Greetings from Charlotte,
Major changes are occurring around the globe as trade restrictions on Iran are removed (see today's News and Prophecy). Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also met with Pope Francis this week, marking the first time an Iranian leader has met with a pope since 1999. It will be interesting to see where these changes lead.
Here in Charlotte, the work of directing the preaching of the Gospel message around the world continues. Dr. Meredith spent this week writing and holding meetings, including a staff meeting, encouraging us to continue to work together as a team and give our lives to God. Mr. Ames is recording a new telecast today, entitled, "The Mysterious Day of the Lord," and is editing his article for the next Tomorrow's World magazine. Dr. Douglas Winnail conducted a Regional Director/Regional Pastor online meeting on Tuesday, discussing a leader's example and being a true Philadelphian. He also left Wednesday morning for a trip to Africa, and will spend the Sabbath with brethren in Kendu Bay and Othoro. Mr. Bruce Tyler is still recovering from his stroke and needs our continued prayers. The first Tomorrow's World Presents of 2016 will take place this weekend in St. Maarten by Dr. Wil Pierre and Mr. Rick Stafford. Thank you for your prayers for all of God's people striving to do His Work all over this earth!—RMc
Church Administration
Fayetteville, Arkansas, Family Weekend Registration Deadline
February 1 is the last day to register for the Fayetteville Family Weekend at http://www.lcgfayetteville.org/ (not an official LCG website). The payment deadline for accommodations is also February 1. The weekend (February 12-15) will be filled with great messages, food, and plenty of fellowship opportunities at Mt. Sequoyah in Fayetteville. If you have any questions, you can e-mail [email protected].
Passover 2016—Repeat Announcement
Important Notice to All Pastors: In 2016, the Passover Service will be observed on Thursday evening, April 21. 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 copy of the Passover Service recording and letter instructions (available in English, French and Spanish). The Passover Service recording is the 2015 recording given by Mr. Ken Frank. To ensure timely delivery and to save on shipping costs, we need this information before February 22 for international congregations, and by March 21 for U.S. congregations.
Also, please 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. International requests should be received before February 22 and U.S. requests before March 21. Please direct your requests to the Church Administration Department at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Living Youth Program
Online Teen Bible Study Friday Evening
The online Teen Bible Study on Friday evening, February 5, will be on "Christianity Is a Way of Life," presented by Mr. Sheldon Monson. If you haven't had the opportunity to join us for one of the online Bible Studies yet, we encourage you to do so. It is a wonderful way to start the Sabbath day.
The Bible Study runs from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. (Eastern time) and the chat room will be open for a half hour before and after the study. You can access this Bible Study at 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 on, "Why You Need the Holy Spirit," can also be found on the Living Youth Web site.
LYC Registration and Ordering Camp Pictorials
Preparations are well underway for the camps that Living Youth Programs will be running this summer. Mark your calendars: we're going to begin registration for the five North America-based camps in just two weeks, on February 14. Camp dates and details, as well as registration information, will be announced in The World Ahead in the coming weeks.
Additionally, we'll be accepting orders for both the 2014 and 2015 Camp Pictorial albums, starting on February 14. Each album has a suggested donation amount of $35 to help offset some of the costs of production. If you previously ordered a 2014, and haven't received it yet, don't fear: we still have your order, and you don't need to request another copy.—Josh Penman
Comments
What Is Your Legacy?
The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar had a unique way to be remembered. Professor of ancient history George Rawlinson demonstrates this in speaking of the ruins of ancient Babylon: "Nine-tenths of Babylon itself, and nineteen-twentieths of all the other ruins that in almost countless profusion cover the land, are composed of bricks stamped with his name" (Historical Illustrations of the Old Testament, 1874, p. 173). Is that how we want to leave a legacy? By trumpeting our good deeds? By making sure we get the credit we deserve—or even the credit that belongs to others?
God showed His displeasure with Nebuchadnezzar's self-absorbed attitude (Daniel 4:28-33). In contrast, He teaches us that we should do good deeds not for personal ambition and selfish gain, but as a way to serve from the heart! Jesus is the One we should model our life after, and He set the example of the type of reputation we should leave. What was the lasting legacy of His life's work? One of the best summations is found in His statement, "I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me" (John 6:38). As they say, there is no limit to what can be accomplished, if we don't care who gets the credit.
