.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Trumpet of God">Trumpet of God</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id324.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="To forgive is divine">To forgive is divine</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id325.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Overcoming bad habits">Overcoming bad habits</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id328.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Little Fock">Little Fock</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id329.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Government in Gods Church">Government in God's Church</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id330.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HWA Radio Transcript 1979">HWA Radio Transcript 1979</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id333.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Is God speaking to us?">Is God speaking to us?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id334.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Do you believe God?">Do you believe God?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id335.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Warnings and Exhortation">Warnings and Exhortation</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id336.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Righteous Judgment">Righteous Judgment</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id337.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The physical and spiritual blessings of ">The physical and spiritual blessings of submission</A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=380 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>DO BUSINESS TILL I COME!</B></div> <bR> <div> <I>Blessed is that servant whom His master, when He comes, will find so doing. Matthew 24:46 (NKJ)</I></div> <div> **********************************************************************************************</div> <div> The Japanese had invaded the Philippines in December 1941, shortly after attacking Pearl Harbor. These were the darkest days of WW I1 in the Pacific. </div> <div> The American general in the Philippines, Douglas MacArthur, chose Bataan and Corregidor Island in Manila Bay as defensive strongholds. Defeat of the combined Filipino-American defenders was imminent, however. Bataan fell April 9, 1942. Corregidor would fall 27 days later. General MacArthur was ordered to leave the Philippines and barely escaped to Australia, with the Japanese desperately attempting to kill or capture him. </div> <div> Upon arriving at Batchelor Field, 40 miles south of Darwin, Australia, MacArthur told reporters: "The President of the United States ordered me to break through the Japanese lines-for the purpose of organizing the American offensive against Japan." The primary goal was the liberation of the Philippines, said General MacArthur. He vowed to personally come back: "I came through and I shall return."</div> <div> General MacArthur was surprised that his casual statement, "I shall return," energized the Filipino resistance so dramatically. He wrote in his Reminiscenses: "The phrase `I shall return' seemed a promise of magic to the Filipinos. It lit a flame that became a symbol which focused the nation's indomitable will-It was scraped in the sands of beaches, it was daubed on the walls of the barrios, it was stamped on the mail, it was whispered to the cloisters of the church." A simple phrase became a rallying cry of hope for millions. General MacArthur was true to his word. He promised to return and liberate the Filipinos from their captors. And come he did, landing on the beach at Leyte Island in central Philippines during October 1944. Today that landing has been immortalized by erected stone statues of the general and his companions on the beach at Palo, Leyte, the actual landing site.</div> <div> Before the general died in 1964, he and his wife had a sentimental visit to the Philippines. They came to Iloilo which had a special part in the General's life. It should be noted that as a young man he spent some time in Iloilo where it was his father who was responsible for constructing the Iloilo port. Today, Ilongos still enjoy the concrete wharf that the late general constructed. For the first and last time I had that rare opportunity to see and listen to our beloved liberator.</div> <div> General MacArthur was only a human being. He merely carried out a temporary liberation from a national conqueror. Today, he is dead and the dramatic events and promises of WWII are but a fading memory.</div> <div> Another individual, living many centuries before Douglas MacArthur, also made a pledge to return and liberate His followers. That personage was Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus told His followers He would die for their sins, be resurrected and go away to a heavenly place for a time. "He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return" (Luke 19:12). Jesus then made a promise to return again as the Messiah or the Christ-and free His followers from the shackles of death: "If I go, I shall come again and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also" (John 14:3, New English Bible).</div> <div> Jesus teaches in parables so those who are not called at that time would not understand what He meant. Even today God is not trying to save the world. People today are not being judged yet, only those whom God is calling at this time.</div> <div> In the parable of the talent in Matthew 25: 14-30 and also the pounds in Luke 19:11-27, Jesus tells of a nobleman who called his servants and delivered to them goods and said, "do business till I come." This admonition is looked upon by God's people as being addressed to them. The parable is speaking of Jesus Christ who will return after receiving His Kingdom.