One Year Anniversary – The Gospel Proclamation

Thirty-three years ago, a love for our Heavenly Father and His Word of prophecy compelled Harold E. Lafferty to devote his time, efforts, and resources to strengthening the household of faith through prophetical commentary and “exegesis”, as he would often say. A true “watchman unto the house of Israel” (Ezekiel 3:17), his dedication and perseverance continued for thirty-two strong years until his sudden falling asleep in December of 2021.

The news was an unexpected jarring to countless brothers and sisters across the globe. Adding to my own personal shock was the discovery that he decided to leave his labor of so many years entrusted into my hands in the hopes that I would carry on the work. Having admired the man as a prime example of a Bible student from my youth, I was immensely humbled. Filled with a mixture of apprehension and sense of duty, I decided to undertake the effort of continuing The Prophecy Letter, a labor of love that I intend to continue until the day of my own falling asleep or, Lord willing, until the return of our Master, who certainly seems at the door!

It has now been exactly one year since I distributed the first Gospel Proclamation newsletter, announcing Harold’s falling asleep and my plans for The Prophecy Letter moving forward. As I’m sure many would agree, it is difficult to believe that we have already gone all the way around the sun.

I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to my readers for all of their comments, questions, support, and feedback throughout the year. Picturing myself from the reader’s perspective, I might have had some reservations about remaining a subscriber to The Prophecy Letter now that it was being distributed by someone other than Harold. His newsletter was so personal and communicated his unique voice and perspective, and suddenly, without warning, it was being compiled by a new, unfamiliar brother. To all who decided to stick around, I extend my sincerest thanks. It is my heartfelt hope that the efforts put forth have been profitable to even a small degree.

For myself, I can joyfully say that it has been a wondrous blessing and an incredible pleasure not only to dedicate time and thought to the discussion of prophecy, but to forge new relationships with fellow brethren that will, Lord willing, last for the rest of eternity!

Brief Reflections on the First Year

The first year for The Gospel Proclamation was a sort of trial-and-error period for how best to conduct the website and newsletter. Like anything, it was also a time-balancing act. There were so many prophetical developments in 2022 that it was difficult to cover even a majority of them to a degree I thought was satisfactory. Another reason for this was due to the timing in which I received The Prophecy Letter. The news came to me while in the midst of finishing a house for my wife and I and working full time as well. Time, therefore, was often scant.

I can confidently say, however, that this responsibility has been one of the chief pleasures in my life and the purpose to which I will gratefully labor to the best of my ability. It has helped shape me into an overall more learned, responsible person and has cultivated knowledge of the Word and history that I otherwise would not have gained. I thank the Lord continually for this wondrous blessing, and it is my sincerest hope that others have benefited from it. Indeed, the entire aim of The Gospel Proclamation and The Prophecy Letter is to inspire independent Bible study, glorify our Father in Heaven, and strengthen our faith in these trying last days.

Looking to the Year Ahead

With the new year, I intend to make a few adjustments. One thing is quite minor in my opinion, and you might have already noticed it. I intend to refer to myself more frequently as “I” instead of “we”.

Saying “we” is a practice used by many and one that I have used with this website up to this point, but I don’t see the precise reason for it and have frequently found myself questioning the practice. There have been numerous times when I found its usage to confuse and blur the meaning of my words, making it difficult for the reader to discern whether I am speaking of myself or a group to which I belong. For the sake of clarity and honesty, I will be saying “I” more often unless a specific scenario makes “we” more fitting.

That, however, is minor. There are two main objectives for the year ahead:

Firstly, I chose to entitle the website The Gospel Proclamation because my intention was to discuss the many aspects that are essential to salvation; to discuss what the Gospel is and what one must do become partakers of it. Looking back on the first year, little has been achieved in this regard.

Although the various letters throughout the year were sprinkled with aspects of the Gospel call and first principles, I had hoped to write more focused, specific articles on them. The aforementioned tasks and regular ecclesial duties limited my available time, and the rapid developments in the world made it necessary to devote the time that did exist to prophecy. In the coming year, Lord willing, I hope to proclaim the Gospel more directly as well.

Secondly, for the past few months, I have been working on a fairly large project. It is another one of the culprits behind the less-frequent newsletters as of late. In awe of the Lord’s working amongst the nations over the past 150 years, I have decided to begin writing a thorough, heavily researched series on how the Lord has operated in the kingdoms of men to bring back His nation of Israel and set the nations in order in preparation for the second advent of Jesus Christ.

Beginning with the Zionist movement in the late 1800s, the project will work through the following years with an aim of shedding light on the invisible, but obvious, hand of God. It will also discuss how the Middle East became what it is today and how the individual players of the latter-day wars have been angelically coerced to take their prophesied form. It is undoubtedly an extensive work, but one that I am simply thrilled to compile. Though it will not be fully completed for some time – potentially years – I intend to publish each chapter as each one is finished.

I would normally expect to finish the project sooner, particularly since our house is finished (for now). However, the Lord has added yet another tremendous blessing: due at the end of March is my wife and I’s first child! Ensuring that the child will be brought up in “the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) is a top priority and will undoubtedly require diligent attention and care, things which we are delighted to provide! Time will, therefore, inevitably be limited for our typical discussions of Scripture and prophecy, but I will certainly labor as much as my feeble, mortal frame will allow.

It is my fervent hope that 2023 will be the year that these efforts will no longer be necessary. Rather, may all be warmly in the immediate presence of our Lord and Master, reigning with him in Jerusalem and beginning the wondrous process of turning the kingdoms of this world into the kingdoms of our Lord (Revelation 11:15). I pray the Lord’s Divine guidance and comfort for us all as we approach that glorious day when we will finally know the perfect sabbath of our Lord.

As the Jews say, “Next year in Jerusalem!”

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

Regards to all through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Tanner Hawkins