[NeitherFirstnorLast]

Good morning Ohio,

There's been a snow storm up here this weekend, so we find ourselves not making the trip for the Lord's Table meeting today, but instead getting together with the some of the saints to continue with the Video training messages.

When it comes to LSM's eschatological views, I must confess that I do not fully embrace everything that has been professed either; however, I take the Word given to Daniel literally: "Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." Daniel 12:9b

The Lord's ways are higher than our ways, His thought higher than our thoughts: "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." Mark 13:32

What I wrote, about checking out what was written by Nee in the Orthodoxy of the Church, I wrote not to the saints who have left LSM - but to those who remain.

What Nigel wrote is perhaps not incorrect, however - to ask the saints to embrace this is to ask them to drastically shift their paradigm. This is difficult for them to do, especially for those raised in LSM churches - those who know ONLY LSM's particular brand of Christianity. LSM teaches that Nee was the "Seer of the Divine Revelation", and that Lee "Stands of the Shoulders of Nee." In essence, they are saying that these two men were infallible. That what they wrote was as divinely inspired as the gospel. If the saints come to believe that something written by one of these two could be wrong, it topples not only their belief in LSM; but may well topple their belief in their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This statement may sound strong, but I can testify to it's validity. I myself, when I saw the true condition of the Lutheran church I attended as a child, had my faith shaken to its core.... and haven't many who have been cast aside or left behind after the turmoil likewise had this experience? The faith of the saints in the LSM churches has been misplaced - they hope not only in Christ, but also in the ministry. In fact, they are taught to believe that Christ CANNOT return until LSM gets it right - that the Lord is waiting for a mature Bride, and since we fellowship with no one else outside the LSM churches, then surely we believe by default that WE are the Bride working towards maturity, and we can only attain it alone. There is no room in this theology for God to cause the growth. We speak of the "Lord's Recovery" - but this term by definition acknowledges that the Recovery is being done by the Lord - and not by a man-made organization called Living Stream Ministries. We need to not only profess that, but to live that out. The Lord IS Recovering much, but He isn't doing among LSM churches alone. In fact, if what Nee wrote in "The Orthodoxy of the Church" is to be believed, then He isn't Recovering anything any more in the Local Churches.

If you read what Nee wrote about Laodicea, you will have to admit that the church that fits this description is the LSM local church, and no other. If saints within the LSM churches read this book, they surely must see this. Nee paints the perfect picture of our church. That is why I ask the saints to please read it.

There is hope: the Lord still calls Laodicea His church - although He says that it is says it is rich but is poor and blind and naked. Although He says that He will not use it anymore.

Saints, I am a late comer to the Church life, who only hears tales of the glory days. I have come to know a remnant, who are bruised and battered by the turmoil. Who can no longer stand and function in any meetings because they have been stumbled by the LSM leadership (and it is a leadership saints - but call it eldership if it soothes your concience). I have heard saints say "I never thought that could happen in the Lord's Recovery." These dear ones, who still come to the Lord's Table meetings and hold out some hope for a return to what was, have not seen what caused us to lose the blessing... and we've surely lost the blessing.

Brother Willy Wise gave a conference in Calgary this past fall, and therein he asked the saints in attendance: "How many of you are new to the church life, just here brought in this year?". Not a single hand was raised. "Well then, how many of you have only been here for two years?" Again, no one rose from their seat. "Huh, well... for how many here is this their first conference?" One sister raised a hand, only one.

"You shall know a tree by it's fruit." Where is the fruit? Brother Lee asked this as well. If we abide in Him, He will abide in us. We cannot bear fruit alone, for we are but branches. If there is no fruit, can we really not understand why?

With Love in Christ to all the saints in all the churches,

Neither First nor Last