Greetings from Charlotte,
This has been a busy week here in Charlotte. Mr. Ames and I recorded portions for an upcoming Tomorrow's World telecast as a tribute to Dr. Meredith. We also recorded the opening and closing sections for the Behind the Work festival film. We have four Tomorrow's World Presentations scheduled for this weekend. Here in the U.S. we have Rolla, Missouri and Salisbury, Maryland. In Canada we have Windsor, Ontario and Grand Prairie, Alberta. We held a Living University Board of Regents meeting in which Dr. Germano presented me with a beautiful gavel and block set to mark the transition of leadership. Mr. Rod McNair's excellent upcoming telecast on the Miracle of Dunkirk has been preliminarily rejected in Australia because Dr. Meredith's booklet, Who Controls the Weather?, did not take into account global warming! Bill C-16 recently received Royal Assent in Canada, adding gender expression to the Human Rights Act. It supposedly gives protection to the transgender community by, among other things, making improper pronoun usage a prosecutable offense. I recently noticed using MS Word that it marked the word "mankind" and suggested substituting the word "humankind." In other words, MS Word is now in the business of determining which words are politically correct and which are not. Look for far more intrusion into our everyday lives from these language police. I mention these examples to show how rapidly the noose is closing in as the "illiberal left" is taking control of a complacent world. We no longer have to wonder how persecution will come to the Church. Some good news is that this weekend the Tomorrow's World program begins airing on Angel One at an additional time, 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays. This is additional nationwide exposure and will be a new Saturday evening audience for us.—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Omaha Congregation Invites Brethren to "Railroad Days 2017"—Repeat Announcement
All aboard for a fun-filled weekend, exploring six unique railroad-themed attractions! The Omaha congregation of the Living Church of God is hosting a weekend of spiritual fellowship and fun in conjunction with the celebration of our region's rich railroad heritage during Railroad Days 2017, July 15 and 16.
On the Sabbath of July 15, come join us for a special Bible Study and then services, with a covered- dish meal to follow. On Sunday, brethren will be free to investigate the attractions of their choice and then meet for a grill and picnic lunch provided at Bayless Park in the historic town square center of Council Bluffs, Iowa.
A $15 family pass (good for two adults and their dependent children) includes admission to and transportation between all six locations. A $5 pass is also available for one additional adult with the purchase of a family pass. Lauritzen Gardens, The Durham Museum, and the General Dodge House are among the six attractions, details of which can be found on the website http://www.omaharailroaddays.com/.—Brian Pomicter
Feast of Tabernacles
Northern Kentucky Feast Site Closed to Further Transfers
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.
Travel Safely During the Feast—Repeat Announcement
We live in an increasingly violent and dangerous world. As the Fall Holy Days approach and we firm up our travel plans for the Feast of Tabernacles, we should be mindful of dangers and take steps to minimize risks as much as possible, so we can travel confidently and with faith, trusting in God's protection (Proverbs 22:3; Ezra 8:21-23). The U.S. State Department lists warnings and alerts for problem destinations and it is a good idea to check their website before making travel plans: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html. Avoid traveling to or through conflict zones. Also, make sure you find out passport and visa requirements early enough to comply as needed. In the unlikely event you find yourself in an emergency situation, such as a terrorist attack, keep in mind the recommendations and advice found at the following U.S. State Department page: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/emergencies/terrorism.html. It's also helpful to read the checklists and tips for staying safe that many travel books and guides provide.
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 Web site (www.cogl.org).—Festival Office
Living Youth Program
North Carolina Preteen Camp
Last week, 114 campers and staff at the North Carolina Preteen Camp enjoyed the first North American camp of 2017. Each day began with Christian Living classes that focused on the theme for this year: the Book of Exodus. They learned about the Ten Commandments as well as the ten plagues and the crossing of the Red Sea. Activities supported this theme, as the children learned songs about the Exodus in music class and reviewed the Commandments in arts and crafts. In addition, the campers enjoyed archery, ultimate frisbee, flag football, photography, orienteering, swimming, and paddle-boarding. It was a great start to the camp season. A special thanks both to those who served this year and to all who prayed for the success of the camp!—Mark Sandor
Adventure Camp at Mount Rainier—Repeat Announcement
All those planning to attend the Adventure Camp at Mount Rainier, please add a small daypack to your packing list.
