27th November 2025.
Beloved,
DECEMBER RETREAT 2025: THE BURDEN
Greetings of the season in the matchless name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who is, Who was, and Who is to come!
We happily inform and invite you to this year’s December Retreat– our annual fasting and praying retreat themed: BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY.
The Bible records:
“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
And, behold, I come quickly (swiftly); and my reward is (coming quickly) with me, to give every man ACCORDING AS HIS WORK SHALL BE (according as his work shall turn out to be).
I am Alpha (Who started, created, and called all things forth at the beginning as it ought to be) and Omega (Who ends, checks, and rewards every man at the end according as his work shall be), the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Revelation 22:11-13 (KJV) [Emphasis added]
Our faith and lives are woven around God’s promises. These good promises were spoken first to the fathers in the time of old and now made better in the days of Jesus Christ, the Mediator of the New Testament.
The men of old committed themselves wholly to living according to God’s will, serving Him with unwavering devotion, because they were persuaded that the God who promised is faithful and able to perform.
We have a good witness in Abraham, a man who believed God and walked confidently without staggering or stumbling through unbelief during hisdays of waiting for the promise of God. God counted it to him as righteousness (the right way to live). He obtained the promise by faith and patience.
Yet the Scriptures reveal two categories of faithful men:
- Those who obtained the promise through patience and endurance: “And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” Hebrews 6:15 (KJV)
- Those who obtained a good report through faith, yet did not receive the promise in their lifetime: “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise.” Hebrews 11:39 (KJV)
Over time, some saints came to misunderstand this second category. Seeing that some did not receive the promise while alive, they began to doubt, question, and even withdraw from faith—unaware that such withdrawal leads only to perdition.
To such and all, the Word of God came:
“CAST NOT AWAY THEREFORE YOUR CONFIDENCE (trust, boldness, hope which you have in the One to come), which hath great recompence of reward.
36 For (surely) ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise (reward).
37 For yet a little while, and HE THAT SHALL COME WILL COME, and will not tarry.
38 Now (as a result) the just shall live by faith (confidence, trust, boldness, and hope in the One Who promised and is to come): but if any man draw back (from living by trust, boldness, and hope in the One Who promised and is to come), my soul shall have no (loses) pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back (from the faith) unto perdition; but of them that believe (to the end) to the saving of (preservation) the soul.” Hebrews 10:35-39 (KJV) [Emphasis added]
A Misunderstanding of Love: This generation has largely misunderstood the love of God. When God loved the world, He did not give gold, silver, houses, cars, or earthly comforts—He gave His Son, equal with Himself.
When Christ loved the Church, He likewise gave Himself, not material possessions.
Yet, today’s believers often measure divine love by material acquisition, and not by obtaining the good report. How wrong!
Interestingly, God did not say He will not reward our faith, confidence, trust, boldness in Him, even now; He will! And though God indeed rewards obedience, faith, boldness, trust, and confidence, even in this life, He has not changed His definition of love (expressed beyond material possessions).
The Urgency of the Hour: He Comes Quickly: The Lord announces again: “Behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me.”
We are now entering a time when God will swiftly reward what each person has done and is doing. To draw back now is spiritual suicide. To lose faith now is to lose everything.
Therefore, this charge comes to all who are weary, discouraged, or losing spiritual strength and steam: Arise! Continue in faith! Do the will of God!Your reward (both now and hereafter) is nearer than ever! Hallelujah!
Behold, He comes quickly and His reward also comes swiftly with Him to give to each of us as our work shall turn out to be.
A Call to Retreat: In God’s stead, we invite you to the December Retreat 2025, a solemn assembly where we shall be waiting upon God in praise, study, fasting, and prayer. The burden is clear: Behold, He comes quickly.
Venue: Bethphage, Alata Village, off Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan Road, Adebayo (CRIN Area), Idi-Ayunre, Ibadan.
Date: Sunday, 28th December 2025 – Thursday, 1st January 2026.
Kick-off Time: 11:45 p.m. (WAT) Sunday, 28/11/2025.
Closing Time: 2:00 a.m. (WAT) Thursday, 1/1/2026.
Registration, accommodation, and breaking of fast (marathon) shall be free, as the LORD sends provision.
Come with your beddings and clothes that could keep you warm.
Shalom!
In HIS grip,
SEGUN ARIYO,
For the Labouring Team (International).