The Prodigal Son and the Zion’s Harp
For almost as long as the Nazarean (Apostolic Christian) faith has existed, the Zion’s Harp, a collection of hymns has been used and perpetuated as the official hymn book of this unique group of believers. Its collection of lovely music and deeply inspiring messages has guided and often upheld the faith of thousands of sufferers in this precious faith.
Unchanged in its basic format for more than 170 years, it is one of the oldest unchanged hymnals in the world today. May it remain that way so it can continue to inspire faithful believers around the world; and may its divinely inspired messages affect souls for generations to come—for as long as the Lord tarries and then takes His own to heaven, where we shall exchange it for a more perfect collection (of songs).
In one of the far-away lands, where several hundred faithful believers continually uphold the precious faith, they often have nothing but the Zion’s Harp in their possession. Also, because it is illegal to print this hymnal (in that country), the entire hymnal is hand copied.
In another country, where our fellow believers often suffered up to 15 years in prison for their faithfulness to Jesus Christ, comes the following story:
A large infamous prison (Goli Otok) occupied an island that was surrounded by miles of open sea. Thousands of criminals, rebels, thieves, and other characters were housed within its thick walls. Among these hardened felons was a group of Nazarean brethren who were imprisoned for their faith. There were also several groups of differing political persuasions. Each group had their specific anthem. At one time, these varying groups were allowed to sing their anthem from time to time. Our Nazarean brothers took advantage of this blessed opportunity and selected hymn number 271 (Apostolic Christian Hymnal, or Nazarean Zion’s Harp, also #237 in the Hymns of Zion).
For almost as long as the Nazarean (Apostolic Christian) faith has existed, the Zion’s Harp, a collection of hymns has been used and perpetuated as the official hymn book of this unique group of believers. Its collection of lovely music and deeply inspiring messages has guided and often upheld the faith of thousands of sufferers in this precious faith.
Unchanged in its basic format for more than 170 years, it is one of the oldest unchanged hymnals in the world today. May it remain that way so it can continue to inspire faithful believers around the world; and may its divinely inspired messages affect souls for generations to come—for as long as the Lord tarries and then takes His own to heaven, where we shall exchange it for a more perfect collection (of songs).
In one of the far-away lands, where several hundred faithful believers continually uphold the precious faith, they often have nothing but the Zion’s Harp in their possession. Also, because it is illegal to print this hymnal (in that country), the entire hymnal is hand copied.
In another country, where our fellow believers often suffered up to 15 years in prison for their faithfulness to Jesus Christ, comes the following story:
A large infamous prison (Goli Otok) occupied an island that was surrounded by miles of open sea. Thousands of criminals, rebels, thieves, and other characters were housed within its thick walls. Among these hardened felons was a group of Nazarean brethren who were imprisoned for their faith. There were also several groups of differing political persuasions. Each group had their specific anthem. At one time, these varying groups were allowed to sing their anthem from time to time. Our Nazarean brothers took advantage of this blessed opportunity and selected hymn number 271 (Apostolic Christian Hymnal, or Nazarean Zion’s Harp, also #237 in the Hymns of Zion).
One can only imagine the serene beauty and profound comfort these suffering brethren received from these songs, especially as they were far from home and their physical freedom had been removed. Surely those verses rose to the heights of the prison ceilings, and far beyond—even reaching to the very heart of GOD in heaven.
Often, the lovely hymns of this beloved Zion’s Harp set apart—in the minds of some seeking souls—a true church from the confusing array of hundreds of other less diligent churches.
This happened in the life of a modern-day prodigal son. He had been born to believing parents in the Nazarean faith. This young man—like many others before him—had decided to seek his own happiness apart from GOD and the church. And like always, he found himself not the master of his own destiny as Satan promised him, but rather a victim of his own deception on life’s highway.
Joining the army of his homeland he rose quickly through the ranks of power. Soon he found himself in an enviable position for a person his age. Prestige, comfort, power, money and a host of other earthly achievements added to his pleasure-filled life. Soon he forgot all his God-fearing parents taught him and what he had learned in church.
Life seemed to be good to him. He never expected the changes that one day caused him to flee for his very own life and seek safety in a faraway continent, thousands of miles from everyone and everything he loved.
Indeed, he was one of the very few who were able—after toying with sin and its lying promise—to be able to escape into the loving arms of the Heavenly Father. He soon discovered that Satan’s sugar-coated poison-pills of pleasure, wealth, power, and riches are nothing else but a cruel deception. Such can destroy body and soul. Few are they who, by GOD’s grace, can eventually escape their own design for a “happy future”—and come to realize the only true and lasting happiness is found in serving Jesus Christ, and Him alone.
Away from home and loved ones with his dream-castle in shambles, loneliness and fear took hold of this dear soul. The teachings of his childhood (that at one time seemed utterly worthless) began to awaken in his stricken heart and soul. The faith that sustained his parents and many fellow brethren came to mind. He came to realize that GOD’s mercy through His Son offered the only true riches and happiness for this life and the one to come.
