It Is Written

Three Angels Broadcasting Network

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Series Code: IIW

Program Code: IIW001530A


00:10 ♪[Theme music]♪
00:20 >>John Bradshaw: This is It Is Written. I'm John Bradshaw.
00:23 Thanks for joining me.
00:25 The Atacama Desert in Chile is the driest place on Earth.
00:30 It's where the largest copper and gold mines in
00:33 South America are located.
00:34 And from the Atacama Desert comes a story of tragedy,
00:38 a story of uncertainty, yet a story of courage,
00:42 hope and, ultimately, a story of salvation.
00:46 [Heavy machinery sounds]
00:48 It happened on a Thursday.
00:50 It was August the fifth, 2010.
00:53 Five hours after starting their workday,
00:55 the land became a tomb for 33 men when a collapse in the mine
01:04 buried them 700 meters, 2300 feet below ground.
01:13 Imagine two Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each
01:17 other; that's how far down they were.
01:20 They were trapped in temperatures of up to 95 degrees
01:22 Fahrenheit - 35 Celsius, and they were trapped for 69 days.
01:30 The San José mine is located in the city of Copiapo
01:33 in northern Chile.
01:35 It was there that 33 men and their fellow workers
01:37 risked their lives daily to support their families,
01:41 mining copper and gold from the ground.
01:44 The events that unfolded there in the Atacama Desert
01:46 were watched by more than a billion people around the world.
01:50 It was one of the greatest rescues
01:52 in the history of humanity.
01:53 ♪[Music]♪
01:58 That fateful day at the San José mine everything seemed normal,
02:03 just like any other day.
02:05 But in a matter of moments,
02:08 life took an unexpected turn for those 33 miners
02:11 and their families.
02:13 Now, can you imagine being trapped underground in a damp,
02:18 dark place with no way out?
02:20 [Hopeless theme]
02:22 After the mine collapsed, the men were totally
02:25 disconnected from the outside world.
02:26 They were unable to ask for help
02:28 or to tell rescue groups that they were alive.
02:32 No matter how much they shouted, nobody could hear them.
02:36 No matter how much they tried to escape,
02:39 there was no way out.
02:40 Now, initially, dust kept them from breathing normally,
02:43 even blinded some of them for some time,
02:45 some hours.
02:47 Some miners were injured.
02:49 And in addition to the physical exhaustion was fear,
02:53 the frustration and the uncertainty that quickly began
02:55 to invade their minds:
02:57 Will they come to rescue us?
02:59 Will they think that we are alive?
03:01 Will they forget us?
03:04 Now maybe you've thought about it;
03:05 maybe you've not.
03:06 But you and I, like those 33 men,
03:09 are trapped, with no way out.
03:12 Yes, it's true human beings can travel to the moon.
03:16 We've sent the Space Shuttle up and brought it back.
03:19 The International Space Station circles the globe.
03:22 Soon maybe we'll be able to travel to other planets.
03:25 But for now, the earth is our only home.
03:29 And you and I know only too well
03:31 that everything is not going well here.
03:34 Just turn on the TV, flick on the radio,
03:36 go online, and you'll be faced with bad news
03:39 that can change your life.
03:41 Today we're no longer surprised to hear about terrorist attacks,
03:44 the emergence of some strange disease,
03:47 or another random act of violence.
03:49 We hear of wars,
03:51 pestilences and famines in all kinds of places.
03:55 Maybe you or a loved one is experiencing hardships
03:58 of this kind, or a related kind.
04:02 The truth is, we are all trapped under a mountain of pain,
04:07 or illness, or hunger, or violence,
04:11 from which we just cannot escape.
04:14 And even if we install alarm systems to protect us from
04:16 theft, even though we try to take care of our health,
04:19 when we try to live quietly, not bother anybody else,
04:22 at some point, in some way,
04:25 we'll be the victim of evil.
04:28 At some point you and I will also ask ourselves:
04:31 Will someone come to my rescue?
04:33 Will there be a solution to my problem?
04:36 Is there anything we can trust?
04:39 You know, even though we're stuck in a place
04:41 with no way out,
04:43 God has prepared a refuge for us.
