Most of us know that we live in unparalleled times. Everything in our world is headed toward a tremendous crescendo. Regardless of whether people recognize the signs of the times or not, our fallen world is on the threshold of what the prophet Joel called “The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord”. In modern terms, we might call it the Apocalypse. When we read Jesus’ dictation to the old apostle John on the Roman penal island of Patmos, addressed to seven specific churches, we find a variety of commendations as well as criticisms applied to each one individually. In our day and time we could easily apply them all, to us as individuals, as church organizations, or as the church corporately. Although I am of the opinion that the Church of Philadelphia and the Church of Laodicea in Revelation 3 appear to be running side by side, I am particularly focused on just a small portion of what Jesus had to say to the sixth church, the Church of Philadelphia.
Jesus commended the Church of Philadelphia — not for its strength, but for its faithfulness. In Revelation 3:8, we find Jesus saying this: “I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and not denied my name.” The open door refers to opportunities for service … a door no man can shut. It reminds me of a verse in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 in which the Apostle Paul said: “I will stay in Ephesus … for a wide door for effective work has opened for me, and there are many adversaries.” In spite of great opposition, Paul was able to spread the truths of the gospel. Jesus’ comment about the Philadelphian Church not being known for great power, was not a negative statement. The church may have been small, yet very effective due to its faithfulness.
Then, in the midst of enduring great trials, Paul made this statement to the Corinthian Church: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” It is by us standing firm on God’s Word in a world that denies it and its Author, and staying loyal to Christ that God opens the doors! Even if we think we have little to offer, God can do great things when we are faithful!
On to the House of Blessing…
The report below was received from Dr. Nibras on August 17, 2026. In a previous update, we were told about the events in the desert where thousands of new believers had gathered, desiring to be baptized. By a miraculous provision, the baptism included 8500 men and 5000 women baptized before a very special communion service and a time of worship. In this additional report, Dr. Nibras relates what happened on a different day in which the Lord provided another miraculous intervention — this time with many thousands of Bedouins — people who were not believers. Enjoy reading about the goodness of God!
Peace be upon you, brother Jack, and upon all the followers of Jesus. There is an important point I would like to clarify for those who love Jesus — especially for those who believe that miracles do not happen in our time. This story may be difficult for some to accept, but it has happened before, and here it is happening again! Our God is sovereign, and He will do as He wills, and in His time. We find this account of Jesus’ action in John 6:
5Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat? 6But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. John 6:5-6
10Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples’ to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. 12So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” 13Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. 14Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” John 6:10-14
In my latest phone call with brother Saftawi and the elders with him, I was told a remarkable story about God’s intervention and provision, very similar to the Gospel account recorded by the Apostle John in the reference mentioned above. The story goes like this:
In the Najran region, where Sisters Zainab and Ratiba, the wives of Saftawi, and the other sisters with them had settled, the people had nothing to eat, and hunger was beginning to weaken them. They had spent untold hours studying and hadn’t felt hunger. Then the Father spoke to sisters Zainab and those with her, and instructed them to gather all the provisions they could and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The House of Blessing missionaries have long ago learned not to doubt that faint voice in their spirit, and that is exactly what Zainab did. She managed to gather about 100 kilograms of flour and wheat for baking, a kilogram of salt, 25 kilograms of dried yogurt, and some water. They also brought 75 kilograms of rice, and then she was instructed to prepare a special soup for the Bedouin in the desert. (Note: a kilogram is about 2.2 pounds).
Zainab’s assistants gathered firewood and lit a fire. Then Zainab began combining the ingredients and preparing a soup. At the same time, others took the wheat and prepared a type of thick, flat bread, much like a large tortilla.
While the soup was being prepared, three very large bowls were placed in their positions, ready to be distributed to the people. When the soup was finished, everyone stopped to pray and ask God to bless the food. As they prayed, they also asked God to ease the heat so that people could get the food and deliver it to others.
