Dear Tomorrow’s World Subscriber,
Greetings from Charlotte, NC! About twice a year, I try to write all of you a personal letter letting you know more about this Work—and where we are going and why. Later on in this letter, I want to offer you a special gift which will open your eyes to some awesome prophetic events at the end of this age.
But, right now, where are we in this sequence of prophetic events and what is just ahead?
My friends, in the 58 years that I have been carefully watching world affairs, I have never before been so sobered! I have never before seen such a broad pattern of events begin to come together to clearly indicate that the prophesied Great Tribulation will soon be upon us! Yet most of this world is spiritually “blinded.” Even mainstream professing Christians do not “get it!” As God inspired the Apostle Paul to tell us, “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 Cor. 4:3-4).
Do you remember the warning which the Apostle Peter gave us in his last letter? “Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation’” (2 Peter 3:3-4).
Most people don’t really like to think that the whole world around them is soon going to change. Their family, their friends, their favorite TV shows and restaurants and resorts—“all the old familiar places”—will very quickly be gone! Yet the Bible tells us again and again that this “world”—this human society—is coming to an end just before and at the return of Jesus Christ! We are instructed to be like the saints of old who “confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Heb. 11:13). Then God tells us, “Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (v. 16).
But most of us know that the “scoffers” around us—the vast majority of human beings—are certainly “uncomfortable” with the idea that our man-made society is coming to an end. They have great difficultly in “wrapping their minds” around that idea! Yet that is exactly what your Bible really says—again and again, as many of you realize.
My dear friends, it is vital that we ourselves do not also become “scoffers” in these last days. And so it is vital that we obey the instruction Jesus gave after He described a number of the major events to occur just before His Second Coming. Jesus Christ said, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).
We in this Work are the servants of the living Jesus Christ. We have a special responsibility to “watch,” and to help all of you whom God may be calling to understand and to act before it is too late. It is in that spirit that I now alert all of you to “Ten Terrors” now facing the United States and our British-descended allies. Most of you know the prophetic “key” that clearly shows we are the descendants of the so-called “Lost Ten Tribes” of Israel. When the Bible speaks prophetically of the “House of Israel” in the last days, it is not speaking only of the tiny Jewish nation which calls itself “Israel.” It is speaking also to the American and British-descended peoples, and warning us about what lies just ahead in biblical prophecy. For those of you who have not yet proved that to yourself, please call us or write us immediately and request a free copy of our truly eye-opening booklet entitled, The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.
With that in mind, my friends, let me now point out to you the Ten Terrors now facing our peoples. Be assured, you will not have to “wonder” whether or not these prophesied events will occur. For they are already beginning to occur—and they will continue and intensify with a vengeance unless we repent!
Here, then, I shall briefly describe these Ten Terrors:
I. Increasing Drought, Floods, Fires and Earthquakes!
Jesus Christ directly predicted these events. In Luke 21:11, Jesus said that preceding His Second Coming, “there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines…” Certainly, the coming “famines”—as many other scriptures indicate—will be brought on by drought and floods.
In a dual prophecy—that is, a prophecy having an earlier, ancient fulfillment and end-time fulfillment as well—the prophet Amos spoke for God to our forefathers in the House of Israel, “‘I gave you empty stomachs in every city and lack of bread in every town, yet you have not returned to me,’ declares the Lord. ‘I also withheld rain from you when the harvest was still three months away. I sent rain on one town, but withheld it from another. One field had rain; another had none and dried up. People staggered from town to town for water but did not get enough to drink, yet you have not returned to me,’ declares the Lord. ‘Many times I struck your gardens and vineyards, I struck them I with blight and mildew’” (Amos 4:6-9, NIV). This prophecy clearly indicates alternating drought in one area, and flooding in another. That is exactly what we are experiencing in vast areas of Australia, Canada and the United States.
The continuing drought in wide areas of the American Southwest obviously prepared the way for the massive wildfires that just destroyed hundreds of California homes and will cost more than one billion dollars to rebuild, and which caused the largest evacuation of people in American history. As the Charlotte Observer (Oct. 23, 2007) reported along with many other newspapers, “It was like Armageddon!”
Many authorities acknowledge that there have been more earthquakes in recent years than ever before, and a number of experts in this field are beginning to say that the “Big One”—a truly massive earthquake striking the American West Coast—is even overdue. In His own way, the Eternal God may literally have to shake people to their senses!
