Greetings from Charlotte,
Last weekend's violent attacks in Paris, along with the immigrant crisis that is overwhelming Europe, have stirred emotions and fears. President Obama referred to the events in Paris as an attack on the civilized world." Pope Francis called the attacks "a piece" of a coming "Third World War," and he warned pilgrims in Rome "to be ready for the end of the world." Calls by world leaders for a united response to ISIS atrocities and a "global war against jihadists" sound like rallying cries for a "new crusade" against modern "infidels." These events point toward the imminent fulfillment of Daniel's prophecies about an end-time conflict between a king of the South and a king of the North—that we have warned about for decades.
Here in Charlotte, Dr. Meredith has been holding meetings and he wrote a letter of encouragement to the French brethren following the terrorist attacks in Paris. He will deliver the sermon this Sabbath in Charlotte. On Monday, we had a very positive visit by a three-man team from the University of North Carolina General Administration to review Living University's application to license aspects of our academic program. We should hear some results in about 3 months after an exchange of correspondence. Last weekend's TWP in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania drew 33 guests. Tonight (Thursday), a TWP is scheduled for Columbus, Kansas. It is encouraging to report that attendance figures for October showed a modest increase for congregations in the USA and for international congregations. Please continue to pray for God's Work and God's people.—DSW
Church Administration
Charlotte Family Weekend Registration Open!
Online registration for the Charlotte Family Weekend (December 24-27) is now open. For more detailed information on the events and to register, go to your MyLCG page on the www.cogl.org Web site. (If you do not have computer access, your local Festival Advisor can register for you.) Everyone attending will need to register for all of the listed events you plan to attend. There is also a separate sports registration page for volleyball and basketball. As in past years, a minimum number of players is required to have a team. A special group rate of $96 has been negotiated at the host hotel, the Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel. This rate includes a full buffet breakfast for two adults. Reservations may be made either by telephone (704-357-1414) or by using the following link set up specifically for our group: Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel-Reservation link for Living Church of God. Updated information and additional details on this year's event can be found on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LcgCharlotteWinterWeekend?ref=bookmarks. We hope many of you can join us for a weekend of spiritual rejuvenation, fun, food, and fellowship!—Jim Meredith
Internet Department
New German-Language Web Site!
We are very pleased to announce the launch of our new German-language Tomorrow's World Web site—www.weltvonmorgen.org! This new site complements our new French and Dutch Web sites and is modeled after our flagship English-language Tomorrow's World Web site. We thank the translators for their contributions and we hope that the new site produces much fruit!—Wyatt Ciesielka
Summary of New International Web Sites Recently Launched!
God has commissioned His Church to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom to "all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14). We thank God for blessing His Work in so many ways, and for providing us the resources to be fulfilling that Great Commission. Thanks to extremely important translation help from many of our members around the world, as has been previously reported, the Internet team has been working with our international offices to launch important and significantly updated new Web sites in multiple languages. We felt that a quick summary of some of the main new Web sites recently launched may be helpful: new French TW Web site: www.MondeDemain.org, new French LCG Web site: www.EgliseDieuVivant.org, new Dutch TW Web site: www.WereldvanMorgen.org and the new German TW Web site: www.WeltvonMorgen.org. There have also been launches or updates of other Web sites and social media sites, such as TW Instagram and a Spanish LivingYouth Facebook page at facebook.com/IDVCampamentojuvenil, plus more. For a more comprehensive list of most of the primary Living Church of God Web sites, please see the link titled "Primary Sites" at the bottom of LCG.org.—Wyatt Ciesielka
Living Youth Program
Online Teen Bible Study Friday Evening
There will be no online Teen Bible Study on Friday evening, November 27, because that is the Thanksgiving weekend. However, archives of previous Living Youth Bible Studies, including last evening's on, "The Coming Utopia—Wonderful World Tomorrow!," can be found on the Living Youth Web site.
Living University
Registration for Second Semester
Registration for second semester classes is underway with many students registering for January classes. The spring semester will begin on Wednesday, January 13. Students may register for the spring semester (fall in the Southern Hemisphere) anytime before the start of classes. Those who have never taken a Living University course will need to enroll in the University first, and then register for your selected courses. This semester, along with many of our traditional spring semester classes, we will be offering two completely new courses. Watch for these in the weeks to come. The following are brief descriptions of several courses being offered next semester. A complete listing of second semester courses can also be viewed on the Living University Web site under the link "Spring 2016 Class Schedule." To make application to Living University, to register for courses, and to find out more, please visit the www.livinguniv.com Web site. For additional information, please contact Mrs. Michelle Broussard at [email protected] or 704-708-2294.
THL 212—Old Testament Survey II: This second-semester course takes a very helpful overview of the Latter Prophets, including Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and the Minor Prophets. The prophecies of these books are discussed, along with the background, content, structure, geography, teachings and basic meaning of each book as well as outstanding people and events.
THL 215—The Lost Tribes of Israel in History and Prophecy: Developed and delivered by Dr. Douglas Winnail, this popular course examines what is known about the Israelite people from the Bible and other sources. It follows the dispersion of the Ten Tribes after the fall of the Kingdom of Israel in 721 BC, the material culture documenting their migrations, and the historical sources detailing their unique contribution to the development of the contemporary world. The course examines evidence for, and criticism of, the identity of the Lost Tribes of Israel and their place in biblical prophecy.
