From the Presiding Evangelist
Dear Brethren and Friends,
With the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, prophetic events in Europe and elsewhere will no doubt speed up a great deal! Mankind is in desperate need of God's Kingdom and His righteous way of life. Here in the United States, with President Obama's obvious approval of so-called "same-sex" marriage, the homosexual agenda is continuing to heavily influence nearly every facet of society. Maryland has become the eighth state to approve same-sex marriage. And in Great Britain, the House of Commons has just voted to approve this abomination. Even the French—normally thought of as a "romantic people"—are preparing to join in this satanic push to bring much of the formerly professing "Christian" world into line with ancient Sodom and Gomorrah!
How much longer until God Himself puts a final stop to this egregious behavior? As Almighty God looks down from heaven, He is looking for men and women with the genuine faith and courage to boldly proclaim His Truth. God declares that the modern "house of Israel has become dross to Me" (Ezekiel 22:18). Regarding our modern "mainstream" ministers, God states, "Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them" (v. 26). Indeed, it is sorrowful to realize that hundreds of millions of formerly professing Christians have been led down this road! Untold millions of our young people have somehow been led to totally confuse what is "clean" and what is "unclean." They have not been taught that by professing ministers of God.
So Almighty God is looking for "a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one" (v. 30). Dear brethren, let that not be our epitaph—that we were not willing to "stand in the gap" and powerfully warn our peoples of what is just ahead unless we profoundly repent of our horrifying behaviors! We are now being cleverly led into these things by Satan the Devil—often with the connivance of false ministers.
As all of you know, we in this Work are doing our very best to proclaim the Truth. Just this past Sunday, we presented a powerful "live" Tomorrow's World Presentation wherein I strongly proclaimed God's Truth, "warned" our peoples against homosexuality and the other abominations of the land. And I tried to help our people realize the absolute necessity for the return of Christ as King of kings. Our Father in heaven has certainly blessed this Work over the last several years. This past year, God granted us 12 percent financial increase for which we thank Him deeply. We have had a great deal of unity and loyalty throughout our congregations and in this Work as a whole. Within the last two months, Mr. Richard Ames and I have added a number of very fine television stations to the roster of those stations carrying the Tomorrow's World program. Our impact is increasing weekly. We do have much to be thankful for.
But Satan the Devil knows that we are now on the verge of doing a far more powerful Work than ever. So Satan is stirring up trouble and trying to divide and confuse God's people.
Within the last few weeks, the income for this Work has dropped somewhat, and a spiritual malaise has appeared to set in among a number of people. They have apparently "taken for granted" all the work we are doing and the blessings God has given. Some have "let down their hair"—spiritually speaking—and are becoming easy victims for Satan's devices. We sincerely love these people. We fervently pray for them for their spiritual salvation. But we—as a Church—must rouse ourselves to draw even closer to God and to honor His name in every way so that He may use us even more powerfully to proclaim His Truth and to "finish the Work" as Almighty God certainly wants us to do.
In this semi-public letter, I certainly do not want to go into details or name names. But I hope all of you who are aware of my ministry for the past 60 years will have enough faith that God is guiding me in this Work that you will join me and our Headquarters team in praying fervently that God will help us overcome any weaknesses that are appearing in our spiritual "armor"! Our Father in heaven wants us to "reflect Jesus Christ" in everything we think, say and do. Most of our ministers and brethren are certainly doing this. But Satan is on the prowl. God's word tells us that he is constantly watching and waiting to destroy the people of God. In his letter near the end of his life, the Apostle Peter warned, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world" (1 Peter 5:8-9).
All of our leading ministers here at Headquarters join me in asking all of you brethren to join us in a spiritual fast a week from this coming Sabbath—which will be on the Sabbath of February 23. I ask that all of our ministers and elders and leaders of various little groups around the world show complete fidelity and join with us in leading your brethren to fast and seek God's help beginning Friday evening at sunset and ending Saturday evening at sunset on February 22 and 23. We know that a few local Church picnics, activities, parties, etc. will no doubt be interrupted. But we do not need to "wait" before seeking God, as Satan is certainly not "waiting" before attacking the very Church of the living God at this time!
