Greetings from Charlotte,
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Weston, Mr. Mario Hernandez, and Mr. Cristian Orrego are in Medellin, Colombia, for a regional conference for the Spanish-speaking ministry. Mr. Jonathan McNair, along with Mr. and Mrs. Rob Tyler, traveled from Thailand to Malaysia on Wednesday for a Southeast Asia leadership conference. The death toll from the earthquake in Turkey continues to climb, now at a staggering 42,000 lives lost. Amazingly, people are still being pulled out of rubble alive, more than ten days after the devastating earthquake. In South Africa, the government declared a state of emergency as a result of widespread flooding (see report below). Also, the government of New Zealand declared a national state of emergency this week—only the third in its history—as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle. The nation was also hit in the last few days by two earthquakes (see report below). In response to a reporter’s question about the earthquakes, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said, “I was looking out the window for a plague of locusts.” As God allows devastating weather to wreak havoc on our nations for our sins, we must pray “Thy Kingdom Come” for a troubled and suffering world.—Rod McNair
Church Administration
Past and Upcoming Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Last weekend, we held eight Tomorrow’s World Presentations: three initial presentations and five follow-up presentations. These presentations had a combined total of 96 guests. This weekend, we have four events scheduled: three initial presentations, and one follow-up. A full list of upcoming TWPs can be accessed at the following link: tomorrowsworld.org/presentations. Thank you all for your continued prayers for these presentations.
Report from New Zealand
New Zealand has been battered with an “unprecedented” flood in Auckland, followed by Cyclone Gabrielle, which devastated many parts of the North Island. In the past couple of days, two strong earthquakes have hit. The government has declared a national emergency. These events are on top of record inflation and the economic fallout of COVID-19. All our members are safe; however, the economic and infrastructure damage across the nation will be felt for many years. Our national leaders are blaming this unprecedented and destructive weather on climate change. There has been no mention of God, and it would probably be political suicide if one were to reference divine involvement, especially with a national election looming later this year. It just shows how much the theology of climate change has usurped the reality of a God who intervenes in world affairs.—Paul Kearns
South African Flooding
The government in South Africa has declared a National State of Disaster because widespread flooding has caused havoc in seven of the country’s nine provinces. Temporary shelters, food, and blankets are urgently needed by many affected by the flooding caused by the recent heavy rains. As far as we know, all our brethren are safe. Last week, the government declared a National State of Disaster because of excessive (stage 6) load-shedding (blackouts) by the state-owned electricity supplier. Some expect a national shutdown of the electricity supply soon. Only time will tell if the situation can improve. This gives us more and more reason to pray for God’s Kingdom to come soon.—Christo Botha
Passover 2023—Repeat Announcement
Important Notice to All Pastors: In 2023, the Passover Service will be observed on Tuesday evening, April 4. Please let us know as soon as possible if any of the congregations you serve will need additional Passover Service supplies (bread trays and/or wine trays or glasses) or a physical copy of the Passover Service recording and letter instructions (available in English, French, and Spanish). To ensure timely delivery and to save on shipping costs, we need this information before March 17 for U.S. congregations. Information for international congregations should already be here.
Also, please let us know of any scattered members who are unable to keep the Passover with a congregation and who need to receive a physical copy of the Passover Service recording and letter instructions for observing it at home. U.S. requests should be received before March 17, and international requests should already be here. Please direct your requests to the Church Administration Department at [email protected] as soon as possible. These dates take into consideration the slowdown of mail service in some places.
Note: As in the last couple of years, the Passover Service recording will also be available digitally to pastors and video recipients via the FTP site. A private YouTube link will also be provided ahead of time.
Living Education
Men’s Training Camps—Spring 2023—Repeat Announcement
For the current schedule and more information on all Men’s Training Camps, go to lcgeducation.org, and click on the “Resources” tab. Then click on “Activities,” and then on “Men’s Training Camp.” Here is our current line-up:
Livingston, Texas (March 17–19)
Last year, 88 men participated in our MTC at Camp Cho-Yeh, just north of Houston, Texas. This year, we’ll build on last year’s enthusiasm with a new program. We’ll begin on Friday evening, March 17, and we’ll conclude at noon on Sunday, March 19. Registration will open soon, so mark your calendar to attend!
New Hope, Pennsylvania (April 21–23)
After a two-year break, we are excited to announce the Northeast Region will be hosting a Men’s Training Camp again. The event will take place at Deer Park Camp in New Hope, Pennsylvania, from Friday, April 21, through Sunday, April 23. The cost will be $72 per person, which includes lunches, dinners, and bunkhouse-style accommodations. Those outside the Northeast Region who would like to attend or who have questions are encouraged to contact Mr. Brent Mitchell at [email protected] at their earliest convenience. For more information and to register, go to https://www.lcgeducation.org/mtc-northeast-2023.
