Greetings from Charlotte,
Many of you have wondered how our members fared when a series of tornados cut paths across six states last Sabbath. Two towns hit hardest were Mayfield and Dawson Springs, Kentucky. Mayfield is a town of about 10,000 residents and is not close to any congregation, but we have one recently baptized member there. Mr. Darrell Lovelady wrote this encouraging news: “She is well. No damage to her property. She has water; however, her biggest issue is no power, which impacts heating and freezer. She said she doesn’t have any immediate needs.” In checking further, I found that we have 54 Tomorrow’s World magazine subscribers in Mayfield (population 10,000) and 39 in Dawson Springs (population 2,600). Figuring conservatively with two people per household, that means as many as one in 30 residents in Dawson Springs is acquainted with our magazine. Please keep in your prayers all those in the areas affected by the tornados. On another note, Rodger Bardo, our minister for Southern California, and his lovely wife Betty are celebrating 50 years together in marriage this Sabbath. Congratulations!—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentations and Follow-ups
Last weekend, on December 11 and 12, our ministers conducted Tomorrow’s World Presentations or follow-up presentations in four different locations, with a total of 43 guests. Follow-up presentations were held in Minneapolis, Minnesota (5 guests); Tampa, Florida (6 guests); and Chattanooga, Tennessee (6 guests). Twenty-six guests came to the initial TWP conducted in Gaffney, South Carolina, by Mr. Richard Ames. A report by Area Pastor Ron Poole follows:
The new congregation in Gaffney, South Carolina, hosted a Tomorrow’s World Presentation this past Sabbath, December 11. We were pleased to have 26 guests welcomed and supported by 22 members, all present to hear a powerful message by Mr. Richard Ames titled “The Signs of Christ’s Return,” which prompted [nods] and a number of “Amens.” Immediately following Mr. Ames’ presentation, a steady flow of visitors waited to visit with him, to meet him and to express their appreciation of Tomorrow’s World and ask further questions—not allowing Mr. Ames to take a break, but go straight into the Q&A session along with Mr. Rod McNair. We are hopeful good attendance will continue for the three follow-up presentations over the next two weeks.—Ron Poole
Finance Department
Year-End Donations (U.S. only)—Repeat Announcement
Please be reminded that all U.S. contributions dated in December and postmarked on or before Friday, December 31, will be counted as a donation for 2021 and may be tax deductible in 2021, even if we receive it in January 2022. For those who donate online, the deadline for online contributions is 11:59 p.m. on December 31. Keep in mind that December 31 is a Friday this year, and sundown times will vary depending on your location.
Also note that if you plan on taking a tax deduction for contributions, your tax return should not be filed until you receive your year-end receipt for donations. This donation receipt is one of the tax documents the Internal Revenue Service requires you to keep as backup to claim this deduction. We plan to issue year-end donation receipts on or about January 20, 2022.
As we close the calendar year for 2021, we want to extend a hearty thank you to all our members and co-workers for your generous financial support, and for your prayers for every aspect of the Work. The harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few, but collectively we are able to accomplish much through God’s blessing. Please continue to pray for God’s guidance in everything that we do at Headquarters and in the local congregations around the world as we begin 2022.
Comments
Real Philadelphia Christians: The Book of Revelation describes Philadelphia Christians as having a strong desire to carry out the mission that Jesus gave to His Church (Revelation 3:7–13). That mission involves preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14–15), warning the Israelite nations and the world of the consequences of sin (Matthew 10:5–6; 24), and preparing a people to reign with Jesus Christ in the Kingdom (Luke 1:17). The name “Philadelphia” means “brotherly love,” so true Philadelphians will strive to follow Jesus’ admonition to “love one another” (John 15:12–17). Real Philadelphians will show unselfish, outgoing concern for others (versus sitting in judgment of others). Demonstrating concern for others is a distinguishing mark of a real Philadelphia Christian (John 13:34–35). Let’s all look for ways to show genuine “brotherly love” to others.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—December 16, 2021
Coming War on Three Fronts? There are three major “rumors of war” brewing around the globe. Respected columnist Ambrose Evans-Prichard recently wrote that “the world is at the most dangerous strategic juncture since the Cuban missile crisis in 1962. The West faces escalating threats of conflict on three fronts, each separate but linked by unknown levels of collusion: Russia’s mobilisation of a strike force on Ukraine’s border, China’s ‘dress rehearsal’ for an attack on Taiwan, and Iran’s nuclear brinkmanship” (Telegraph, December 9, 2021).
The situation with Iran is sobering. Experts believe Iran could have weapons-grade plutonium within weeks, and they already have the missiles to use it. The head of Israel’s intelligence agency was recently in Washington, likely seeking U.S. support in bombing Iranian bomb-making facilities.
As Russian troops mass on the border of the Ukraine, and China rattles sabers against Taiwan, some experts fear the two nations may try to coordinate their attacks, thus splitting Western powers on two simultaneous fronts. Whether this will occur remains to be seen. While presidents Biden and Putin recently spoke, no doubt in an effort to try to lower the growing tensions, some are accusing Europe of lacking the drive to stand up to Russia (Politico, December 7, 2021).
Armed conflict and war between nations is nothing new. However, the nations involved in these current potential conflicts are also armed with nuclear weapons. With the United States preoccupied with internal strife and less inclined to intervene abroad, the Russian threats in the Ukraine could push a German-led Europe to militarize more rapidly, and the weakness they see in their global opponents may encourage China and Russia to seek closer coordination in their challenges to Western powers. World events are heating up, and “wars and rumors of wars,” which Jesus Christ said in Matthew 24:4–8 must precede His coming, are becoming very real. But there is much more to come. To get a biblical perspective on what lies ahead, be sure to watch “The End of the World.”
Winds of Change in Germany: Germany has a new chancellor, former finance minister Olaf Scholz. Scholz brings with him a coalition government and many new cabinet ministers. He also brings an ambitious and fast-moving plan, as he is already moving to tackle climate- and pandemic-related issues (Deutsche Welle, December 8, 2021). Chancellor Scholz is considered a “no nonsense” leader who identifies goals and quickly goes after them.
Scholz’s right-hand man is 50-year-old Green Party co-leader Robert Habeck (Politico, December 7, 2021). Habeck is also Germany’s new vice chancellor and Minister for Economy and Climate—one of the country’s most powerful men. Habeck’s ambitious goal is to change the environmental focus of German policy over the next eight years, and as he does so, greatly improve the financial state of the nation—making Germany more wealthy and more powerful. He views environmental change and prosperity going hand in hand. “The Greens [i.e., the Green Party] view this as their moment to seize history and see Habeck, who also holds the title of vice chancellor, as the minister to deliver it.”
Forty-one-year-old Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s new foreign minister, is another one to watch. Also from the Green Party and full of ideas about environmental change, Ms. Baerbock is also focused on propelling Germany forward and had campaigned for the chancellorship, herself, earlier in the year (New York Times, September 7, 2021).
Germany is at a turning point now that Angela Merkel’s 16-year tenure has ended. The new government brings to the fore rising new stars who could play roles in fulfilling ancient Bible prophecies. The nation has a powerful prophetic role to play at the end of the age, and students of the Bible should watch Germany’s actions with this understanding in mind. To learn more, read “Resurgent Germany: A Fourth Reich?”—Scott Winnail, Michael Grovak, and Francine Prater