Dear Brethren and Co-Workers with Christ,
I have good news to share with you, but first, what is happening in our world? The British Parliament voted “no deal” regarding how they would exit from the European Union. This has huge implications for our world, far beyond what most people imagine. I’ll discuss this in greater detail in my March/April “Personal” for Tomorrow’s World magazine, so be sure to look for it, and read all the articles, as big things are happening.
As of this writing, the United States government is still mired in a dispute over whether to build a wall on the southern border to stop illegal immigrants from coming into the country. If anything demonstrates the futility of man’s government, this does. Honestly, only a half-wit does not think a wall is a deterrent. The very politicians who oppose a “wall” protect themselves in gated communities by fences and locked doors and are on record calling for a barrier to stem illegal immigration in the past. Disputes over whether to call it a wall, a fence, a barrier, or whether it should be made of concrete or steel, are silly. Sadly, President Trump has so alienated the opposition that they refuse anything that will give him a victory. America is a nation of immigrants, and most Americans welcome immigrants who come here lawfully. But virtually every country protects its borders, and so must the United States.
Jesus did not come and run for a humanly devised office, and when He comes back it will be as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). Those kings and lords that He will be King and Lord of, are those who submit themselves to Him and to His way of life in this lifetime (Revelation 20:4; 5:9-10). Upon His return, He will replace this world’s self-centered leaders and appoint men and women who are raised incorruptible to be servant leaders (Daniel 7:27; Matthew 20:20-28).
Dear Brethren and Co-workers, this is no game. While politicians of all stripes play childish games, God called us to an incredible reward. We can be part of the team that will solve these endless disputes within and between nations. No longer will there be brutal dictators or self-centered politicians. There will be no back-room deals, no manipulation of naive voters, no power politics. Christ will appoint those who show they want to subscribe to a radically different standard of behavior, and He will deal with the strong and oppressive, no matter where they are (Isaiah 2:4).
I hope all of us can catch the vision of God’s great calling and do all that we can to be part of that team. We are called to more than a great candy store in the sky, or a celestial LSD trip. We are called to rule with Christ and solve mankind’s intractable problems.
Now for some good news!
As you no doubt understand, we can theoretically preach the Gospel to anyone in the world who has Internet access. However, there is so much clutter on the Internet and social media, that we (and we are hardly alone) find it difficult to know how to grab the attention of individuals. The message is there, but few are looking for it, and fewer still will find it. Sadly, conspiracy theories, sensational stories, and pornography grab more attention than that which is truly significant. In spite of this, we are seeing some good things happen. Our YouTube videos are beginning, however slowly, to gain traction.
One of our new initiatives comes from our work in Canada. Viewpoint videos are short, three to seven minute online presentations that tackle a variety of subjects and are intended to reach a different audience. Most people today are turned off by religious content, but many are looking for meaningful content. Viewpoints target an audience that is not actively interested in religion, but that is not totally turned off by such topics if presented in a way that makes sense. Our hope is to show that belief in God is an intelligent choice and that the Bible contains the answers to mankind’s problems. Here is a very encouraging report from our Canadian office written today, Friday, January 18:
More than a year ago, we published a Tomorrow’s World Viewpoint titled “Do Schools Discriminate Against Boys?” This video was moderately successful receiving a steady stream of views and generating some activity in the content section. Over the past few weeks interest has picked up significantly. Since the beginning of January, the video has received more than 100,000 views. 50,000 of those views came in a two day span between Wednesday and Thursday. Total views are currently at 188,000 with more than 6000 likes compared to only 276 dislikes. We have also received nearly 2500 comments. The numbers continue to increase at a rapid pace. Today’s early results are already more than double the amount of views we had received by 9 a.m. yesterday, meaning we may be looking at an additional 50,000 views today alone. Mr. Wachowicz will be recording a follow-up Viewpoint today in hopes of capitalizing on the rising interest.
Another Viewpoint is “What Is the Probability of Life?” This one generated the following comment: “I don’t believe in God and yet I am now utterly convinced, by videos like this and a little research, that life could not possibly have begun by chance. So . . . . .hummmmm . . . . . do I believe in God after all? I am definitely conflicted!”
There is also good news regarding our Tomorrow’s World telecast, “2019 in Bible Prophecy.” In addition to airing on numerous stations across North America, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines, our telecasts are seen on YouTube and other electronic platforms such as ROKU and Amazon Fire. To date, there have been 90,000 YouTube views, far more than we expect in the first two to three weeks. The program was also picked up by an English journalist. Writing for The Express, he quoted extensively from the program to present an alternative opinion to what other religious leaders are saying.
Little did I realize when preparing the script for “2019 in Bible Prophecy” that declaring what is absolutely NOT going to happen, based on the Scriptures, would stand in contrast to what others proclaim. There are always a few “interpreters” of the Bible who go nuts every time there is a “blood moon,” and this year is no exception. By the time you receive this, the “super blood wolf moon” of January 20-21 will have passed and the world remains. So exactly what is it?
Lunar eclipses are natural phenomena. However, three factors come together for this particular eclipse. The first full moon of any January is called a “wolf moon,” for reasons no one seems to know. The moon’s orbit is elliptical, meaning sometimes it is closer to the earth than at other times. A “super full moon” is seen when the moon happens to be at its closest and appears larger. And a blood moon is seen when light from the sun passes through the earth’s atmosphere and gives the moon a red or copper color. “So a super blood wolf moon is: a) the first full moon in January; b) a full moon occurring when the distance between the Earth and Moon is as short as possible; c) a lunar eclipse—all happening at once!” This is according to an ABC News report, which also stated that this kind of convergence of all three factors is rare.
Again, eclipses are natural phenomena. They often occur around the first day of Unleavened Bread and the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, because these days in the Hebrew calendar fall near full moons. While some people look to blood moons as signs, Jeremiah 10:2 warns us, “Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the Gentiles are dismayed at them.”
As explained in “2019 in Bible Prophecy,” Jesus will not return this year or in 2020, 2021, or 2022. According to Daniel 12, the “abomination of desolation” will be set up 1290 days prior to Jesus’ return, and in Matthew 24:15 Jesus Himself referred to Daniel’s reference to this abomination. He tells us what signs to look for and never mentions blood moons (see Matthew 24).
It is true that Joel refers to various heavenly signs, but here is what people fail to understand. These heavenly signs do not appear to be cyclical occurrences (Joel 2:30-31). Moreover, the time setting is AFTER the tribulation and just prior to the Day of the Lord (compare Joel 2:30-31; Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 6:9-17).
There are many things yet to happen, but this does not mean that we should relax and take it easy. Between now and the return of Christ there are some very difficult times. We are coming to a time when our Work will not be tolerated by a God-hating leftist elite that controls much of the media we use to proclaim Christ’s message. Let us work while we can. Please pray with us that God will bring our message to an even greater audience.
Thank you, dear Members and Co-workers, for holding up our hands in preaching the truth to a confused generation.
Sincerely, in Christ’s service,
Gerald E. Weston