Comments
The Role of a Watchman: Many churches today feel their sole mission is to tell the world that God loves them and that Jesus came to save sinners. However, there is much more to the biblical message and the mission Jesus gave to His Church. Jesus told His disciples to be alert and watch for events that will mark the approaching end of the age and the return of Jesus Christ to this earth (Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21). The events making news today—religious confusion, moral decay, the acceptance and promotion of perversion, increasingly severe weather, wars and spreading violence—are all prophesied to appear at the same time we see the rise of a political power in Europe, with links to the ancient Roman Empire, that is promoted by an ecumenical-minded Roman church, along with the rise of aggressive and adversarial powers in Asia and the Arab world. Just as God raised up a series of prophets to warn the ancient nations of Israel and Judah that their ungodly ways would bring their downfall, the Church of God has a similar role to function as a "watchman" to warn modern Israelite nations of the coming consequences of their sinful ways (see Ezekiel 2:3; 33; Isaiah 58:1). Delivery of this powerful warning message must also accompany the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 10:6-7; 24:14).
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—June 22, 2017
Europe Taking the Lead: Many are watching Germany's newfound zeal to lead Europe (Politico, June 12, 2017). The European think tank European Council on Foreign Relations recently observed, "The habitual reluctance of post-war Germans to assume responsibility, to express their preferences and to lead in their neighbourhood, is giving way to an acceptance of Germany's special role in Europe. This new attitude is more functionalist than triumphalist, but it is underpinned by considerable confidence" (June 8, 2017). While the economies of Britain and the U.S. continue to struggle, Europe's economy is gaining momentum. Europeans also see the U.S.'s new isolationist policies as an opportunity for them to take the lead (Politico, June 15, 2017). Regional and global security threats are also being used as a catalyst for Europe to lead militarily (Politico, June 9, 2017). Bible prophecy indicates that, at the time of the end, the Israelite-descended nations will not play a leading role on the world stage, but a German-led political, economic and religious power will become more prominent (see Daniel 11:40-44; Revelation 17:12-14; Isaiah 10:5-7). This global power shift appears to be developing and will continue in the years ahead—just as God prophesied! To better understand what is happening in Europe, be sure to watch our insightful telecast "Four Prophecies for Germany."
A Coming Famine of the Word: Last week French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May met to discuss a new, joint counter-terrorism effort aimed at online hate speech and encrypted messaging. A key focus of the effort will be to "make sure internet operators 'delete any content promoting hatred and terrorism in any way'" (EU Observer, June 14, 2017). Their project will also target tech companies (primarily social media sites) that allow "unacceptable content" to remain on their websites. In recent years, content that was once considered free speech has increasingly been categorized as unacceptable hate speech—including traditional Bible-based speech related to behaviors that God calls sin! How might such coming legislation impact Christians and the preaching of the Gospel of God's coming Kingdom? God warned, "'Behold, the days are coming,' says the Lord GOD, 'That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, but shall not find it'" (Amos 8:11-12). The Church of God has long understood that a famine of the word will come one day. As world events move forward and societies increasingly curtail civil liberties and free speech, actions taken in the name of protecting against terrorism and hate, we are beginning to see one way a famine of the word could come about! Will even the Bible be banned one day as a book of hate speech? For more insights, read "Coming: A Famine of the Word!"
Marriage Protects Your Health! Researchers have long known that marriage has many emotional and physical benefits. Now, it seems that marriage can even protect your heart-health. Recent research conducted in the UK suggests that for people with risk factors for heart disease (high cholesterol and high blood pressure), being married provides a "survival advantage… '[T]here's something about being married that is protective'" (BBC, June 7, 2017). It was not clear from the study that cohabiting, separated, divorced or widowed individuals enjoy the same benefit. God promised that if His people would live according to His commands, "I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you" (Exodus 15:26). God also said that "It is not good that man should be alone…" (Genesis 2:18). The commandments that many modern Christians today view as "burdensome" were created to be blessings for those who would keep them. Marriage, as designed by God, can be a blessing-filled relationship. To find out how to reap even more blessings of marriage, watch "How To Make Your Marriage Happier."—Scott Winnail, Francine Prater, and Chris Sookdeo
Error Note: Last week's News and Prophecy reported that there were 12 attackers in the recent London terrorist attack. Many of the original suspects were questioned and released. The number of attackers at this time appears to be three—all of whom were killed by police (BBC, June 12, 2017).