Greetings from Charlotte,
Though the world seems to be unraveling with violence in the Middle East and Europe, we continue to focus our attention and effort on doing the Work as God provides the means and opportunity. Mr. Weston is on the road this week, traveling to Canada. He will be in St. Catharines, Ontario, for the Sabbath, then spend the better part of the week recording telecasts for our Canadian audience at our office in London, Ontario. Meanwhile, on the Sabbath Mr. Stuart Wachowicz and Mr. Michael Heykoop will be conducting Tomorrow’s World Presentations in Lethbridge, Alberta, and Guelph, Ontario, respectively. On Sunday, Mr. Wachowicz will conduct another TWP in Medicine Hat, Alberta. This will be a busy week for the Work in Canada. Our prayers for God’s blessing on the weather, the meetings, and the guests who are present would certainly be appreciated by our brethren in those areas, as well as for the work on the telecasts. In mentioning the importance of considering the activities that are happening in the Work in different areas, I’m reminded of a common theme in our Managers Meeting this week. Our department managers had traveled to various sites throughout the United States and the world for the Feast of Tabernacles. When they summarized the Feast experience, many expressed the same message, though in different ways: “Please pass on our greetings and support for Mr. Weston and those working at headquarters.” To know that there are brethren scattered around this earth whose thoughts and prayers are focused on the Work of God and who go before God asking for the success of the efforts that are being made here in Charlotte is heart-warming and humbling.—Jonathan McNair
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentations in Canada and the United Kingdom
The Work of God is not limited to just the United States—not by a long shot! Last weekend, two TWPs in Canada and the United Kingdom drew a combined total of 33 guests. This weekend we will host a follow-up presentation in Manchester, England, and four initial presentations in Canada—Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, Alberta; and St. Catharines and Guelph, Ontario. Your prayers are appreciated!
Follow-up: Prayer Request for Brethren in Guatemala
We are grateful to report that our brethren from Guatemala who were delayed by blockades after the Feast have made it home safe and sound. They were able to get through last Sabbath. Thank you for your prayers for our brethren—our Father protected them through this difficult and dangerous situation.
Comments
Real Transforming Faith: Has your faith influenced and changed your life? The Apostle Paul urged Christians, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1–2). The English word “transformed” comes from the Greek word metamorphoo, which means a complete and total change—as when a caterpillar turns into a butterfly! Jesus told potential Christians they must repent (metanoeo) which involves learning to think differently and turn with worry from a past course of action. As we study and meditate on the word of God and ask God to help us change, we will develop the mind of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5). As we make conscious decisions to think, talk, and act as Jesus would—as we crucify our old self—Jesus Christ will be able to live His life in us (Galatians 2:20). This is the transformation that God is looking for in those He calls to become members of His family (Ephesians 5:8–10).
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—October 19, 2023
War Erupts in Gaza! As more intelligence reports emerge, it is clear that Hamas deliberately targeted children and babies in their recent assault on Israel (Telegraph, October 14, 2023). Documents found on dead Hamas fighters showed that their orders were to “achieve the highest level of human losses” and to “kill as many individuals as possible” (Wall Street Journal, October 14, 2023).
The result has been an outcry from nations around the globe and sympathy toward the nation of Israel—at least for now. The United States has now sent a second carrier group to the eastern Mediterranean (CNN, October 15, 2023). Israel is now working to destroy the leadership of Hamas in order to prevent future actions like the attack last week. Intelligence reports also suggest that the Iran-backed Hezbollah trained Hamas’ paragliding fighters for their mission (Telegraph, October 13, 2023).
Israel has preemptively bombed airports in Damascus, and as the fight continues, the risk that Hezbollah might join the fray increases. As one analyst put it, “Everybody knows the stakes by now: we are one escalation away from a showdown between Iran and the Western democracies, which are broadly standing behind Israel, as they must after the savagery of the Hamas attack” (Telegraph, October 13, 2023).
This Work has long warned our readers to watch the Middle East. While events around the globe intensify, it is easy to become distracted or speculate about their meanings and eventual results. However, Bible prophecy makes clear that the climax of world events will center on Jerusalem, both in terms of world governments and armies, and in terms of the return of Jesus Christ. To learn more about why Jerusalem is so critical to world peace, view our short introduction to the near-term future of Jerusalem, “Watch the Middle East!”
Sobering Impact of Future Events: Bible prophecies seem far-fetched and unreal to many today. For those who live in relative peace and safety, even if some conveniences are lacking now and then, it is hard to imagine what it will be like for humanity when end-time prophecies actually come to pass. However, for those with eyes to see, much can be learned from current events. In Revelation 6:12–16, following the opening of the sixth prophetic seal (the “heavenly signs”), the rich and great of the earth will be terrified and seeking places to hide. They will be so overwhelmed with fear that they will say to the rocks and mountains, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!”
What will it take to bring people to this point of desperation? The terrible earthquakes in Afghanistan provide some insight. In recent weeks, several powerful earthquakes in a northwestern province have killed over 2,400 people and injured thousands more, and hundreds are still missing (The Guardian, October 15, 2023). Many area residents have been living outside in tents, fearful that aftershocks will cause more devastation—and aftershocks have done just that. As a result, residents are growing weary, and some are in a constant state of fear, worried by every vibration. Some are finally giving up and leaving the region.
The quakes in Afghanistan are currently isolated, but the devastation and loss of life provides insight into the suffering that will come with the prophesied events at the end of the age. As we watch these current tragedies, we should be moved to fervently pray for Christ’s return to establish His Kingdom that will bring with it “peace… quietness and assurance forever” (Isaiah 32:17). To learn more about our prophesied future, read or listen to The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?—Scott Winnail and Francine Prater