Greetings from Charlotte,
In these opening comments I want to highlight a fact that even some in the world are coming to recognize. There is an evil spirit at work today dividing people: politically, ethnically, culturally, racially, religiously, and in every other way possible. One part of what has been called “The Lord’s prayer” is “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). How often do we pray this? Satan is a far greater adversary than some realize, and he will use any issue he can to divide us, if we allow him to do so. But as Jesus implies in the sample prayer, this is not a fight we can win on our own strength. We need God’s Spirit working in us. Note also that Jesus, on the night in which He was betrayed, instructed His disciples, including Peter, to “Pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Luke 22:40, 46). We know how that turned out, as Peter’s emotions—in this case, fear—got the best of him. As humans, we too often allow our emotions to rule us and lead us to do things that we should not. Scripture warns us not to allow bitterness to take root in us (Hebrews 12:15). Once that happens, a person no longer cares about truth, only hatred and his or her perceived grievance. We know that we ought not act on rumors, but how often do we get caught up in believing things we want to hear but that may be totally untrue, or slightly altered or twisted to present a false reality? Satan is working in this world to destroy mankind, and he is working anywhere in the Church that he can to divide and destroy us. Let us remember to plead with God daily to “deliver us from the evil one,” and let us do our part by humbly drawing close to God so that the devil will flee from us (James 4:1–7).—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Brief Update on Our Brethren in Myanmar
Prayers were recently requested for our brethren in Myanmar (Burma), which is suffering under civil war. The situation in their area has been restored to some semblance of normalcy after the army moved on to other villages, and mines that were planted on the roadway were cleared up. That made it possible for those who had fled from the village to return home, and most of our members have done so after receiving word from the village chief. Our Australian office is working to provide some basic food supplies to our members.
The brethren have expressed their gratitude to our Church leadership and brethren who have been praying about their situation. They are glad to be back home for now and ask that we continue to pray for them as they don’t know when the army might make its way back to that area.
Recent and Upcoming Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Last week, we held six Tomorrow’s World Presentations—three initial presentations, in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada; Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia; and Columbus, Ohio; and three follow-ups, in Little Rock, Arkansas; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Peoria, Illinois. These presentations had a combined total of 106 guests. This week we have five presentations: four initial presentations in St. Louis, Missouri; Cookeville, Tennessee; Blue Ridge, Georgia; and Springfield, Illinois; and one follow-up in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Thank you all for your continued prayers for these presentations.
50th Anniversary of Montana Congregations
The annual Montana Church Campout was held over the weekend of August 12–14. Nestled in the Blackfoot River valley near Lincoln, Montana, the campout was also the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the first Church of God congregations in Montana. Fifty-five campers and visitors attended Sabbath services in the shade of aspens and pines, under clear skies, and with refreshing temperatures. Former Montana pastors Rand Millich (who raised up the Montana congregations of Missoula, Great Falls, Kalispell, and Butte), Rod McNair, Jeffrey Fall, and their wives were among those who attended. Current Montana pastor Brandon Fall and the Montana brethren organized the event—complete with an abundance of mouth-watering food and warm fellowship. Several members from the original Sabbath service in 1972 were present, including Great Falls elder Arnold Lalum and his wife Micki. Mrs. Lalum created a memento book for attendees, complete with pictures, memories, and write-ups detailing 50 years of the Church of God in Montana.
Feast of Tabernacles
Activity Registration Coming Soon
Activity registration will be open soon and Living Church of God attendees and guests will be able to sign up for activities at the Feast. An email will be sent out once activity registration is officially live.
How to register: Simply go to members.lcg.org, click on “MyLCG” at the bottom of the page, sign in, click on “Registration” on the right hand side of the page, and click on “Activities Sign-up.” To pay for activities, please read and follow carefully the instructions provided by your Festival Site Coordinator (and, of course, never send cash in the mail). Note payment deadlines for your specific site—if you have questions, contact your Festival Site Coordinator.
