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Dear saints, beloved children of God, grace and peace by unto you from God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

A lifelong Palestinian friend of mine recently encouraged me and my father to visit Israel. He heralded such a pilgrimage as a great opportunity to gain a different perspective on the land we talk about so much. I would certainly enjoy a visit to the land where most of what is recorded in the Bible happened, and if it be the Lord's will, I would be more than willing to go.

Then my friend asked me if we had a place that, like Palestine to him, we considered our true home. I thank God that I had such an opportunity to share with him the true nature of the Christian.

Abraham walked the land of promise, but never himself inherited it. The same was true of his son, and his son's son after him. They were pilgrims: strangers in a strange land. Centuries later, the children of Israel took possession of the land of Canaan as God delivered what He had promised them.

It is the same today. God's children, the born again believers in the Son of God, have been promised the earth for our inheritance. We walk on the Earth, but we have not yet inherited it. We are here, in the ultimate land of promise, but we are strangers in a strange land. We seek a country that is not of this world: a heavenly country.

When we think of pilgrims, we think of the Mayflower, Plymouth Rock, and Thanksgiving. The truth be told, Christians, while establishing themselves in the New World, never ceased to be pilgrims. While Christians try to dominate the American political and cultural scenes, the American society continues to prove that Satan is still the prince of this world.

My pilgrimage could not be concluded in a visit to the land of Israel, or any other earthly country or landmark. My pilgrimage entails all the days of my life in this mortal body.

Nevertheless, the day is swiftly approaching when my pilgrimage will end. Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. The dead in Christ shall rise first, and the living believers will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. We will join our Lord, as He begins His millennial reign, and we will, at last, be home!

Bro. Eldon McNabb and I have been invited to fellowship with some saints in southern India, and we have made plans to go in the beginning of January 2006. Bro. Philip Thomas, pastor of a small congregation of Indian believers, has proven to be a great blessing as we have come to know him. We have already spent a good deal of time in the precious word of God, and are truly looking forward to seeing a mighty move of God during our visit there. We covet your prayers that the Lord be glorified in this trip.

Work continues to progress on our property here in South Hadley, Mass. Much of the parking lot is now paved, and a large area has been prepared for flowers next spring.

Finally, brethren, I encourage you all to put all your priorities in order. If the Kingdom of God is first on your list, all other things will fall into place. Seek His righteousness, and rest in His love.

God bless you in your pilgrimage. Amen.

David M. McNabb
Editor & Bible Guy