Dear Brethren and Coworkers with Christ,
Strong leaders emerge during times of chaos and confusion. When matters go poorly in a country, people turn to individuals they would not consider in more tranquil times. Some of these leaders bring about positive results, but others turn out to be dictators and worse than the ones they replaced.
We live in a time of great instability. The United Kingdom and Europe are in crisis over Brexit. The United States is badly divided. China is struggling economically and politically over Hong Kong. It is at times such as this that bad actors can come to power. That is what happened in Germany in the 1930s, and Bible prophecy tells us this will happen again. The book of Revelation speaks of two strong leaders: one political, called the Beast, and the other religious, a great false prophet. Both will be very charismatic and will emerge as “saviors.”
We know from the Bible and from history that they will rise in Europe, and while they appear at first to “save the day,” they will in the end plunge the world into the greatest time of crisis ever known to man. Jesus predicted, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened” (Matthew 24:21-22).
The good news is that mankind will survive due to an unexpected Savior—Jesus Christ returning in power. Sadly, He will not be recognized as such and the world will literally fight against Him (Revelation 17:14; Zechariah 14). Nevertheless, He will prevail and save us from our insanity. Thank God!
Dear Members and Coworkers, it is difficult to fully realize the importance of the Work we are doing in these last days. We are so small and insignificant in a world of 7,700,000,000 people. However, Jesus promised that “those days will be shortened” (Matthew 24:22). Jesus is clearly saying that mankind’s misrule will be cut short by His intervention, but what about the reason for that intervention? He explains, it is “for the elect’s sake.”
One of the greatest misconceptions people have is that Jesus is trying to “save,” or convert, the whole world right now. Yet, when His disciples asked why He spoke in parables, Jesus explained, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables” (Mark 4:11). We then read, “But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples” (v. 34). Jesus also taught, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44). He repeated this in verse 65: “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” Why do people not understand such simple statements? The answer is that they are living proof of what Jesus said. They don’t understand, because they are not now being called by the Father!
But where does that leave you? Chances are that God IS calling you or you would not be reading this. Do you understand the message proclaimed by Tomorrow’s World? We know that many readers of our magazine and followers of this Work on our telecast do understand, yet we must not forget Jesus’ warning that His way is not easy and few find it (Matthew 7:13-14). Also, that “many are called, but few are chosen.” Why? Because while they are called, they do not fully respond to that call (Matthew 22:14). The Scriptures also show that the final era of the Church is marked by a lukewarm attitude (Revelation 3:14-22).
When Jesus explained the purpose for speaking in parables, He revealed in the Parable of the Sower that His message would be received by four categories of people (Matthew 13:18-23). We would all do well to read it and consider which category describes our response to the message.
At this time of year, people are busy shopping for presents to give to family and friends. Oddly, they forget the One whom they are supposedly honoring. If you have not done so, please read my article in the latest Tomorrow’s World magazine: “Christmas—Does It Matter?” I also encourage you to order, and read, our free booklet Is Christmas Christian? The answers to these two questions do matter! How you respond to these questions determines where in the Parable of the Sower you fit.
Dear Brethren and Coworkers, it may be that the questions I ask make people uncomfortable. I understand that, but we are coming to a time when being uncomfortable will take on a very different meaning. It is far better to wrestle with uncomfortable questions today than to procrastinate making hard choices and drift headlong into the Great Tribulation.
No one can know for sure how quickly events will take place in Europe that will lead to the Beast and False Prophet rising, but the stage is clearly being set. Europe, especially Germany, is being encouraged, yes, pressured to take on a greater military role in the world. This will not happen overnight, but we have known in the Living Church of God, the sponsor of Tomorrow’s World magazine and telecast, that a crisis will bring together ten kings or leaders in Europe (Revelation 17:11-13). These will be led by a remilitarized Germany and a false “Christian” leader. The breach between the British and American nations and continental Europe will continue to grow and lead to a third world war. Don’t think it cannot happen, because this is exactly what the Bible says will happen. Only then will Jesus Christ return, not as a babe in a manger, but as the Savior of mankind, both spiritually and physically. (Please review our free booklets, The Beast of Revelation and The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.)
Thank you again for your loyal support through your prayers as well as your generous tithes and offerings. We are especially humbled that some of you have chosen to remember us in your wills. While it is difficult to realize how important this Work truly is, the day will come when we will all look back with awe at what God has done through us—a very small number. We truly are a Gideon’s army. See what God did with a mere 300 men in the book of Judges, chapter 7. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and is using us to do a great Work (Hebrews 13:8). We will not be obscure forever!
Please take time to open your Bible and read the references found in this letter, and thank you again for your part in this Work of God. You are greatly appreciated, and God will reward you according to His great and tender mercies.
Sincerely, in Christ’s service,
Gerald E. Weston
P.S. Please remember that any contributions dated in December and postmarked on or before December 31, 2019 will be counted as 2019 donations, and may be tax-deductible in 2019, even if we receive them in January 2020. So be sure any December donation is dated and postmarked no later than December 31. If you prefer to use our online donation system found at https://www.lcg.org/donations, the cutoff for 2019 donations will be 11:59 p.m. on December 31.