This inspired utterance, "Have faith in God," came from the lips of our Lord, and was directed to His disciples on the day after He had performed that noted miracle of cursing the fig tree. You remember, it was the next morning, as Jesus and His disciples were passing by, that "they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto Him, 'Master, behold, the fig tree which Thou cursedst is withered away.' And Jesus answering saith unto them, 'Have faith in God"' (Mark 11:20-22). Now, in a time like this, when the saints are being tested in a world of turmoil and strife, bloodshed and destruction, Jesus is still challenging his children everywhere to "Have faith in God."

Faith in God is the believer's only way out. In fact, the absence of faith in God and His miracle-working power is just what is hindering and holding the present congregation from its formula, as laid down by Christ and His apostles. It is true, that all believers have faith; but, oh, how little the majority really have when the show-down actually comes. I ask you in the jeopardy of this crucial and sad hour, when the Old Ship of Zion is being tossed to and fro by the stormy winds of doubt and unbelief, how much faith do you have? and where is it? Is it in man? in the atomic bomb? in God? just where is it anyway? Faith in God, to be sure, creates faith in man; yet, not the blind faith which has led the congregation so deeply in the ditch of disappointment and error, but rather a wise faith, a faith born of Godly wisdom, and the only substance that can now restore the lost confidence to the collective body of Holy Ghost baptized believers. Truly, faith in God is, then, that which is needed to remove the mistrust, which is so prevalent among believers today.

Now, on the other side of the issue, it is dangerous, very dangerous, to put our trust in man, unless this is done through and by our faith and confidence in God, as Director and Leader. For men are safe counselors only when directed by the higher power, even the strong hand of God. Man without the power of God is limited; he has a narrow boundary. And this is the wall the congregation is up against now, for it has accomplished all that it possibly can without entering into the miracles of Christ. Today, the need of this work or manifestation of God is being greatly thrust upon the congregation. We don't have to be a skilled theologian to see and to understand this, for without faith in the operation of the miraculous power of God, we cannot hope to be delivered from the diseases and plagues that are about to fall upon this wicked and sinful generation.

Faith in God will not only bring deliverance to the saints but also a desire to return to the f ull and complete ministry of the early saints and their apostles. Moreover, it will also take the saints out of the terrible plight that many of our poor misguided leaders have placed it. Possibly, many of these religious guides have done their best under the pomp and ritualism that they have had to labor. I am not in authority to criticize these servants of God; however, I cannot be honest, as a minister of the gospel, and not mention this revealed truth.

Without a return to "the faith once delivered to the saints" and the power that accompanied it, the congregation of this age is doomed. There is nothing that can save it at this late hour but a duplication of the miracles of Christ, as used by the early disciples. We are, to be plain with you, at the mercy seat of God; for, as the mystical body of Christ, we are scattered sheep; and because we are not united, the Lord has permitted a limited amount of plagues, sickness and other hindrances to come upon us.

Brother, sister, if there was ever a time, as Paul said, when "your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God," it is now. We need more Josephs in our midst today to bind the princes of error, and to teach the senators wisdom (Psa. 105:22). Yes, men who can take the congregation back to God for a restoration of signs and gifts, as a seal of His approval.

Don't you doubt, my reader, spiritual Egypt is going not only into a famine but also into the bloodiest war ever known and witnessed by man. The only thing at this time holding back this terrible conflict among nations is the incapability of the congregation to protect or to deliver itself of the gross plagues that are sure to follow such an ordeal. Surely, God is asking concerning His followers today: "How long will it be ere they believe Me?"

Most people, as you know, are watching the maneuvering of the armed forces of this world, trying to estimate the time and place for this great battle of the ages; but thank God a few are watching the present ministry now taking root in the evangelistic field of the body of Christ, as it is coming forth with signs and wonders, something that God has promised His saints before the world's tribulation gets here. No, my friend, God will never let this last battle of death and destruction come upon this old world until the body of Christ is fully clothed and armed in the righteousness which comes through faith in Him.

Jesus, with prophetic vision, spoke of the moment now drawing near, when the opposing and contradicting forces of this world will reach a climax under kings and rulers of extraordinary genius and power. The various races of mankind, ever since they have had existence as nations, have always been in a state of unrest - and pursuing vain objectives. The cause of this is, of course, the crafty power of Satan seated in the hearts of fallen men and women. It is worthy of special note, that God is soon to call out those whose faith is in Him; and, according to the inspired utterances of His Word, they will be able to survive all the oncoming tribulations, even the "great tribulation" of Matthew 24:21, which Jesus Himself, in Luke 21:35, says: "As a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." In the next verse (Luke 21:36) our Lord turns to His followers with this exhortation: "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things (in the tribulation) that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."

The preceding warning, given originally to the Jews, had in it a depth of meaning which was by no means apparent when first uttered. Of course, the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, the son of Vespasian, the Roman Emperor, in A.D. 70, and the Jewish massacre that followed, was only the shadow, representing the true overall picture now facing this end time congregation of the nations.

Just as Jesus forewarned His early disciples to flee from Judea into the mountains in order to escape death from the Roman army, even so, is He warning His present-day followers to "flee the wrath to come." We find many so-called believers today, who instead of trying to "flee the wrath to come," are trying to flee from God, as Jonah did. But, may I warn you, my weak and failing brother, as even the Christian man Augustine once said: "The only way to flee from God is to flee to God."

While faith in God today is being regarded by many Of our world leaders as a relic of the dark ages, God is transforming the lives of thousands of men and women throughout the earth, giving them faith for fear and love for cruelty. We have no desire to place undue emphasis upon the revival now getting underway the world over; yet we must give credit to whom credit is due. These last-day revivalists are being greatly used of God in wiping out our divisions, even Christianity itself, which things cause the lack of faith in God now existing among believers. Seldom do we hear these men of God speak of separate affiliations in the body of Christ. In reality, there are none among the faithful! Their cry seems to be, "By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body." The revivals of these men are accompanied by apostolic miracles, which are, unquestionably, resulting directly in the conversion of many precious souls. It is becoming increasingly evident that no congregation will be able to render services much longer without this type of ministry. While Satan's malignant hatred is directed against this sign ministry, God is blessing these devoted servants of His with mammoth crowds, crowds that stand unanimously with bowed heads and humbled spirits. Yes, these ministers, with uplifted hearts to God in fervent prayer and often crying to their audiences: "Have faith in God", now offer healing and deliverance to all who will believe. These meetings are phenomenal. They are here at an opportune moment. And may God help us, my reader, to walk in the light so we may escape when He pours out His divine wrath upon this wicked world, and His Son begins to execute His holy displeasure.