Dear Brethren and Co-workers with Christ,
The world is watching the Middle East. Events happening halfway around the world are impacting us just about anywhere we live. What will the price be at the pump next week? How will this affect food prices? Will acts of terror be unleashed beyond the Middle East? How long will this last?
We are living in interesting times. The world has changed dramatically since COVID became a household word in 2020. The manner in which the United States pulled out of Afghanistan brought shame to the country and may have encouraged Russia to start a war in Ukraine. The October 7, 2023 terrorist attack by Hamas upon the State of Israel stunned the world, as has the aftermath in Gaza.
The enemies of Israel might have thought twice before poking the lion had they understood what Jacob foretold concerning the Jews in the last days. “And Jacob [Israel] called his sons and said, ‘Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days…. Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies…. Judah is a lion’s whelp; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; and as a lion, who shall rouse him?’” (Genesis 49:1, 8–9).
The ferocity with which Judah responded surprised many. Not only did the Israelis devastate Gaza in going after Hamas, but—in a move that would normally be seen only at the movies—they decapitated Hezbollah by assassinating its leaders with exploding personal communication devices. Virtually all senior leadership in Hamas and Hezbollah have been eliminated.
However, sooner or later the head of the snake had to be addressed, and Israel and the United States have been doing that with military precision and power never seen before. Iran has lashed out in response by attacking Israel directly but has not stopped there. It has also unleashed drones and missiles against refineries, airfields, and civilian targets of its Gulf state neighbors: Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Even far away Cyprus in the Mediterranean has been targeted. The failed attack on the joint U.S. and U.K. military base on Diego Garcia some 2,000 miles away left no doubt that Iran was working on larger missiles with which to strike targets at greater distances.
Where will this end? Will the U.S. and Israel bring peace to the Middle East? Not according to Bible prophecy. Let us not make the same mistake Iran and its proxies made by not understanding what the Scriptures reveal.
At the end of World War II, the United States was riding high and proud of its military. Even so, all the great powers of the day were beaten up and ready to move on. But when has the U.S. expressed more pride in its power than right now? This should trouble Americans and the rest of the world—for when America stumbles, as it surely will, it will not be for the long-term good of the world. When God said, “I will break the pride of your power” (Leviticus 26:19), it was more than a prophecy for the ancient Jews. The Jews represent only two of twelve Israelite tribes—Judah, where they get their name, and Benjamin. Most people do not know the Bible or history and fail to see—even to ask the question of—who the other tribes are. As explained in our free resource The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy, the most prominent tribe today is that of Joseph and his two sons. Manasseh was Joseph’s older son and is today the United States, while his other son Ephraim fulfills the prophecy of the company of nations: the U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa (Genesis 48:8–20; 35:11). The tiny modern State of Israel, though central to end-time events, was never destined by God to fulfill the birthright promises given to the sons of Joseph. “Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel—he was indeed the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel… yet Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came a ruler, although the birthright was Joseph’s” (1 Chronicles 5:1–2).
Pride in one’s power requires two obvious conditions: power and pride, both of which are currently in abundance in the U.S. and the nation of Israel. Instead of repenting of our individual and national sins, we continue to rely on our own strength. No one knows yet how this current war will turn out, what twists and turns there may yet be, but it will not be a lasting peace. God’s word tells us that there will be a time in the future when it appears that peace has finally been achieved, but when that happens, there is another scripture we will do well to remember.
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief…. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober (1 Thessalonians 5:1–4, 6).
We must not be taken off guard as the world will be. Pride goes before a fall, and God will break the pride of our power (Proverbs 16:18; Leviticus 26:19). Any humanly devised peace will not last. Sudden disaster will follow not long afterward. The only source of lasting peace is by way of the Prince of Peace, who will prevent human annihilation (Matthew 24:21–22). Thankfully, Christ’s intervention is just as sure as are the other prophecies referred to in this letter.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God that Jesus proclaimed for three and a half years prior to His crucifixion included that of world peace under His rule. That rule will include those who fully submit to His will today. Those who do—hopefully you and I—will be resurrected from death, or changed instantly at His return, to be part of that rule. “Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him” (Daniel 7:27). Those who overcome now will live and reign with Christ for a thousand years on this earth (Revelation 20:4; 5:8–10).
Meanwhile, we continue to do the Work. We preach that good news as far and wide as we are able, with God’s help. Our YouTube presence continues to grow, adding about 30,000 new subscribers each month in the English language. Our current total is 730,000 in English, 450,000 in Spanish, and 58,600 in French.
Some have noticed that our Tomorrow’s World magazine subscription list has dropped from 600,000 copies down to 374,000. This was deliberate on our part due to rising costs in postage and other factors. One way that we manage the number of subscribers is by sending renewal letters to those who may no longer be interested. Our magazines will always be sent free of charge, but we want to know whether people are still interested. We value a large readership more than a large subscribership.
Dear brethren and co-workers, thank you for your part in this Work of God. The world is realigning geopolitically and gearing up for war, just as foretold regarding the time leading up to the great conflict between mankind and God at the end of this age (Joel 3:9–16). Our staff here in Charlotte and our offices around the world are working diligently to fulfill God’s commission to preach the Gospel to all the world as a witness. We greatly appreciate the Work that you are doing on your knees beseeching God for guidance and with your financial support. God is building a great team with all of us!
Sincerely, in Christ’s service,
Gerald E. Weston