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Welcome to the June- July edition of the Visionary Newsletter. When seeking out blessings in the New Testament, it is hard to see who offers the best, Paul or Peter – but both are as relevant to us today as the day they were first coined. Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:1-9) I am pleased to advise that Ken is recovering from a fall he had in Tasmania in mid-May. After visiting friends and family and ministering in the local church Ken took a fall just before leaving for the airport and damaged his back muscles. We thank God that he is recovering and is almost back at “full steam”. Alison is also recovering from a flu-like sickness. Thank God we serve a healing God. My 70th birthday was on May 13th. My family and the church decided we had to celebrate. I knew that party was going to happen, but I had no idea of what had been planned. I have to admit to being delighted to be able to meet so many good friends and family, some of whom I had not seen for a very long time. Many others who could not attend sent greetings on video and by text or email. My daughter Elizabeth had organised these greetings. My son David organised the food and did an extraordinary job. Dallas Atkins, a good friend and Christian entertainer, came to provide inspiration and entertainment for the evening. I recommend him for your fellowships, you will be blessed. I was most surprised to receive a message from Bill Gaither of Gaither Music. I have been a fan of their work as long as I have been a Christian. Thank you and well done to all. The year is continuing to be busy for us, but we do need new students and resource centres so please pray for the colleges.

Ken Corner GOD COMES FROM TEMAN

The prophet Habakkuk watched a thunderstorm rise out of Edom and spread across Israel. Its cacophonous roars echoed among the mountains, its brilliant flashes scorched the earth, and the prophet stood trembling with awe. Then suddenly, his eyes were opened. He saw no longer a mere storm but rather God himself overshadowing the land with divine glory. Habakkuk cried –

“Behold, God comes from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran; the heavens are full of his glory, and his

splendour covers the earth!” (Ha 3:3)

June – July 2021

The Visionary June- July 2021

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Do you, like the prophet, have eyes to see beyond the obvious?

WHAT DO YOU SEE IN THE WORLD? It is easy to see only on the surface and to be afraid. Habakkuk had the same problem (1:1-4). In God’s response there are two main ideas – The Vision of God is Sure See 2:3-4. Whether or not present events point to the time of the end, that day will nonetheless surely come. Our duty is to be ready, waiting, and watching for it. The Judgment of God is Certain See 2:9-14. God is indeed shaping the nations for judgment. One day, every eye will see him; but even now we should be able to see what the prophet saw –

“Behold, God comes from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran; the heavens are full of his glory, and his splendour covers the earth!”

WHAT DO YOU SEE IN THE CHURCH? You have probably heard this nursery rhyme –

“Pussy cat, Pussy cat, where have you been?” “I’ve been to London to visit the Queen!”

“Pussy cat, Pussy cat, what did you there?” “I frightened a little mouse under her chair!”

In the presence of Majesty, surrounded by the glamour and glitter of a royal court, the cat had eyes only for a mouse! Likewise, in the church, many people miss the main event: they see only each other, the building, the preacher, many things that displease them. Not so Paul – see 1 Corinthians 11:10. So look again! If you are looking properly, you will see the majesty of heaven, you will be constrained to cry with the prophet –

“Behold, God comes from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran; the heavens are full of his glory, and his splendour covers the earth!”

WHAT DO YOU SEE IN YOUR OWN LIFE? An anonymous 18th century London suicide left a final note pinned to his jacket, which said: “All this buttoning and unbuttoning.” We too may find it easy to become wholly occupied with the mundane, to be imprisoned within the seemingly futile routines of life. You may not be inclined to put an end to your existence but be warned by Jesus. He spoke about people who were too busy to worship God (Lu 17:26-30). Nice people with nice manners, but they ignored their souls and so levelled themselves to mere beasts. Hence, since they did not know when they should have known, they suffered a pitiless punishment (Mat 24:39). Let us never forget that we are more heavenly than earthly, more spiritual than natural, more children of eternity than of time, holding always the vision of the Heavenly Jerusalem, the Golden City of God, which is our destiny. CONCLUSION

Across the horizon of each new day, do you see the true reality, do you cry with joy – “Behold, God comes from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran; the heavens are full of his glory,

and his splendour covers the earth!”

