Greetings from Charlotte,
This week Mr. Richard Ames recorded a new telecast titled “Seven Proven Keys to Answered Prayer,” offering Twelve Keys to Answered Prayer. Mr. Christo Botha reported: “We had heavy rain in most parts of South Africa. In some areas, the roads were closed and we, for instance, were not able to travel last weekend due to the road conditions. The good news is that all our members and their properties are safe and the latest news reports indicate most of the roads have now been re-opened.” Mike Heykoop reports: “As a result of the 2022 TWPs, about 45 people across Canada have started attending services. We are currently planning for several online TWPs to be held over the winter. These will allow us to invite subscribers from remote areas who otherwise would not have the opportunity to attend a Tomorrow’s World Presentation.” We have hundreds of subscribers in villages all over northern Canada, many of whom are only accessible by boat, plane, or iced-over rivers in the winter.—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Past and Upcoming Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Last weekend, we held one initial presentation in Croydon, England, UK, and there were 31 guests in attendance. This weekend, we have two follow-up presentations scheduled, in Croydon, England, UK; and Raleigh, North Carolina. Thank you all for your continued prayers for these presentations.
Living Education
Applications are now being accepted to our Living Education-Charlotte program for the 2023–24 school year. This program is for young adults who want to join a group of other like-minded individuals, together building a biblical foundation for life. The program begins in August and concludes in May, comprising nine months of intensive classes, activities, and interaction with our staff and ministry in the Headquarters facility and our members in the Charlotte area. For more information, just go to lcgeducation.org. With a limited number of spots available in the program, don’t put off applying if you are interested!—Jonathan McNair
Comments
Where Is Your Heart? The Scriptures clearly reveal that God looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7) and that He examines and tests our hearts and minds (Psalm 7:9). Our thoughts, actions, and priorities reveal what is in our hearts. This is why Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). When God sees that our priorities are focused in the right direction, He will provide many of our desires—in His time and way (Mark 10:29–30). Jesus set an example of being focused on His mission of preaching the Gospel, warning the world, and preparing a people to reign with Him in the Kingdom (Mark 1:14–15; John 4:34; Luke 1:17)—and He will receive a great reward (Philippians 2:5–11). Jesus’ heart was in the Work of God! We each need to examine our priorities and ask ourselves the question, “Where is my heart?”
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—November 17, 2022
U.S. Admiral Warns of Future War: Recently, U.S. Navy Admiral and head of U.S. Strategic Command Charles Richard made a sobering observation: “This Ukraine crisis that we’re in right now, this is just the warmup. The big one is coming. And it isn’t going to be very long before we are going to get tested in ways that we haven’t been tested [in] a long time” (Wall Street Journal, November 4, 2022). The admiral further discussed how the United States’ military is falling behind China’s in almost every way. Using a navy cliché, he referred to the U.S. military as a “slowly sinking” ship. He also noted, with regard to the U.S. government and military, “We used to know how to move fast, and we have lost the art of that.”
Its awesome military might has long been a key source of pride for the United States. In recent decades, however, military cutbacks and budget cuts have undermined the strength of the nation’s armed forces. In addition, U.S. leaders seem to have lost the backbone necessary not only to project power, but also to back up promises and combat threats. Bible prophecies have long warned Israelite-descended nations that, as the end of the age approaches, God will “break the pride of your power” because of their many sins (Leviticus 26:19). As we look around the globe, we see this happening to the nations of America, Britain, and France.
While prophecy reveals that sobering times are coming for once-great Western powers, many prophecies also remind us that we are drawing closer to the time when Christ will return and set up His Kingdom on the earth! To learn more about where world events are heading, be sure to watch “Sunset for Britain and America.”
India-Russia Ties Are Growing: India is one of the few nations in the world that did not criticize Russia’s military actions in the Ukraine (Deutsche Welle, November 8, 2022). In their fifth meeting together this year, the foreign ministers from India and Russia discussed closer trade ties and cooperation in the areas of space travel and nuclear energy. According to the Russian foreign minister, “We discussed in detail the state and prospects of military-technical cooperation, including joint production of modern arms.” In his first visit to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, the Indian foreign minister was accompanied by “senior officials from agriculture, petroleum and natural gas, ports and shipping, finance, chemicals and fertilizer, and trade.” As part of the meetings, India also pledged to continue buying Russian oil. Twenty-three percent of India’s oil imports now come from Russia (Reuters, November 8, 2022). India is one of just a few nations that have a good relationship with both Russia and the West.
The prophecies of Scripture indicate the rise of a massive war-making power east of the Holy Land at the end of the age (Revelation 9:13–19). This army will likely consist of forces mustered by several large and powerful nations, and Russia, India, and China could be sources for those future troops. If these nations are to work together in the future, closer relationships between them must develop. As we watch world events, we do see the bonds between these nations growing tighter. To understand the significance of this growing relationship between “kings” from the east, be sure to read “Five Prophetic Signs for the Middle East.”—Scott Winnail and Francine Prater