His struggling and empty heart longed for the precious fellowship. For he realized it was among these humble, converted souls he would really meet his spiritual needs. In a sprawling city in that far-away continent, he began to earnestly seek to find the church of his childhood.
The varied array of differing churches confused him. Listening to many eloquent preachers, and visiting many churches claiming to be fundamental, Biblical, and evangelical, he realized they all left him empty and cold.
“I need to find our church,” he said to himself one day. But how? One day, however, he came up with a plan he knew would work to find the church like he knew in his childhood (if there was one in that city). The Zion’s Harp! Yes, the songbook no other church was using would help identify what he was seeking.
So it was. On Sunday mornings this young man would wander from church to church. Often, he didn’t even go in. The outward appearance of the worshipers would tell him he was not in the right place. Make-up, cosmetics, and jewelry—which are displeasing to the holiness of GOD—were often the only signals he needed to indicate he was in the wrong place. Many times, he just walked up to a church building, and without going in, listened to the songs they were singing. Time after time he was disappointed when he realized the songs were not from the Zion’s Harp, the beloved hymnal of his youth.
He persisted in looking! Eventually, after receiving the correct address from his home village, he was able to find the right church where the lovely hymns of the Zion’s Harp were sang; and where not only was the Bible preached, but it was lived out according to what it taught. It was a church where the emphasis was on the condition of the heart, and not on the finery of fancy outward appearance and jewelry, and living apart from the world and separation from its pleasures were emphasized. It was here they preached repentance, conversion, and holy living--- the important aspects that made one a true Christian.
Stories of Faith and Courage Volume 1, page 62
Often, the lovely hymns of this beloved Zion’s Harp set apart—in the minds of some seeking souls—a true church from the confusing array of hundreds of other less diligent churches.
This happened in the life of a modern-day prodigal son. He had been born to believing parents in the Nazarean faith. This young man—like many others before him—had decided to seek his own happiness apart from GOD and the church. And like always, he found himself not the master of his own destiny as Satan promised him, but rather a victim of his own deception on life’s highway.
Joining the army of his homeland he rose quickly through the ranks of power. Soon he found himself in an enviable position for a person his age. Prestige, comfort, power, money and a host of other earthly achievements added to his pleasure-filled life. Soon he forgot all his God-fearing parents taught him and what he had learned in church.
Life seemed to be good to him. He never expected the changes that one day caused him to flee for his very own life and seek safety in a faraway continent, thousands of miles from everyone and everything he loved.
Indeed, he was one of the very few who were able—after toying with sin and its lying promise—to be able to escape into the loving arms of the Heavenly Father. He soon discovered that Satan’s sugar-coated poison-pills of pleasure, wealth, power, and riches are nothing else but a cruel deception. Such can destroy body and soul. Few are they who, by GOD’s grace, can eventually escape their own design for a “happy future”—and come to realize the only true and lasting happiness is found in serving Jesus Christ, and Him alone.
Away from home and loved ones with his dream-castle in shambles, loneliness and fear took hold of this dear soul. The teachings of his childhood (that at one time seemed utterly worthless) began to awaken in his stricken heart and soul. The faith that sustained his parents and many fellow brethren came to mind. He came to realize that GOD’s mercy through His Son offered the only true riches and happiness for this life and the one to come.
His struggling and empty heart longed for the precious fellowship. For he realized it was among these humble, converted souls he would really meet his spiritual needs. In a sprawling city in that far-away continent, he began to earnestly seek to find the church of his childhood.
The varied array of differing churches confused him. Listening to many eloquent preachers, and visiting many churches claiming to be fundamental, Biblical, and evangelical, he realized they all left him empty and cold.
“I need to find our church,” he said to himself one day. But how? One day, however, he came up with a plan he knew would work to find the church like he knew in his childhood (if there was one in that city). The Zion’s Harp! Yes, the songbook no other church was using would help identify what he was seeking.
So it was. On Sunday mornings this young man would wander from church to church. Often, he didn’t even go in. The outward appearance of the worshipers would tell him he was not in the right place. Make-up, cosmetics, and jewelry—which are displeasing to the holiness of GOD—were often the only signals he needed to indicate he was in the wrong place. Many times, he just walked up to a church building, and without going in, listened to the songs they were singing. Time after time he was disappointed when he realized the songs were not from the Zion’s Harp, the beloved hymnal of his youth.
He persisted in looking! Eventually, after receiving the correct address from his home village, he was able to find the right church where the lovely hymns of the Zion’s Harp were sang; and where not only was the Bible preached, but it was lived out according to what it taught. It was a church where the emphasis was on the condition of the heart, and not on the finery of fancy outward appearance and jewelry, and living apart from the world and separation from its pleasures were emphasized. It was here they preached repentance, conversion, and holy living--- the important aspects that made one a true Christian.
Stories of Faith and Courage Volume 1, page 62