The Visionary June – July 2021

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Did you know that Vision College is now able to offer our college studies in English, Chinese, Hispanic, Arabic, Tamil and Urdu languages here in Australia to both Individual students and to Local Church Bible Colleges?

Student Honour Roll During April and May we enrolled 19 new students and sent out sent out 156 subjects to our student body. Our top 5 books for April and May were: BBS NT (Tamil); Treasures from Paul: Colossians; Hermeneutics; The Church; and Dynamic Chrisitan Foundations. These accounted for 69 of the 151 subjects, the rest were a mix from our curriculum. So far, Australian students are from NSW, WA, Qld, S.A, ACT and Vic. From around the world, we have sent material to students in Cameroon, Kenya, the UK and the USA. For the month of February and March we sent the following awards. Esau Viane Associate in Biblical Studies Ingleburn VCC Scott Hudson Diploma in Biblical Theology Launceston IBC David Collins Bachelor of Arts in Theology Penrith IBC Fredrick Pritchard Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology Tarcoola Breach VIC Graham Mhlakaza Graduate Cert. in Christian Ministry and Theology Zimbabwe VIC

Since many of the students are remote and cannot attend a graduation ceremony, it was a special delight to be able to present Esau with his Associate Award and Davie with his Bachelor Degree. For the rest, we send the awards by mail directly to them or to their church, as they prefer. For students in a Resource Centre, the Centres conduct their own graduation services. Vision Colleges include: (1) the Internet Bible College, our online home, which hosts the non-accredited programme; (2) Vision Christian College and the accredited (3) Vision International College; and degree courses from the (4) Texas University of Theology (Religious Exempt); and (5) Vision International University (California State Approved). Never too late to learn.

Corn Corner Be Healed

Our fourth grader celebrated his birthday on crutches, so he couldn’t carry the cupcakes into school without help. I asked our sixth-grader, Noah, to help his brother carry them in. “I could,” he said, “but I’d prefer not to.” Spotting a teaching moment, my husband asked Noah, “What would Jesus do?” Noah answered, “Jesus would heal him so he could carry his own cupcakes.” Good Money

A preacher was asking for contributions to the church's program to buy food for the needy. The town gambler, who also owned the saloon and several other shady operations, offered the preacher $500. "You can't take that," a scandalized deacon told the preacher. "That's the devil's money." "Well, brother," said the preacher, cheerfully accepting the gift, "in that case, the devil has had his hands on it long enough. Now let's see what the Lord will do with it." Falling Into Water

The Presbyterians were convening in Scotland. After a couple of days of sitting on hard pews, a group decided to stretch their legs in the countryside. Soon they approached a rickety old bridge over a river. They were so busy talking they missed the Keep Off the Bridge sign. A villager saw them step onto the dangerous span and yelled for them to stop. "That's all right," one of the ministers responded. "We're here from the Presbyterian convention." "I dinna care aboot that," came the reply. "But if ye go much farther, ye'll all be Baptists!"

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Alison’s Corner THE ANOINTING OIL

The ingredients of the anointing oil found in Exodus 30: 22-26 show us some fascinating biblical types. God always has a reason for his instructions, and I have found it an absorbing task to search out possible reasons behind the ingredients he instructed the Israelites to use for the anointing oil. In the Old Testament this special mixture was used to anoint the High Priest and his sons, the altar and those things that were to be set apart for use in the Tabernacle.

The Lord said to Moses, “Take the finest spices – 12 pounds of liquid myrrh, 6 pounds of sweet smelling cinnamon, 6 pounds of sweet smelling cane, and 12 pounds of cassia) all weighed according to the official standard). Add one gallon of olive oil and make a sacred anointing oil, mixed like perfume (Exodus 30:22-25).