Have a wonderful Sabbath,
Rod McNair
News and Prophecy—January 28, 2016
Japan Seeks Leading Role in 2016: Shinzo Abe, the Japanese prime minister expressed his desire to see 2016 as the year "Japan will shine on the global stage and demonstrate its leadership" (Japan Times, January 1, 2016). In 2015 there was a historic shift, "in Japan's postwar [WWII] security policy, the legislation, aiming to expand the scope of the Self-Defense Forces' activities abroad, was enacted." This allowed "Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense—or [come] to the aid of the United States and other friendly nations under armed attack, even if Japan itself is not attacked" (ibid.). The prime minister seeks to rewrite the constitution, hinting that the current one is "a document that many conservatives [in Japan] believe was imposed upon a defeated Japan by the victorious powers in 1945" (Deutsche Welle, January 25, 2016). With a revised constitution, Japan could become more formidable in global strategic defense. With this new focus, Abe may seek to send "a crate of champagne to Beijing and another one to Pyongyang" which could cool security concerns in Japan (ibid.). In the years ahead, a powerful Asiatic superpower will lead a very large army across the Euphrates River toward Jerusalem with the aim of destroying the European Beast power based in the region (Revelation 9:13-18; Daniel 11:44-45). As Asian countries seek closer relationships, we see God's hand moving world affairs toward the climax of His plan and soon-coming return (Isaiah 46:10; Revelation 11:15). How can you prepare? Study deeply our booklet Prophecy Fulfilled: God's Hand in World Affairs.
China, Iran and Russia Growing Closer: "Cooperation between Russia, Iran and China might signal a formation of a new world paradigm, able to re-define the global situation in the world both politically and strategically; the recent developments in the relations between the three might be more significant than many realize" (Sputnik News, January 26, 2016; Reuters, January 23, 2016). China's president "Xi Jinping was the first international leader to head to Iran after the trade restrictions were removed and capped his visit with 17 agreements for cooperation in areas including energy, trade, and industry" (ibid.). "Xi Jinping signed a joint statement with President Hassan Rouhani in support of Iran's application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), advocated by both Russia and China" (ibid.). The Asian security group that China called for almost two years ago continues to develop and deepen (CBS News, May 21, 2014). Bible prophecy foretells a group of kings from the east and the north of Jerusalem at the end of the age (Daniel 11:44-45). These kings will amass incredible riches and military might and create a very large army that will eventually cross through Iraq (and cross the Euphrates River) and enter the Holy Land (Revelation 9:13-18). China, Iran and Russia, along with other Asian nations (possibly including Japan), will likely be a part of this Asiatic superpower we now see developing (Moscow Times, January 18, 2016). For more on the future of this coming Asian superpower, be sure to read "Five Prophetic Signs for the Middle East."
Deadly Diseases Coming to the UK and U.S.: "The UK is vulnerable to epidemics such as Ebola because of a gaping hole in the country's ability to manufacture vaccines, a group of MPs has warned… 'Existing [pharmaceutical] facilities are degraded… leaving the UK in a vulnerable position'" (BBC, January 25, 2016). How likely are Ebola and other new infectious diseases to make their way to the UK and the U.S.? "Three travellers who returned to the UK from South and Central America have been diagnosed with the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne illness that has been linked to brain deformities in babies" (The Guardian, January 23, 2016). "The New York State Department of Health announced on its website late Friday that three people in the state had tested positive for the Zika virus" (Deutsche Welle, January 23, 2016). According to the World Health Organization, Zika virus "is likely to spread to all countries in the Americas except for Canada and Chile" (Reuters, January 25, 2016). Jesus Christ prophesied that "pestilences" or disease epidemics will be one of the clear signs of the end of the age (Luke 21:11). In time, these epidemics will more profoundly impact the world and especially the Israelite-descended nations, due to their rejection of the biblical values they were founded upon (Deuteronomy 28:15, 59-60). This world sorely needs the return of Christ and the peace and safety He will usher in at His return. For more insight into the society Christ will establish at His return, read "Biblical Health Laws."—Scott Winnail, Justin Ridgeway, Francine Prater and Chris Sookdeo