04:45 ♪[Bird chirping and bell chimes]♪
04:48 It's a safe place where you and I can learn to shield ourselves
04:51 from the plans of the evil one.
04:53 And it's there that we can wait and prepare while we look
04:58 forward to the supreme rescue of Jesus Christ.
05:04 In the initial hours in which the miners were trapped
05:06 underground, they looked for ways out.
05:09 Now, to begin with,
05:10 they tried to escape through ventilation shafts,
05:13 but they soon discovered, to their dismay,
05:17 that the ladders required by law,
05:20 that should have been there to facilitate such an escape,
05:24 were missing.
05:26 Any other attempts were dangerous
05:28 because they could cause another collapse,
05:31 and with another collapse, there would surely be death.
05:35 There was no other option but to wait in the shelter,
05:39 a shelter that had previously been built underground and
05:42 that was specially designed with this type of situation in mind.
05:46 There, at least, they found a safe place to stay,
05:49 there they had some food to keep them for a few days.
05:54 From that refuge, finally, the miners came to a conclusion:
05:59 By their own physical strength they could not get out of there;
06:06 rescue would have to come from above.
06:10 I'll be back with more from this story
06:12 and from the Bible in just a moment.
06:15 ♪[Music]♪
06:23 >>John: The greatest event in all of history.
06:26 The Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
06:28 What does the Bible say that will be like?
06:31 Find out by getting today's free offer,
06:33 “The Second Coming of Jesus.”
06:35 To get today's free offer,
06:36 call us, 800-253-3000,
06:38 that's 800-253-3000.
06:41 Or visit us online at iiwoffer.com,
06:45 iiwoffer.com.
06:48 Be sure you get today's free offer,
06:50 “The Second Coming of Jesus.”
06:53 ♪[Music]♪
06:56 >>Announcer: Planning for your financial future
06:57 is a vital aspect of Christian stewardship.
07:01 For this reason,
07:02 It Is Written is pleased to offer free planned giving
07:05 and estate services.
07:07 For information on how we can help you,
07:09 please call 800-992-2219.
07:14 Call today, or visit our website,
07:16 hislegacy.com.
07:18 Call 800-992-2219.
07:24 >>Girl: My mom woke up at 11:45, and she smelled smoke.
07:28 >>Man: About maybe 1:30 in the morning,
07:31 the, uh, my wife got a phone call,
07:34 and I could hear the voice on the other end of the line,
07:38 and she was basically screaming,
07:41 “There's a fire.
07:42 It's massive.
07:42 It's headed your way.
07:44 You need to get out and get out now.”
07:46 >>Woman: After I hear fire,
07:47 I hear in the background,
07:49 the fire is two to four blocks away from your house.
07:51 And I panicked.
07:52 We started praying.
07:53 Our prayers didn't last long.
07:55 They were desperate, they were, they were rushed.
08:00 There was a need; it was urgent;
08:01 it was very, very urgent.
08:03 I said, please save my children.
08:05 ♪[Sentimental music]♪
08:09 >>John: Where was God when the fires burned?
08:10 Where was God as people suffered?
08:12 Where was God while people were dying?
08:15 Where was God in the midst of the devastation?
08:17 ♪[Music and fire crackling]♪
08:24 >>John: Thanks for joining me today on It Is Written.
08:26 Back in 2010, 33 miners in Chile
08:31 were trapped deep beneath the surface of the earth
08:35 after a collapse in the mine in which they were working.
08:38 They were safe; they had food;
08:42 you know, things weren't so rosy inside that shelter.
08:46 It became more obvious with the passing hours.
08:49 It was extremely hot.
08:52 The food they had available
08:53 would only last them for three days.
08:57 They couldn't agree on everything.
08:59 And the wait caused desperation.
09:02 Have you ever had an experience like that?
09:05 That waiting, that anxiety.
09:09 You might have.
09:10 You might even have experienced something like that in church.
09:15 Sometimes the church,
09:17 where the name of the Lord is praised,
09:19 doesn't feel like the best place in the world.
09:21 Sometimes it can be suffocating.
09:25 Maybe somebody in that church hasn't treated you kindly.
09:27 You haven't been able to resolve your differences.
09:30 Well, maybe this spiritual food doesn't satisfy your tastes.
