AUTHOR’S PREFACE

In the first edition of “Into the Father’s Heart,” 50,000 copies were published in June of 1982. By 1987 over 40,000 had been distributed in the USA and a few foreign countries at the basic cost of 50 cents each. At least 50% of that number were given away free including over 1,000 which were sent to readers in Africa. By 1998 the balance of 10,000 were also gone and I began making photo copies to fill the few orders that continued to come in. Although I had published a second book on the character of God in 1986, entitled, “THE WONDERFUL TRUTH ABOUT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER,” 394 pages, the requests for “Into the Father’s Heart” continued to come in along with the question as to when I was going to publish a second edition.

About five years ago a young man in LA asked permission to build and maintain a website featuring the front page articles I had written over the years on God’s true character of love. Even though I was not on the Internet at that time nor did I even know what a web site was I granted permission explaining that I had no budget for such a project. This humble young man from East L.A. said he would build and maintain it free of charge which he continues to do to this day. He explained that the day after he re-dedicated his life to the Lord Jesus Christ my paper arrived at his door. He said that as he began reading the articles the Lord impressed him to build a web site. He also typed the first eight chapters of “Into the Father’s Heart,” and placed them on the web site as well. He said people were reading those chapters and requesting more info.

Although I did not have the funds I knew that eventually I would have to re-publish this book which had touched so many lives in the last 23 years, causing a paradigm shift in the thinking of an entire generation. At the urging of this young man I finally requested help from my readers to re-type the remaining 22 chapters. Only two or three volunteered for the job. Finally, a man from Kentucky wrote to me out of the blue and volunteered to scan the whole book for me. Although this solved the problem of re-typing the book I then faced the task of revising, correcting and updating the entire work because in 1982 I had not yet understood the concept of Universal Restoration, based on Acts 3:21 and many other supporting passages from the Holy Bible. This seemed like a task so overwhelming and daunting that at first I refused to even think about it with a writing schedule that I felt was already beyond my capacity to maintain.

That is when I began to really pray about this matter. As a result the Lord urged me to just try going over the first eight chapters. I was amazed at how quickly I was able to bring those chapters up to speed, theologically speaking. This gave me the courage to spend as much time as was necessary to finish the entire book which was finally completed on April 9th, 2004. I then had 100 copies of this revised manuscript printed and sent out to anyone who requested it, asking for whatever donation they could afford. As usual, I ended up giving most of them away with the request that each reader return this revised edition with their comments and suggestions. Only five people agreed to do this and with those five returned manuscripts I completed the final corrections in October 29th, 2004. Still I had no funds to re-print this revised edition.

Many things happened in the next few months which showed that the Lord was in charge and wanted this book re-published. Satan was allowed to do his best to stop it, which he did, including some big tests for yours truly. But as usual, the Lord brought me through these trials and then touched several people’s hearts to send in the needed funds so I could print the volume you now hold in your hands. Although I did not quote from one of my favorite authors in the first edition of “Into the Father’s Heart,” I have quoted from her several times in this revised edition. Here is one of my favorite quotes: “If we surrender our lives to His service, we can never be placed in a position for which He has not made provision. Whatever may be our situation, we have a Guide to direct our way; whatever our perplexities, we have a sure Counselor; whatever our sorrow, bereavement, or loneliness, we have a sympathizing Friend.” COL 173. And this one also: “Worry is blind, and cannot discern the future; but Jesus sees the end from the beginning. In every difficulty He has His way prepared to bring relief. Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us, of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one principle of making the service and honor of God supreme will find perplexities vanish, and a plain path before their feet.” “Desire of Ages,” by Ellen G. White, page 330.

The message in this book has changed the lives of many people for the good. I know it has certainly changed mine. In 1982 I only knew of three levels of God’s character. There are now seven. *See Additional Note #28. The seventh level will be the last one to be revealed when the Lord returns to claim His own. May we each be ready for His return is the sincere prayer and earnest desire of my heart. Your friend always in the power and love of our Blessed Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ. Pastor-Evangelist, Michael F. Clute. July 19, 2005.