As we look back on the history of this movement, we recognize that the Lord was guiding it from the beginning. The Last message to a dying world had to come through someone, and God prophesied that He wouldn’t use the pastors and Bible scholars, but that it would come from humble lay people. In these short lines is a brief sketch of the story of this ministry as it began with God’s call on John Scotram, and developed into what it is today.

Shortly after his conversion in 2003, the Lord moved on Brother John’s heart to give himself to mission service and led him from Europe to Paraguay, South America. Unfortunately, the real estate agency informed him that no property existed in Paraguay with the characteristics he had specified. Nevertheless, after some time, a 30-hectare farm in the mountains was found that in fact met every requirement—except the price. In further answer to prayer, God provided the money in a surprising way. As a result of discovering a miscalculation in a transaction regarding his inheritance in Germany, the owing party sent a large sum, which exactly covered the remaining amount (about two-thirds) to purchase the property—which was deposited on the very day it was needed!

For planning purposes, Brother John asked God how much time he would have in which to develop the mission outreach project, and then he studied the Bible to learn the answer. The White Cloud Farm was developed amidst numerous and extreme difficulties calculated to discourage the effort, including a terrible three-and-a-half-year drought, robberies, and ongoing problems due to dishonest workmen who claimed competence in their trade, but didn’t deliver. Nevertheless, the Lord’s hand was in the project, and by 2012, the temple and other construction was completed, and the houses were ready to be occupied.

Tests and trials continued relentlessly as the Lord’s plans for the ministry shaped the seven years after the Clock of God in Orion was discovered. During that time, through the mysterious working of the Lord, He brought together five friends from around the world to join Brother John and his wife. These seven, who recognized the Holy Spirit’s leadership of the movement, became a close family, despite the language barriers, personality differences, and character issues among them. Growing through the challenges as only the family of God can do, they would ultimately choose to stay together on the farm to further serve as witnesses for God in these remaining years of trial. Watching the Lord in Orion, these seven—the four authors and their wives—were brought together by acting on their love for Him, and held together with the strong bond of sacrificial brotherly love.

The first seven years of the LastCountdown ministry served to gather a small community of the first-fruits of God’s harvest, giving them the experience in sacrifice that is needed to reflect the character of Jesus effectively. This little community was gathered into a private, online forum, known informally as “the restaurant,” where we share and study the things God reveals before publishing the findings publicly as appropriate. From this group, our regional secretaries and study group leaders are selected.

It has been a difficult work. To offset the tides of condemnation, ridicule, and sheer hatred that we received in ever-increasing amounts, there were but a handful of thankful voices to give a breath of fresh air to our weary souls, and even among those few, many turned away, and some now spread slanderous reports against us. We take heart in the knowledge that it was the same with Jesus and the early church, and indeed, with God’s people in every generation.

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. (John 15:20-21)

Those who know not the Time, who sent His Son, are those who persecute us. But He is our exceeding great reward, and we remain on the earth to give witness to the gospel that could have saved them. If you believe in the testimony we have given, and would like to show your support of the Lord’s message by returning a portion of what He has given you, please see our donation options.

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.(Matthew 24:14)