II. The Growing Power of Islam!
Most of you undoubtedly realize that—in starting the war against Iraq—America unleashed a “wave” of hate and resentment across the entire Muslim world, affecting about 1.2 billion people! No matter how President Bush and his advisors try to frame it, it is becoming a “religious war!” And the radical Muslim imams are playing this to the hilt. This is already becoming one of the longest, most expensive and most debilitating wars in America’s entire history. And God is allowing this war to “break” the United States by weakening and demoralizing our military, by dividing the American people and by helping to literally bankrupt the American nation!
Week after week, we see on our television screens this spectacle of tens of thousands of Muslim youth yelling, “Death to America!,” “Death to Britain!” The growing hatred of these fanatics is certainly to affect our lives far more than the average American or Briton realizes. Yet, in Europe, many are beginning to realize that—unless things change—they may in a few years be living under a flag of the Crescent Moon rather than the Union Jack or some other national flag. For Muslims are beginning to take over various aspects of civilization in Europe—and the weak-kneed politicians are giving in to this aggressive belligerence rather than stopping it in its tracks. As God warned our forefathers, “The alien who is above you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower…. Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you until you are destroyed because you did not obey the voice of your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you” (Deut. 28:43, 45).
III. Over 12 Million Illegal Aliens!
Also, on the nightly television news, millions of us behold another spectacle—that of increasing numbers of illegal immigrants coming across our border, committing heinous crimes, freely getting drivers’ licenses and other documents—sometimes even more easily than American citizens—and putting an increasing burden of taxation and stress upon the American people. There has never been anything like it!
As many historians have pointed out, “A nation without borders is not really a nation!” Yet this situation is destined to get much worse! All across the American Southwest, public gatherings—sometimes numbering tens of thousands of people—are conducted with the speakers allowed to openly declare, “This is our land! We will take it back!” Again, because of our national sins, the prophecy of Deuteronomy 28:43 is beginning to be fulfilled upon us in many different ways. May God help us to wake up before it is too late!
IV. China on the March!
Almost daily, we hear about the growing power of China. Even now as I write, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is in China trying to “work with” their leaders in cooperating with us in many military matters and in trying to “understand” why they are so greatly increasing the size and firepower of all their military forces. Again and again, the Chinese have warned us about pushing them too hard in trying to control the western Pacific. They have warned us that Taiwanis actually part of China, and they intend to follow through on this. Yet, America has a sworn treaty to “protect” Taiwan from Chinese aggression.
At some point, our national interests will conflict and God will use China—perhaps in several ways—to humble the American nation. Paraphrasing the Bible, I would say, “Watch China!”
V. Russia a Growing Threat!
Nearly all observers agree that Vladimir Putin—Russia’s current President—is swiftly becoming a dictator. Although Russia’s constitution prohibits him from seeking another term now, he is deciding to run for office as Prime Minister, and most feel he will use this position to retain power and thus continue to control the government.
More and more, Russia is showing itself to be an enemy of the United States. It is opposing our plans in many different ways in the Middle East. Russia is continuing to supply aid and material to Iran to work on its atomic power—undoubtedly leading to a nuclear weapon! Putin has made outrageous comments about our planned “missile shield” to protect Europe against missile attacks from the Middle East.
At some point, it will be obvious that Russia is joining the fray in helping bring America and Britain down! And remember, Russia has by far the greatest number of atomic weapons, and missiles to carry them, of any nation on earth except the United States itself!
VI. America Is the “Most Hated” Nation!
Continual news commentaries and polls show that America—sometimes along with Iran—is rated “the most hated nation” around the world! What a change from several years ago when America—under such Presidents as Eisenhower and Reagan—was often regarded as “the most respected nation” on earth.
It seems that nearly all of our international efforts are somehow miscast and misapplied. And so God continues to “break” the “pride” (Lev. 26:19) of American and British power around the world through the miscalculations of our leaders and many of their actions.
VII. The United States Dollar Heads DOWNWARD!
Continually, we read about the euro increasing in value against the dollar. Ditto for the Swiss franc, the British pound, the Chinese yuan and many, many other currencies. After being the greatest “lender nation” for many years, America is now the greatest debtor nation in history!
What’s going on?
Again, when God said that the alien would rise “higher and higher,” He went on to say, “He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail” (Deut. 28:44).
VIII. The Growing Power of “Gay Activists!”
Most of Hollywood and the national media have already succumbed to the influence of the “Gay activists.” They are extremely busy using every means at their disposal in trying to make this wretched sin look “normal.” One of their prominent talking points is that homosexuality is genetic—that people are “born that way.” But that is absolutely not true! Many doctors and scientists totally disagree with this. There is a mountain of information showing that this is not true. But this information is brushed aside or overlooked by the homosexual community and their supporters.
So, throughout the latest television season and in countless newspapers and magazine articles and books, homosexuality is pictured as “normal.” And anyone who opposes homosexuality is pictured as “prejudiced, out of touch” and as mean-spirited and weird!
