Dear Friends and Fellow Servants,

About twenty years ago I found out that many of the things that I had been taught in church were based on tradition rather than what the Bible actually teaches. When I first discovered that fact, I began to research the history of early Christianity in an effort to find out not only what has taken place but how it possibly could have happened. What I learned was almost unbelievable, and that is the nature of true deception.

Today we hear a great deal about conspiracy theories - theories that are hard to prove. Revealed within the pages of our Bibles we find a true conspiracy, well documented by the records of history. Satan, our adversary, by way of confusion attempts to usurp the authority of the Almighty. He wants to be our God and the only way he can accomplish that is to get us to disobey the commandments of our Creator. Just as in the Garden of Eden he attempts to persuade mankind that we can be as God and decide for ourselves what is good and what is evil.

After having the great privilege to learn the truth, I realized that with that privilege comes great responsibility. In 1994 I wrote the book Too Long in the Sun in an effort to share what I had discovered with others. Over the past 18 years Too Long in the Sun has been used around the world and has become somewhat of a classic. That book traces pagan sun worship from the most ancient times through the subsequent civilizations. It documents the fact that sun worship has been the primary religion in opposition to the true worship of the Biblical Creator: Thus the title Too Long in the Sun.

Many books have been written regarding the influence of paganism upon Christianity. Even so, I found that most often each individual book would deal with only one particular aspect. Because of that it was necessary to consult the writings of many different authors in an effort to get a complete picture of the complicated deception that has taken place over the years.

In an effort to put the puzzle together, after 20 years of research I wrote my latest book Time is the Ally of Deceit. I also produced a DVD Study Series including one DVD for each historical chapter of the book. That material deals with the influences of paganism in the Roman Empire during the formative years of contemporary Christianity. With 259 pages of solid, non-speculative documentation, and six hours of video, the Study Series has once again found popular reception among those looking for a means to share what we have learned with others. Once again, we hear good reports from around the globe.

If you are receiving this letter you are probably already aware of all the various materials that my family and I have produced over the years. It is our goal to make that information available to those who have no idea what the faith of the saints as described in the Bible really is. Not only that, but to present the information in a kind, non-offensive and non-speculative manner in order that people will actually take a look.

So far, I have been talking about what I have done. It has been a lot of hard work, but it was something that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, I could personally accomplish. Now there is something extremely important that I would like to do, but I cannot do it by myself. Even so, if you would be willing to help me, I believe that what I envision can actually be accomplished.

Here is what I want to do:

I want to get this information to as many people as possible, especially to those who will never hear it in church. In the past I have depended on the sale of books and DVDs to get the information out; and I hope that people will continue to buy them. That is the way that I keep the work going and provide for my family. Even so, I want to get the facts out to those who would never, ever, even think about buying a book or DVD that did not follow along the lines of denominational theology. So how do I propose to accomplish that? I want to give the information away. I want to actually place it in the hands of those who need to know, without charge. I want to be sure that those who have the potential to do something with the information actually get it.

Today, just in the United States, two hundred million people claim the title of Christian. There are over seventy thousand seminary students, and over six hundred thousand pastors, preachers, and theologians. Every one of them needs to be confronted with the truth in a kind way. It may seem like an impossible task "but with God, all things are possible."

Can we put the truth in the hands of two hundred million people? Perhaps not right away, but what about the seventy thousand seminary students that every day are being taught traditions that have nothing to do with Christ. Imagine what would happen if several of them started asking hard questions, all at the same time. Would some of them love the truth and want to do something about it? I know they would. Just think about how many people would be influenced by just one of those young preachers.

The information contained in the Time is the Ally of Deceit Study Series represents my best effort to expose the age old deception that leads people away from the commandments of God - commandments that reveal who our Creator really is, and how He wants us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Even so, it is unrealistic to believe that the average Christian will take the time to look at over six hours of video, revealing things that he really does not like to hear. So here is what I have done:

I have produced a concise, fifty minute, high quality, DVD version of Time is the Ally of Deceit. I can’t provide all of the documentation in that length of time, but I can tell the story in an undeniable, challenging, yet kind manner. I want to get this material into the hands of those who need to know; and there are a lot of people that need to know. With your help, I believe that it can be done.

I would like to ask you to actually be a part of this project. More than that, I want you to consider this a joint venture to deliver the truth to a world deceived by the god of this world - a wake up call to the few that have the ears to hear. I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider a $25.00 per month contribution to the project. Perhaps you can contribute even more. I see all the various ministries asking for hundreds of thousands, and even millions of dollars, and they actually get it for worldly things that have little or no value in the kingdom of heaven. If enough of us get together, we can do something really important. We can use our resources to place thousands of DVDs into the hands of those who need to know. We can tell people about the commandments of our Creator, our Savior, and the Covenant He has made with His people. Nothing is more important than that.

Now this is new for me. In the past I have depended on the sale of my materials to get the information out and to keep the work going. I am not a non-profit ministry, or anything like that. Because of that, if you are willing to help me, you will have to do it because you think it is important, and not for a tax deduction. Can you remember how excited you were when you first learned the truth about the faith of the believers that walked and talked with Messiah? I can; and that is all the incentive we should need to do everything possible to share Biblical Christianity with others. I talk with many people who are concerned that evangelism by those of us who have had the great privilege to learn the truth is sorely lacking. We must have a heart for others; and this is one way we can do something important to present the true gospel in a powerful way. Your local assemblies can use the DVDs to awaken those in your community who need to know the truth. Perhaps there is a church in your area that you are concerned for. Let’s get a DVD to each member. We can hand them out at conventions, home school meetings, Bible studies. The possibilities are endless.

I have talked to those who tell me that I should only expect a small percentage of the people who receive this letter to participate; but I hope that is not the case. I believe this is different - much different. This is our chance to make a difference; to place the undeniable truth regarding the Covenant of our Creator in front of those who would disregard us as some fringe group of legalistic believers. If you will help me, no longer will they be able to ignore us. With thousands of DVDs in the hands of those whom they seek to control, they will finally have to deal with the facts. Together, I really believe we can go a long way in accomplishing that; and I invite you to be a part of this timely effort to share the "Faith of the Saints" with those who need to know.

We have placed a "Faith of the Saints" donation form on our web site www.toolong.com that can be accessed HERE. You may contribute by way of credit or debit card, or by PayPal. For those who would like to make contributions by way of check or money order, our mailing address is:

Partakers Publications P.O. Box 2724 Lewisburg, TN 37091. I have placed a contribution form at the end of this letter.

If you have questions, would like to make suggestions, or offer your special talents, I would consider it a privilege to speak with you. You can reach me by email at my personal email address richardrives@yahoo.com or by telephone at (931)293-4745.

The new DVD is now ready; and I have placed it for sale on my website www.toolong.com at a value of $25.00. I will be sending a free copy to those who purchase our Time is the Ally of Deceit Study Series. Even so, selling the DVD is not what I really want to do. Once again, I want to give away thousands upon thousands of them. If you are ready to participate we will send you the DVD right away. If you are seriously interested in making a commitment, but would like to review the DVD first, just send me enough to cover our production and shipping costs and we will get it right out to you. If you like Too Long in the Sun, and Time is the Ally of Deceit, I believe that you will really be pleased with the new DVD entitled HATH GOD SAID.

During the first century a handful of disciples changed the world by the Power of the Holy Spirit. Now it is our turn. Now we are responsible and I ask that you prayerfully consider this opportunity to share the faith of those saints with people that may never hear unless we tell them. Please help me make this a reality.

Your friend and fellow servant,
Richard Rives
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."

P.S. Please let me hear from you soon. The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. ...Luke 10:2