09:34 Maybe you think it just isn't necessary
09:37 to continue attending church.
09:39 But friend, stop.
09:41 I want to tell you something.
09:43 Unless the problem in your congregation is of a moral
09:46 or scriptural nature that just cannot be resolved,
09:49 don't leave.
09:51 If it's a really serious problem,
09:53 don't leave the church altogether.
09:54 Maybe you can find another congregation to worship.
09:58 The truth is that in these moments,
09:59 this moment in earth's history,
10:01 the church is the safest place that we can be.
10:05 Here's what the Bible says in Hebrews,
10:07 chapter 10 and verse 25:
10:09 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
10:13 as is the manner of some,
10:16 but exhorting one another,
10:18 and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
10:24 No, the church isn't perfect.
10:27 Maybe you've seen or experienced some unpleasant situations
10:30 in the church, sometimes hurtful situations.
10:33 But the truth is, your rescue and my rescue comes from above.
10:39 The church is not Paradise.
10:41 We were never promised that it would be.
10:42 [Bells ringing]
10:44 But the church is designed to be a haven,
10:46 a safe place,
10:48 as we get ready for the return of Jesus Christ.
10:51 ♪[Music]♪
10:59 Now, that wait was incredibly stressful
11:01 for the families of the miners trapped underground.
11:04 Upon hearing the disastrous news that their loved ones were stuck
11:08 and couldn't soon be liberated,
11:11 they hurried desperately to ask authorities for help.
11:14 They wanted to know if their loved ones were alive
11:16 and what the rescue plan was going to be.
11:18 Imagine the despair!
11:21 Adding to their despair was the fact
11:23 that statistics were not on their side.
11:25 It was said that there was only a 2% chance
11:29 that the 33 men could still be alive.
11:32 That same night the rescue began.
11:34 Rescue workers tried to find passages by which
11:37 they could enter the mine,
11:38 but all of the routes that they thought they could use
11:40 were either blocked or they threatened to collapse.
11:44 Two days later there was another collapse in the mine.
11:47 Rescuers knew then that it would be impossible for a human team
11:51 to safely reach the miners.
11:54 What do they do?
11:55 They began to drill down to try to reach the men.
11:59 Ten different drilling probes were used in an attempt
12:03 to establish contact with those isolated miners.
12:06 And finally, it was August the 22nd,
12:09 three weeks after the disaster, a probe that was later named
12:13 "la Milagrosa" (the miraculous one),
12:16 managed to find the emergency shelter.
12:20 Underground, the miners were listening to the drilling
12:23 with great expectation and hope.
12:26 They'd already prepared a message
12:27 that they wanted to share with their families.
12:29 A note they attached to the tip of the drill said,
12:34 "We are fine in the shelter, the 33."
12:38 The first sign of life
12:41 filled the hearts of their loved ones with joy,
12:43 and amazed millions of people around the world
12:47 who were following the news of the trapped Chilean miners.
12:51 It was through a small hole drilled hundreds of meters
12:53 into the earth,well, maybe I should say a small hole,
12:58 that the miners could finally communicate
12:59 with their rescue team
13:00 and receive the supplies that would keep them alive
13:03 as they waited to get out of their underground prison.
13:06 Through that hole they received water,
13:08 food, clothing, medicine, encouragement, and hope.
13:14 They also received cameras to record messages,
13:18 so the people up there could know
13:19 what their living conditions were like down there.
13:22 Okay, now let's pause for a moment.
13:25 Do you know that God has provided you with a means
13:27 of communicating between your place on earth and Heaven,
13:31 where God is?
13:32 Sure He has, and sure, you know.
13:34 That means of communicating with God is prayer.
13:38 Matthew 21, verse 22:
13:40 “And whatever things you ask in prayer,
13:42 believing, you will receive.”
13:46 The Bible also says in Hebrews 4 and verse 16:
13:49 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,
13:53 that we may obtain mercy and find grace
13:57 to help in time of need.”
14:00 It's through prayer,
14:02 through that, through that little gap in time
14:05 that we dedicate to speaking with God,
14:08 it's through prayer that God listens to our needs
14:11 and attends to our requests,
14:13 and communicates with us.
