An Amazing Fact: When the 16-year-old grandson of oil tycoon Jean Paul Getty was kidnapped in Rome on July 10, 1973, the billionaire hesitated paying the $17 million ransom demanded for his safe return. In the midst of this tragedy, an Italian postal strike delayed communication. Then an envelope containing a lock of the boy’s hair, part of one ear, and a threatening message was delivered to a newspaper. They now only demanded $3.2 million. Getty senior negotiated a deal and got his grandson back for about $2.8 million. The grandson, Jean Paul Getty III, was freed in southern Italy on December 15, 1973. His kidnappers were never caught.
How much ransom would you pay to redeem your child or grandchild if, heaven forbid, they were kidnapped? While this is difficult for me to even think about, I would like to believe I would give everything to reclaim my captive child.
In many parts of the world, kidnapping is on the rise. Children from affluent families and the employees of wealthy companies are the most common targets. According to insurance carrier AIG, there are more than 20,000 reported kidnap-for-ransom incidents annually, with 48 percent of them occurring in Latin America. The top three countries are Colombia, Mexico, and Russia, with Mexico showing the steepest increase this year. Sadly, most kidnapping incidents are not reported for fear of retribution.
But these sobering statistics are nothing compared to the billions of God’s children around the world who have been kidnapped and are being held captive by the arch fiend, Satan. And our loving Father chose to empty the treasury of heaven when He offered the life of His only begotten Son to redeem them. What an incredible ransom!
This is why the work of Amazing Facts is so important. Through television and radio, public evangelism, literature, and the internet, we are communicating the good news that liberates these souls held hostage by sin.
The sacrifice of Jesus has provided an abundant ransom that is adequate to redeem every person from spiritual prison — but it must be delivered quickly! With any criminal abduction, time is the enemy of hope. The sooner the victim is reached, the more likely they will be rescued.
And we are reaching them! Every single day, Amazing Facts receives letters from some of God’s children who have been liberated by the truth.
“I am very grateful for these online lessons because they are so powerful and full of great and truthful information. I just want to thank you guys again for everything. Now I am a new person because I know the truth and it has set me free. Amen!” Michael
“I didn’t know why drinking socially was wrong. I always knew it was wrong, but I was never taught why. One night at work, I went online and saw the Amazing Facts website and printed a copy of The Christian and Alcohol. Oh! Thank you for teaching me why! I’ll not drink Alcohol anymore; it’s that simple.” L.B.
“I have been in church all my life; I have been to Bible college for a three-year associates degree; I have completed a bachelors degree at another university in theology; I have sat under many years of teaching, sermons, etc. But after taking these Bible studies, I feel the truth has set me free in many areas of my life.” Elizabeth
Thank God for these souls who have been reached, but there are thousands more who are being held hostage by Satan and sin.
The good news is that Jesus has already paid the price for their redemption with His own blood — but He has invited us to cover the postage to deliver the message of salvation.
Television is one of the most effective ways to reach these captive souls. Because of the economic slowdown, we now have the opportunity to purchase broadcast time on television at a greatly reduced cost.
These programs delivering the ransom of Jesus’ grace are seen by millions!
You will not lose your investment. You will save it forever, having converted it into heavenly treasure!
Please give today!
Pastor Doug