Garden Valley, Idaho (May 5–7)
For our men in the great Northwest, this will be the first Men’s Training Camp in your backyard! The River Canyon Retreat, just an hour north of Boise, will host this gathering, beginning Friday evening, May 5, and wrapping up on Sunday, May 7, at noon. The cost for accommodation and meals starts at $85 for bunkroom housing. Hotel-style rooms are also available. For more information on prices for all types of accommodation and to register, go to lcgeducation.org.
Comments
Together on the Sabbath—for a Reason: We are admonished in the Scriptures to encourage one another, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some” (Hebrews 10:24–25). The New Testament records that the early Church gathered on the Sabbath “with one accord” to worship and fellowship with other believers (Acts 2:1; 13:14, 44). They were obeying the commandment to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8) and following the example of Jesus Christ (Luke 4:16) and the Apostle Paul (Acts 17:2). Today, with personal computers, DVDs, streaming and other electronic devices it is easier to just stay home and watch or listen to a sermon. Yet, this overlooks the importance of gathering together to worship and fellowship with other believers—which involves giving, sharing, learning to relate to other people, and being part of a spiritual family. We have been called to become part of God’s family and preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. The reality of that vision is enhanced when we come together on God’s Sabbath with others who share that focus.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—February 16, 2023
Jordan and Israel Meet: Reuters reported in January that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unexpectedly traveled to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah. The two leaders apparently discussed maintaining the status quo on the Temple Mount, joint security details, and economic cooperation between the two nations. They also discussed speeding up the “Green and Blue Prosperity Agreement” begun by Israel, UAE, and Jordan in November 2021 (Globes, January 30, 2023). This deal requires, among other actions, Jordan to build solar farms to supply Israel with electricity. It also requires Israel to build a desalinization plant to provide Jordan with fresh water.
The relationship between Jordan and Israel stands out because it is between a Jewish nation and a Muslim nation. Yet Jordan has a long history of going in a different direction than its fellow Arab neighbors and establishing unusual relationships with Western nations. Such tendencies might relate to a specific mention of Jordan in Bible prophecy.
At the end of the age, the European king of the North will attack the Arab king of the South. Yet, in the powerful southward charge of the northern superpower, Scripture reveals that “Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon”—the modern-day region of Jordan—will escape, while their Arab neighbors will be overthrown (Daniel 11:41). Jordan’s willingness to establish favorable relationships with Western nations may play a role in enabling it to fare differently than most other Arab nations in the coming end-time events. To learn more about the future of Jordan and Israel be sure to watch “The Future of Jerusalem.”
Doing What’s Right in Your Eyes! New Zealand’s most popular news site, Stuff, reports that polyamory—having more than one agreed-upon lover—is on the rise and far more widely accepted than just a decade or two ago. As this practice increases in acceptance, a growing body of written literature has been created to support it. Individuals choosing this lifestyle read books that encourage and justify their sinful behavior, even as many secular scientists have recognized the emotional and health benefits that are afforded to individuals by monogamous, lifelong marriage between one man and one woman who have restrained themselves from having sex until that commitment is made.
While the author of the article claims, “Monogamy and marriage are comparatively recent social constructs,” the Bible tells us that the exact opposite is true. In the book of Genesis, describing the foundations of the world nearly six thousand years ago, God reveals that monogamous marriage was His intent for men and women (Genesis 2:24). The Bible also reveals that sex outside of marriage is sinful and violates the commandments of God (Exodus 20:14; Galatians 5:19–21).
However, as society today sheds the supposed shackles of biblical morality, which has undergirded Western civilization for centuries, many are reverting to the pagan immorality that has plagued world cultures from the beginning of humankind. The Bible records that in one of ancient Israel’s most chaotic and violent periods, “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). Today, we are seeing a similar moral decline in once-religious Western nations as we witness a growing desire, along with a complex rationale, for people to “do what is right in their own eyes.” This perspective pushes traditional boundaries and calls “evil good, and good evil.” This is exactly what God prophesied would occur (Isaiah 5:20). Our confused and suffering societies are in desperate need of a Savior who will once again restore truth and biblical morality in the coming Kingdom of God (Isaiah 9:6–7). To learn about the laws of God that will undergird this coming new age, be sure to read or listen to The Ten Commandments.—Scott Winnail, Francine Prater, and Paul Kearns