Greetings from Charlotte,
Today, we live in a world where rudeness, anger, violence and disrespect are everywhere—in the media, on the streets, between individuals and among nations. The old value of treating others as we would like to be treated is rapidly disappearing, and we are watching once peaceful societies beginning to come apart. A great historian once said, "Civilizations fall when men start hurting one another." It has also been noted, "Civility is a basic thread that holds civilizations together. When civility goes, civilization goes" (Warren Center News, July/August 2016). As we see where the world is headed, we can understand why Jesus Christ is going to return to "restore all things" (Acts 3:19-21). Here in Charlotte, Dr. Meredith has been holding meetings and is working on a future Tomorrow's World article. Mr. and Mrs. Ames are visiting the LYP Teen Camp in Ohio. Mr. Weston is getting more involved with his responsibilities here at the office. We anticipate having 13 or 14 on-campus Living University students for the coming semester, and registration is strong for LU classes that will begin August 15 (see announcement below).—DSW
Feast of Tabernacles
Local Church Services on the Day of Atonement and the Sabbath Before the Feast
Pastors: You should have received an e-mail yesterday requesting information about Sabbath Services on the Day of Atonement (October 12) and the Sabbath immediately preceding the Feast (October 15). Please respond to that e-mail by Wednesday, August 17, so that we can compile the information and make it available to brethren who are traveling to and from the Feast sites.
Activity Registration and Payment Now Open!
All LCG members and guests attending the Feast of Tabernacles are now able to register for activities at their respective Feast sites. Payments for activities are also enabled. Activity registration and payment can be made via your MyLCG account, through the Festival Web site. To access it, go to www.lcg.org, and click on the link "Feast of Tabernacles."
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon CDs—Repeat Announcement
Attention Pastors: The deadline to submit the names of brethren who will be unable to attend the Feast and who wish to receive a set of the Feast of Tabernacles sermons on CD is September 12 for recipients in the U.S. (Sermons are available in English, French or Spanish.) Please send these names to the Church Administration Department at [email protected]. Note: Feast sermons will also be uploaded (one per day) during the Feast at www.lcg.org, for those who have Internet access.
Living Youth Program
Ohio Teen Camp Is Underway!
Living Youth Programs is excited to announce that LYC Ohio is officially underway! Earlier this week, 340 campers and staff arrived at the beautiful camp setting here in Delaware, Ohio, making this the largest camp in LCG history. Young men and women from all over the world are actively engaged in a wide range of dynamic classes designed to provide a fun, exciting, and educational experience. God has blessed us with tremendous weather as temperatures have averaged in the low 80s during the day, then dipping down into the mid-60s at night. Mr. and Mrs. Ames arrived safely Wednesday evening, and will continue their visit of the campus through the weekend. Mr. Ames presented the Christian Living Class on Thursday, and will give the sermon this Sabbath. Your continued prayers for all campus events are much appreciated! Be sure to check out new videos and photos of camp activity being posted daily on the LYP Facebook site as well as on the Youth Web site at www.livingyouth.org.—LYP Staff
Change in Live-streaming for Teen Camp—Repeat Announcement
A change has been made in how the various classes and activities at the Ohio Teen Camp will be made available for online viewing. Instead of live-streaming them, we will post a recording on the Living Youth Livestream page (www.livestream.com/livingyouth) and link them from the Living Youth Web site as soon after the event as possible.
You will need the LYP Bible Study password to access the recordings. It is the same password that was needed to join the live Friday evening Bible Studies this spring. If you do not have the password, please log into your MyLCG account, where you will find a post with the password.
Living University
Registration for First (Fall) Semester
Registration for Fall semester classes is underway and classes will begin in just over a week. Students should register right away if they want to take classes that open on August 15. Those who have never taken a Living University course will need to enroll in the University first (online) and then register for your selected courses. For a complete listing of the classes being offered this semester, visit our "Fall 2016 Class Schedule" (Spring in the Southern hemisphere) on the Living University Web site. Those age 65 and above are eligible to audit one class per semester and Living University will waive the tuition fee. High school students interested in taking LU classes while in high school can register for the Early College program and take classes at a significantly reduced rate. Brethren in many developing nations are also eligible for a 50 percent reduction in tuition. To make application to Living University, to register for courses, and to find out more, please visit www.livinguniv.com. For additional information, please contact Mrs. Michelle Broussard at [email protected] or 704-708-2294.
