Dear Brethren and Co-Workers with Christ,
Greetings from Charlotte, NC! As we swiftly approach the end of this age, prophetic events are certainly speeding up! The unprecedented upheavals against authoritarian governments in the Middle East, the massive earthquakes which have recently struck Christchurch, New Zealand, and now Japan, the continued flooding affecting vast parts of Australia and many other so-called “natural” disasters—all this is beginning to shake millions of people into an awareness that “something big is up!”
If we truly study the inspired Word of God, we can genuinely understand.
For this world really has turned its back on the true God of the Bible. If we try to cry out and “tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” as God commands (Isaiah 58:1), then it is we who become “guilty” of being “too judgmental, too selfish, or homophobic” in the eyes of a very confused world! For most of this world is rushing head first into almost every perverted and deviant practice imaginable. Absolutely gross examples of indecency are often reported in our newspapers. Yet, instead of a national day of prayer and fasting being called, most professing Christians go on as if nothing unusual is happening in our truly “sick” society! Yet disaster after disaster is beginning to strike our peoples. And although millions go to their “mainstream” churches, sing songs and clap their hands, their prayers are usually not being heard.
Why?
Because Almighty God’s inspired Word tells us, “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2). Later in this chapter, God describes the exact situation facing us today as we proclaim God’s Truth to an increasingly rebellious and hostile society, “Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. So truth fails, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey” (vv. 14-15).
Yes, we will become a “prey” if we continue to dedicate our lives to “crying out” with God’s message to a deceived world. However, by earnest Bible study and fervent prayer, we must summon the faith and the courage to act. Through this very Work of the living Christ, we must reach out with increasing power to make “all” the nations aware—at least as a “witness”—that the God of heaven will soon intervene. That He will set up a righteous government here on this earth (Revelation 5:9-10). And that His government, under the direct rule of Jesus Christ, will be the “stone” of Daniel 2:44-45. As China falters, and America and Britain further descend into confusion and ignominy, a powerful European Empire will soon emerge as the final revival of the Roman Empire. In its last stage, the “ten toes” of the prophecy in Daniel 2 will become the ten “kings” or rulers of Revelation 17:12-13. Instead of being conquered by Hitler’s armies which stormed across Europe in World War II, this time the rulers of the various nations, as indicated, will “give” their power and authority to the “Beast.” God describes how, just a very few years later, this powerful empire will directly fight the returning Jesus Christ! Can you imagine the depth of the confusion and deception leading astray the multiple millions of young men and women in this coming army of the revived Roman Empire?
Think!
This present world has been so terribly deceived by the invisible Satan the Devil (Revelation 12:9), that they will—in the name of “religion”—end up fighting God Himself—in the Person of the returning Jesus Christ! As our peoples continue on their present path of denying the validity of God’s laws, and as they brazenly portray on television, in films and on the Internet almost every form of perverted sex, “living together,” adultery and even “men marrying men,” the Eternal God is beginning to act. He is beginning to shake the nations of this world, literally, in a way they have never been shaken before. God’s inspired Word describes what is just ahead of us unless there is a genuine repentance beyond anything our peoples have ever experienced: “Destruction comes; they will seek peace, but there shall be none. Disaster will come upon disaster, and rumor will be upon rumor. Then they will seek a vision from a prophet; but the law will perish from the priest, and counsel from the elders. ‘The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with desolation, and the hands of the common people will tremble. I will do to them according to their way, and according to what they deserve I will judge them; then they shall know that I am the LORD!’” (Ezekiel 7:25-27). God says He will do to us according to our “way”! May God help all of us get the picture and turn to the Creator God of the Bible as never before!
Somewhere on this earth, the Eternal God has true ministers who do understand His inspired prophecy, the real meaning of these present earth-shaking events, and the ultimate purpose for our lives. As God’s Word states, “Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken! Who can but prophesy?” (Amos 3:7-8). Somehow, you have been brought into contact with this Work—the very Work of the living God. We are growing in power and impact all around this world. If we continue to “walk with God” and serve Him the way He tells us, God will continue to bless us and enlarge our impact as never before.
Truly, dear brethren and co-workers, this Work is a “crusade” to prepare the way for the soon-coming Government of God to be set up here on earth. Again, the Apostle John was inspired to write how God has “made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:10). We will not go up to heaven with nothing to do! Rather, genuine Christians will be part of the true body of Christ now being prepared and trained to be those kings and priests serving under Christ in His coming Kingdom.
May God grant each of you the understanding to do your part, right now, in His Work among men. May He inspire you to act on the full Truth and be one of those “overcomers” to rule this world under Jesus Christ and help to bring about a depth of peace and joy beyond what the world has ever experienced!
With Christian love,
Roderick C. Meredith