From the Presiding Evangelist
Dear Brethren,
As most of you know, we are calling for a voluntary Church-wide fast for next Sabbath, October 20. Those who have been around for a while know that this is nothing new. The Church has called special fast days from time to time throughout our history. Mr. Armstrong and Dr. Meredith did so on occasion and we even find examples in the Bible. One such example is found in Nehemiah 9:1-2, where a fast was called for two days after the Feast of Tabernacles.
Fasting is first and foremost an effort to humble ourselves before our Creator and to draw close to Him. This is something we need to do individually and collectively. We are living in a world that is spinning out of control. Sometimes it looks as though things may be getting better. For example, the United States economy is booming with more jobs than there are people to fill them. Mexico, the United States, and Canada have agreed upon a new treaty that is intended to strengthen the economies of all three countries. Only time will tell if it does.
However, all is not well. Brexit is nearing and Europe is restless. War can break out at any time in the Middle East and who knows how the trade war between the United States and China will end. There is a new wave of totalitarian leftists and anarchists taking to the streets in the U.S. They are fueled by academia, politicians, media, and financiers who offer no solutions, only destruction of individuals and institutions. As musician Charlie Daniels recently warned: "The first shot has yet to be fired, but it won't be long before somebody, supremacist or protestor, is going to pull out a gun and start shooting and that's when things get more serious than most people involved on both sides of this conflict are willing to participate in, which will remove moderate voices and leave only the radicals for the most part."
Meanwhile, the screws are tightening on our freedom to warn our nations of their sins. There is an obvious leftist bias in Silicon Valley. Government censors are imposing new limits on New Zealand television content that is not politically correct. Australian censors routinely ban our programs for reasons that defy rationality. Please beseech God to help us know how best to do the work in this atmosphere.
Brethren, we need to be sober-minded. The Bible indicates that, as we draw closer to the very end of mankind's rebellion against his Creator, the Church would be lukewarm. We need to analyze our personal shortcomings and dedicate ourselves to serve our Creator with all our hearts. We must not become distracted from our mission. One member suggested an electronic fast, a day of turning off all our electronic devices. Sadly, many are addicted to Facebook, e-mail, and other forms of electronic communications. I am certainly not going to pressure anyone to do so, but perhaps you may want to voluntarily wean yourself off for a day or two and see what life is like without all these distractions.
Before closing, please note that the Tomorrow's World telecast will begin airing on three new stations. Beginning Sunday morning, October 14, it will air on KABB (San Antonio) at 5:30 a.m. and KSTW Seattle at 6:00 a.m. It will begin airing on KWBQ Albuquerque on Sunday, October 21 at 8:00 a.m.
Sincerely, in Christ's service,
Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Charlotte Family Weekend
We're looking forward again to being together for the Charlotte Family Weekend! Begin making plans now! The weekend will begin Friday, December 21, with office tours and an evening Bible Study. We'll have services on the Sabbath and a dance that evening. On Sunday and Monday, we'll have Seminars, Family Games, and volleyball and basketball tournaments and other activities for great fellowship. Departure will be on Tuesday, December 25.
More details will be coming soon but you can mark it on your calendar and begin to make plans. We look forward to see you!
Living Education
As we return to our normal routine after the Feast of Tabernacles, it's a good time to pick up where we left off with our study of the Life, Ministry and Teachings of Jesus Christ, taught by Dr. Meredith.
Unit Two will be available beginning Sunday, October 14. If you haven't taken the opportunity to enroll in Unit One, you can still do so. Or, you can begin with Unit Two and take Unit One at a later date. Either way, go to lcgeducation.org to get involved.
Feast of Tabernacles
Fill Out Your Festival Survey
If you have not already handed in a paper survey, or filled it out online, please fill out the online Festival Survey as soon as possible. Every entry is read, and your comments are valued! You can access the Feast Survey at fotsurvey.lcg.org. You can also find the survey on your MyLCG page.
Living Youth Program
Online Teen Bible Studies
Online Teen Bible Studies are scheduled to resume on Friday night, November 9.
