Open Letter Regarding Recent Events - Part 2
The Sapphire Review Vol. 2 | No. 18 • April 24, 2025
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3, KJV
This is a follow up to my first open letter after several more days have now passed since this all began.
SHOCKWAVES
As we move to a conclusion of what has been a very tumultuous and trying week for many of us, I want to ask all our brothers and sisters to remember just that... we ARE brothers and sisters IN Christ. We ARE part of one body IN Christ.
There will be more that can be said in coming weeks, but I will say a few things today.
What has happened recently has sent shockwaves throughout our little body of faithful believers (speaking of all our brothers and sisters in all ministries). The result of this has been a variety of human emotions manifesting themselves in various ways with varied intensities across our fellowships.
LIGHT DID NOT OVERCOME THE DARKNESS
What has not happened is the shining forth of the light of Christ when placed under great pressure. Light (of Christ) did not overcome the darkness (of the situation). Yet, we still have an opportunity for this to happen.
If I judge my own thoughts and responses, I can find ways where I could have been more like Christ. What a high standard we are called to attain to. What a merciful and loving Savior we have who promises to help us to reach it! I will keep the yoke of my Master upon me and strive to learn of Him and His love and His humility through this experience, that I may be more like Him in the end.
I praise Jehovah for this "little" trial to expose impurities in many hearts so that we can all become more like Jesus and (Lord willing) more united as brothers in sisters by the end of this. If we don't, how will we stand when real persecution comes? I hope that each and every person can find some point of personal reflection and growth of character that can come for them as a result of all this.
A TESTIMONY
Perhaps the most grievous of all in the midst of all this was a testimony that surfaced from a third party that is not involved with any of the ministries but observed everything that happened from the message delivered on Sabbath to the explosions that followed in the days after. This person issued a rebuke regarding the situation. They saw nothing of the light of Christ. Even the most innocent among us would have been grieved and convicted had they heard this testimony. May Jehovah help us that this never happens again.
OUR HUMAN NATURES
Many have acted in haste and made the worst of assumptions regarding the motivations of others without giving them the benefit of the doubt or searching for all sides and all details on the matter. I understand why, but let us learn and grow from here. There are misunderstandings lying at the root of this. There are offenses that are only perceived offenses (though for the time they are still realities for each person who perceives them in such a way).
More information and details will unfold in the coming weeks. Let us pray for Christ to guide us all through this, and let us be patient for the way and for the timing by which He does so. Let us not be quick to think the worst of our brethren or to divide when so much dust and uncertainty still remains in the air. We are to endeavor for unity and peace AS MUCH AS it is within our ability. That is our exhortation. Please join with me in my efforts to this end.
LOVE AND MERCY
I love you all and I am thankful for you all. Love covers a multitude of sins. Where either wrongs or perceived wrongs have happened, through Christ we can still stand together as brothers and sisters in the end.
Let us not allow this to be a situation that turns for the glory of Satan, but rather one that exalts the mercy, compassion, slowness of anger, and plenteousness of the mercy of Jehovah, our God and Father, and Jesus Christ our Lord.
God bless,
Charles
My study this morning was on the verse where Jesus says... "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another" John 13:34... I pray everyone reading this post will search their hearts and ask our Heavenly Father Jehovah God, the same question Charles asked, How could I have acted more CHRIST LIKE? Have I accused or slandered or maligned my brother and sister ? Have I sought to understand their position? Did I ask questions? Did I show love like Christ to them?
Thank you Charles. I don’t personally know you, but I know of the situation, and I believe that both sides of the situation need to be looked into fairly, regardless of how high of a position that someone holds. Given the connection that you all had with EV for so long, I’m very surprised and sad that the solution put forward was so abrupt, especially after you all trying to make efforts to express your sides of the story through personal testimonies, and wanting to reconcile, and fairly and justly willing to study together too. In saying all of this, I know that Gods light will shine through, and there are lots of positives to look forward to in everyone’s amazing journeys alongside the Lord. I believe that this is just another trial along the way to refine everyone’s characters, as it was a test to think of each other in this situation, and a chance to treat everyone with respect and be fair to others in the situation. Just know that we the people, have been listening to all sides, and have our own opinions on the situation, but we need to remember that God is our only judge, and we can all be forgiven 🙏 Praise the Lord for his grace and mercy ❤️