Dear Brethren and Friends,
Greetings again from Charlotte! As most of you know, my wife and I enjoyed a very fruitful trip to Britain recently. Our “Special Presentation” there went exceptionally well—for which I am thankful. We had a record-breaking crowd of 290 people present—including 94 LCG members—with dozens of brand-new visitors attending. The crowd was very enthusiastic, and a few dozen came up later to talk with me personally. I pray that many of them will begin to attend Sabbath services with us over the next several weeks and months—it often takes a while—and that God will truly build and bless His Work in Britain—the “mother country” of many of us.
We have a fine “team” in Britain, and great prospects for growth there and on the European continent in the future. In addition to our outstanding British ministers, Dr. Douglas Winnail has done a wonderful job of inspiring and coordinating the growth of the Work there—and, indeed, all around the world. I am very grateful for the loyal “team” we have there—and that we have here at Headquarters, and all over this earth! Our wonderfully unified and inspiring Council of Elders meetings have gone especially well in the last couple of years, and the depth of commitment of virtually all of our leading men in this Work is exceptional. Also, our recent General Ministerial Conference—with more than 230 ministers and wives in attendance—was truly an outstanding example of love, dedication and unity in our ministry. We have much to be thankful for!
Brethren, as the “autumn” festivals approach, we should be very thankful to God that we in His true Church have been blessed with genuine understanding of the real meaning of current events—and of the entire purpose for our lives! Very few on earth have this understanding. The approaching Feast of Trumpets points out specifically that—at the end of this age—the whole world will be in a time of war and chaos with national upsets, ethnic conflicts and “little wars” all leading up to the major wars just before Christ’s return. Each newspaper and each television news broadcast clearly tells us, in effect: “He is coming soon!”
Therefore, we can take great encouragement—unlike the world—even from news events that, on the surface, appear to be sad and bad. For we can understand where these events are leading. And, as Jesus said, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28).
However, what should we in God’s living Church be doing in our personal lives? What should we be concentrating on?
First, we should be doing the Work with all our hearts! Jesus Christ foretold, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Remember how Herbert W. Armstrong stated again and again that he found—over the years—that people’s spiritual condition is often best measured “by the degree to which they have their hearts in God’s Work!” In my more than 60 years in the Church, I have certainly found this to be true. How much, are you, personally, giving of yourself and of your resources in actually doing the Work of God and backing it and supporting it “with all your heart”? Are some of you “waiting” until the very end before going “all out”? As you can realize, when it is put that way, this “wait until later” approach is not the right or the Christian way of acting. Now is the time. Now is the need! Now is your opportunity to show the living Jesus Christ where you stand and how much commitment you have to Him, to His Gospel and to His Kingdom.
Then, the goal of being “overcomers” should be our second main focus. We must in every way be preparing to become those kings and priests who will assist Jesus Christ in His coming Government on this earth. Throughout the New Testament—not just in Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13, and in the book of Revelation—we learn that true Christians are now “in training” to be genuine kings, true leaders, in God’s coming kingdom. The Apostle Paul specifically wrote of this. “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?” (1 Corinthians 6:2–3).
Dear brethren, if we truly are to assist Christ in ruling this earth as those coming kings and priests, how vital it is that we concentrate on that and prepare for this soon-coming responsibility! So, each of us should genuinely study, meditate, pray and practice in our own lives how to be a truly wise judge, leader and king—while all the time remaining a servant to others in the way we do this. For we must all truly learn to be “servant leaders”!
Each of us should truly “feed” on Jesus Christ and His inspired word so that—in every way—we have the “mind of Christ” more and more each day as we approach the resurrection (Philippians 2:5). We should constantly read and reread thoughtfully the New Testament, and then go back regularly to study and meditate on the laws and the statutes of the Old Testament—which spell out in detail the “mind of God” and the specific way Christ ruled the human nation of Israel through His servants in times past.
Think!
Why will King David again be placed over all twelve nations of Israel? It is obviously because he performed that exact role for some 40 years with great distinction! All day long—for many years—David had to hear about the problems—personal and national—of Israel and its people and make wise decisions and judgments as the active king over the entire nation. Your Bible shows that David himself constantly meditated on God’s law and His statutes to better prepare himself for this responsibility.
Although these same principles are mentioned throughout the book of Psalms—and indeed throughout the story of David’s life—Psalm 119 is particularly filled with instruction regarding his preparation for rulership. Notice just a few of these remarkable statements: “I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word. Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law” (Psalm 119:15–18). Again, “Princes also sit and speak against me, but Your servant meditates on Your statutes. Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors” (vv. 23–24). And again, “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart” (vv. 33–34).
David even acknowledged that he had to be chastened and humbled from time to time, to fully understand and learn the meaning and vital importance of God’s statutes: “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver” (vv. 71–72).
Most of us are familiar with these next verses, “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation” (vv. 97–99).
King David of Israel will soon be the literal “boss” of millions of God’s people in Tomorrow’s World, and is even appointed to be over the apostles in Christ’s coming Kingdom. He took time to study—to think through all the implications of—and to meditate on God’s commandments and His statutes continually.
