Greetings everyone,
Mr. Meredith is off today for Minneapolis, Minnesota for the coming Sabbath. From there, he will travel to North Carolina, then on to the Youth Camp in Michigan. Please pray for safe flying—especially for the first leg to Minneapolis, as I also will be on the same plane!
Media Report
The www.lcg.org Web site in the last two weeks has received its first visits from the French African island of Madagascar and from Greenland in the remote north. Since 1999, 155 countries have been logged as visitors to the official Church Web sites.
Youth Activity
I just spoke to my wife at the Living Youth Camp where she is presently caring for our grandchildren while their parents serve on the camp staff. She said that everything was going well, and that there are about 190 campers and staff. I am sure we will receive other reports along, but the staff works very long hours during the camp, so they are hard pressed to attend to non-essential matters.
International
Mr. Dibar Apartian just returned from Martinique. Here is his most encouraging report.
The Work in Martinique is moving on…
" Many good things happened during my short visit to Martinique last week. First, I officiated at the wedding of a young couple who had been "patiently" waiting several months for my arrival. Then, I was interviewed by two different radio stations. In the past, one of them, Radio Caraibes, the largest on the island, used to air our broadcast LE MONDE A VENIR five times a week, blanketing the whole island. Even though they are no longer airing religious broadcasts, we are hoping that they may make an exception in our case because of the previous popularity of LE MONDE A VENIR. Of course, their new fee may also be beyond our means! On the Sabbath, July 20, our French brethren (about 25) on this beautiful island rejoiced when I ordained as local elder Mr. Marcel Ginier, a long time member and deacon in God's Church. The following day, Sunday, to our delight and surprise, 53 new people attended the Public Lecture I conducted, having for its theme, "The coming world events." Finally, to top it all, as I boarded the Air France airplane to return home, the stewardess, who was checking the tickets and the passports of the passengers, exclaimed when seeing my passport, "Monsieur Dibar, LE MONDE A VENIR"… With all these exciting happenings, I am already planning my next trip to Martinique…"
Mr. Tom Turner reports that Living Church of God is now incorporated in Sri Lanka. This has been an ongoing struggle due to opposition from another religious group. "Our objectors are still smarting after the license was issued to us by the Registrar," we were told.
Mr. Adrian Kaefer reported to Dr. Winnail, our UK Regional Director:
"Today I heard on the radio news that a German family went for a religious trip to Jerusalem. For this they took an unexcused absence from school for their child. The German authorities did not like this, and took away custody from the parents in order to be able to send the police after them in a foreign country on charge of kidnapping. When they found them, they brought them back and said that they (the state youth agency) will continue to observe the family. That shows how much power the state can take upon itself already, if they desire to do so. Things seem to be coming together very quickly. I also heard that by next year the European constitution will be ready."
As Jesus said, we must watch and pray that you may be able to escape (Luke 21:36). Truly, the conditions in Europe are coming together to bring about the arrogance of power that will be evident in the coming persecution.
Feast of Tabernacles
For those going to Pigeon Forge, TN. Announcement from Smoky Mountains Resort: "As of Monday, July 15, 2002 all residents and visitors of the State of Tennessee will experience a new sales tax rate of 9.50%. All hotel and lodging accommodations have a 10.75% sales tax rate. The Sales Tax on banquet food, meeting room rental and show tickets will reflect the 9.50% sales tax increase. All booked/scheduled functions and/or accommodations for Smoky Mountain Resorts have been adjusted to reflect this increase. If you have prepaid for your function and/or accommodations, please be aware that there will be a balance due when you arrive due to the sales tax increase. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office at 1-800-223-6707."
Conclusion
My attempt at humor in the opening of this update reminds me of a fellow minister's story about a lady in his congregation who called him in the middle of the night to inform him that her husband was angry and threatening to shoot her. The good pastor comforted her by assuring her that she should have faith in God—"put yourself in His capable hands for deliverance—trust Him to protect you." Whereupon the lady said, "But Mr. (minister), when I told him that I was going to call you he said that he is going to come to your house next and shoot you!" Immediately the minister said, "Well, that's different. You should call the police immediately!"
I assume that the minister who told me the story (on himself) was jesting—but the lesson is important. We, ministry and members, are in the Work of God together. And like the minister and the member in this story, our trials and tribulations are inextricably interwoven.
Brethren, we are entering into a time of tribulation upon the whole world. Some have ridiculed those who have sincerely sought to fear God and draw near to Him. Too many have been influenced by the slippery tactics of the scoffers, and have lost their zeal for God.
Jesus said, (Luke 21:36) "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
Those who have scoffed at the impending judgment upon the nations of Israel and the whole world are not going to be granted safety, nor are those who foolishly swallowed their vain words. I also believe the prophecy of Jesus, and I believe that we are in the end of this age. I believe the geo-political conditions are coming together to bring about the great tribulation.
Many scoffers and their adherents are going to suffer as Paul warned those who persist in wickedness (Romans 2:3) "And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?" Those who are impervious to warnings will eat the fruit of their folly.
For those who fear God and seek Him, we must remember that our trials and temptations are "such as is common to man" (1 Corinthians 10:13) and God will make a way of escape. Those who are careless about their relationship to God will not escape (Hebrews 2:3).
Living Church of God is not among those who have proclaimed "not to worry—all is well," to the world or those in the (scattered) Church of God.
Have a great Sabbath, travel safely—and remember Luke 21:31 "… when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand."
Carl McNair