People lined up in long lines and God answered their prayers. While the soup was being distributed to the hundreds waiting, and more was being prepared, the water supply ran out. Without water, it would be impossible to make more soup! But they prayed to God and trusted in Him as they had from the very beginning! And they knew God would not forsake them now! The intense heat turned to moisture, and rain fell upon them in the desert, and God also provided a source of water to continue making the soup. Can you imagine this miracle?
The HOB missionaries continued distributing soup and bread for more than five and a half hours, feeding over 14,000 people, and they still had plenty left! They quickly announced that they had even more soup and bread, and by the end of the distribution, another 2,300 people had come and received God’s great blessings! But this wasn’t the whole story of what God did that day! The people had eaten only soup prepared with water. There was no meat — yet they tasted meat in it! Isn’t that a miracle?
It wasn’t long before the missionaries began receiving reports that the people who received God’s miraculous gift were not only fed but also healed! The bread and soup that God provided were healing hundreds! It is important to be aware that most of the people in these food lines were non-believers. These people have experienced God’s love in a literal, clear, and miraculous way — a way that could only come from the Almighty! And now, the harvest of souls is beginning to appear! Is not God generous? Glory to His name forever!
Your brother,
Dr. Nibras, servant of the Lord and His work
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The second report was also from Dr. Nibras. It was received on August 19, 2026. Dr Nibras makes reference to a major series of events that have happened recently. He also refers to a serious crash of a bus that Pastor Abdelrahem, Omar, Shahbandar, Mortada, Aylout, Ma’touq and others were traveling on. As you know, the deserts in the Mideast often get to 50 C (122 F) or more. It was while traveling across one of these deserts as the men were headed south toward Najran, that one of the front tires of the bus exploded. This caused the driver to lose control of the bus and it ran off the road and off an embankment into a wadi. The crash was quite serious but miraculously, the men all survived. I have no information on what injuries may have been sustained. As Dr. Nibras explains, God was sovereignly involved and orchestrated the outcome. We serve a mighty God who loves His people! Enjoy the story!
Peace be upon you, my brother Jack. As I spoke today with the Pastor Abdelrahem and Omar, I was reminded of a familiar passage from the Book of Joel:
14Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the Day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 15The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will diminish their brightness. 16The LORD also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the LORD will be a shelter for His people, and the strength of the children of Israel. Joel 3:14-16
It is astonishing to see how people in some of the worst places on earth, at least in terms of human rights or religious freedom, yearn to hear the truth, whatever the personal cost. This is the case in the Middle East today. In a place where those who deny the religion of the Prophet Muhammad are killed, and where dozens of nomadic tribes are ruled by sheikhs, it is a risk to people’s lives to attend gatherings simply to hear someone speak of the hope promised by the God of the Bible — a hope that contrasts with what they have heard from the Quran. Yet, amidst all this chaos, crowds of people yearn to hear the truth, and Christian missionaries bring it to them. Another passage from the Bible comes to mind:
35Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. 36And Simon and those who were with him searched for Him. 37When they found Him, they said to him, “Everyone is looking for You.” 38But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” 39And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. Mark 1:35-39
Just as in the time of Jesus Christ, and just as the Word of God spread from Jerusalem to the Gentile world, so too is the Word of God spreading in the Middle East. As the message of the coming Messiah reached large crowds, many Muslim sheikhs believed. Experience has shown that most sheikhs, especially the senior ones, wield considerable influence among the people. Many have forty or fifty years of experience teaching. After receiving discipleship training, they prove their competence. This has become evident once again, and that is the reason for this special update.
About a month ago, I told you about three sheikhs who happened to attend a Bible study. After taking leave to attend for several days, they decided to become followers of Jesus Christ. They received guidance in the Prayer of Repentance and were then baptized. These three men, from Najran, then joined a class, integrated with the other students, and received intensive instruction at the House of Blessing School of Ministry. We recently learned that these three men discussed returning to their mosques to share their testimonies about their conversion to Christ and to teach their former followers, who number around 15,000.