Passover is coming. We all need to draw closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to God our Father in every way. We all need to realize our great need to look to the sacrifice of Christ to cover the sins and transgressions we have all committed. We also need to look to Jesus Christ the living Head of God's true Church (Ephesians 1:22-23) to inspire, guide and deliver us from every trial and test in this life and bring us into God's everlasting Kingdom. He is our Savior. He is our Head and High Priest. He was sent here by the Father Himself to set us the example of the perfect life all of us should be living—totally surrendered and walking with God in every way.
Dear brethren, this Work will carry on with increasing power as it always has—if we do our part. But I do ask you, in Jesus' name, to heartfeltly join with us "seeking God" and earnestly giving of yourselves in this period of fasting and prayer that God will rebuke and chasten, cleanse and purge and then empower all of us—individually and collectively—to "finish the course" and fully prepare ourselves and the Church of God for Christ's coming Kingdom. Thank you, dear brethren, for your love, for your loyalty, your support and your extra help at this time.
With Christian love,
Roderick C. Meredith
Church Administration
Greetings from Charlotte,
This has been quite a week! A major winter storm dumped 2–3 feet of snow on the New England states that disrupted transportation and left thousands without electrical power, a violent tornado hit central Mississippi, the pope resigned and lightning struck the dome of St. Peter's in the Vatican. Amidst these major events, it was very encouraging to see that more than 10,000 people heard Mr. Meredith's powerful online Tomorrow's World presentation last Sunday afternoon. Mr. Rod McNair and Mr. Raúl Colón also made TW presentations on Sunday in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This week, Mr. Wallace Smith is in Charlotte to tape several new television programs. Mr. Gaylyn Bonjour reports that the next press run for Tomorrow's World magazine will be 431,000. Last weekend's Tomorrow's World television program by Mr. King, entitled "Where Would Jesus Go To Church?," is expected to draw about 4,900 responses. Mr. Ames' program the previous week, entitled "The Sabbath Controversy," received 6,151 responses. This coming Sunday, Mr. Rod King will be in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to make a Tomorrow's World presentation on the subject of "The Beasts of Revelation and Your Life." Please pray that God will continue to watch over His people, guide His Work and bless these growing efforts to preach the Gospel of His coming Kingdom.—DSW
*Please make sure to announce the Church-wide Fast for Saturday, February 23, 2013 that Mr. Meredith mentions in his letter.
Passover 2013—U.S. Congregations
All Pastors: please let us know as soon as possible if any of the congregations you serve will need additional Passover Service supplies (bread trays, wine trays, or wine glasses) or a copy of the Passover Service recording. Also, let us know of any scattered members who are unable to keep the Passover with a congregation and who need to receive the Passover Service recording and letter instructions for observing it at home. (U.S. pastors will automatically receive one copy of the Passover Service recording.)
To ensure timely delivery and to save on shipping costs, please let us know this information as soon as possible and before March 7. You can direct your requests to the Church Administration Department at [email protected]. The Passover Service will be observed on Sunday evening, March 24.
Tornado Hits Mississippi
I want to give you a report on our brethren in the South Central Mississippi area. Despite the fact that the tornado which hit this area was an EF-4 in size and destroyed more than 600 homes and businesses in the area, which has a combined population of 55,000, God spared our brethren. As of my last report, none of our brethren were hurt or had damage to their property. It does look like bombs went off through the path of destruction.—Ed Breaux
Unleavened Bread—Young Adults Weekend in the UK
If you are between the ages of 18 and 30, you are cordially invited to attend a special "Unleavened Bread—Young Adults Weekend" at the beautiful Carroty Wood Centre in Kent from March 29 through April 2. The weekend will begin with a Bible Study Friday evening. Sabbath morning there will be a hymn sing and services in the afternoon will begin at 2:00. That evening there will be a Bible Quiz followed by warm fellowship by the bonfire. Sunday will be a day of outdoor activities. The Last Day of Unleavened Bread will begin Sunday evening and on Monday there will be two services, at 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The cost for the weekend is £100, which covers all meals and accommodations. Please register by February 15 by sending an e-mail to Jamie Meakin, [email protected].
