Heartfelt Greetings From the Friends in Denmark (1929)

Heartfelt Greetings From the Friends in Denmark (1929)

“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.” 1 Pet. 4:7.

I have just returned from a trip to Denmark with Br. Sigurd Bratlie. We visited Aalborg, Fredericia and Copenhagen. Everywhere we went we got the impression that God’s people are divided and at odds with one another, especially because of immature and ungodly preachers who have contributed to destroying the flock. Their superficial message—devoid of the cross—has wreaked havoc everywhere. The flesh has had a heyday hiding behind this teaching. By God’s grace, wherever we went we were able to preach the cross and death over all flesh. Many people who had understanding realized that our message is exactly what is needed today. Naturally we had to hold meetings in smaller groups as usual, because the leaders of the larger assemblies are so far behind the times that they are afraid of the word of the cross. Nonetheless, the word of the cross gradually leavens everything in its path, and the most God-fearing souls in each assembly gladly receive it. So whether the leaders like it or not, they will end up losing those who are the core and the strength of their assemblies. They will be left with an empty shell, a name of being alive, although they are dead. May they come to their senses!

It was our first visit to Aalborg, but God was with us, and it went very well. I believe many who were weighed down by grief and despair received hope and were inspired by hearing the way out of their wretchedness. It was heartwarming to see how they welcomed us, and how they trusted us, even though we were strangers. May God bless them and give them light. We had two public meetings in Fredericia, where only a few came, besides our faithful friends. Nonetheless, we rejoiced to be together with those dear friends who, despite many tribulations, have remained faithful right from the days when Aksel held meetings there.

We met several upright souls in Copenhagen, who were like sheep scattered over the mountains of Israel. We had several Bible studies together, and I believe the effect was that the friends got their eyes opened as never before to the fact that all that is impressive has to be torn down, and that the smoking flax and bruised reeds must be raised up and gathered together. The friends will now meet together at Brother Ejner Kristensen’s home in Amager. He is a quiet, gentle man, who certainly will not make thoughtless remarks or scare anyone away. May God bless him and the friends there.

We made a quick trip to Malmø in Sweden, where we were complete strangers. We distributed some copies of Skjulte Skatter and traveled back home via Copenhagen. It is amazing when God’s Spirit leads you into the works He has prepared. Everything is open and ready. This is something we truly experienced on this trip. We who have come to faith enter into rest. With every Bible study we held and in every place we visited, we felt we had done what we could, and we were in rest. Now we’ll just let things run their course. Everything reminds us that the end is coming. Everything is moving in that direction, because the end of all things is at hand. So let us be sober and diligent in prayer, laboring to serve people—while living before God’s face.

I am aware of my limitations. It is not my work to preach to the multitudes. So I hope, by God’s grace, to get Br. Aslaksen to come to Denmark some day. Then we can rent a meeting hall so that everyone can hear our message. Our gifts vary, but the Spirit is the same. Since we have the same Spirit of faith, we believe and therefore we speak. We know that as these Danish friends increase in unity and are inwardly strengthened, we will be able, with them, to reach much further to other upright people in other assemblies, because we still have many sheep who are not yet in this fold. They are still under the custody of hirelings. They must be freed so that they, too, can come to the glorious liberty of the children of God. We are working toward this goal, and we will attain it. In the day of distress, upright souls will receive wings so they can fly over those high walls of sectarianism, over the heads of their leaders, like airplanes—like doves to their nests. Already many of these “Jews,” who are circumcised in heart have found their way home. Their leaders watched them through their binoculars as far as they could until they disappeared over the horizon. Blessed freedom, blessed promised land, flowing with milk and honey! Soon whole flocks will come, ignoring the warnings and opposition. They follow their instincts toward freedom, sun and summer. The promoters of the law do not have the ability or the strength to hold them back. This international life in God follows its own laws and paths.

Hallelujah!