Greetings from Charlotte,
Numerous world leaders are in trouble today as angry citizens express disenchantment with how human governments seem to function for the benefit of those in power instead of the good of the people. In fact, a student in another country commented to an American reporter about the disarray and disagreements evident in the current American political campaign, "America seems to be going the way of ancient Rome." As we see modern governments struggling to deal with seemingly intractable problems, we can pray even more fervently "Your kingdom come" (Matthew 6:10). Dr. Meredith will be giving the sermon this Sabbath in Charlotte, Mr. Wakefield will speak in Asheville, North Carolina, and Mr. Ciesielka will make a Tomorrow's World Presentation in Sylva, North Carolina. TWPs are also scheduled this weekend in Fresno, California; London, Ontario; London and Hook, UK; and in Lusaka, Zambia. Mr. Mario Hernandez reports that we are now on radio in every South American country. Mr. Dan Hall and I will be in South Florida for services and a Leadership Conference in the Ft. Lauderdale area. Your prayers for all these efforts to preach the gospel will be greatly appreciated.—DSW
Church Administration
Passover 2016—Repeat Announcement
Important Notice to All Pastors: Please let us know right away 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). 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. We need this information by March 21 for U.S. congregations. Please direct your requests to the Church Administration Department at [email protected].
Note: Two sets of the Passover DVD and letter instructions are being sent to each minister in the U.S., to fulfill any last-minute requests you may receive.
Internet Department
Tomorrow's World Roku Advertising Campaign—Repeat Announcement
Our Tomorrow's World Roku channel has been very successful over the years, producing results comparable to what we see on many of our better cable and satellite TV stations. It has been installed by tens of thousands of people, has consistently stayed in the top 10 percent of all "Religious" channels on Roku and is currently ranked at around number 47 of 831 religious channels. We are now starting some new advertising with Roku, targeting audiences throughout the English-speaking world. We appreciate your prayers that God will bless these efforts to preach the Gospel. And, if you do own a Roku, please be sure to install the Tomorrow's World app and please be sure to give it a "5 star" rating. That helps with our ranking.—Wyatt Ciesielka
Feast of Tabernacles
Festival Web Site Open
The Feast of Tabernacles Festival Web site is now available for viewing. Each Festival Web site "microsite" is a Web page that is unique to each Feast site, giving all the information needed about that site (general information, recreational activities available, hotel and accommodation details, etc.). All brethren and guests for the Feast of Tabernacles 2016 are invited to check out the Festival Web site at fot2016.lcg.org or https://fot2016.lcg.org. Please do not make housing reservations until you have registered and been approved for your choice of site. Festival Registration is not yet open. Festival Registration will begin around the time of the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread. Stay tuned to upcoming announcements about Festival registration in The World Ahead!
Ministerial Site Assignments
Ministerial assignments for this year's Feast of Tabernacles have been finalized and approved by Dr. Meredith. All pastors and elders have been notified of their assignments. Thank you for filling out the preference survey to help this process!
Living Youth Program
Online Teen Bible Study Friday Evening
The online Teen Bible Study on Friday evening, March 25, will be on "What Is the True Gospel?" 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 "The Plain Truth About the Old and New Covenants," can also be found on the Living Youth Web site.
Finance
Hall Rental Vouchers—Repeat Announcement
A permanent change in the due date for hall rental vouchers is being implemented. Hall vouchers are now due on the 15th of the month. The updated PDF form can be found in the "Finance Forms" section of MyLCG. This earlier due date will allow for extra processing and mailing times.
