If you’ve got nothing to hide, you’ve got nothing to fear

“Good morning, we’re here from the prosecutor’s office and the police department with a search warrant from the judge.”

Yes, you read that right! A while ago, we had a knock on the door at 6 am. The following is a report on what we experienced.

Ingrid and I were just doing our morning prayers when the doorbell rang—an unusual occurrence for that time of day. An official from the prosecutor’s office was at the door with a police escort. We had no idea why they had come. After some back and forth, we were permitted to read the document that the judge had signed, but the official wasn’t allowed to tell us why our home was being searched. We’d have to go to the prosecutor’s office to find out for ourselves.

We had no choice but to let them into the house. This included two others with the official, and three police officers (there was also a police officer stationed both inside and outside the door). We were allowed to pray with the officers before they began, and then they got to work.

We’d just had work done on our plumbing, and the floor was still open in places. As a result, a lot of our things were still in boxes, which had to be shuffled around as the floor panels were laid. The search proceeded quietly, but the officials were amazed to find so many books.

We later learned from other brothers and sisters in Christ that the news had reported that 15 homes across the region had been searched at the same time. Near the end of the search in our house, the person in charge mentioned that her associates had found what they were looking for elsewhere. We had to accompany the officials during their visit, so there was an opportunity to speak about Jesus and the assurance of salvation in Him.

When the search was over, they all apologized to us. We were able to give everyone some pamphlets, which they gratefully accepted. One of the police officers said, “El que nada debe, nada teme”—a common saying here in Guatemala. It means, “If you’ve got nothing to hide, you’ve got nothing to fear.”

This surprising incident taught us that we truly need to be ready to bear witness at all times—even at the most unexpected moments. We were able to say to the group from the prosecutor’s office, “At some point, you’ll also be standing before the judge’s throne. Do you know what your verdict will be?”

The official was carrying a file with her throughout the search. When the search was completed, she read it to us, along with the conclusion, “The search was negative.”

We thanked the Lord that everything had gone so smoothly, because searches like this are often staged in order to rob the homeowners or to plant evidence. A friend of mine who is a judge, also told me that false addresses are sometimes purposely given in order to cover up the real perpetrators. The Lord gave us grace to bear witness to Him in the midst of this situation.

One day, we will be unexpectedly taken away, just as unexpectedly as the prosecutor’s knock at our door. Whether it be through the Rapture, or when our life here on earth has come to an end, we will then stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to give an account of our lives. Are we prepared for that inevitable encounter? What will we bring Him? “Gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw” (1 Cor 3:12)?

We’re also very grateful to the Lord that the repairs in our house were finally completed. There are still a few things here and there for us to do ourselves, but the biggest part is done. We gave pamphlets to everyone who came to the house, either to work or to unload supplies. We also had a short conversation with most and testified to Jesus. Some of them were very touched. We pray that the Lord would do His perfect work in each one.

I recently had the opportunity to do a presentation on the state of the world in light of Bible prophecy, in our own church and others. I spoke about Ezekiel 38—39, and Israel and Russia in the prophetic Word. We’re very grateful to the Lord for all the opportunities He is still granting us to magnify His Word.

We’re always in God’s hands, and He has carried us through till now. We continue to trust in His faithfulness and goodness.

Midnight Call - 10/2022