As you know, the three sheikhs had previously decided to travel to neighboring areas to spread the Word of God. In their travels they met three other sheikhs who were also led to the Lord. Keep in mind that speaking about anything religious other than about Muhammad and his religion was strictly forbidden. (Incidentally, just so you know, it is only days until Muslims celebrate the Muhammad’s birthday on August 20.) The sheikh’s testimony was apparently very moving and compelling, so much so that hundreds, even thousands, of those who heard it in the three new mosques came eager to learn more and join the followers of Jesus!
Due to the overwhelming response, the HOB missionaries arranged a place for a large gathering. These people met for three consecutive days out in the desert. Several House of Blessing leaders were in attendance at the meeting, including pastor Abdelrahem, Hayel, Arashid, and Omar. There were also some Muslim clerics who had accompanied them on the road to Najran by bus. Due to a very serious bus accident and because they survived this accident by an obvious miracle from heaven, Sheikhs Ajaj, Al-Baqiawi, Al-Ajroufi, and Al-Bajzouni became believers in Jesus. What a miracle! The Lord orchestrates everything!
The story in Najran has really not yet begun! Only God knows how many thousands will come to faith thanks to the sermons these three courageous men delivered to 15,000 men in their former mosques. Now, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has already reached more than 40,000!
Please take this great miracle to heart and pray sincerely that many more Muslims will be converted to the only hope of humanity, Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father is allowing us to be part of this great harvest! Now, they need the Gospels, and in large quantities.
One of the obvious outcomes of what has been happening is that thousands of people are now lining up to enroll in the intensive School of Ministry discipleship course offered by the House of Blessing. Let us pray that they will be able to train many more and as quickly as possible to meet this urgent need. They are doing their utmost to expedite the process without neglecting any aspect.
I would like to share with you a passage from the Book of Amos in the Old Testament. This is what the prophet recorded.
11 “Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord GOD, “that I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. 12They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, but shall not find it. Amos 8:11-12
This world is hurtling toward a time unlike any humanity has ever known. The Bible calls it by several names, including the “Day of the Lord.” We also know it as the “end of the age.” It will be a time unlike any the world has ever seen. We know it will be a time of unprecedented catastrophes. The Bible also says that the world’s religions will unite under one ecumenical leadership. This is already happening as I write this update. The universal church will not offer its followers the pure Word of God. The true Word of God will be extremely rare, as described in the passage written by Amos.
The wise will realize that we need to make the most of the time we have left, which is precious. Those of us who have misplaced our priorities must renew our commitment to the true God — the Creator of the entire universe. He alone will judge humanity. He is the one who gave us Jesus Christ, God’s incarnate, Son. Jesus spoke words that no one else could speak and confirm — words that should resonate with every man, woman, and child on this earth. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me!” Let us all ensure that He truly is at the top of our list of priorities! For this affects our eternal destiny!
Please, once again I am so sorry for bringing financial needs to your attention but my prayer is that our Lord of the harvest will touch your hearts to provide for the House of Blessing to finance the new underground print shop needed to spread His words for His beloved people. It is impossible to transfer the needed materials into the new location in southern Saudi Arabia from outside its borders. It has to be done underground within the area. Thank you, and God bless you all.
His Servant,
Dr. Nibras
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In Dr. Nibras’ second report above, he referred to Joel’s prophecy about “multitudes being in the valley of decision.” It is worth noting that the wording in the original Hebrew has a secondary definition that describes that day as a day of threshing. Considering Joel’s reference to the coming of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, “threshing” fits the context. This “Day” is on our doorstep! We must stay awake! While “finishing well”, we must keep our eyes focused on Jesus and prepare ourselves to meet Him in the clouds. SOON and VERY SOON!!
Thank you all for your prayers and support for the House of Blessing.
Forever in His Service,
Jake (aka Jack) keeplookingupward.com [email protected]
Note: Although I already have a timely report from Pastor Abdelrahem, I will save it for the next Mideast Update.