Berita NECF Newletters

Prepare for Malaysia's Jubilee!

Prepare for Malaysia's Jubilee!

IN the Bible, the year of Jubilee or the year at the end of seven seven-year cycles, marks a time of release, return and renewal. The clock is 're-set', so to speak. Jubilee is a year of liberty in which slaves and prisoners are freed and debts forgiven. The land observes a Sabbath rest and is "returned" to God. Jubilee's spiritual parallel is the remission of sins through faith in Jesus Christ so as to be reconciled with God and to live a life of liberty through His Spirit.

In Malaysia, the Pastors' Fellowship Kota Kinabalu (PFKK) has started an initiative to mark 16 Sept 2012 as Malaysia's Jubilee year. This date is also the 49th anniversary of Malaysia's formation through the joining of four independent nations - Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore (until 1965).

However, if we use the Biblical formula of counting seven Sabbath Year-cycles, seven times, (i.e. taking Malaysia's first year of existence as 1963 and not 1964), we get 2012 as Malaysia's 50th year - or Jubilee year.

2012 as the year of Malaysia's Jubilee was announced at the Malaysia Day Prayer Rally 2011 on 15 Sept, which marked the end of the 40-Day Fast and Prayer 2011.

Under Jubilee 2012, churches are urged to step up prayer for the nation. Pray for the fulfillment of jubilee across the country: Good news for the poor, sight for the blind and relief for the oppressed.

There is also a special focus on East Malaysia. Church leaders there desire to see the righting of wrongs done to indigenous peoples in the name of development and politics. Leaders are praying for full respect and adherence to the Sabah 20-point and Sarawak 18-point Agreements signed with Malaya upon the formation of Malaysia. These points include full freedom of religion as there shall be no State religion in North Borneo. They also include autonomy over land.

There is much to be done to help the natives of Sabah and Sarawak reclaim what has been taken from them. Christians in East Malaysia and the Peninsular must unite as one Church to "proclaim the year of the Lord's favour". After all, the welfare of the Malaysian Church as a whole rests on over 60% of her congregation - who are East Malaysians!

Jubilee 2012 is less than 12 months away. Using 2 Chronicles 7:14 as a guide, churches and individuals are urged to prepare themselves by emphasizing consecration of the self and of the church, hold more regular prayer focusing on Malaysia, enhance individual and corporate worship, and seek repentance and reconciliation with one another.

To know more, visit www.jubileemalaysia.com.



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