Comments
Satan’s Devices: God raised up His Church to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 16:15), to warn the world of a coming judgment (Matthew 24), and to prepare a people to reign with Jesus Christ (Luke 1:17). Satan has tried to thwart this mission down through history. He inspired misguided individuals to physically attack and murder Jesus, go after His disciples, and cause division and spread vicious rumors and false doctrines to disrupt the Work of the early Church (1 Corinthians 1:10–13; 2 Corinthians 11:26; Galatians 1:6–9; 2 Timothy 4:14). Satan’s goal has not changed. The Bible reveals that we are in a spiritual war with a cunning adversary (Ephesians 6:10–20), who is still using the same devices today (2 Corinthians 2:11)—physical attacks, rumors, lies, false doctrines, divisive ideas, and doing whatever seems right in one’s own eyes (Judges 21:25). All this leads to confusion that distracts us from our mission and disrupts the Work of God. This is why the Apostle Paul urged the early Church to be of “the same mind and… the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10) and to “hold the traditions which you were taught” (2 Thessalonians 2:15). Peter also warned that we must be able to recognize and resist the efforts of Satan to thwart the plan of God with his divisive schemes (1 Peter 5:8–9). We must all strive to avoid being instruments in Satan’s hands if we want to be in the coming Kingdom of God.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—August 18, 2022
Europe’s Severe Drought: Europe is in the midst of an unprecedented drought. “Spanish farmers are grappling with heat waves and water scarcity. Grains and olives are going dry” (Deutsche Welle, August 10, 2022). Many farmers are facing drastic harvest losses this year as reservoirs dry up. In France, thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes as wildfires rage (Reuters, August 10, 2022), and other European nations are sending firefighters to help France battle the blazes. Southeast England has had nearly 150 days with little to no rain—the driest year since 1976 (The Telegraph, August 8, 2022).
According to the European Drought Observatory, “60 percent of Europe and the United Kingdom is currently in danger of drought” (EU Observer, August 9, 2022). The Dutch declared a water emergency and France has imposed unprecedented water restrictions. The sweltering heat and declining water levels in lakes and reservoirs have seriously reduced the production of hydropower throughout Europe—especially in Italy (Politico, August 9, 2022). Some water authorities are having to choose between using water for irrigation or hydropower. Low water levels are also affecting river traffic. The Rhine, a major trade route for European goods, may soon have sections that are impassable, crippling EU trade! The problems generated by heat and drought are pushing European nations to address important common internal issues.
It is commonly believed that desperate times call for desperate measures. As Europe works to combat the effects of a continent-wide drought and the collateral impact of the war in Ukraine, students of Bible prophecy should watch for Europe to take more desperate measures that will influence geopolitics. Self-preservation instincts kick in when we become desperate. Scripture indicates that significant events will occur in Europe that will lead to the emergence of a German-led “beast” power—the “king of the North” (Daniel 11:40–45). Jesus warned that, as the end of the age approaches, we need to “watch” and be ready (Matthew 24:42). To learn what to watch for, read or listen to our powerful booklet, The Beast of Revelation: Myth, Metaphor, or Soon-Coming Reality?
Steps Toward Nukes in Germany? With growing tensions in Europe related to Ukraine and the threat of nuclear devices being used in the war, European nations are expressing interest in arming with nuclear weapons. Recently, German politician Wolfgang Schaeuble commented, “Now that Putin’s accomplices are threatening a nuclear strike every day, one thing is clear to me: we need nuclear deterrence at the European level as well” (Reuters, July 23, 2022). Mr. Schaeuble also proposed that Germany financially support the further development of nuclear weapons in France and develop an agreement, as "neighbors and NATO partners," for the use of nuclear weapons. Any suggestion that Germany financially support nuclear weapon advancement is certainly sobering and unprecedented.
Germany does not have its own nuclear weapons. It currently relies on nuclear weapon support from its NATO partner, the United States. However, some in Germany now desire to move away from U.S. support and instead rely more heavily on military and nuclear support from within Europe. Others in Germany have suggested the nation should develop its own nuclear weapons. This growing movement for Europe, and especially Germany, to develop its own powerful military force independent of America and NATO corresponds well to conditions prophecy has long foretold to exist as the end of the age approaches. To learn more about what is coming in Europe, be sure to watch “The Future Restoration of Rome.”—Scott Winnail, Chris Sookdeo, and Francine Prater