Comments
Are You a Peacemaker? When Jesus Christ returns, He will establish the government of God that will bring peace to the earth (Isaiah 9:6-7). This is why Jesus emphasized a fundamental teaching of Christianity, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). This is also why the Apostle Paul advised Christians in Rome, "as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:17-21). Paul explained that we can promote peace by not seeking revenge, by not mistreating others, and by overcoming evil by doing good. Solomon wisely observed, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). Jesus warned that making angry or disparaging comments about a brother or sister is the same as murder because it breaks the spirit of the law (Matthew 5:21-26). David wrote, "Great peace have those who love Your law" (Psalm 119:165). One of the most important lessons we must learn if we want to reign with Christ in the Kingdom of God is that peace comes when we follow and learn to apply the laws of God.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—August 4, 2016
Pope Warns - World at War: On a trip to Poland, "Pope Francis has warned that a recent wave of jihadist attacks in Europe is proof that 'the world is at war'" (BBC, July 27, 2016). "Not a war of religion. There is a war of interests. There is a war for money. There is a war for natural resources. There is a war for domination of peoples. This is the war. The word that is being repeated often is insecurity, but the real word is war" (Euronews, July 27, 2016). Long ago, Jesus Christ warned that one of the signs of the end of the age would be "wars and rumors of wars" and many, including the pope, recognize the world has entered a dangerous new era. While politicians pass laws to promote peace and economic growth, the Bible states that the real cause for war and fighting is selfishness, greed and the "get" way of life that permeates the world (James 4:1-3). What many today don't realize today is that Jesus Christ is going to return and usher in a new era built on the way of "give" and His Ten Commandments (Isaiah 9:6-7) and He will show the world the way to peace (Isaiah 2:2-4). To learn more about the coming Prince of Peace, listen to or read "The End of War?"
Knife Attack Shakes Japan: "A young Japanese man went on a stabbing rampage Tuesday at a facility for the mentally disabled where he had been fired, officials said, killing 19... When he was done, Kanagawa prefectural authorities said, 26-year-old Satoshi Uematsu had left dead or injured nearly a third of the almost 150 patients... It is Japan's deadliest mass killing in decades" (Associated Press, July 26, 2016). This vicious knife attack is just one of many horrific crimes committed in recent weeks around the globe. The Bible records at the time of the end, Satan and his demons will be "cast out" of heaven and come to earth "having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time" (Revelation 12:9-12). Satan's anger will be stoked by knowing that his influence in this world is about to end, and that he is about to be replaced by the rule of Jesus Christ (Revelation 20:1-3). When Satan is finally "cast out" of heaven, tragedies like this recent one in Japan will become far more frequent than they are today. These terrible tragedies should sober us, but also remind us that Jesus Christ is going to return. For more on the positive future for mankind, read "When Will the Millennium Begin?"
Dictator Losing Grip on Zimbabwe: After decades of misrule that has destroyed his nation's economy and caused widespread suffering, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe is losing the support of his own military. "Loyal war veterans in Zimbabwe have begun to turn on dictator Robert Mugabe as anti-government protests gather pace across the country. Veterans of Zimbabwe's independence war made a significant break with the president for the first time, calling him dictatorial, manipulative and egocentric" (Daily Mail, July 21, 2016). "The president is frightened, the war veterans have deserted him and there is a growing convergence of thinking among comrades. No one is going to pretend anymore (about Mugabe's immortality)," noted one former military leader and Zimbabwean ambassador (Daily News, July 23, 2016). The Bible states, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan" (Proverbs 29:2). While President Mugabe is likely no worse than other dictators, he has chosen a path that has failed and made his people "groan." He has broken the golden rule of "whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them" (Matthew 7:12). One day soon, Jesus Christ will return and set up His government on this earth. A government designed to truly serve people and lead them in love. For a glimpse of this future, read "World Government Coming Soon: What Will It Be Like?"—Scott Winnail, Chris Sookdeo and Francine Prater