Greetings from Charlotte,
The United States is not the only nation that has a special day focused on giving thanks. Canada, Brazil, Norfolk Island in the South Pacific, and other nations have special thanksgiving days. Sadly, for many people, Thanksgiving is little more than a long weekend off from work. For those nations that do not celebrate this Thursday as Thanksgiving, please indulge us Americans if we focus on it a bit. One of my favorite quotes on the subject of gratitude comes from Dennis Prager and I would like to share it with you. “In many ways, gratitude is the most important of all the good character traits. It is the most indispensable trait to both happiness and goodness. One can neither be a happy person nor a good person without gratitude…. As for happiness, if you think of all the people you know, you will not be able to name one who is ungrateful and happy. The two are mutually exclusive.” Gratitude is also an indispensable key to a right relationship with God (Romans 1:21–22). Let us remember to be thankful every day by sprinkling thanks liberally throughout our prayers. Have a wonderful Sabbath.—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentation Series in Tampa, Florida
In the last several weeks, our ministers have conducted Tomorrow’s World Presentations in Tampa, Florida. After Mr. Weston’s main presentation (55 guests), two follow-up presentations have been given: one by Mr. James Sweat on November 13 with ten returning guests and the second by Dr. Wilner Pierre on November 20 with 6 returning guests. While follow-up presentations do not produce as high attendance as the initial presentation, they do indicate those who may have a deeper interest in pursuing the Truth and getting more involved in the Work.
Mr. Sweat reported: “This week’s presentation from Dr. Pierre, ‘Man’s Holidays or God’s Holy Days—Does it Matter?’ was attended by six repeat guests. At least three of them have requested to attend Sabbath services next week. We take a break for the Thanksgiving weekend and resume this series of follow-up TWPs with Mr. Richard Thomas on December 4 with ‘The Commandments Before Sinai,’ and I will finish out the series on December 11 with ‘What Is the Kingdom of God?’ We are very encouraged by the response. As one individual noted, ‘I don’t know of another COG doing the Work in this way!’”
Delavan, Wisconsin, Young Adult Weekend Registration Closed
Please note that registration for the Young Adult Winter Weekend in Delavan, Wisconsin, on the weekend of January 1–2 is now closed. We have reached our capacity for attendees for the event. Thank you to all who signed up. See you in January!
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What Are You Thankful For? Today, many people are obsessed with “getting our rights”—getting what they feel they are entitled to and what somebody owes them. Yet, the Scriptures emphasize the importance of being thankful for what God provides (Psalm 100:4). The Apostle Paul urges Christians to develop the attitude of “giving thanks always for all things to God” (Ephesians 5:20), for the gift of salvation (2 Corinthians 9:10–15), and for those God calls to His Truth (Romans 1:8). Paul mentions that prayerful requests should be made with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6) and he warns that unthankfulness is a trait of unrighteousness (Romans 1:18–21). James states that we should even be grateful for trials that help us grow (James 1:2–4). When did you last set aside time to make a list of what you have to be thankful for—and then expressed your thanks directly to your Creator? The Sabbath would be a good time to make that list!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—November 24, 2021
Western Canada Under Water: A once-in-a-century weather event has caused tremendous flooding in the Vancouver, British Columbia, area (BBC, November 17, 2021). The storm dropped the monthly average rainfall in just 24 hours. The flooding and landslides have disrupted both the Trans-Canada highway and rail transportation to the port of Vancouver. A state of emergency was declared, and Canadian armed forces are assisting with the disaster. Travel restrictions aim to protect travelers, clear roads for rescue crews, and support the supply chain. The same region “suffered a record high heat wave in the summer that killed more than 500 people as well as [caused] wildfires, including one that destroyed the village of Lytton.”
Shelves are becoming empty in grocery stores as trucks and trains cannot easily resupply the city (The Guardian, November 18, 2021), and more severe weather is forecast for the area. In addition to the port closure in Vancouver, the TransMountain oil pipeline is closed (The Guardian, November 17, 2021). Some road and rail routes could take months to repair. Further south in the U.S. state of Washington, residents are recovering from flooding and landslides as well.
While government officials blame disasters like this on man-made global climate change, the prophet Ezekiel warned ancient Israel and also the modern Israelite-descended nations, “Disaster will come upon disaster, and rumor will be upon rumor. Then they will seek a vision from a prophet; but the law will perish from the priest, and counsel from the elders” (Ezekiel 7:26). Bible prophecy marches on, and we will see even more devastating circumstances as end-time prophecies come to pass. Because the Israelite-descended nations are rejecting God and His righteous laws, they are reaping the prophesied consequences. To learn more about what is ahead for the British-descended, American, and western European nations, be sure to watch “Ezekiel’s Message Unlocked.”
Riots Rock Europe and Beyond: COVID-19-related riots have erupted in Europe as a reaction to nationwide lockdowns and isolation of the unvaccinated. Riot police in Brussels “were forced to use water cannon and tear gas as peaceful demonstrations turned violent” (Telegraph, November 22, 2021). Netherlands police opened fire on a crowd wounding four. Austria, Italy, Croatia, Denmark, and Switzerland also experienced demonstrations by citizens who see these aggressive restrictions as governmental overreach.
National governments point to rising COVID-19 rates and struggling health care systems as justification for extreme measures. Germany is debating forced vaccination of all citizens. Slovakia announced a “lockdown for the unvaccinated” (Euronews, November 19, 2021). Austria will require all citizens to be vaccinated beginning February 1 (AP, November 22, 2021). On France’s Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, riots have continued for days and caused road and travel closures across the island (AP, November 21, 2021).
Yet, COVID-related unrest is just one of Europe’s current ills. Analysts warn that Europe has entered a new stage of instability. “Accumulating external threats and internal divisions, coupled with a weakening US security alliance, relentless Russian subversion, and power-hungry China’s war on western values are exposing fundamental strategic weaknesses” (The Guardian, November 21, 2021). A power vacuum is growing, and some would argue that Europe needs a strong leader if it is to survive as a union. Bible prophecy foretells a coming time when ten leaders in Europe will give their power over to one strong, single leader (Revelation 17:12–13). This coming union of church and state will then control world commerce for a time. We are watching the continent descend into a type of chaos that will eventually see a temporary reprieve as Europe’s prophesied rise comes to pass. To learn more about what is coming for Europe, be sure to read or listen to The Beast of Revelation: Myth, Metaphor or Soon-Coming Reality?—Scott Winnail, Chris Sookdeo, and Francine Prater