Greetings from Charlotte,
Mr. Ames and I recorded new Tomorrow's World television programs this week, to be aired later this year. After Mr. McNair's telecast on Dunkirk was turned down by a major Australian network because it didn't take into account Global Warming, a replacement telecast, "Satan's War on the Family," by Mr. McNair was also rejected. What is interesting about this is that it was aired previously in Australia. The reasons for rejecting it were that it promoted a conventional family structure and therefore discriminates against less conventional family structures. It also mentioned abortion in negative terms. It is a sad day when promoting a traditional family structure is so abhorrent to those who have become thought police! Mr. Rees Ellis has been traveling in Africa to serve our brethren on the continent. Mr. Mario Hernandez is in Europe to make some important visits and conduct a TWP in Belgium. A new edition of Le Journal, the French equivalent of The Living Church News, is now out. While the U.S. will be celebrating the Fourth of July as Independence Day next week, Canada will be celebrating Canada Day this weekend. Please remember one another in prayer and in service where there is a need.—Gerald Weston
Feast of Tabernacles
Northern Kentucky Feast Site Closed to Further Transfers—Repeat Announcement
The Feast site in Northern Kentucky has reached maximum capacity and cannot accept any more incoming transfers. If you have registered to attend the Feast in Northern Kentucky and have not yet received a transfer approval, please re-register at another site.
Festival (Second Tithe) Assistance Requests—U.S. Only—Repeat Announcement
Attention U.S. Pastors: The deadline to submit Festival Assistance Request forms to the Church Administration Department is Monday, July 17. All forms should be properly completed by the members requesting second tithe assistance to attend the Feast this year. Then, the Area Pastors should write their recommendations/comments on the forms before submitting them to CAD. Festival Assistance Request forms are available to ministers on the MyLCG website (www.cogl.org).—Festival Office
Living Youth Program
Texas Teen Camp—Bedding for Camper Dormitories
Campers attending Teen Camp in Texas might want to know that the bunk bed mattresses in their dormitories are 30 inches wide, so they can plan appropriately for the bedding to bring.
Adventure Camp at Mount Rainier—Clarification
All those planning to attend the Adventure Camp at Mount Rainier need to bring a backpack in addition to a small daypack. Please bring both.
Living University
Registration for First (Fall) Semester
As Living University prepares for its eleventh year of operation, we are excited to announce that registration for classes will begin on July 5. The semester will begin Wednesday, August 16. Students may register for classes and order textbooks anytime between July 5 and the start of classes. Those who have never taken a Living University course will need to enroll in the University first, and then register for their selected course(s). Please note that Living University has lowered its tuition cost by nearly 30 percent for the 2017-2018 academic year. To make application to Living University, to register for courses, and to find out more, please visit the www.livinguniv.com website. For additional information, please contact Assistant Registrar Mrs. Michelle Broussard at [email protected] or 704-708-2294. Watch for LU course descriptions in future issues of The World Ahead. Below you will find examples of classes to be offered this coming semester. For a full list of classes, visit the "Fall 2017 Class Schedule" (Spring in the Southern Hemisphere) link on the Living University website.
THL 110a – Bible Study Course. This version of the Tomorrow's World Bible Study Course (BSC) is online and includes lectures on related topics and additional readings. It is far more "in depth" than the paper-pencil or online version of the Bible Study Course, but it will use the original course as its backbone. The course has no tuition charge for those who enroll. Students are only responsible for the technology fee. This is the first of the two-semester course, and it serves as an introduction to the Bible, its message, and its implication for successful Christian life in today's world.
THL 135 – Life, Ministry and Teachings of Jesus. This course is one of LU's foundational theology courses and covers the life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus Christ as presented in the four gospels. It takes a "harmony of the gospels" approach to the subject and covers the gospels in far more detail than is possible in our traditional Sabbath services. Students will study the background, purpose, message, and themes of the gospels and the significance of Jesus Christ in the first century and beyond. The lectures for this course were presented by long-time evangelist and Bible teacher, the late Dr. Roderick C. Meredith. There is no tuition fee for this course for those who have completed the Tomorrow's World Bible Study Course. Students only pay the technology fee and purchase their textbooks.
THL 200 – Principles of Christian Living. This practical course covers the purpose for human life; human nature; values, morality, and ethics; marriage and family; and career. Students will learn how to explain and demonstrate a basic knowledge of practical Christian living principles. The lecture core is presented by Dr. Douglas Winnail and deals with the foundations of Christian living for successful life in today's world. This is a great course to begin one's Living University studies.
