Greetings from Charlotte,
As most of you know by now, Queen Elizabeth II died this past Thursday after sitting on the throne of David for more than 70 years—what a remarkable reign! What many outside of Commonwealth countries do not realize is how many countries she ruled over, even if mostly symbolically. In addition to the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, you can add many Caribbean island nations, Asian, African, and Central American nations. It is difficult to absorb the reality of someone reigning longer than most have been alive. Our condolences go out to the British and other peoples around the world who mourn her loss.
Our whiteboard video in French titled “Three Things Nailed to the Cross,” published on July 12 this year, has now reached 950,000 views on Facebook. These are organic views with no paid advertisement. We expect to reach 1 million views soon, making it the first of our French videos to obtain that many views on social media (YouTube or Facebook). While the high number of views is exciting, more importantly, there are a lot of requests for the John 3:16 booklet. Our goal in posting whiteboard videos on social media is to promote our literature, which gives more detailed biblical information. The French version of the John 3:16 booklet is available on our Le Monde de Demain website. This week we also published a new voice-over French-language telecast titled “Peace of Mind Through Personal Prayer,” presented by Mr. Rod McNair and offering the booklet Twelve Keys to Answered Prayer. It is also available on our Le Monde de Demain YouTube channel and Facebook page.—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Recent and Upcoming Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Last week, we held three Tomorrow’s World Presentations—one initial presentation in Southampton, England, United Kingdom; and two follow-up presentations in Canada: in St. John’s, Newfoundland; and Sherbrooke, Quebec. These presentations had a combined total of 15 guests. This week, we have five initial presentations scheduled. Two are in Montreal, Quebec, Canada—one presentation in French for the French subscribers, given by Mr. Yvon Brochu; and one presentation given in English for the English subscribers, given by Mr. Stuart Wachowicz. The additional presentations will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Louisville, Kentucky; and Cincinnati, Ohio. Thank you all for your continued prayers for these presentations.
Finance
U.S. Deadline for Payments Before Feast
Please note that our last scheduled day to print checks will be Tuesday, October 4. After that date, we will not be able to print any checks again until Thursday, October 20. Any invoices we receive by October 3 will be paid before the Festival break. Any invoices we receive after October 3 may not be able to be paid until October 20.
If you have any questions concerning specific invoices or payments, please contact Michelle Greene in the Accounts Payable Department at 704-708-2234 or Rylyn Baca at 704-708-2237. You can also e-mail [email protected].
Tithe of the Festival Tithe
For many decades, the Church of God has practiced what is called the “tithe of the Festival tithe.” What this means is that brethren who can afford it are asked to send a tenth of their Festival tithe to the Church before the Feast, to help pay for meeting halls and other Feast expenses, as well as to help brethren around the world with limited resources to attend the Feast (Deuteronomy 14:27; 16:14). If you are able and you have not already done so, please send in your tithe of the Festival tithe for this year. This contribution is greatly appreciated.
Comments
Our Opinions or Christ’s Mind: How many times have you heard or made comments like, “Here’s how I see it,” “Here’s what I think,” or “Here’s how it should have been done.” Often these comments are directed at people in leadership positions—even in the Church. Moses was criticized by others (Numbers 16). Peter differed sharply with Jesus (Matthew 16:21–23). In both cases, those expressing critical opinions did not recognize the real source of their negative thoughts and actions. Before we share our “different” opinions, we need to remember God’s warning, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways” (Isaiah 55:8). We also need to remember the scriptural admonitions, “the carnal mind is enmity against God” and His ways—including His government (Romans 8:7) and “the heart is deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9). Before we begin spreading around our opinions, we need to develop a godly perspective that reflects the mind of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5) that we find outlined in Philippians 4:8.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—September 8, 2022
Britain Has a New Prime Minister: Liz Truss took over Number 10 Downing Street this week as Britain’s fourth prime minister in six years. Ms. Truss previously served as the Foreign Secretary and has held several different governmental posts during her political career (Politico, September 5, 2022). As liberal-turned-conservative, Ms. Truss is pro-Brexit and also fiscally cautious. She is liked by some and hated by others. Many believe she is not afraid to act or to make hard decisions.
Ms. Truss assumes this critical leadership role as Britain faces soaring inflation and energy costs, ongoing worker strikes, and other significant foreign and domestic obstacles. Ms. Truss will bring new Cabinet ministers and more diversity to the high offices of government (Daily Mail, September 5, 2022). Promising to “cut taxes and grow our economy” and to lower energy bills, Ms. Truss is ambitious and seems committed (Reuters, September 5, 2022). But what does the future hold? Will she make Britain great again?
God’s word explains that the future of not only Britain, but also many other Israelite-descended nations, will be filled with difficulties. Ancient Bible prophecies reveal that as the end of the age approaches, these nations will suffer massive debt, environmental disasters, food shortages, and many other challenges. The reason for these difficulties is not due to a party or a person, but because these nations chose to reject the God who blessed them in the first place. Ms. Truss may make some progress against inflation, rising energy costs, and other issues, but in the end, she is leading a nation that is in serious decline. However, Britain and the Israelite nations of the world will not always be in decline. They have a glorious and exciting future that will come to pass when Jesus Christ returns! To learn more, be sure to read or listen to The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.
“End of Abundance” in France: The prosperity experienced by many Western democracies for the last several decades appears to be coming to an end. With global recession, global inflation, and energy woes facing Europe, the comfortable life enjoyed by so many for so long appears to be drawing to a close (France 24, August 24, 2022). Speaking at a recent cabinet meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron made the following sobering proclamation: “I believe that we are in the process of living through a tipping point or great upheaval. Firstly because we are living through... what could seem like the end of abundance.”
In Europe, as a result of wildfires, growing inflation, and the shut-off of the Nord Stream gas pipeline from Russia, many sense that the comfortable life they have enjoyed is beginning to fade away. However, France, with its high dependence on nuclear and hydro power, may fare better than many other European nations that rely on natural gas or coal from Russia for winter heating. Not only is much of Europe dependent on Russia for natural gas, Europe also depends on Russia for 45 percent of its coal. Gas prices in Europe recently rose by 30 percent!
Bible prophecies reveal that the Israelite-descended nations will suffer greatly at the end of the age, because they have turned away from God and will reap the consequences of their sins (Hosea 8:7–8, 12–14). These consequences will include the loss of homes and fields, as cities become deserted and land returns to the wild (Isaiah 32:13–14). President Macron’s comments are sobering, but they also echo the ancient prophecies of Scripture. Although the immediate future will be bleak, a better world is coming! To learn more, be sure to read or listen to Armageddon and Beyond.—Scott Winnail, Francine Prater, Chris Sookdeo, and Deborah Quance