14:14 It's through prayer that we receive the necessary blessings
14:18 that strengthen us as we wait for rescue
14:21 from this world of darkness.
14:24 Let me encourage you.
14:26 Don't neglect your daily opportunity to speak to God,
14:31 to listen to God and receive God's blessing.
14:34 You know what's so interesting?
14:36 When God architected the plan of salvation,
14:41 He didn't make things so that you and I
14:44 would have to do something beyond our capability.
14:48 God never asked us to do the impossible.
14:51 And here's what I mean by that:
14:52 God said, "if you want to know Me, read."
14:55 You know, if you can't read,
14:56 you can listen to somebody else read.
14:59 God said, "if you want to be close to Me,
15:01 speak with Me in prayer."
15:03 Anybody can do that.
15:05 And even if you couldn't speak out loud,
15:08 you can think prayers in your mind.
15:12 It's just that simple.
15:13 The Word of God and prayer,
15:16 and in faith and trust in a God who is responsible
15:23 for the greatest rescue mission of all time.
15:26 I'll have more just ahead.
15:28 ♪[Music]♪
15:38 >>Announcer: In Matthew 4:4, the Word of God says,
15:41 “It is Written,
15:42 ‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
15:44 but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'”
15:48 “Every Word”
15:49 is a one-minute, Bible-based daily devotional
15:51 presented by Pastor John Bradshaw,
15:53 and designed especially for busy people like you.
15:56 Look for Every Word on selected networks,
15:59 or watch it online every day on our website,
16:01 itiswritten.com.
16:04 Receive a daily spiritual boost.
16:06 Watch “Every Word.”
16:07 You'll be glad you did.
16:09 Here's a sample.
16:12 ♪[Music]♪
16:17 >>John: The Assyrian armies were poised to destroy Judah.
16:20 There was nothing King Hezekiah could do.
16:22 He was outnumbered.
16:24 To call God's people vulnerable
16:25 would be to overstate their strength.
16:27 The king and the people looked to God for help.
16:29 And what did God do?
16:30 Isaiah 37:36 says,
16:32 “Then the angel of the Lord went forth,
16:34 and smote in the camp of the Assyrians
16:36 a hundred and fourscore and five thousand:
16:38 and when they arose early in the morning,
16:40 behold, they were all dead corpses.”
16:42 Things were hopeless for God's people.
16:44 But they looked toward God for deliverance,
16:46 and He delivered them without Judah having to fire a shot.
16:49 And that's what God can do for you.
16:51 When things seem hopeless, they are not,
16:53 because God is involved.
16:54 When it seems like you can't move forward,
16:56 you can, because God is leading the way.
16:59 There is always hope when your hope is in God.
17:04 I'm John Bradshaw for It Is Written.
17:05 Let's live today by every word.
17:07 ♪[Music]♪
17:13 >>John: Thanks for joining me on It Is Written.
17:15 After getting in contact with their rescuers,
17:17 the miners trapped 2,300 feet below ground in a mine in Chile
17:24 had to prepare mentally and physically for their rescue.
17:28 The wait continued after that initial contact
17:31 for an additional 53 more days.
17:36 One of the doctors who devoted every effort to keeping them
17:39 healthy in order to rescue them was Dr. Jean Romagnoli.
17:43 He sent the miners workout videos;
17:46 he sent them music.
17:47 And through that probe he sent them other special items.
17:50 He was so committed to his rescue
17:52 that he wrote on his helmet,
17:53 “No one will be left behind.”
17:56 Besides the Chilean government,
17:58 others who joined the rescue team included
18:00 workers from NASA and also a dozen private corporations
18:04 from different parts of the world,
18:05 all of them working together for one great rescue.
18:10 What was the end result:
18:11 a capsule called Phoenix designed to bring
18:15 the miners up from where they'd been trapped,
18:18 one by one.
18:21 Have you ever thought about the cost Heaven
18:23 paid for your rescue?
18:26 Jesus, the son of God,
18:28 was encapsulated in human form to come to this earth
18:31 to give His life for you.
18:33 The Bible says it this way in Philippians 2:6-8:
18:37 “Who, being in the form of God,
18:40 did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
18:44 but made Himself of no reputation,
18:46 taking the form of a bondservant,
18:49 and coming in the likeness of men.