WE Must Really PREPARE
Do you and I actually do this? Very few of us do to the extent that we probably should. Undoubtedly, this is part of what Jesus meant when He indicated that we should “feed” on Him and on His word (John 6:57). Through constant study, meditation and “thinking through” how God’s laws and statutes apply under the New Covenant, we should inculcate deeply into our hearts and minds the principles God has revealed in chapters 20–24 of Exodus, chapters 16–27 of Leviticus, chapters 18–19, 27–30 and 35–36 of Numbers, and chapters 12–28 of Deuteronomy. As we do so, we will be far better prepared to make right judgments in our own lives, in directing our own families, our businesses and in whatever positions of service God may give us in His Church today. For these principles reveal the “mind of God.”
When Moses faced a difficult decision that literally involved life or death, he sought God’s direct guidance. This was referred to as “the mind of the Lord” (Leviticus 24:10–15). In like manner, the Apostle Paul was inspired to instruct us, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). “Inspiration,” in the Greek language, literally means “God-breathed!”
And, as you know, the only written scripture at that time was what we call the Old Testament. Jesus referred to this same principle when He commanded His followers to live “by every word of God” (Luke 4:4).
Therefore, when we continually “feed” on Christ by truly studying and meditating on the Bible—and especially on God’s law and His statutes—we are specifically preparing ourselves to be those kings and priests who will soon assist Christ in ruling this world (Revelation 5:9–10).
Brethren, please think about the opportunity we will soon be given to help bring to the entire world a depth of peace, prosperity and absolute joy that it has never before experienced! Under Jesus Christ’s personal direction, and filled with His Spirit, we will literally “wipe away tears” from untold millions of the suffering and starving peoples of Africa, Asia and elsewhere all over this earth. We will teach people the “way of peace”—which is, of course, based on genuine obedience to God’s laws and His statutes. And, as Spirit-born members of the very Family of God, we will make absolutely sure that the nations do not “learn war” anymore (Micah 4:3).
Seek Wisdom and Wise Counsel
In addition to specifically studying God’s laws and statutes—and meditating on how they will apply in the soon-coming millennial reign of Christ—we should also concentrate on seeking wisdom and developing the right kind of leadership! Of course, the entire Bible is filled with instruction and examples of using wisdom. But the biblical book that most specifically focuses on wisdom is the book of Proverbs. I encourage all of you to read it, again and again. Really study this book, and inculcate its principles into the very way you think! The inspired writer of Proverbs tells us, “My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:1–6).
If you and I really do “cry out” for discernment and wisdom as we are instructed—if we regularly try to use wisdom in all our decisions—then we will develop, over time, the “mind of God” that will help prepare us to assist Christ in ruling this entire world in a truly righteous manner. And we must never forget to seek wise counsel regularly! Far too many people fall into the trap of thinking that they can just develop the self, learn some “smarts,” and somehow be a “lone ranger” in their decisions and in their lives. But God’s word clearly indicates that such an approach is dead wrong. Proverbs tells us, “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established” (Proverbs 15:22). Again, this masterful book instructs us, “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment. A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart” (Proverbs 18:1–2).
In context with verse 2, as some Bible commentaries point out, verse 1 shows us that a “lone wolf” type of person often seeks his own desires and “rages against all sound wisdom.” Too often, such people think they do not need to seek wise counsel, and their “plans” go “awry,” as we read in Proverbs 15:22.
Let us all humble ourselves and learn to regularly seek wise counsel—not just from our friends or buddies who may already think as we do—but to seek a “multitude” of counselors, as God’s word instructs. Learn to tap into the wisdom and experience of a fair number of people—especially those who are deeply converted and are learning to develop “the mind of God.” Of course, in any decision involving large financial transactions, take the advice of those who are trained and experienced in such matters. In decisions such as which television set or computer to purchase, seek out the technical expertise of those with knowledge in the relevant field. And on any major decision in your life, as on any major move or financial expenditure, regularly and carefully involve older, dedicated brethren and family members who may help you see the “Big Picture.”
In every way, learn to use your growing wisdom and your knowledge of God’s laws to build, to help and to serve others, and so help them also find success in this life—and as “firstfruits” in Tomorrow’s World, if God is calling them. Dear brethren, our Father in heaven has set before us a truly magnificent future! If we really “go all out” in walking with God, in truly preparing ourselves to obey and to serve Him and to let Jesus Christ live His life within us, we will soon have the opportunity to help and to serve this entire world in a manner beyond what most of us can fully imagine! God is good! His soon-coming Kingdom is real. Let us deeply understand this and do our part to specifically prepare ourselves—in every way we can—to “grow in grace and in knowledge” and so prepare ourselves to actually be there in the coming World Government soon to be set up under our Savior and Lord—the living Jesus Christ who is working with our minds and hearts right now! Brethren, let us truly act on these vital principles and be “ready” when Christ returns!
With Christian love,