Liquid Myrrh is obtained from the sap and resin of the Myrrh tree. Stones are placed under the tree and the resin falls naturally from the branches to harden on the stones beneath. The drops of Myrrh can be accelerated by wounding the tree, cutting the trunk and branches with a knife. So I understand that the wounding of the tree can indicate dramatically the suffering through which Christ was to pass during his trial and crucifixion. He was wounded for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5). Cinnamon comes from a tree that grows about thirty feet high and bears small white flowers on spreading branches. The oil is distilled from the bark after it has been softened by soaking in sea water. Though, today cinnamon is not liked as a scent, the Hebrews thought it a glorious scent. Cinnamon has recently been discovered as a healing agent and those with sundry ailments are urged to use it extensively. So here we see the transcending healing power of God being included in the anointing oil. Sweet Cane (corus calamus), commonly known as sweet flag or calamus, is a tall perennial wetland plant with scented leaves and more strongly scented rhizomes which have been used for medicine. Probably indigenous to India it is now found across Europe, in southern Russia, northern Asia Minor, southern Siberia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Australia, as well as southern Canada and Northern USA. Cassia - The Cinnamon cassia came over the Indian ocean to South Arabia, and so up by caravan to Palestine. (Ex 30:24; Ezekiel 27:19). There is some argument as to whether this cassia is the same as the cinnamon in Song of Solomon, and Revelation 18:13. The Cassia in Psalm 45:8 uses a different Hebrew word and is thought to be orrisroot. This produces a well-known scent used even today in the temples of India. These scents, so much loved by the Israelite people, are liberally sprinkled throughout the Song of Solomon, long considered to be a picture of the relationship between Christ and his church. The Psalms also speak of perfumes as being associated with Christ our wonderful bridegroom −.

“All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia. Out of the ivory palaces, the musicians have made you glad” (Psalm 45:8).

Olive Oil – Olive trees are found all over Palestine. By the sea, they grow well. Only one flower in every hundred produces fruit. So there is an overflowing abundance of flowers but still plenty of fruit. It is possible to produce twenty gallons of oil from one olive tree. When harvested the branches are shaken or beaten. The oil is full of goodness and healing. These facts speak to us once again of God’s abundant supply of healing power (James 5:14). One of the instructions for the consecration of the High Priest was, “Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head” (Exodus 29:6b). There is a beautiful psalm which mentions the anointing oil poured on Aaron’s head:

The Visionary June – July 2021

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How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life

forevermore (Psalm 133). We need to thank God for his great knowledge and foresight in choosing the ingredients of the anointing oil to point to so many types. The wonder and suffering of our Saviour, healing, abundance, protection and unity. Praise God!

A Student Comments Althea Swaby (UK)

