Dear brethren,
This week the United States evacuated about 100 remaining troops from an airbase in Yemen. Yemen's slide toward civil war at the hands of rival extremist factions is being called a "security nightmare" for America. Every year, an estimated 20,000 ships pass through the Bab el Mandeb Strait, under the tip of Yemen. As one BBC article stated, "The entire framework for one of Washington's most important security partners in a dangerous region is now in serious danger of falling apart." It will be interesting to see how other Arab states attempt to fill the vacuum... and where this will lead (see this week's News and Prophecy).
In Church news this week, we are encouraged to report that more of our brethren in Vanuatu are now accounted for (see full report below). Here in the office, Dr. Meredith has been holding meetings, writing correspondence, and preparing for his live, online Tomorrow's World presentation on Sunday. Mr. Ames just returned from a successful Church visit and Tomorrow's World presentation in Baltimore, and also taped a new Tomorrow's World telecast this week. Four other TWPs were also conducted last weekend, in Jacksonville and Ocala, Florida; and in Raleigh and Greensboro, North Carolina, for a total of 352 guests. Mr. Wallace Smith was also here this week to tape two telecasts. Dr. Douglas Winnail reports that the three-day Spanish ministerial conference with 16 ministers and wives attending, has gone well and has produced some good ideas for the future. He and Mr. Dexter Wakefield are returning home to Charlotte today. Please continue to pray for God's great Work going on around this world!—RMc
Church Administration
Please note: The World Ahead for the next two weeks will be distributed on Wednesday, not Thursday. The World Ahead will be distributed on Wednesday, April 1 and Wednesday, April 8.
Vanuatu Update
Things seem to be coming together in Vanuatu. It's now 11 days since Cyclone Pam attacked these islands. Mr. Graeme Hemphill called me this afternoon and said even though everything is a mess, the aid from Australia, New Zealand, France and the USA is pretty much in place. Very little fresh food is available and people are relying on tinned and packaged foodstuffs plus a little rice. The normally busy open-air markets where people purchase fresh produce daily are just not there since the cyclone.
Just this morning communication was restored to the Island of Malakula, where most of our people live. Mr. Jerry Sam, our elder there, reported that everyone is well and their homes are intact but they have lost all their crops, which are of course their primary source of food. Mr. Hemphill has been able to get a flight to the island for this coming Monday and will assess what help can be given. The people on the island of Tanna who lost their homes have been supplied with tents by the French government.—Bruce Tyler
Please continue praying for our brethren in Vanuatu, and Mr. Hemphill's efforts to provide them with aid and support.—CAD
French Television
We are excited to announce that we will begin broadcasting the French program Le Monde de Demain on television for the first time in Church history! The debut airing of the program will be on the first Holy Day of Unleavened Bread, April 4, at 7:00 a.m. on Channel 10, a network serving the French territories of Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy. The telecast will also be accessible in all of France via the Free and Orange mobile networks, as well as on TNT, satellite, and other digital networks. It is also available on our French Web site, www.MondeDemain.org. Please pray fervently that God will bless this new open door for His Work in French, and that it will bear much fruit pleasing to Him.
Tomorrow's World Presents in Baltimore, Maryland
Mr. Ames gave a powerful presentation on end-time prophecy in Baltimore on Saturday, March 21. Mr. Monson followed Mr. Ames' presentation with an explanation of God's plan for mankind as revealed in the Holy Days. Of the 171 people attending, 101 of them were visitors.
Tomorrow's World Presents in Raleigh and Greensboro, North Carolina
On Sabbath and Sunday, March 21 and 22, Mr. Wyatt Ciesielka gave gripping presentations on "Five Keys to End-Time Prophecy" to a total of 105 visitors in Raleigh and Greensboro, North Carolina. I spoke about "The Mystery of God's Holy Days." The audiences were attentive and several expressed a desire to keep the Sabbath and Holy Days with us. Two people asked about baptism. This opportunity to participate in the Work of God so closely has been an especially uplifting experience for the brethren, and indeed a spiritual renewal of our own "first love" for God's Work.—James Sweat
Tomorrow's World Presents in Jacksonville and Ocala, Florida
Mr. Dan Hall explained with power and clarity what is just ahead for this world, and what those who attended could do about it, to 146 guests in Jacksonville and Ocala, Florida, on the weekend of March 21-22. The visitors asked many questions after, including about attending services with us.—Joseph Brown
Carolina Singles Weekend 2015—Repeat Announcement
Registration is now open for the Carolina Singles Weekend 2015! We look forward to what is shaping up to be another memorable Memorial Day as well as Pentecost weekend. Don't miss this opportunity to spend some time in Charlotte, North Carolina, with family and friends. Vital messages, fun activities and pleasant fellowship await you here.
For details about the weekend and information on how to register, please see the local Charlotte congregation Web site (charlottelcg.org) (not an official LCG Web site).—Jonathan Bueno
Television Department
Telly Award!