Comments
God's Perspective on Trials: Sometimes, when we encounter trials and difficulties, we wonder what is happening and whether God has forsaken us. However, in challenging times, we need to remember several fundamental scriptures. Jesus told His disciples, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). In addition, God has also promised never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). The Apostle Paul reminds us that, "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28), and that even in trials, God will make a "way of escape" if we look to Him (1 Corinthians 10:13). James records that trials are opportunities to exercise faith in God and His promises and to build patience—while we do our part to work through challenges that we face (James 1:2-4). Let's strive to remember and maintain this godly perspective when we encounter trials and as we pray earnestly for one another.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—March 17, 2016
"Stirring the Pot" in the Pacific: "The U.S. and South Korea conducted a big military exercise Saturday, storming a simulated North Korean beach defense as tensions on the Korean Peninsula continue to rise and Kim Jong Un threatens to wipe out his enemies… The U.S. Navy said about 55 American Marine aircraft and 30 U.S. and South Korean ships… took part in Saturday's military drill on the beaches near Pohang… North Korea said it was prepared to counter the U.S. and South Korean forces 'with an ultra-precision blitzkrieg strike of the Korean style'" (Fox News, March 13, 2016). The big military exercises involved "about 17,000 US troops, along with an astonishing 300,000 of their South Korean counterparts" (Business Insider, March 14, 2016). This occurred amidst the backdrop of rising tensions in the South China Sea and continuing turmoil in the Middle East. Bible prophecies have long warned that "rumors of wars" will abound around the globe just before the return of Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:3-8). Jesus also warned "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming" (Matthew 25:13). However, due to doubts planted by modern critics about the Bible, many will be shocked and surprised by Christ's return. This is why Jesus said we need to "watch" for the "signs" of the end of the age and not be fooled by Satan's deceptions. For a list of important signs that will signal the return of Jesus Christ, read or listen to Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ's Return.
Europe Pushes for an EU Army: "On February 4th, Dutch Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen signed a new deal paving the way for the full integration of their countries' naval units" (Huffington Post, February 20, 2016). This agreement "will push Germany and the Netherlands further towards a pioneering model for European defense cooperation" (ibid.). The EU aims to launch a multi-billion dollar "defence research and development programme with the ultimate aim of merging the continent's militaries into one gargantuan Euro army" (Daily Express, February 29, 2016). Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair recently observed that "the way forward is for European countries to work more closely together, not pull apart… I would argue that in the medium term, there will be a growing requirement for Europe to build defense capability. That force… would have the independent ability to take military action at times when Europe's security interests are threatened" (Newsweek, January 14, 2016). The Bible describes a coming European economic and military powerhouse as a "beast, dreadful and terrible" with links to the Roman Empire (Daniel 7:7, 23-27; 2:41-45). This beast will influence ten European "kings" to give up their "power and authority" for a short time and "make war with the Lamb" upon His return (Revelation 17:12-14). In the years ahead, watch for the emergence of a fully functional European military. For more on this topic, see "How The Romans United Europe: Then and Now."
Mass Starvation in Zimbabwe: "The UN is redoubling efforts to secure emergency food aid for Zimbabwe where a key official… [said] the situation was 'unprecedented.' Sixteen million people are now facing hunger across southern Africa… Zimbabwe is facing its worst drought in 25 years. The exceptionally arid weather… has killed around 20,000 cattle over the last few months and left close to three million people facing hunger in the southern African country. Zimbabwe itself has launched an appeal for $1.6 billion (1.5 billion euros) so it can feed those severely affected… The drought has hit vast tracts of southern and eastern Africa, where about 50 million people now face food insecurity. The agriculture sector in Zimbabwe's neighbor, South Africa, lost a billion dollars in 2015 because of the drought. South Africa, normally the region's bread basket, will have to import at least four million tons of maize in 2016 rather than fulfilling its role as a food exporter" (Deutsche Welle, March 9, 2016). South Africa and Zimbabwe are two nations formerly under British rule, where biblical teaching has permeated the nations. Today, both nations are increasingly rejecting biblical morality and their citizens are suffering as God prophesied (Leviticus 26:14-15, 20). The real solutions to famine and suffering will come with the return of Jesus Christ! For a glimpse into the blessings Christ will pour out at His return, read or listen to The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?—Scott Justin Ridgeway and Francine Prater