Greetings to Pastor Reverend Denis and all the staff of Vision Colleges I must say a big thank you to you all, I have been studying with Vision Colleges for over two years, I am grateful to have had this opportunity because of the patience and understanding that has been shown to me, thank God. I have been searching for the right Bible College to study with for years and Vision Colleges was one of God's plan for me, it's everything that I was looking for in a College, it's about God's Word and that's very important to me, also I have learnt a lot from the books that I have read and it has prepared me to be more confident in my calling and ministry from God. Vision College has agreed to help me to start a Bible College in my country Jamaica, I'm looking forward to work with them, I am excited! I would recommend Vision Colleges to anyone that's looking to study The Word and also thinking of starting their ministry that God has given them. God Bless. I came to live in Oxford with my friends from back home in 2013. After three months things started to change, my friends turned against me for no reasons known to me and started spreading false accusations. On several occasions I tried to make peace with them but they refused. I asked them if there was anything that I had done wrong to them, and if I have offended them, I am asking for their forgiveness, they even refused to talk to me. This was a very sad and lonely period in my life. Eventually I decided that there was nothing I could do of my own, instead I had to wait on God. The Holy spirit revealed to me that this was the devil using them to attack me, at this point I started crying out to God about all that was happening in my life and believed that He would fight this battle for me. It was over six months of persecution, which was like a storm that didn’t seem to be ending anytime soon, they went to the place of worship that I was a member of and laid false accusations, the Pastor and some of the members was even deceived and manipulated by them, yet I had just taken the right hand of fellowship and started to build a relationship with the people there. One Saturday morning I was at home, doing my devotion and I heard the Holy Spirit speaking to me, saying I should go to my friends and make peace, by asking them to forgive me. I replied to Him saying that I cannot do it because they are going to embarrass me, also that I have tried before and they rejected me, He was persistent that this was what He wanted me to do. That afternoon, I went shopping and on entering the shopping centre, I saw one of the friends. I walked pass her and didn’t say anything, the Holy Spirit immediately spoke to me and commanded for me to go to her and ask for forgiveness, I turned around and went back to her. I told her God spoke to me, to come to her and to ask for her forgiveness, this time she received me with a hug and a kiss, we both ask each other for forgiveness, she said to me, she saw in her dreams that I came to her and was speaking to her, so she believed that God sent me, she also told me that she was diagnosed with cancer.

The Visionary June- July 2021

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It was a couple of weeks after our reconciliation, I got a message that my friend was in the Hospital, the cancer was getting worst. I went to visit her and lead her into repentance, I prayed for her and encourage her to rekindle the relationship she had with Jesus, she had been baptised before. The following week she passed away, I was rejoicing because of our being reconciled before her passing and also that she went home to our Father.

Congratulations Typically when our students graduate we send the award to them by post, so it was a delight to be able to present two awards in person this last Month

David Collins

The first is to David Collins from Penrith. I had the honour and privelidge of presenting his Bachelor’s Degree to him at The Rock Community Church. David settled in this church some years ago and has been involved with the church. He began study with the Cert IV in Christian Ministry and Theology and then onto the Bachelors. He is now a member of the pastoral Staff and leads the Rock Bible College. Their college is growing. From left to right is Pastor Martin Beckett the senior Pastor, Ps David Holt, myself Denis Plant and Jade De Freitis one of our College support staff.

Esau Viane

Esau Viane is a Samoan Islander but now an Australian Citizen. Esau wandered into the college office a couple of months ago fascinated by what we do and what we offer. He told me he would like to be able to study the word of God so he can minister to his people. He had an evangelists licence but he had not studied the word of God. Esau fellowships in Ingleburn with a Samoan church and is looking to the say when he will be a Pastor. He had a good heart and willing to serve. I had the privilidge to present him with his award and to anoint him for his ministry. He has a great shepherd’s heart

Here is an incentive to you to talk about the college and get your friends and family or your church to study with Vision Colleges. For new each student you introduce to Vision Colleges we will give you your next study for free, as a thank you for promoting us. It is possible you could do your entire course without paying for another subject!

The Visionary June – July 2021

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Book of the Month Kingdom Living.

Kingdom Living. All men live in a natural kingdom of this world. They live in a city or village that is part of a nation. That nation is a kingdom of the world. In addition to the natural kingdoms of this world, there are two spiritual kingdoms that exist. Every person alive is a resident of one of these two kingdoms: The kingdom of Satan or the Kingdom of God. This course concerns the Kingdom of God. It introduces the two spiritual kingdoms, their rulers, and residents. It provides spiritual keys for gaining access to the Kingdom of God and warns of things that result in being cast out of the Kingdom. The past, present, and future of this Kingdom are examined, Kingdom parables are explained, and its patterns and principles of living are stressed, along with the Authority Of The Bible, not just cold ideas, but the fiery life of God's wonderful word!

Why is a study of the Kingdom of God important?