Please include your personal preference for the special Sunday outdoor activity: abseiling… archery… canoeing… rock climbing… high ropes. Based on your input, we will choose an activity that will best serve the group. Even though the deadline has passed, those who still want to go should contact us immediately. We hope to see you there!—Adam West and Jamie Meakin
Living for Tomorrow (L4T) Cancellation—Please Announce
Thanks to those who signed up for our L4T in the Catskill Mountains this year. Regrettably, we didn't meet our number quota for the facility we are using, so we'll have to cancel the program planned for March 25-29 and make arrangements for another time. Thanks again to those who expressed interest in coming.—Jonathan McNair
Internet Operations
Tomorrow's World Presents: Dr. Meredith online, February 10!
We thank God for blessing this inaugural event beyond our expectations! More than 10,000 people from all around the world "virtually attended" Dr. Meredith's powerful, live online Tomorrow's World Internet Presentation via their computers, Smart TVs, Apple TVs, Google TVs, Mobile devices and Roku! It appears that this number comprised more than 3,000 members and more than 7,000 non-attendees. Dr. Meredith powerfully warned the world about events to come, preached repentance from sin and a return to original Christianity, and powerfully proclaimed the Good News of Christ's return and the Kingdom of God. We have already processed many hundred requests for booklets and follow-up ministerial conversations.
Some were not able to connect to the live-stream due to technical problems, but we have now made the video available from the TomorrowsWorld.org web site at http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/page/tw-presentation. We will also send DVD copies to our local Church congregations. Since we have posted a high-quality, official version, we would appreciate people not posting their own copies on YouTube because private copies will not be as high definition and won't include the booklets links. Thank you again for your prayers and support for this event. Although everything went well overall, technically, we did learn a few things from this inaugural webcast and we are already preparing for our next on-line event which should be an even better production!—Wyatt Ciesielka
Living Youth Programs
Online Teen Bible Study—Friday Evening
This year we are conducting weekly Living Youth Bible Studies on the subject of the fundamental doctrines of the Living Church of God. The Bible Studies have been moved from Sunday evening to Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. EST (USA). If you haven't had the opportunity to join us for one of the online Bible Studies yet, I encourage you to do so. With changing to Friday evening, it is a wonderful way to start the Sabbath day.
Next Friday, February 22, Mr. Sheldon Monson plans to present a Bible Study titled, "Tithing." The chat room is open at 7:30 p.m. (EST) and the Bible Study runs from 8:00-9:00 p.m. You can access this Bible Study at www.livingyouth.org. We hope as many of our youth as possible will join us for this wonderful opportunity for Godly fellowship and learning. For those of you who are unable to make it to the Study, archives of previous Living Youth Bible Studies, including last evening's, "The Sabbath," can also be found on the Living Youth Web site.—Josh Penman
Pre-Teen Camp in Missouri—Repeat Announcement
The LYC Pre-Teen Camp in Missouri will be returning to Cuivre River State Park in 2013! Our activities are still being planned but will include archery, riflery, sports, boys and girls crafts, Christian Living classes, sing-alongs, hot dog roasts and s'mores, and, back because you demanded it, the return of the camp quiz!
Camp will be a little later in the year than usual, running from Sunday, July 7, through Friday, July 12. Applications for campers ages 8-12 and for staff members ages 15 and older are now being accepted. Adult staff who must bring mini-campers (younger than 8) or sibling campers (ages 13 or 14) must also submit an application for each of their children. We're looking forward to seeing you in Missouri. Registration is open now, so be sure to apply at http://lyc.lcg.org soon!—Wallace Smith
Feast of Tabernacles 2013
Festival Registration
All Pastors: Thank you for responding to the Festival Advisor survey e-mail and the Ministerial Preference survey e-mail. If you have not responded to both of these, please do so right away! Your help is greatly appreciated.
Please note: Costa Rica has been added to the list of International Feast sites. We will soon be announcing the date for online Festival registration for U.S. and international sites. Please look for future announcements in The World Ahead.
Comments
Where Is Your Heart? Jesus urged His disciples to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). He said, "My food [My nourishment, what motivates Me] is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34). Jesus was a mission-oriented person who challenged His disciples to follow in His footsteps (Matthew 4:18-22). Truly dedicated members of the Living Church of God are committed to that same mission—preaching the Gospel, warning the world, feeding the flock and being real Christian lights and examples (Matthew 10:6-7; Matthew 24; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 John 2:15-19). They don't have time to get sidetracked on peripheral issues or twiggy ideas about doctrine (2 Timothy 2:14-19). They don't let personal agendas—romantic, economic or political—pull them off course (Matthew 13:18-23). They don't listen to rumors and don't sit around and complain—they focus on what is good and what is positive (Philippians 4:8). They don't let interpersonal differences hinder their spiritual growth (Romans 12:14-18) or keep them from developing the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5-11). The Sabbath is a good time to ponder the question—Where is your heart?