THL 226—Christian Leadership: This very practical course deals with the principles of Christian leadership and service. Topics include foundations of leadership, leadership skills, challenges facing leaders and case studies of great leaders of the Bible and secular history. Students will learn about important leadership principles that are applicable in a variety of settings, and view them through the lens of the Bible.
Comments
The Way to Peace: The desire for peace and a life free from fear are common desires shared by people around the world—yet peace remains an elusive hope. Wars have been fought to "make the world safe for democracy." Chairman Mao said that peace comes out of a gun barrel. The United Nations sends armed "peace keepers" to trouble spots around the world. World leaders talk about peace. Religious leaders urge prayers for peace. Yet, there is no peace! God reveals in His word that human beings do not know the "way of peace" (Isaiah 59:8), and "ambassadors of peace shall weep" because they have the wrong approach (Isaiah 33:7). David records the way to peace involves learning to live by the laws of God, "Great peace have those who love Your law" (Psalm 119:165). Isaiah 32:17 tells us, "The work of righteousness [obeying God's laws – Psalm 119:172] will be peace." The Bible reveals peace will come to the world when Jesus Christ—the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7)—returns and the law of God goes forth from Jerusalem in the coming Kingdom of God (Isaiah 2:2-4). We look forward to that day!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—November 19, 2015
Paris Attacks and Prophecy: Last weekend's carnage in Paris was devastating and sobering. Watching people suffer who are made in the image of the Almighty God (Genesis 1:26) should sadden everyone. The day after the attacks, the Islamic State (IS) redistributed a video that contained threats against France and "called on French Muslims to carry out attacks" (Reuters, November 14, 2015). The message to France was, "As long as you keep bombing you will not live in peace. You will even fear traveling to the market…" (ibid.). The video attempted to mobilize IS fighters by saying, "There are weapons and cars available and targets ready to be hit. Even poison is available, so poison the water and food of at least one of the enemies of Allah. Terrorize them and do not allow them to sleep due to fear and horror" (ibid.), and fear is having an impact on tourist travel to Paris (Financial Post, November 16, 2015). Le Figaro reported this week "We are going to live a long time with this terrorist threat" (November 16, 2015). What few realize today, the IS comments about raining terror on France directly relate to Bible prophecies about Israelite nations that turn away from God: "if you despise My statutes… so that you do not perform all My commandments… I will even appoint terror over you" (Leviticus 26:15-16). The prophet Isaiah also foretold, in a prophecy that has a dual application today, "The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness has seized the hypocrites" (Isaiah 33:14). We are watching these prophecies coming alive today in Israelite nations that have turned away from God. For more insight about the future of France and Europe, read our Web commentary "Paris Attacks 'Act of War.'"
Calls for Unity Against "World War Three" Threat: In the wake of the Paris attacks, Pope Francis referred to the actions of terrorists as "a piece…of a Third World War" (The Washington Examiner, November 14, 2015). Jordan's King Abdullah II also warned of a "third world war against humanity" as he referred to the Islamic State terrorists as "savage outlaws of religion" (Agence France-Presse[AFP], November 17, 2015). King Abdullah urged more nations to join the fight together against the militant Islamic threat, "we must act fast and holistically to tackle and respond to the interconnected threats whether it is in this region, Africa, Asia or in Europe." Abdullah also noted "fighting extremism [is] 'our fight as Muslims against those who aim to turn our societies and future generations towards fanaticism and extremism'" (ibid.). Bible prophecy has long proclaimed that an end-time "confederacy" of Arab and European nations will join forces and sign a seven-year treaty which will be broken halfway through (Daniel 9:27; Psalm 83:5-8). The strife in the Middle East, the immigration crisis overwhelming Europe, and the recent Paris massacre could push nations to unite against a common extremist enemy. The growing call for unified action could galvanize European and Arab nations to organize the long-prophesied "confederacy" that Daniel and King David wrote about so long ago. To learn more about prophetic milestones, read our booklet Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ's Return.
France Activates EU Mutual Defense Treaty: "For the first time in EU history, defence ministers unanimously decided to activate the 'mutual defence clause' of the EU treaty. 'France is requesting help and assistance from Europe. And today all Europe, united, answers yes'... 'The European Union expressed its strongest, full support and readiness to provide all the aid and assistance asked for and needed.' French president Francois Hollande had invoked article 42.7 of the EU treaty in an address to the parliament Monday. 'If a member state is the victim of armed aggression on its territory,' the article states, 'the other member states shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power'" (EU Observer, November, 17, 2015). World events are testing EU unity. Bible prophecy has long foretold the emergence of a European power comprised of "ten kings" (or nations) who share their power, and headed by a person known as "the beast" (Revelation 17:12-13). This empire will have strength of iron but be unstable as clay (Daniel 2:41-43). The impact on Europe of a fully-activated Mutual Defense Treaty is something to watch. For more information on these important topics, read our booklet, The Beast of Revelation: Myth, Metaphor or Soon-Coming Reality?—Scott Winnail, VG Lardé and Justin Ridgeway