</div> <div> There is no question of Christ return, but when? He had told His servants to do business while He was away. In the KJV of the Bible, the command is "occupy till I come" This is actually our mission at this time. </div> <div> The most common story that we read when it comes to the return of Christ is the story about MacArthur's return. Little had been mentioned about people who had been faithful in doing their mission. Matthew 24:26-27 should also attract our attention, "Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over his goods." Note that if you read this parable, our reward is subject to how much we gained after doing business as we are commanded. Faithfulness to our mission is highly necessary. </div> <div> Perhaps this story could inspire us. Place: The Philippines. Time: Late in World War II. As the Allies advance, the Japanese retreated. Second Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda, who was drafted into the Japanese Imperial army in 1942, is assigned to lead a guerrilla campaign on Lubang, a small island off Mindoro. His mission: Fight for the territory and harass the enemy.</div> <div> In his book, " No Surrender," Lt. Onoda later describes the orders he received from his superior officer: "You are absolutely forbidden to die by your own hand. It may take three years, it may take five, but whatever happens, we'll come back for you. Until then, so long as you have one soldier, you are to continue to lead him. You may have to live on coconuts! If that is the case, live on coconuts. Under no circumstances are you to give up your life voluntarily."</div> <div> "I said to myself, `I'll do it! Even if I don't have coconuts, even if I have to eat grass and weeds, I'll do it. These are my orders and I will carry them out" (pages 50-51). Lt. Hiroo Onoda and his men took their position on Lubang late in 1944. Within months, Japan was beaten, and its forces everywhere where ordered to lay down their arms. </div> <div> The world began to pick up the pieces from its worst war. A plane dropped surrender orders to Lt. Onoda and his group. But he and his four companions refused to surrender. Why? Hadn't Japan sworn to fight until not a single Japanese remained alive? His orders were clear: under no circumstances was he to quit. The enemy, he reasoned, must be playing tricks. </div> <div> One by one, Lt. Onoda's men deserted or were killed or captured. The 1950s came, then the 1960s. Japan rose from defeat to become an industrial giant. In place of armies were Japan's cameras and radios that invaded the world. Fashions came and went. People walked on the moon.</div> <div> But on Lubang, Lt. Hiroo Onoda fought on. His uniform rotted. He suffered hunger, cold and loneliness. He couldn't figure out why cruise ships had replaced the battleships in the bay. Where are the military planes? Why did the newspapers he sometimes found give no news of the war? And why didn't his superiors send more orders? He knew Japan still existed. The papers said his nation was growing in wealth and power, so they couldn't have lost the war. That meant they would come back for him. His commander had promised.</div> <div> The Filipinos, the Americans and even the Japanese tried to entice Lt. Onoda from the jungle. Japan sent his brother to Lubang to plead with him. But Lt. Onoda would not drop his defenses. He had been told, "No surrender."</div> <div> At last a Japanese photographer contacted Lt. Onoda and asked him what it would take to make him give in. Lt. Onoda's answer: Send the man who had told him not to give in. Let him rescind the order.</div> <div> Back in Japan, Lt. Onoda's commanding officer, now a middle-aged bookseller, was found. He was given copies of the original surrender orders and sent to Lubang, where he reached Lt. Onoda.</div> <div> Finally, on March 9, 1974, nearly 29 years after his country surrendered, the Second World War's last warrior did too. Despite his tattered uniform, Hiroo Onoda emerged from the jungle looking every inch a soldier. His weapons were in topnotch condition. He was still a fighting force. He occupied till they came.</div> <div> Like Lt. Onoda, we as Christians didn't volunteer for the warfare in which we find ourselves. "But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him" (I Cor 12:18). Jesus doesn't take us out of this hostile, deceptive, selfish world. Instead, He leaves us in it to do the work of preaching the Gospel to the World. "They are not of the world any more than I am of the world," He prayed to His Father. "As you sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world" (John 17:14, 18). Jesus commission to us? "Occupy till I come" (Luke 19:13, KJV). He stated, "I [we] must do the work of Him who sent Me" (John 9:4). We are not to surrender. We are to live in what amounts to enemy territory, spiritually, and witness to another way of life.</div> <div> As God's chosen children we show that Jesus has already come to save the world. And we announce that He will come again bringing the full reality of God's Kingdom to earth to deliver all humans from the corruption of sin. Our orders are clear, no matter how long it takes--occupy till Jesus Christ comes back. When He returns, He hopes to find us "doing so." "Blessed is that servant, whom His Lord when He cometh shall find so doing" (Matthew 24:46).</div> <div> Lt. Onoda expected to be on Lubang for only two or three years. The apostles expected Jesus to return shortly after His ascension. Only later did the Church see it would be much longer. Jesus may come soon. But we can't set dates or give Him ultimatum. </div> <div> Whenever Jesus returns His orders to us are still valid: Fight on. Don't let enemy propaganda wear you down. Stay loyal to your King. We are confident that God will lead us to the end until Jesus comes. This is our strong assurance, "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil.1:6).</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Sotero Sonza</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>