Greetings brethren,
Mr. Meredith and Mr. Ames each taped two more TV programs this week that will air in April and early May. Mr. Meredith's recorded programs are titled, "Preparing for Christ's Second Coming" and "Pagan Holidays or God's Holy Days." Mr. Ames' programs are titled, "Framework for Prophecy" and "Who is the Beast of Revelation?" Mr. Meredith also sent out a letter that will be available at services this weekend, commenting about the life and work of Herbert W. Armstrong, the man God used to raise up this era of the Church of God. Mr. Armstrong died 20 years ago on January 16, 1986.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Church Visits – Austin and Houston, Texas. Last weekend I flew to Texas to visit with Area Pastor Keith Walden and his wife Renee. We were able to look over a potential Feast site in the area and to visit congregations in Austin and Houston on the Sabbath. It was a privilege and a pleasure to meet, talk with and share several meals with members of those congregations. We were also able to visit with Mr. Jim Nork and his wife Maxine in Austin. Maxine had suffered a stroke and is making good recovery. They sincerely appreciate the many prayers and encouragement they have received.
MEDIA
Last weekend Mr. Ames' TV program "Lessons of History" advertised the booklet The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy. Mr. Pyle reports that this booklet has been advertised 29 times since 1999 and that only twice produced responses that broke 2,000. However, the responses to last weekend's offering look like they will exceed 3,500—a new record of requests for this booklet!
COMMENTS
Becoming a Peacemaker: We live in an increasingly troubled world where millions earnestly desire peace and peace of mind. People seek for peace and pray for peace—yet without much success (Jeremiah 8:11, 15). Long ago, God said that human beings simply do not know the way to peace (Isaiah 59:8). However, the Bible reveals the way to peace. David wrote, "Great peace have those who love Your law" (Psalm 119:165) and Solomon said, "happy is he who keeps the law" (Proverbs 29:18). Peace between people and among nations as well as peace of mind can be achieved when we learn to live by the commandments of God that show us how to love God and love our neighbor (Exodus 20). Peace is one of the gifts of God's Spirit (Galatians 5:22)—which is given to those who obey His instructions (Acts 5:32). Peace also comes from learning how to relate to others (James 3:13-18) and from learning how to forgive (Proverbs 17:9). We have been called to become peacemakers—to learn to live by the laws of God now so we will be able to teach others the way to true peace in the Kingdom of God. This is why Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). Let's all strive to grow in this area of our lives.
Have a peaceful Sabbath,
Douglas Winnail
NEWS AND PROPHECY—January 19, 2006
EU Trio Drafts Resolution to Refer Iran to UN. "The EU's big three (Germany, France and Britain) have taken the first steps to refer Iran to the UN security council over its nuclear program, with Russian president Vladimir Putin indicating he is prepared to back the move – but Beijing is not on board yet." The big three asked for an "emergency meeting of the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency" (Euobserver.com, Jan. 17, 2006). More recently France and the US have rejected a request by Iran to "discuss" the situation (Associated Press as reported in USA Today, Jan. 18, 2006). The once friendly relationship between Europe and Tehran was broken by recent holocaust-denial/anti-Semitic comments by the Iranian President and the reopening of Iranian nuclear facilities. Prophecy marches on as Iran maneuvers to be the head of the radical Islamic movement and the relationship between Europe and the Arab world becomes more polarized (Dan. 11:40-45).
Catholics and Jews Come Together. "Pope Benedict XVI strongly condemned anti-Semitism, and called for cooperation between Jews and Christians in defending fundamental moral principles, as he met on January 16 with the chief rabbi of Rome. During the audience Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni invited the Pope to visit Rome's synagogue, repeating the historic visit by Pope John Paul II in April 1986" (CWNews.com [Catholic World News], Jan. 16, 2006). The Vatican has long had its eye on Jerusalem. A Vatican advisor recently commented on how Jerusalem is too important a city to leave in the hands of either Palestinians or Jews and should be placed under international control (jnewswire.com [Jerusalem Newswire], Jan. 8, 2006). Are we seeing a developing relationship that will enable the Catholic Church and the EU to gain a controlling presence in Jerusalem that will facilitate the beginning of sacrifices on the Temple Mount (Dan. 9:26-27; Dan. 11:31; Mt. 24:15-16)? Will the departure of Ariel Sharon create a middle-eastern void that Rome and the EU will fill?
Palestinian-South African Relationship Deepens. Palestine's ambassador to South Africa recently extended an invitation to the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, to aid in the peace process between Palestine and Israel. The ambassador asked for South African involvement as soon as the Palestinian elections (Mail & Guardian Online [South Africa], Jan. 18, 2006). Palestinians greatly desire the "return" of their land and equal vote with the Israelis. The Palestinians, who already enjoy the support of the EU, continue to seek international support for their cause. Might they also reach to Rome for support in the future—which would aid the EU and the Vatican to become directly involved in the Middle East situation (see again Dan. 11:40-45)?
America's Apologetic Leaders. New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin apologized Tuesday for recent comments which included "He [God] sent us hurricane after hurricane after hurricane, and it's destroyed and put stress on this country" (The Daily Telegraph [Australia], Jan. 18, 2006). Mr. Nagin's comments focused on the American occupation in Iraq as well as black-on-black violence in America's cities. On Tuesday (Jan. 17) Mr. Nagin apologized for his "insensitive" comments, noting that the comments about God were inappropriate (Charlotte Observer, Jan. 18, 2006). After the September 11, 2001 catastrophe in New York City, American televangelist Pat Robertson made similar comments about God punishing America for its sins. Shortly afterward, Mr. Robertson rescinded his comments. Political correctness and a strong aversion to anything Christian have pressured those who "would" condemn the ungodly actions of the United States and other western nations into remaining silent, or into denying the very Christ they profess to worship. Christ promised that if we deny Him, He would deny us before the Father, and this is exactly what we are witnessing in the U.S. and throughout many Christian nations around the globe (Mt. 10:33).—Scott Winnail and Daniel Bennett