Frankly, the whole thing comes down to whether a person actually believes the Bible. For the Bible is extremely clear on this matter from one end to the other (Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Rom. 1:18-32). And, as I have stated and will prove in an upcoming article in Tomorrow’s World magazine, hundreds of respected doctors, psychoanalysts and scientists acknowledge that people are not “born that way.”
The point is that these sexual perverts are increasingly taking over key positions in our government, our educational institutions and even our churches! As most of you know, quite a number of “mainstream” churches are not only unwilling to condemn this growing sin, they even ordain ministers who have “come out of the closet” and openly proclaimed their homosexuality. Many are even pushing for “same-sex marriage!” So this powerful movement is prepared to destroy the very foundation of western civilization—the home and the family as defined by the Bible and 6,000 years of human history!
IX. Disease Epidemics Coming Soon!
Literally hundreds of articles have come out over the last few years describing the coming disease epidemics. Nearly all medical doctors and researchers acknowledge that we are almost “overdue” for something of this nature. What they do not realize, for the most part, is that Jesus Christ specifically prophesied that “pestilences”—or disease epidemics—would strike just before His Second Coming (Matt. 24:7).
In the prestigious Foreign Affairs magazine, Dr. Michael T. Osterholm described the virtual certainty of a coming disease epidemic or, more seriously, a “pandemic”—a worldwide powerful epidemic of disease. Describing the 1918-19 pandemic, Dr. Osterholm stated, “According to recent analysis, it killed 50 to 100 million people globally. Today, with a world population of 6.5 billion, more than three times that of 1918, even a ‘mild’ pandemic could kill many millions of people…. The reality of a coming pandemic, however, cannot be avoided. Only its impact can be lessened” (Foreign Affairs, August 2005, “Preparing for the Next Pandemic,” p. 24).
As I stated above, hundreds of such articles have come out from respected authorities indicating that this type of situation is developing. From the Press Association (June 21, 2006) we read this: “As many as 52 million people worldwide could be carrying the hospital superbug MRSA, scientists have claimed. The prevalence of the infection makes it the most commonly identified antibiotic-resistant pathogen in many parts of the world. MRSA (meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is regularly found in Europe, north and south America, north Africa, the Middle East, and east Asia and can be contracted by poor hygiene standards.” Fifty-two million people is a lot of people. And yet that may be just the tip of the iceberg, as a number of scientists have indicated may also be true for various other types of diseases.
The point is that such epidemics or pandemics will come—and, without God’s protection, many millions will die from these coming pandemics. And because the American and British-descended peoples are shown to be the main recipients of God’s coming punishment, we need to take heed now! Each of us needs to examine himself or herself, and decide whether or not to “seek God” and His guidance and protection in the years ahead. These things are real and cannot be avoided!
Tying in with the homosexual problem described above, most of us have read about the countless millions of people in Africa who are dying of AIDS. Entire villages are being virtually wiped out! As authorities acknowledge, the vast majority of cases began, at first, through homosexual contact. Then they have spread to the heterosexuals and devastated entire communities.
A very serious new trend is described in a recent New York Times article headlined, “Worrisome New Link: AIDS Drugs and Leprosy.” “With affordable AIDS drugs arriving in many poor countries, experts say a startling and worrisome side effect has emerged: in some patients, the treatment uncovers a hidden leprosy infection. No one knows how widespread the problem is. Only about a dozen cases have been described in medical literature since the first one was found, in London in 2003. But AIDS specialists in Brazil, India, Africa, the Caribbean and elsewhere are reporting that some patients on life-saving antiretroviral drugs are developing painful facial ulcers or losing feeling in their fingers and toes. And in the third world, where 300,000 new cases of leprosy were discovered last year and where 38 million are infected with the AIDS virus, the problem will inevitably get worse, experts say. ‘This is just the peak of the iceberg,’ said Dr. William Levis, who treats leprosy patients at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. ‘It’s early in the game. Most physicians don’t even think about leprosy, so there’s probably much more around than we know.’ Dr. Gilla Kaplan, a professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and one of the first to study connections between AIDS and leprosy, agreed. Antiretroviral treatment, she said, ‘is going to flush out the silent leprosy by making it symptomatic.’”
My friends, in literally dozens of different ways, Almighty God will chasten His people if we do not repent and turn to His ways! Prophecy after prophecy in your Bible indicates this very clearly. Are we willing to “listen?”
