Greetings from Charlotte,
The 2022 Festival season, in which we walked through God’s master plan of salvation for mankind, is now over. What a wonderful Feast it was! One supreme highlight was this year’s Behind the Work video. I personally heard many enthusiastic comments about it, and all seemed to agree that it really was the best one the Church has produced. Many thanks go to Messrs. Peter Nathan, Rees Ellis, Christo Botha, Lawdi Ferreira, their wives, and others for their longtime tireless work on the African continent. We not only received a great history lesson of the Church of God in that part of the world, but also an eye-opening geography lesson. Along with Mr. Nathan’s commentary, Dylan King, who does most of the editing, gave us the visual effects that brought it all to life. Seeing the United States fit within the Sahara Desert gives us a new insight into how God will provide room for the billions who rise from their graves in the Second Resurrection. Our longtime African ministers and brethren, along with Mr. Nathan and other men who serve in that part of the world, face challenges that most of us cannot fully appreciate, but the smiles tell a story of appreciation for the goodness of God in working out His plan for them. Thanks to all who have remained faithful over the decades of upheavals and apostasies. All of us were touched by the genuine happy faces on the children and thank God for what He is doing. Special thanks again to Mr. Peter Nathan for his commentary and for his many years of service to this special part of the world.—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Upcoming Tomorrow’s World Presentations
After a short break for the Feast of Tabernacles, Tomorrow’s World Presentations are again in full swing this weekend. We have one follow-up in Fargo, North Dakota (the third follow-up in a series); plus six initial presentations, in Kingston and London, Ontario, Canada; and in Pretoria, Cape Town, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), and Johannesburg, South Africa. Thank you all for your continued prayers for these presentations.
Feast of Tabernacles
Service Appreciated!
From the Festival Office, we wish to thank so many brethren for their service at the Feast. As they say, “Many hands make light work!” The countless hours putting together flower arrangements, manning Information Tables and Business Offices, getting to the hall early to set up sound equipment, standing out in the rain directing traffic in parking lots, serving in special music, and so many other service areas, were much appreciated. It all helped us to have a smooth-running Feast that was encouraging and uplifting. Your service was much appreciated!
Festival Survey
If you have not yet filled out the Festival Survey, please do so by Sunday, October 30. Your feedback is important. You can access it by going to MyLCG login, signing in, and looking for the link to the Feast Survey 2022. One change this year is that we are asking all Feast-goers ages 13 and up to fill out the survey. Your feedback helps with planning future Festivals and we appreciate it very much!
Comments
Plans for the Coming Year: As we return from the Feast, where we have just reviewed the dramatic concluding events of God’s great plan of salvation for mankind and the universe, it is a good time to think about your own plans for the coming year. The Apostle Paul reminded the Ephesian brethren that they had been called out of darkness to walk in the light, and to “walk circumspectly, not as fools… redeeming the time [making the most of your time], because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:8–15). We have been called to reign with Jesus Christ in the coming Kingdom of God (Revelation 5:10; 20:4–6). We need to get ready for that important role (Matthew 24:42–44). The Scriptures also admonish us to “ponder the path of your feet” (Proverbs 4:25–27). As we look ahead to next year, reflect on what you learned at the Feast and what changes you need to make in your life in the coming year. Set some goals to pray and study and draw closer to God, and look for ways to prepare for the incredible opportunity to help change the world as you reign with Jesus Christ.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—October 20, 2022
North Korea Okays Preemptive Nuclear Strikes: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently vowed his nation would never abandon nuclear weapons (Wall Street Journal, September 9, 2022). His comments accompanied new North Korean legislation authorizing its military to launch a nuclear strike “if an imminent attack against the country’s strategic targets, including its leadership, is detected” and allowing for the future use of automated systems to launch such strikes. U.S. and South Korean officials verified that North Korea has resumed nuclear testing for the first time since 2017. Although leadership in the U.S. and South Korea has offered to meet with North Korea at any time to open dialogue, North Korea appears uninterested.
With the new law in place, Kim Jong Un announced that his nation will now forever remain “a nuclear-armed state,” regardless of international pressure (EuropeanConservative.com, September 13, 2022). However, experts fear that a small “misstep” could result in a nuclear conflict with repercussions far beyond North Korea.
In the meantime, Russian president Vladimir Putin recently commented that he is ready to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia, emphasizing that, contrary to the claims of some, he is not bluffing (Reuters, September 28, 2022). In the United States, President Joe Biden’s administration responded by threatening “catastrophic consequences” should Russia choose to use its nuclear option.
Words from high-level world leaders continue to heat up, as nations appear to stir up other nations. Jesus Christ warned that nations would be capable of causing great devastation at the end of the age (Revelation 9:18), and the first of the four horsemen depicts a coming level of warfare unlike any mankind has ever seen (Revelation 6:4). The Bible clearly states that we need to “watch” world events and ensure we are ready for Jesus’ return, so that we are not caught by surprise (Matthew 24:42–44). To learn more about the events that Christ directed us to watch for, be sure to read or listen to Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ’s Return.
Rampaging Pigs: “Marauding feral pigs have blighted a central suburb in New Zealand’s capital, killing kid goats at an urban farm, intimidating dogs and turning up in residents’ gardens” (The Guardian, September 26, 2022). One goat milk dairy farmer lost 60 goat kids to rampaging pigs, and the pigs ate everything but the large bones of the goats. The feral pigs are descendants of those brought to the island by colonists in the 1700s. These pigs “are known to damage native ecosystems and pastures, kill newborn animals such as lambs and carry bovine tuberculosis.”
Feral pigs inhabit roughly a third of New Zealand. Some are as large as 250 pounds (120 kg). No one knows exactly how many feral pigs exist on the island, but community leaders realize their population is growing and it is increasingly encroaching on human population areas.
The current pig rampage in Wellington sheds some light on what the Bible declares will come at the end of the age. Speaking of the infamous “four horsemen of the Apocalypse,” the Apostle John wrote that “power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth” (Revelation 6:8). It is easy to see how, if food becomes scarce enough, wild animals, such as pigs, could begin to attack humans as well. Thankfully, the Bible also indicates that after the return of Jesus Christ to the earth, once wild and deadly animals will become tame (Isaiah 11:6–9). To learn more about how to view end-time events through the lens of the Bible, be sure to view “How to Watch World Events.”—Scott Winnail and Francine Prater