Jesus told His followers: And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14)

Before Jesus returns to set up His Kingdom in its final form, the Gospel of the Kingdom must be extended throughout the nations of the world. In order to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom, you must understand the Kingdom of God. Before you can become custodian to the keys to the Kingdom, you must first experience that Kingdom. In the past, much emphasis has been placed on the life and ministry of the King of the Kingdom, Jesus Christ, and rightly so. But not enough emphasis has been given the Gospel of the Kingdom. Jesus told the religious leaders of His time:

Ye shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men: For ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. (Matthew 23:13)

It was this Gospel of the Kingdom that was the central purpose of Christ's life. He began His earthly ministry by declaring the arrival of the Kingdom (Matthew 4:17). He ended His earthly ministry by speaking of things pertaining to the Kingdom (Acts 1:3). In between the beginning and end of His earthly ministry, the emphasis was on the Kingdom:

And He said unto them, I must preach the Kingdom of God to other cities also; for therefore am I sent. (Luke 4:43)

The Kingdom of God was the greatest concern of Jesus. His teachings and parables focused on the Kingdom. His miracles were a demonstration of the Kingdom of God in action. The phrases "Kingdom of God" and "Kingdom of Heaven" are used over 100 times in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We are told to seek first the Kingdom, to pray for it, and to preach it. We are told how to enter the Kingdom and taught that residency in it requires a new lifestyle. To enter this Kingdom, maintain residency, and fulfill the commission to preach its Gospel to the world it is necessary to understand the principles and patterns of the Kingdom. That is the purpose of this course.

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Help Us To Grow Vision Colleges Like all business, we depend to some degree on advertising, and the best kind is word of mouth. You can help us by talking about the college, sharing your experiences face-to-face or on social media, helping us spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, and all other kinds of social media. We have two pages on Facebook. We will appreciate it so much if you connect and “Like” the pages and join the group using them. (1) Our general Facebook page, we share information and keep everyone updated https://www.facebook.com/visioncolleges (2) Join our Vision Colleges Group page, “Like” it, make comments, post questions, keep up to date https://www.facebook.com/groups/visioncolleges. This will help increase our College profile on the Internet. (3) We also have Twitter. Join us, follow us, like us, comment on the site https://twitter.com/visioncolleges. It would be a great honour and very helpful, if all our students would use our sites and help us to be better at what we do.

The Last Word I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

That is one of those frequently misunderstood and often abused verses. “I can do anything! God says so right there in Philippians!” That claim is often made by some people as a challenge or even a statement of personal pride. Sometimes it is used as a rebuke to someone asking if you should be doing something. Then again when someone is encouraging us to do something we are not comfortable with, we are quickly reminded… “Oh, don’t you know, you can do all things through Christ.” What can you do with that? Look at the context.

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:10-13)

Paul speaks of the issues he had endured for his Lord to effectively reach out to others. In that context Paul was enabled to do all he had to do in the knowledge that his Lord was with him, strengthening him, enabling him to do what was required. This verse is not an invitation to challenge God or the Devil, nor is it some form of justification for what we want to do. Although I have lost the source, another rendition is: “I can do all the things Christ has strenthened me to do,” which is much closer to its real meaning than most other versions of the verse. Indeed, it is the case that we can to anything Christ asks us to do, we can go anywhere He takes us, we can endure whatever He calls us to endure, but the emphasis is on Christ, what Christ has called, where Christ is leading. So... away with foolish presumption, which can only get us into strife. Let’s take the time to find out what we are being called to do and realise that the call of Christ brings with it the strength and endurance of Christ and the empowering of the Holy Spirit to do whatever God has appointed us to do and be.

Contact Vision President and Founder Principal and Office Rev. Dr. Ken and Dr. Alison Chant, Rev. Dr. Denis Plant: 02 9603 2077 02 9623 8474 PO Box 84, Macquarie Fields, NSW, 2564 Email: kdchant@vision.edu email: principal@visioncolleges.net www.visioncolleges.net www.facebook.com/visioncolleges Skype: Vision Colleges Twitter: @visioncolleges.