Comments
Prove Your Beliefs: Many assume that to simply "believe in Jesus and accept Him in your heart" is all that is required to be a Christian. However, the Bible teaches differently! The Scriptures warn that false teachers will come, using Jesus' name, and will deceive many people (Matthew 24:2-5; 2 Corinthians 11:1-4). The Apostle Paul advised Christians to "Test [carefully examine, prove] all things; hold fast that which is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Luke writes that the early Christians' belief in the resurrection of Jesus was based on "many infallible proofs"—as many witnesses actually saw Jesus alive after His crucifixion (Acts 1:1-3). Both Paul and Peter state that they were eyewitnesses to the facts that they recorded about Jesus and His ministry (1 Corinthians 15:1-8; 2 Peter 1:16). Peter mentions that Christians should be able to give sound reasons for their beliefs (1 Peter 3:15), and Paul confidently provided a defense for his beliefs (Acts 26). If we take time to carefully prove what we believe, and understand the evidence upon which our beliefs rest, we, too, should be able to confidently defend and explain what we believe to anyone!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—June 29, 2017
End of the Anglo-American Order? A writer for the BBC recently made a sobering assessment of two nations that have led the Western World. Noting the "uncertainty in Westminster" and "something nearing chaos in Washington" he wrote, "Neither Britain nor America can boast strong and stable governments. Neither have the look of global exemplars. In the six weeks since Theresa May called her snap election, the global tectonic plates have shifted fast, leaving Britain and America increasingly adrift" (BBC, June 9, 2017). The author then concluded with the fatalistic observation, "These English-speaking nations no longer speak with such a clarion voice, and the rest of the world no longer takes such heed. A new world order seems to be emerging that is being articulated in other tongues." The fading influence of America and Britain is creating a leadership void that others will rush to fill, especially Europe and China. A former U.S. presidential advisor commented that "a bolder, brasher Europe might end up defining itself in opposition to Washington" (Reuters, June 25, 2017). The Bible tells us that the Israelite-descended nations would lead the world as a great nation and a "multitude of nations" (Genesis 48:19). However, God also warned that because of their sins, these nations would fall from this position of leadership and the pride of their power would be broken (Leviticus 26:19). We appear to be witnessing a turning point in history that was prophesied nearly 4,000 years ago. The Bible reveals that God makes nations great and also brings them down, to accomplish His purposes (Job 12:23; Daniel 2:21). To learn how and why God has guided the course of history, read or listen to our insightful booklet The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.
Homeless and Hopeless: How many people long for a place to call home? How many people globally do have a place they call home? According to a new United Nations study, "One person [is] forced to flee their home every three seconds by war and violence" (The Guardian, June 19, 2017). This translates into over 65 million displaced persons in 2016! The study notes that the majority of these displaced people are refugees and half of them are children! If you have a peaceful place to call home, do you realize how blessed you are? Are you able to feel concern and compassion for the tens of millions who are on the move, living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions? Stable homes and families are two criteria that are used to identify the ever-elusive human state of peace. Peace is something that everyone seeks and few are able to truly attain. Government agencies and politicians strive for peace, but often little is achieved. The prophet Jeremiah warned that the time would come when the leaders of the world would claim "'Peace, peace!' when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11, 15). However, Jesus Christ is going to return to this earth and usher in a true time of peace in the Kingdom of God (Isaiah 9:6-7). The God of the Bible states about this exciting future, "My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings [homes], and in quiet resting places" (Isaiah 32:18). For more on this topic, read or listen to "International Day of Peace."
A Mission Impossible? For decades scientists have been searching for life "somewhere out there." The earnest expectation of many is to find complex life beyond humanity, and at the same time, discredit the creation story once and for all. This ongoing effort has involved a huge investment of time and cost billions of dollars. Under the title "NASA finds more Earth-sized planets that could support life," Deutsche Welle reported, "The planets are likely the right size and right temperature to support complex life. The Kepler planet-searching telescope has detected nearly 50 such planets in one small part of the observable universe" (June 19, 2017). However, the article notes that despite new technologies and best efforts, the search for life on these distant planets has come up empty. According to the Bible, the creation of life on Earth was a unique event (see Genesis 1 and 2), and it is only on Earth that scientists have been able to find complex forms of life—or, really, any life at all. The Bible also reveals that Jesus Christ is going to return to this Earth to establish His government (Zechariah 14:4), and this Earth is where the Father will set up His throne (Revelation 21:10-27). There may be planets in our galaxy that have the potential to be inhabited, but Earth is where God is working out His plan and purpose. For more on this topic, read or listen to "Home, Sweet (Cosmic) Home!"—Scott Winnail, Richard Bourne, Francine Prater, and Chris Sookdeo