We are pleased to announce that Mr. Ames' recent telecast titled "Prophetic Trends for 2015" has just received a Telly Award! The Telly Awards was founded in 1979 and is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and online commercials, video and films. Telly winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production and television companies in the world. With nearly 12,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, it is truly an honor to be awarded this Telly, and it is a testament to the quality and level of excellence that God has helped us achieve as His Church fulfills its mission to preach the Gospel around the world (Mark 16:15)! Mr. Ames' powerful telecast can be viewed at the Tomorrow's World Web site at www.tomorrowsworld.org/telecasts/prophetic-trends-for-2015.—Wyatt Ciesielka
Internet Department
Tomorrow's World Presents: Dr. Meredith Online, March 29!—Repeat Announcement
Join Dr. Meredith on Sunday for a powerful, live, online Tomorrow's World Presentation titled "The Power of Religion!" This live Internet event will be streamed around the world, and is scheduled for Sunday, March 29, at 2:00 p.m. (EDT). Please also join us in praying that God will use this live Web event to inspire and to shake those whom He is witnessing to and calling as we approach the end of this age! As those in God's Church understand, Satan has for millennia used false religion to deceive the world, to cause pain and suffering and sin. And Satan will much more in the years ahead deceive and incite the masses to turn away from God and even to want to fight against Jesus Christ at His return. But we also know that God has promised that His true Church would persevere, would preach the true Gospel until the end, and would ultimately prevail! Mark your calendars and join us for this live event, Sunday at 2:00 p.m. (EDT).—Wyatt Ciesielka
Feast of Tabernacles
More Than 5,000 Registered!
After almost three weeks of Festival Registration, more than 5,400 brethren and guests are now registered and approved for the Feast. If you have not yet registered, please do so as soon as possible. To find out information about each of the sites for 2015, go to the Festival Web site: fot2015.lcg.org. If you registered for one site and changed your mind and would like to register for a different one, simply go back on the Web site and re-register.
St. George, Utah
The St. George, Utah, Feast site is closed for further transfers.
Navarre, Florida
The Navarre, Florida, Feast site is closed for further transfers.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Feast site is nearing capacity. We are still working out the feasibility of having an overflow room. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
Traverse City, Michigan—Repeat Announcement
Registration for the new Feast site in Traverse City, Michigan is open! Everyone who was originally assigned to the Wisconsin Dells is now assigned to Traverse City and we have room for many transfers as well. The Festival site Web pages are also up and provide information on the Feast site and housing details. We are diligently working to provide lodging options to fit every budget at the Feast in Traverse City. Please be patient as we negotiate with the hotels in the area. In the meantime, check the "Accommodations" tab of the Traverse City Festival Web site for updates.
If you are registering for Traverse City, please carefully read the information on how to make reservations at the Great Wolf Lodge. If you have any trouble using the online system, you may call them at the number listed on the "Accommodations" tab of the Web site.
Hawaii—Repeat Announcement
Hawaii Site Attendees: Please note that even if you have applied to attend the Feast site in Hawaii and have been accepted, you must register again on the main registration site. If you have registered for Hawaii on the early registration site, but have not paid your registration fee, you will not receive an acceptance e-mail. Please go back to the Hawaii registration page and pay the fee; once it is received you will receive the final acceptance e-mail.
If you have not yet registered to attend the site in Hawaii, but would like to attend, you will need to register on both registration sites. Registration on the special Hawaii page (the green heading) will give you access to pay the necessary registration fee, and on the main site to register for activities and sign up for volunteer service opportunities. We are sorry if this seems a bit confusing, but both registrations are necessary. We do expect to approve all transfers made through these two registrations.—Festival Office
Living Youth Program
No Online Teen Bible Studies on April 3 and April 10
There will be no online Teen Bible Studies on the evenings of Friday, April 3 and April 10, because of the Holy Days. The next scheduled online Teen Bible Study will be on Friday, April 17. However, archives of previous Living Youth Bible Studies, including last evening's on, "Except You Be Converted," can be found on the Living Youth Web site, livingyouth.org.
Texas Pre-Teen Camp—New Dates and New Location
We are happy to announce that negotiations are underway with a camp near Athens, Texas—to be the site of this year's Texas pre-teen camp. This new camp location is approximately 1½ hours southeast of Dallas, Texas. It is located on a beautiful lake and also has a gymnasium!
The new camp dates for this camp are Sunday, June 14 to Friday, June 19, one week earlier than originally announced. Please pray that contractual arrangements proceed smoothly as planned. We hope that this new location and new camp dates will still serve the more than 125 who have already applied to attend this summer camp. Applications are still being accepted. More details to come shortly.—Sheldon Monson
Comments
Tragedy and Hope: On Tuesday, a Germanwings airliner crashed in the French Alps, killing all of the 150 people on board. The horror and shock of this tragedy is punctuated by the fact that investigators now know that the co-pilot intentionally put the plane into a dive that led to the crash, after he had locked the pilot out of the cockpit. The airline's chief executive officer said the tragedy "leaves us absolutely speechless." And, truly, the horrors of this world—Satan's world—do sometimes leave us with nothing to say. Unspeakable sorrow. Unspeakable heartache.
