This week, the world's attention has been focused on a major earthquake that heavily damaged a village in southwestern China, killing nearly 500 people and displacing more than 200,000. In West Africa, the Ebola epidemic continues to spread, and infected individuals have returned to the United States, while fighting continues to rage across the Middle East. However, in Europe, German leaders are quietly occupying influential positions in the EU and other organizations that could have a major impact on Europe and the world in the coming months and years (see the News and Prophecy). Dr. Meredith and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Meredith are visiting the Living Youth Teen Camp in Ohio this weekend where Dr. Meredith will give the sermon on the Sabbath. Mr. and Mrs. Ames had very positive reports on their visit to the camp last weekend. Mr. and Mrs. Weston spent this week at the UK office and will visit the European Youth Camp in the UK next week. Mr. Jonathan McNair reports that 21 visitors attended the TWP in Corning, New York last weekend.—DSW
Feast of Tabernacles
Speaking Schedules for the Feast of Tabernacles are now being finalized and should be finished in the next few days. We plan on sending the speaking schedules out early next week to all those who will have speaking assignments at the Feast. Those who are on the speaking schedule are encouraged to put in the time, prayer and preparation now—even though it's still summer—to bring messages that are inspiring, stimulating, and focus on the wonderful message of Christ's reign on this earth! We thank all of those who will be preparing to bring spiritual nourishment to God's Church during this highlight of the year.—Festival Office
Pastors: We will soon be surveying you all to find out where services will be on the Day of Atonement and the Sabbath after the Feast. This information will then be made available to brethren who are traveling before and after the Feast.
Media
Facebook Growth Update
Our flagship TomorrowsWorld.org and LCG.org Web sites in English, French, Spanish and other languages continue to grow in reach around the world, but some of the most exciting growth has resulted from our ongoing Social Media strategy. For example, our English-language Tomorrow's World Facebook page has grown from 82,000 to nearly 95,000 fans in just the last few months and often reaches more than a half-million people in a single day through organic and paid posts. Our French Facebook page (Le Monde De Demain) recently passed 40,000 fans and often reaches more than 100,000 people in a single day. Our Spanish Facebook page (Iglesia del Dios Viviente, El Mundo de Manana) is approaching 18,000 fans and also often reaches more than 100,000 people in a single day. It is encouraging that God is not only letting us reach people this way, but almost every week a team of dedicated ministers engages in a dozen or more doctrinal discussions on these pages, some of which result in literature or visit requests from people whom God may be calling and who desire to learn more about the Truth. We thank you for your continued prayers for these and all of our efforts to preach the Gospel to the entire world!—Wyatt Ciesielka, Director of Internet Operations
Living University
Registration for First (Fall) Semester
Registration for Fall Semester classes is now underway and more than 150 students have registered already. There is just over one week remaining until classes begin on August 18. Students may register anytime between now and then. But don't wait too long or your textbooks will not arrive in time for the beginning of the semester. Those who have never taken a Living University course will need to enroll in the University first, and then register for their selected course. Enrolling is quick and easy—it will only take 5 to 10 minutes. Just visit our Web site and click on the "Apply Now" link. We are offering 16 exciting courses this semester. For a complete and more detailed listing of "2014 Fall Semester Courses" (spring in the Southern hemisphere), to apply and to register for classes, please visit www.livinguniv.com. For additional information, please contact Mrs. Michelle Broussard at [email protected] or 704-708-2294. As a reminder, those in their third tithe year at the start of the semester are eligible for a 50 percent reduction in tuition. Just be sure to submit the Application for Financial Aid sheet available on the LU Web page. In addition, those age 65 and over are eligible to "audit" one LU course per semester tuition-free. You are only responsible for the cost of textbooks and the $35 USD technology fee. Those completing homeschool high school programs can also take LU courses. See the Web site for more details or contact us with your questions.