Comments
Set Goals for the Coming Year: In the book of Proverbs, Solomon advises, "Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil" (Proverbs 4:26-27). As we return from the Feast, inspired by the messages and fellowship, it is a good time to think about setting goals for the coming year. What changes could you make to improve your physical and spiritual health? What can you do to improve your relationship with God or your family? What can you do to serve God and others more effectively? How can you prepare now for a role in the Kingdom of God? In order to grow, it will be beneficial to think and pray—and do something—about these issues in the days just ahead. The Apostle Paul urged Christians to "walk circumspectly [carefully, diligently]" and to make the most of the time at our disposal (Ephesians 5:15-16). The Apostle Peter exhorted his audience to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). What goals can you set and work toward that will help you prepare for the coming Kingdom of God? Consider reviewing the Bible Study Course, reading a booklet per week, studying a different book of the Bible each month, or taking a Living Education class—or read books on subjects that will make you a more informed and effective servant of God. Now is the time to set goals and prepare for the future!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—October 11, 2018
India "Freed" from God's Law! In the mid-1800s, the expansion of the British Empire spread the knowledge of many Bible-based laws to peoples in British colonies around the globe. One such law made homosexual relations illegal, labeling them as "unnatural acts." The former British colony of India recently overturned this law that had been in place for nearly 200 years. As CNN reported, "Of the 71 countries around the world in which same-sex sexual relations are illegal, it's no coincidence that more than half are former British colonies or protectorates" (September 12, 2018). Where the British went, they attempted to bring with them their understanding of biblical morality! Over time, some of that biblical morality has become deeply enshrined in the laws and social practices of Commonwealth nations.
Yet, in spite of the fact that laws against homosexuality are effective in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS, the British Prime Minister Theresa May expressed regret over Britain's historical enforcement of biblical morality. Again according to CNN, Mrs. May stated, "I am all too aware that these laws were often put in place by my own country. They were wrong then, and they are wrong now"—which directly contradicts what the Bible states about the subject. This is one more example of politically correct statements that reveal how long-held biblical values are being "cast off" for counterfeit freedoms that bring automatic negative consequences.
The Bible clearly prohibits homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:24–29; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10). The Bible also warns of the consequences of sin, even if we do not understand it is sin. "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law" (Proverbs 29:18). Sadly, the carnal mind (which resents God and His laws—see Romans 8:7) longs to "cast off" what it sees as the "restraints" of God's laws—mistakenly believing that this will bring us freedom. However, the Apostle Paul reminds us that sin actually puts us into "bondage" (Romans 7:14). True freedom, contrary to popular belief, actually comes from obeying the laws of God! For more insights into this important topic, be sure to read or listen to our free booklet The Ten Commandments.
Global Hunger Is Still Increasing! A new United Nations study reports that "821 million people globally were undernourished in 2017—about one person in every nine. And nearly 151 million under-fives—22% of the global total—have their growth stunted by poor nutrition" (BBC, September 11, 2018). Experts say increasing weather extremes, increasing global conflicts and increasing violence are all to blame for the growing hunger situation. This is now the third consecutive year of rising global hunger. At the same time, the growing consumption of "junk foods" is promoting increased obesity—another deadly food-related condition. Globally, there are nearly 700 million obese people.
Hunger is not a new phenomenon, as people have been starving for millennia. However, in our modern world where surplus food is available, hunger should no longer be an issue. But for many reasons, including the inability of human beings to get along with each other, widespread greed, and the continued outbreaks of violence and war, the Bible indicates world hunger will continue and even get worse as we approach the end of the age (see Matthew 24:3–8; Revelation 6:5–8).
Thankfully, hunger and suffering will not go on indefinitely. The Bible foretells the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His Kingdom over the earth (Revelation 5:10). During this coming time of peace and prosperity, the desert will actually be filled with streams and rivers (Isaiah 35:6–7) and there will be unprecedented harvests (Psalm 72:16; Amos 9:13)! This will happen because Jesus Christ—the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6–7) will lead humanity to make decisions that will help and no longer hurt. For greater insights into a world without hunger, read or listen to The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?—Scott Winnail and Chris Sookdeo