Dear Brethren and Friends, Even as we begin to turn our attention to preparing for the Passover, which we will take this year after sunset on April 1, I am still hearing comments about how enjoyable last year's Feast of Tabernacles was, how powerful and helpful the sermons were, and how it gave most of our brethren a "recharging" of their spiritual batteries. All of us need to thank God for this. But, close as we were to God during the Feast, we must draw even closer to God during these winter months so He can use us—as a Church—far more powerfully as instruments to preach His Truth to the world, and to warn our people of the horrifying events soon to befall their beloved nations.
One thing I should mention, that for some was a "negative" during the Feast, was that some of our people—even after years in the Church—sometimes were dressing very inappropriately. I have written and preached repeatedly that we should not "judge" the new people coming in—especially young people. On the other hand, it is important that we get our "balance" on this matter and not allow a "licentious lifestyle" to gradually overtake our people. During these last years of what is, in fact, Satan's society, it becomes so easy to descend to a lower level of behavior along with the rest of the world. We must not do this!
Dear brethren, I do want all of our ministers and brethren to be "gentle" and to be patient with people in matters of dress and grooming. However, this does not mean we should go to the opposite extreme and begin to look and act and dress just like the world!
So I hope all of you will read the following words of the Apostle James. Parents, if you are able, discuss them with your teenagers! Here is what our Father in heaven inspired the Apostle James to write: "Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, 'The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously'? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded" (James 4:4–8).
When you analyze this inspired scripture, it becomes obvious that we are not to try to "be like" the world in the whole approach we have to life. Yet, in our modern media-oriented world, it is extremely difficult for people to get their balance in this matter because they are literally surrounded by the world and its influences through television, radio, films and now the ever-pervasive Internet. So, we need to do all that we can to guide people, and help them realize that as "Ambassadors for Christ" we should be pleased to set a higher standard! As the Church of the living God, we should not be ashamed to let the world—and our worldly friends—know that we stand for something. This should be reflected in the overall wholesomeness and purity of our dress, our grooming, the kind of films we see, the kind of music we listen to and our entire lifestyle.
Young people, please take heed! I say this to all of you as a father and grandfather who loves young people and who deeply enjoyed teaching so many hundreds of Ambassador students over a period of 35 years! For your happiness and well-being, it will be much better for you to reflect the Jesus Christ of the Bible than to reflect the "lifestyle" of this world under the influence of Satan the Devil!
One of our long-time Church ladies recently wrote me the following: "Some churches in the world have strict dress codes. It seems strange to me that the minister can't say something to these women when they come in halter tops and spaghetti straps or strapless dresses, slits up the side way up to the thigh and short, clinging dresses. They should ask the greeters to ask people who come improperly dressed to go home and get dressed and come back. If it offends them then maybe they shouldn't be there. These are not new people. They are people who have been coming for years and know better."
This lady—a mother herself—is sincerely interested in helping— not hurting—our young people to have a good marriage and a good life in the future. She knows our young people are not going to improve their lives by getting involved in the world and reflecting it!
Even "mainstream" religious people have also become deeply concerned about the "sexualization of society" that is going on—especially as it affects susceptible young women. Notice this report from AgapePress: "An analyst with Concerned Women for America says the culture is putting the squeeze on the dress styles of young American females. Dr. Janice Crouse, senior fellow with CWA's Beverly LaHaye Institute, says from this week's Halloween costumes to everyday dress, young women—including those as young as seven or eight—are being forced to buy skimpier clothes because of agendas from the liberal segments of society. Crouse believes the reasoning behind the move toward more revealing apparel is simple: the ongoing sexualization of society. 'There is an agenda, even in the fashion world, to pass along to our teenage girls the skimpy kind of clothing that the world considers appropriate and fashionable,' she says" (November 1, 2006).
Remember that the Apostle Paul told us, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:9–11).
All of our brethren—and especially you young people—need to realize that this present society is the very society Jesus described as being like "the days of Noah" (Luke 17:26–29). In other words, we are in a time when God is about to intervene and shake this entire world to its senses—just as He did in Noah's day, although this time He will not destroy nearly everyone, as He did back then.
People in the world—and even our Church members— are constantly "bombarded" with the idea that homosexuality is okay. They hear experts say that homosexuals are "born that way" and cannot help themselves. This is a damnable lie, coming straight from Satan! It really is. For, using this argument, the world could also begin to say that people who get into other perversions—into bestiality, child molestation, murder and other sins—are "just born that way!"
They are not! For the God of the Bible clearly tells us: "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). God will never tempt anyone or cause them to be born so that they "need" to sin! That should be very clear! And yet, millions are being deceived along these lines—especially by the so-called "gay" activists who are trying to force their perverted lifestyles upon our young people!
So, again, we should lovingly work with our young people and help them, in a "balanced" way, to come out of this present society.
Of course, young people need to have friends in their schools and neighborhoods. Of course, they can see an occasional film or watch an occasional television show besides the news—if they are careful to check that it is a "decent" film or show. They need to get their balance, and be sure that they increasingly and sincerely try to reflect Christ in all that they do.
That is the "key"!
One of the most masculine and exciting warriors and personalities of all time was King David. He certainly lived a "full" life—even making a few terrible mistakes. Yet the vast majority of his time was obviously spent "seeking God." As you read the Psalms, you can clearly see that. And King David wrote: "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness" (Psalm 101:3–4).
Brethren, as prophetic events continue to speed up, and the end of this present age becomes more obviously near to us, I hope we can encourage all of our young people—and ourselves also—to focus more on Tomorrow's World and the glory we will share at that time. Even the physical people then—living under the rule of Christ and the spirit-born saints—will have wonderful blessings and exciting and exhilarating lives! Let us all picture the tremendous processions of great leaders from all fields of life parading up to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, as God's word describes: "And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles" (Zechariah 14:16).
Imagine the human leaders of nations—the great artistic leaders, sports heroes and other outstanding individuals— coming up to the majestic throne of the glorious King, Jesus Christ! Picture the beautiful choirs, the bands and orchestras, the outstanding soloists and the beautiful spectacle that will await their arrival on such majestic occasions! Our Father in heaven clearly describes in His word the kind of majesty that is good, by describing the beauty, wealth and glory of Solomon's kingdom. There was gold everywhere. Beautiful music was heard and appreciated. Gorgeous gardens and decorations must have been available at many of the stately occasions under King Solomon—long before he turned away from God.
God is not "against" gorgeous music, beautiful things and majestic and deeply enjoyable occasions. Picture the magnificent glory around Jesus Christ at the throne of God even now! Read the description of the beauty and magnificence of God's "Holy City" in Revelation 21!
Jesus Christ said, "I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). In this verse, the "abundant" life does not mean "eternal life." Rather, it is talking about a full, enjoyable and glorious existence—which God obviously wants all of us to have now and in the future.
So, let us all set a higher standard—looking forward to the coming Government of God where we will be the leaders in Tomorrow's World!
The Apostle Paul instructs us: "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:1–2). As we truly meditate on the genuine future and the coming glorious government over the earth under Jesus Christ, our lives can have more meaning. Our standards can be raised. And we can focus, with enthusiasm, on how God will use us as leaders at that time—and how He can use us as Christ's "ambassadors" even now, as we look forward to fulfilling the purpose for which God created us and called us—and in which He is blessing and leading us today.