Comments
Is Satan After You? The Bible contains numerous warnings about Satan and how he operates to deceive, divide and destroy people, families, churches and nations. He moves like a hunting lion, carefully stalking his unsuspecting prey (1 Peter 5:8). He is a dangerous adversary who is constantly searching for vulnerable individuals (1 Timothy 5:14-15; 2 Timothy 3:6-7). Satan does not hunt human beings using claws and bullets, but instead he appeals to human desires and vanity, he plants doubts and spreads gossip, rumors and lies that hurt and discredit people (1 Timothy 5:13; John 8:44; Leviticus 19:16). Satan fosters dissention and divisions by stirring up fears, jealousies and selfish ambitions (1 Corinthians 1:10-13), and he will use anyone—members, ministers and self-proclaimed leaders—to sow discord and do his work (2 Corinthians 11:1-15). Satan zeroes in on people who have doubts, hurts and resentments or who feel wronged or overlooked because their ideas, opinions or ambitions have not been accepted. He uses such individuals to criticize, undermine or lash out at others. To avoid becoming an unsuspecting victim of the negative and subversive thoughts and attitudes that Satan beams at his potential victims (Ephesians 2:2), we need to be alert, humble, patient and to stay close to God (1 Peter 5:6-9).
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—August 7, 2014
Here Come the Germans! The marriage of convenience between France and Germany to lead the EU and Europe appears to be over. "With Britain drifting away and France on the floor, Germany, however unwilling, is forced to take up the leading role across the board" (The Times, July 6, 2014). Martin Shultz, a German politician and advocate of closer cooperation among European nations, is currently serving his second term as President of the European Parliament. The Secretary General of the European Parliament is another German, Klaus Welle. The new Chief of Staff for Jean-Claude Juncker, the incoming head of the European Commission, will be Martin Selmayr, "a German lawyer who masterminded Juncker's election campaign… [Herr Selmayr] is set to be the real force behind Juncker" (ibid.). Other Germans in top jobs are Werner Hoyer, the President of the European Investment Bank, and Uwe Corsepius, the Secretary General of the Council of the European Union. A German brigadier general has also been appointed to be the Chief of Staff of U.S. Army Europe (armytimes.com, July 31, 2014). The growing pre-eminence of German leaders in all these top jobs is becoming "a source of concern to other governments" (The Times, July 6, 2014). Bible prophecies indicate that at the end of the age, Germany (modern Assyria) will play a short but prominent role on the world stage (Isaiah 10:1-11; Hosea 11:5). For more about Germany's future, see our article "Resurgent Germany: A Fourth Reich?"
Germany, Land of Opportunity: "In the rankings of the globe's most prosperous countries, this economic powerhouse of 82 million has now leapfrogged Canada, Britain, Italy and Spain to become the largest destination for immigrants after the United States… Because of a morbidly low birthrate, the population here is shrinking, raising the pivotal question of who will keep the massive German economy humming in the years ahead" (Washington Post, July 27, 2014). "But the latest upsurge [in immigration] is largely based on Germany's reemergence in recent years as Europe's undisputed economic leader, a beacon of light on a continent still suffering from the aftermath of a brutal debt crisis… And with unemployment at 25.1 percent in Spain, 26.6 percent in Greece, and 12.6 percent in Italy, Germany—with an economy built on industrial giants such as Siemens and an army of innovative small and midsize companies—has never looked so good," especially Berlin (ibid.). Bible prophecy reveals that at the end of the age, the German-led European Beast power will be the "marvel" of the world (Revelation 13:3-4) and will usher in a time of prosperity and opportunity for Europe and the peoples of the world for a short time (Revelation 18:1-3). For more information on prophetic developments in Europe, see our booklet, The Beast of Revelation.
How Peace Will Come to Gaza? After a month of fighting, a cease-fire has been declared and negotiating has begun in Egypt between Israel and Hamas (MSN.com, August 5, 2014). "With Israeli troops essentially finished destroying Hamas's tunnels into Israel and having dealt Hamas's military capacity a significant blow, senior Israeli officials said they were moving troops to defensive positions on both sides of the border" (New York Times, August 4, 2014). Prior to the Egypt-brokered cease-fire, world nations were calling for a stop to the carnage. The French foreign minister went so far as to demand "This is why we need a political solution… and which I believe should be imposed by the international community, because the two parties—despite countless efforts—have unfortunately shown themselves incapable of completing talks… imposition of a two-state solution and security for Israel—there is no other way" (Jerusalem Post, August 4, 2014). The French foreign minister's comments reflect the growing sentiment among international bystanders. Bible prophecy indicates that there will likely be an international force that does impose some type of peace on the Holy Land. This European Beast power, known as the "king of the north," will apparently work a deal with the "king of the south" for a seven-year treaty that will be broken after 3.5 years (Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11). While France will probably not lead the action to "impose" peace on the Holy Land, the rhetoric of the French minister foreshadows a long-prophesied event. For more details about coming events, read our booklet The Middle East in Prophecy. Scott Winnail, Chris Sookdeo and Deborah Lincoln Strange