18:51 And being found in appearance as a man,
18:54 He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death,
18:58 even the death of the cross.”
19:02 In addition to the sacrifice made by Jesus,
19:06 all of Heaven participated in the rescue
19:10 of the human family.
19:11 The angels became involved.
19:13 You read that in Luke, chapter 2, verses 10 through 14.
19:16 Angels work daily on our behalf,
19:17 so that we would be saved and not lost.
19:21 The Holy Spirit that abides in us constantly invites us
19:24 to reflection, and repentance, and consecration.
19:27 You read about that in John, chapter 16.
19:29 The Spirit of God also participated in the inspiration
19:33 of the Bible so that we could have the Bible,
19:37 the Word of God,
19:38 in our midst and in our heart.
19:42 As you see, the whole universe has joined in this rescue plan.
19:47 But you know, those miners did have a role in the rescue.
19:52 No, they couldn't do anything to rescue themselves,
19:54 but they needed to follow the instructions
19:57 that were sent from above.
19:58 For example, they had to lose weight
20:02 in order to fit into the capsule.
20:04 You and I need to do the same.
20:06 No, I don't mean that we need to go on a diet.
20:09 But there are some things that we've just got to let go of.
20:11 We need to let go of the bonds that tie us to this world,
20:14 the things that cause God's Word
20:16 to come second in our lives rather than first.
20:18 It's important that we give to God our destructive habits,
20:21 our negative thoughts, bad thoughts,
20:24 anything that weighs us down and prevents us
20:27 from having a transparent relationship with God.
20:30 Because, just as Dr. Jean Romagnoli and the rescue team
20:33 worked hard to rescue the miners,
20:36 God has done the same for you.
20:38 Much more so.
20:39 And in His heart He has a message for you that says,
20:43 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
20:50 that whoever believes in Him should not perish
20:53 but have everlasting life.”
20:57 For those men the big day finally arrived.
20:59 It was October the 12th, 2010.
21:02 At around 11:00 p.m.,
21:03 the miners began to ascend, one by one.
21:06 The rescue lasted all through the next day
21:08 and ended at around 10:00 o'clock that night.
21:12 As each miner left the capsule,
21:14 it seemed as though he was experiencing a new birth.
21:18 Seeing the men emerge from the depths of the earth was like
21:21 witnessing people coming back from death to life.
21:24 Now, I'm excited about this story
21:26 because it has a really happy ending.
21:28 The miners saw the sunlight again;
21:31 they embraced their loved ones
21:32 and could continue their lives with new meaning.
21:35 In San Jose, Chile,
21:37 where the San José mine operated,
21:39 where Camp Hope was established,
21:42 a cross was erected as a monument.
21:46 There was no doubt in the minds of the people
21:48 there that God was present at every stage of this rescue.
21:52 God already had a plan for the men.
21:55 He understood they'd go through a difficult trial,
21:58 but He'd prepared a shelter for them.
22:02 He also made it possible that they could receive blessings
22:04 and assistance and encouragement from above.
22:08 He gave them the physical strength and peace of mind to
22:11 resist what was a tremendously difficult experience,
22:15 great temptations.
22:17 And finally, He gathered a well-prepared
22:20 team for the rescue.
22:22 Friend, the cross that was raised at Camp Hope
22:25 was also raised on Mount Calvary to remind us
22:28 that our salvation is near.
22:30 It tells us we are not alone in our trials and our hardships.
22:33 It tells us God has a refuge for us,
22:37 a refuge where we wait for His rescue from above.
22:43 The cross tells us we can communicate with God
22:45 directly through prayer,
22:46 and as we do, we receive His blessings.
22:50 The cross tells us there's a celestial army
22:53 working for our salvation.
22:56 Jesus said this, John chapter 12, verse 32:
23:00 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth,
23:03 will draw all peoples to Myself.”
23:08 If you've not yet done so,
23:10 come to Jesus right now and let Him rescue you.
23:14 Do you feel trapped?
23:17 If so, wait on God.
23:19 God is not going to abandon you.
23:21 God is willing to rescue you.
23:23 Listen to this.
