Introduction

In 2009, a multifaceted crisis came into my life: spiritual, economic, family, financial, social, and physical. Everything was falling apart. I was in a kind of dark forest from which I could find no way out. There were no prospects in life. I turned to my friends for help, but they only made matters worse by turning my request against me. From a human point of view, I did not know what to do, but I knew God, Who made it clear to me that He was near and had not abandoned me. I began to pour out my soul to Him, asking Him to take all my problems upon Himself and expressing in words my faith that He had already done so. And He answered. Peace came into my heart. It was so evident, and suddenly I understood how simple it was. All the cares and problems left my heart, although they remained in my life.

Then I dared to ask for something greater. I told God that I loved no one, that this quality of soul was absent from me, that everything human in me had evaporated, and that I was empty, unhappy, miserable, poor, naked, blind, and did not know what to do. This was the only basis for my request for the gift of Heavenly love. I asked Him for it because I understood that without it I was nothing. I declared my faith that this was possible. And the Lord answered. It was so unusual! Suddenly I realized that I loved! It was some new feeling and revelation for me. I do not even know how to describe it in words, but I experienced something very beautiful in my soul. The very first thought that came to mind was to begin with my wife, who was planning to divorce me. I realized that I loved her—it was so natural! The next revelation was that when I learned to love her at all times and just as she was, I would then be able to love other people as well.

At that time my wife left the church and later submitted a written request to have her membership removed, and she remains in that condition to this day.

But the Heavenly love that had been given to me from above continually sustained me and gave me strength to love this person. And I learned many things.

Looking back at the many situations during that period of my spiritual growth in love, I can say that enormous problems come upon a loving person from every side. Sometimes it feels as though the whole world has risen against you. You have to keep making the decision to love. Yet, at the same time, when I choose love, every spiritual struggle passes rather easily.

Love opens the way to understanding all biblical truths in a new light. It reveals the character of God in the proper light. It brings God so close to my heart that my soul cleaves to Him forever.

I love, and I see an enormous advantage in this in everything. It is like living and doing things in the light. Everything is visible, everything is clear, everything is understandable. Love answers many questions before I have heard them. It resolves every dispute in five minutes. It does not argue. It immerses me in the deep waters of its ocean and keeps me from evil. And I love.

There is nothing more beautiful in life than the realization that I love—the realization that this is within me, and the understanding that God within me is love.

If I abide in Jesus, and He abides in me through His love, then I bear much fruit.

I can assure you that the fruit of the Holy Spirit in all its fullness is present in those who love. Everyone who has opened their heart to love receives, together with it, all Heaven with all its advantages and victories.

Yet amid all this splendor taking place in my heart, I remain a rather inconspicuous person, absorbed in solving my tasks, thoughtful and serious. And at the same time, I am the happiest of all, and I love.

I need only turn my attention to any person as someone to love and ask Jesus for the power to love; then it comes, and all my thoughts and feelings begin to work in that direction.

What joy! Love triumphs, and I become part of its victory.

I love—and this is my choice, my decision, something that belongs only to me, because it comes from God and proceeds from me. I cannot produce it in anyone except myself, and even within myself I can only make the decision to love. Everything else comes from God: strength, fullness, depth, conviction, tenderness, and friendliness.

Love has given me many friends, and I truly love them. It is so wonderful to be friendly. What happiness it is to love and to be friends, and especially to love one another.

A person may dream for a long time of being loved and perhaps never attain it. A person may wait for it all their life and receive nothing; and when receiving love from those who are of no interest to them, they may simply fail to notice or appreciate it. It is impossible to give another person love for yourself if that person does not want it. But I myself can love and, having made this decision, live this way regardless of the attitudes and decisions of other people. And this is possible if I do it in union with Christ.

Life is beautiful for those who love.

Our planet has now entered an era of comprehensive crisis.

A crisis is not the end, but an opportunity to begin something new, to create something better and lasting in your soul. A crisis tests all your values and mercilessly demolishes, burns, washes away, and carries off everything that was fragile and temporary. It is a test of my house and the strength of its foundation.

Love is not afraid of trials. It is itself a cleansing storm in the heart where it finds refuge.

If your little house has collapsed and you have no peace, then choose what is truly valuable and eternal.

God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God.

I am very grateful to you for your interest in this school.

I pray for you, for a blessing upon this group, and for wisdom from above.

I thank our Lord Jesus for this opportunity to gather here to study the most important truth for the last days. And these truly are the very last days.