Dear Brethren and Co-workers with Christ,
At the time of this writing, we are still sobered by the events of last week. We were shocked by the video of a young woman, a refugee who fled the violence of war in Ukraine, who took a seat on a commuter train here in Charlotte, North Carolina, never imagining that she would be the victim of a random brutal act of violence by a deranged man. The incident took place more than two weeks earlier and would hardly have made the news outside of Charlotte had the video of the attack not been released. Our hearts go out to her family and friends. Her life should never have ended that way.
On Wednesday we saw the high-profile murder of Charlie Kirk. The same day as the Kirk assassination, a radicalized antisemitic 16-year-old shot two of his classmates at Evergreen High School in Colorado before turning the gun on himself. This barely made the news with all else that was going on. The next day marked the emotional 24th anniversary of the radical Islamist terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
There are riots and unrest in the United Kingdom and Europe over immigration and other grievances. The Bloquons Tout protests—French for “let’s block everything”—have made life difficult in France. Meanwhile, wars continue in both the Middle East and Ukraine, with Russian drones also crossing into the airspace of Poland, Romania, and other NATO countries. Optimism over peace between Ukraine and Russia has turned to pessimism as Europeans arm up for a war they don’t want, but they see coming.
With all the bad news in the world—and I have barely scratched the surface—people ask, Where was God last week? Where is He every week? Why doesn’t He stop the suffering here below? Can He not stop wars, senseless acts of violence, and chaos? Does He not care for children?
There is an answer to these questions, but consider: Why is it that we want God to stay out of our business and our bedrooms, but blame Him for not responding to our beck and call when things do not go our way? The answers to our questions are not ones that people want to hear or accept, because people do not want to change from their own ways to God’s ways.
The answer to “Where is God?” is found in His overall plan for mankind. It has to do with His amazing purpose for us. Scientists cannot explain that purpose. Neither can philosophers nor theologians. You will not receive the answer from your typical Sunday-morning church service. There is an answer, but there is not room in this letter to explain in detail—or more importantly, prove from the Bible—what His plan is for mankind. But if you want to understand that supreme purpose, please contact us and request a copy of What Is the Meaning of Life? And if you already have a copy and have not gotten around to reading it with an open Bible, please do yourself a favor. You need to know what is the purpose for your being. I find it baffling that people are more interested in prophecy—which is important—than knowing the reason for their existence!
By the time you receive this letter, the last four biblical Festivals in God’s inspired calendar will be upon us. Many of you will be preparing to observe the Feast of Trumpets, which this year falls on September 23. This special day and the ones that follow—as outlined in Scripture and kept by Jesus, His Apostles, and early Christianity—outline a master plan that is unknown in mainstream Christianity. God’s master plan, as spelled out in the keeping of His Festivals and Holy Days, helps to explain why our world has gone astray and how it will be fixed in God’s time. These special days are not the well-known counterfeit holidays derived from pagan practices that long predate the first-century coming of Christ. While more and more professing Christians have begun to observe the biblically defined Holy Days, few have any understanding of their meaning. Even the Jews lack full understanding of their meaning!
The Feast of Trumpets pictures the year-long period of time referred to in Revelation 6:16-17 as “the wrath of the Lamb” and “the great day of His wrath.” These expressions are explained in detail in our resource Revelation: The Mystery Unveiled! This Feast is composed of seven trumpets that introduce end-time plagues that culminate in Christ’s return (Revelation 11:15-18). However, let us stand back and ask the question: Why must He return?
Jesus gives part of the answer in Matthew 24:21-22. “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.” That is part of the answer, but not all of it.
How many understand that this is not God’s world? Oh yes, He is in control overall, but even Jesus commented three times on the night in which He was crucified that the current ruler of this world is someone other than His Father (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). And Paul stated plainly, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). This should not be difficult to understand. All we have to do is survey 6,000 years of history—or look around at what happened last week, any week, or anywhere in the world.
Do we get it? This is not God’s world! When our first parents arrogantly rejected God and chose to determine for themselves right and wrong, good and evil, God said essentially, “You want to do your own thing? Have at it. You have 6,000 years to write the lesson of heartache and suffering.” Why such a strong stance from God? It only makes sense when you understand God’s ultimate goal for you and me, as explained in our free resource What Is the Meaning of Life?
Carol and I look forward to seeing some of you in Canada for the Feast of Tabernacles this year. Mr. Wallace Smith and Mr. Rod McNair will be traveling to Festival sites in the United States, and other leading ministers will be scattered across the globe to share the Feast at one or more of our 80-plus locations where members and prospective members are gathering—from Asia to Africa, South America to Europe, and parts in between.
Some of you have been faithful co-workers for a short time—others for years or even decades. We cannot thank you enough for your loyal support that makes it possible to give away the truth free of charge to millions around the world. Please accept our most sincere thanks. However, we hope that some of you will consider taking the next step of sharing with us in our weekly fellowship and being baptized. I am always amazed when I hear someone say, “I did not know you have local congregations. I thought you were only in Charlotte, North Carolina.” No, dear co-workers, we have congregations in cities large and small. It is true that the majority of our congregations are small and we do not have congregations everywhere, but we start congregations where we have one or two handfuls of interested individuals, and we serve them with faithful ministers who teach as you see on our telecast or read in our magazine and literature. If you are interested in learning more, please let us know. We never go where we are not invited, so you will have to take that first step.
And thank you again for your prayers and financial support. We could not do what we do without you on our team.
Sincerely, in Christ’s service,
Gerald E. Weston