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—February 14, 2013
The Pope Resigns: What's Next? Pope Benedict XVI surprised the world by announcing his resignation later this month. The first papal resignation since 1415 leaves many questioning, "What's next?" Is this a fresh opportunity for the struggling church? "His resignation now officially opens the possibility for a Catholic leader who is more open to reform and can find answers to the Church's crisis in Europe and North America. In Germany, the Church is losing more and more members, and there aren't enough priests being trained to lead the next generation" (Deutsche Welle, February 11, 2013). There is also a growing sense of excitement in Europe and around the world, as many Catholics know the prophecy of St. Malachy, who allegedly predicted the succession of popes. According to Malachy's prophecy, the next pope could be the "last" one. But the Catholic Encyclopedia states, "It has been noticed concerning Petrus Romanus, who according to St. Malachy's list is to be the last pope, that the prophecy does not say that no popes will intervene between him and his predecessor designated Gloria olivæ. It merely says that he is to be the last, so that we may suppose as many popes as we please before 'Peter the Roman' [emphasis ours]." Only God knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:9-10), and whether the next pope will truly be the last. Bible prophecy does reveal that a false prophet will soon arise and deceive many by performing "great signs" and making "fire come down from heaven... in the sight of men" (Revelation 13:13). When this happens, we need to remember God's warnings and not be deceived by these dramatic signs (Deuteronomy 13:1-3; Matthew 24:3-5). For more information on future prophetic events, read our booklet, Who or What Is the Antichrist?
Vatican Invited to Sit on Mount Zion! The Vatican has long desired to control Jerusalem and is patiently working towards this end. Now, "Israel has granted the pope an official seat in the room where the Last Supper is believed to have taken place, on Mount Zion in Jerusalem" (Israel Hayom, January 30, 2013). Israeli officials see this as an opportunity to bring more tourism to Jerusalem (ibid.). Although the Vatican does not have full control over the site, it has been granted "a special modicum of control" over the site—including the ability to offer daily mass there. Control over the "upper room" is one more step toward gaining control of 28 additional sites in Jerusalem (IsraelNationalNews.com, February 1, 2013). Bible prophecy reveals that at the time of the end, the European "Beast" power will be in control of Jerusalem (Luke 21:24; Revelation 11:2) and a great world-church will "ride" the political Beast and gather support for it (see Revelation 13). It also reveals the Beast power will eventually "take away the daily sacrifices" and desecrate the holy place in some way (see Daniel 11:31; 12:11; Matthew 24:15-16). For more information on events leading up to the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, be sure to read our free booklet, The Beast of Revelation.
What's Ahead for the Boy Scouts? For a century the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has molded boys into men with character and a vow to remain "morally straight." Over 50 percent of American men have participated in the Scouts, and they are more likely to be successful in life than those who did not (Values of Scouting, May 2005). In 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ruling supporting the BSA's prohibition of homosexual volunteers and scouts. Now, the BSA is being pressured to change its policy and welcome homosexuals (Associated Press, January 29, 2013). Although "pro-gay" supporters are thrilled, others think such a decision will decimate the organization. Most of BSA's funding originates from Catholic, Mormon, and other conservative churches. Canada's experience is instructive: in 1998, the organization's board of governors agreed to admit "females, atheists, agnostics, homosexuals, bisexuals, and transsexuals into scouting" (OneNewsNow, February 4, 2013). Five years later, Scout membership in Canada had dropped by more than 50 percent (ibid.). What was once a moral bastion for young men may now change, leaching away the moral fortitude it once espoused. Although sad, these effects are predictable as society slouches further towards Gomorrah! The Apostle Paul warned that in the last days, society will become increasingly evil by rejecting God's ways and favoring their own lusts (2 Timothy 3:1-5). This prophecy and many similar ones are now coming true… and sadly, our children will reap the consequences (WorldNetDaily, January 29, 2013).—Scott Winnail, Justin Ridgeway, V.G. Lardé and JR Wells