In just one week, all baptized members of the Living Church of God will be observing the Passover. The New Testament Passover is a yearly memorial of Jesus Christ's death for our sins. He underwent unspeakable suffering for our sake, even to the point of crucifixion: "… He was wounded ('pierced through') for our transgressions, He was bruised ('crushed') for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him…" (Isaiah 53:5). But Christ suffered for us so that we might have peace and hope. He died so we might be freed from the horrors and pains of the consequences of sin. And He was raised to life so that we might have a future in His eternal Family, raised to life with Him!
As this age draws to a close, we sigh and cry for the sins of our people, and the horrific suffering the world goes through because of sin (Ezekiel 9:4). But let us, as well, thank God for His plan to redeem the whole world from the ravages of sin, through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Passover.
Have a hopeful Sabbath,
Rod McNair
News and Prophecy—March 26, 2015
Will Germany Have a Fourth Reich? The title of a recent Der Spiegel article is telling: "'The Fourth Reich': What Some Europeans See When They Look at Germany" (March 23, 2013). The article's author observed "Following World War II, a German return to dominance in Europe seemed an impossibility. But the euro crisis has transformed the country into a reluctant hegemon and comparisons with the Nazis have become rampant" (ibid.). The author continued "People have even begun talking about the 'Fourth Reich,' a reference to the Third Reich of Adolf Hitler. That may sound absurd given that today's Germany is a successful democracy without a trace of national-socialism—and that no one would actually associate Merkel with Nazism. But further reflection on the word 'Reich,' or empire, may not be entirely out of place. The term refers to a dominion, with a central power exerting control over many different peoples. According to this definition, would it be wrong to speak of a German Reich in the economic realm?" (ibid.). The author finishes by noting that Germany is not a military or political "Reich" (ibid.). However, Bible prophecy notes this last condition will change… Germany will once again lead Europe as a political and military force. For years, Tomorrow's World and its predecessor The World Tomorrow have forecast (based upon Bible prophecy) that a Fourth Reich will come! And now even the German popular press is using the phrase. For more information on Germany's amazing future, read our 2007 article "Resurgent Germany: A Fourth Reich?"
Saudi Arabia Taking the Lead! "Arab countries will take necessary measures to protect the region against 'aggression' by Yemen's Iranian-allied Houthi group if a peaceful solution cannot be found to that country's turmoil, Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said on Monday" (Reuters, March 23, 2015). "Asked about Tehran's role in supporting the Houthis in Yemen, Prince Saud said he was 'against Iran's interference' and also attacked what he described as Iran's efforts to 'stir up sectarian conflict' in Arab states" (ibid.). The Saudi Foreign Minister also went on to observe, "If this issue [in Yemen] is not solved peacefully, we will take the necessary measures to protect the region from their aggression" (BBC, March 23, 2015). Saudi Arabia has now moved to the Yemeni border heavy weaponry that can be used defensively or offensively (Guardian, March 24, 2015). Bible prophecy clearly demonstrates that at the time of the end an Arab "king of the south" will rise up and bring together a coalition of Arab states. This "king of the south" will reside "south" of Jerusalem and will eventually turn against the European "king of the north" or "beast" power (Daniel 11:40-42). There will no doubt be a "strong nation" that leads this "king of the south" coalition and it very well may be Saudi Arabia or Egypt! Saudi Arabia's stable government (by comparison), its powerful U.S.-built military now aided by Germany (Der Spiegel, October 14, 2011), and the fact that it is the cradle of Islam are important to consider as we see it taking an increasing leadership role in enforcing peace in the Middle East. For more on this topic view our Tomorrow's World program, "The Middle East in Prophecy."
French Influence in Europe Waning: In a recent interview with The Telegraph, former Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti warned that France's central involvement with the EU will continue to weaken it. He observed: "In the last few years we have seen France receding in terms of actual economic performance, in terms of complying with all the European rules, and above all in terms of its domestic public opinion which is turning more and more against Europe" (March 21, 2015). "'France is the big problem of the European Union because the whole construct has been leveraged on the foundation of a solid Franco-German entente. If it isn't there then there is a poor destiny for Europe,' said Mr Monti. 'We've seen that the strong axis is no longer so strong'" (ibid.). "In a warning to France, Mr Monti said: 'Maybe you forgot, but we all remember that France was the country that wanted the euro, not Germany'" (ibid.). Bible prophecy reveals the Israelite-descended nations will go into captivity under the European "beast" power at the time of the end. But, will France be inside or outside the "beast" power? The increasing EU frustration with France will be interesting to watch. For more Bible prophecies that include many Western European nations, be sure to read The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.—Scott Winnail, Justin Ridgeway, Deborah Lincoln-Strange and Francine Prater