23:25 This is Psalm 40, verses 1 through 3:
23:30 “I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me,
23:35 and heard my cry.
23:36 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
23:41 out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock,
23:47 and established my steps.
23:49 He's put a new song in my mouth-
23:52 Praise to our God; many will see it and fear,
23:57 and will trust in the Lord.”
24:01 The Bible is clear.
24:02 The Lord is coming to your rescue.
24:05 If things are difficult,
24:06 remember that God is not far away.
24:08 God is with you.
24:11 If hope seems lost, remember God is with you.
24:16 Sometimes you can't see a way out,
24:18 but there is a way out, because God is with you always.
24:25 The story had a wonderful ending.
24:27 But as you and I both know, not all stories do.
24:32 Not all stories of accidents in mines
24:35 turn out to be so filled with happy tears, joyful reunions.
24:41 Sometimes, tragedies end in tragedy.
24:45 Where's the hope then?
24:46 Hope is still near, because God is still with you.
24:51 In that great event we look forward to,
24:52 the return of Jesus, when Jesus comes back,
24:55 we won't remember the tragedies of this earth;
24:57 we won't.
24:58 We won't remember the hardships; we wouldn't even want to.
25:00 We won't call to mind our trials and our temptations
25:03 and our frequent failings and our often stumbling.
25:06 We won't.
25:07 God with us then will cause us to think on new things.
25:12 God will wipe away all tears from our eyes.
25:14 God is with you now.
25:17 And even if life is really hard right now,
25:20 God is still with you.
25:22 He'll never leave you, and He'll never forsake you.
25:25 ♪[Music]♪
25:34 >>John: The greatest event in all of history.
25:37 The Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
25:39 What does the Bible say that will be like?
25:42 Find out by getting today's free offer,
25:44 “The Second Coming of Jesus.”
25:45 To get today's free offer,
25:46 call us, 800-253-3000,
25:49 that's 800-253-3000.
25:52 Or visit us online at iiwoffer.com,
25:56 iiwoffer.com.
25:58 Be sure you get today's free offer,
26:01 “The Second Coming of Jesus.”
26:04 >>John: Thank you for remembering that It Is Written
26:06 exists because of the kindness of people just like you.
26:09 To support this international life-changing ministry,
26:13 please call us now at 800-253-3000.
26:17 You can send your tax-deductible gift
26:18 to the address on your screen,
26:20 or you can visit us online at itiswritten.com.
26:24 Thank you for your prayers and for your financial support.
26:27 Our number again is 800-253-3000.
26:31 Or you can visit us online at itiswritten.com.
26:35 >>John: Let's pray together now.
26:36 Father in Heaven, we're encouraged,
26:39 we're encouraged, that when things seem hopeless,
26:41 we can be hopeful.
26:43 We're encouraged, that when things seem desperate,
26:45 we can be positive.
26:46 We're encouraged that when hope seems lost,
26:50 we can know there's a bright future ahead because of Jesus,
26:54 the Rescuer of all of us,
26:57 the One who rescues us from sin,
27:00 rescues us in the midst of temptation.
27:02 We thank You there's a bright day ahead.
27:04 We thank You, You've not forgotten us.
27:05 And we thank You that we can wait on You,
27:08 the One who brings us up out of the pit of despair.
27:11 My friend, if you despair now, or if you need to be rescued,
27:17 if there's a little desperation about your situation,
27:19 if sin is overtaking you, then reach out to God now.
27:23 Call on God now.
27:24 Open your heart to God now,
27:26 and He will take your heart and make it
27:29 His dwelling place forever.
27:31 Lord, would You do that?
27:32 Would You take the hearts yielded to You now,
27:35 the lives surrendered to You now?
27:38 Bless us, please.
27:39 Keep us.
27:40 And we thank You.
27:41 The greatest rescue of all time is soon to take place
27:44 when Jesus comes to this earth.
27:47 It's in Jesus' name we pray,
27:49 Amen.
27:51 Thank you so much for joining me today.
27:52 I'm looking forward to seeing you again next time.
27:55 Until then, remember:
27:56 “It is written:
27:58 ‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
28:00 but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'”
28:05 ♪[Theme music]♪


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Revised 2018-03-07