V. Our SINS Will Bring Us Down!
The Eternal God is very patient. However, as America and our British-descended people continue to turn away from God and virtually flaunt our disobedience and arrogance in God’s face, mounting disasters are on the horizon. These “Terrors” are among the various punishments God will bring unless we repent. In a prophecy specifically for our time, God inspired the prophet Jeremiah to outline an entire series of punishments concerning “Israel and Judah” (Jer. 30:4). He went on to describe it as “Jacob’s Trouble.” This soon-coming time, it is clear, is also called the ”Great Tribulation” in the New Testament and elsewhere. It will come primarily on the descendants of Joseph—those nations that have been given the “birthright” promises of great wealth and power, and yet have misused these blessings and turned away from the God who gave these blessings! After describing King David being resurrected from the dead (v. 9) and made their king again and Israel and Judah being brought back from slavery, God answers the question as to why the “Tribulation” or punishments have had to come: “For the multitude of your iniquities, because your sins have increased. Why do you cry about your affliction? Your sorrow is incurable. Because of the multitude of your iniquities, because your sins have increased, I have done these things to you” (vv. 14-15). As this inspired section of prophecy closes in the last verse of Jeremiah 31, God states, “In the latter days you will consider it” (v. 24).
My friends, will we really wake up? Through the Tomorrow’s World television program and the Tomorrow’s World magazine, we are trying with all of our hearts to “alert” all of our viewers and subscribers. We are trying to warn America and our British-descended brethren of what lies just ahead. There is simply not space in this letter to tell you of all the details. Most of you know them! For we refer to these individual prophecies and details over and over again in the Tomorrow’s World magazine and in the pages of 28 different booklets we offer to you absolutely free upon your request. May God help you, personally, to heed and to respond!
In God’s mercy, you have been brought into contact with the very Work which Christ is now using to warn the world of these things just before His Second Coming. Your prayers and your tithes and offerings have produced much fruit this past year. What a truly inspiring year this has been! As of this semiannual letter, the Tomorrow’s World television program has now brought in its millionth response requesting the Church’s free literature. It took six years of broadcasting to reach our first half-million, then two years and 10 months to reach our first million. We thank our Eternal God for opening the media doors for His Gospel to go out to the world!
And go out it has!
Our television database, coupled with media estimates by the Nielsen-ratings company, indicates that the Tomorrow’s World telecast has been seen by more than 13.2 million households in countries around the world over the past eight years. Upwards of a half-million households are watching the telecast every week, which is being broadcast on 222 TV stations in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean islands, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australasia and the Philippines. Radio in Spanish, French and Filipino is also going out all across Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean islands and the Philippines. Jesus Christ promised He would open doors, and He certainly has!
Already this year we have mailed out more than two million copies of the Tomorrow’s World magazine—our biggest year yet. Over the past eight years the Tomorrow’s World magazine has been sent to subscribers in 162 of the world’s sovereign nations, which is about 63 percent of the countries recognized by the United Nations.
In addition to the two million magazine copies, in the past 10 months we have mailed 444,000 booklets, reprint articles, Bible Study Course lessons, audio tapes, audio compact discs and other items to people around the globe. Since the Tomorrow’s World telecast began, we have now been able to send over 11.6 million magazine copies, publications, audio materials, and other items to spiritually hungry people around the globe—with all thanks going to our heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, who have been providing the blessings and wherewithal to do this worldwide Work!
Before closing, I have a very special offer for you. A brand new booklet is now being prepared describing, in detail, the key prophecies leading up to and culminating in “Armageddon.” This will be a truly “eye-opening” and powerful resource to help you to understand what is just ahead at the end of this age. This booklet, entitled Armageddon and Beyond, will be sent absolutely free—as is all our literature—upon your request. It will give you information far beyond what we are able to give on television or in our Tomorrow’s World magazine. As indicated, it will help you really understand details of what the Creator is going to do at the end of this age. So I invite you to request this extremely helpful booklet by inserting the enclosed card in the preaddressed envelope. You truly need this booklet to help you understand God’s Plan and what lies just ahead.
As most of you know, we in this Work truly believe that God inspired the Bible, and that in His inspired revelation He says what He means and means what He says! He is in charge of all our lives. So this is a Work of faith. We thank God that so many of you have helped us as members, donors and co-workers over the last few years. We thank you for this in Jesus’ name! That is why we are able to send out these magazines and booklets and the Bible Study Course free of charge.
As this age comes to an end, we want to help you truly “get the picture.” So, again, we are offering you this free booklet, Armageddon and Beyond. Be sure to write for your free copy by inserting the enclosed card in the preaddressed envelope. Let us hear from you! And may God continue to guide you and open your minds to His Truth as you walk with Him!
With Christian love,
Roderick C. Meredith
P.S. Again, be sure to request this extremely helpful and thoroughly researched booklet on Armageddon and Beyond. Return your card today!