Greetings from Charlotte,
Mr. Weston has been in the Canadian office this week recording four telecasts, and this weekend he will be giving Tomorrow’s World Presentations in Schenectady and Binghamton, New York. Meanwhile, here in Charlotte, preparations for the November 7–9 Council of Elders meetings are ongoing. The Plain Truth About the Protestant Reformation booklet, offered in the last “mid-lit offer,” continues to have a high response. The “mid-lit offer” is a letter sent to a selected group of Tomorrow’s World subscribers midway between the spring and fall semi-annual letters, offering them a booklet or booklets depending on their previous requests. Currently, a very strong 21 percent of those mailed the letter have requested the Protestant Reformation booklet. Also, we are continuing to have strong responses to the Spanish-language El Mundo de Mañana YouTube channel (see below). And finally, watch for the new season of Tomorrow’s World telecasts to begin airing next week! Please pray for these and other efforts in God’s Work taking place around the world.—Rod McNair
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Last weekend was a successful weekend for Canadian TWPs: four initial presentations drew a total of 63 guests. The follow-up presentation in Manchester, England, was also successful, drawing four repeat guests and one new guest. This weekend, Mr. Weston will be giving initial presentations in Schenectady and Binghamton, New York. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support for the Tomorrow’s World Presentations.
Good News from El Mundo de Mañana!
We are pleased to announce the El Mundo de Mañana Spanish-language YouTube channel has now surpassed the 65-million-views mark! We now have 65,400,468 views on the channel, with 431,770 subscribers. Our top three videos have surpassed 2 million views, and Mr. Ames’ “Sabbath to Sunday” video is getting close to 2 million (1,958,065) views. Thank you for your continuing prayers for the Work of God in the Spanish language!
Comments
Importance of Unity: David wrote, “how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). Jesus said, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30), and He prayed for His disciples, “that they may be one as We are” (John 17:11). The Scriptures reveal that the disciples had different personalities and perspectives (Acts 15:36–41; Galatians 2:11–21), but they learned to work together as a coordinated team to achieve their mission (2 Peter 3:14–18). They realized that if they each marched to their own drum, the Church would be divided and they would not fulfill their mission. They also learned that Satan is the author of division and confusion and that his goal is to divide and destroy the Church of God (John 13:21–27; 1 Corinthians 14:33). If we are led by the same Spirit, we will see divisions diminish and we will maintain the unity needed to complete our mission (Ephesians 4:4–16). This is the challenge that real Christians face in Satan’s divided world.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—October 26, 2023
Germany Stands by Israel: In the wake of Hamas’ bloody attack on Israel, nations have condemned the heinous action, and many have pledged support for Israel. Some of the most overt words of support have come from Germany. Motivated by memories of the Holocaust carried out against the Jews by the Nazi government of Germany in World War II, German leaders have expressed their intentions to support Israel in its times of need.
In a 2022 speech, German chancellor Olaf Scholz made this profound promise: “The mass murder of Jews was instigated by Germany. It was planned and carried out by the Germans. Consequently, every German government bears permanent responsibility for the security of the State of Israel and the protection of Jewish life” (Deutsche Welle, April 25, 2023). Last week in a visit to Israel, echoing Chancellor Scholz’s sentiments, German defense minister Boris Pistorius promised to his Israeli counterpart, “There is no doubt… whatever we can do to support you, with material support, we will do this.… Germany stands by Israel, by the people of Israel” (Reuters, October 19, 2023).
The Bible reveals that a future German-led European beast power will occupy the Holy Land and control Jerusalem. The Apostle John wrote that non-Jewish Gentiles “will tread the holy city underfoot” for 42 months prior to Christ’s return (Revelation 11:2). How might these Gentiles come to control the Holy Land? Analysts warn that if the current escalation in Israel and Gaza does not soon cease, it could plunge the entire region into war, drawing in many nations, including the United States and other Western countries. Germany could offer to move into Israel politically and even militarily for a time, in order to protect Israel and prevent further war. Time will tell, and the details remain to be seen. However, God’s prophecies will come to pass. To learn more about events prophesied to engulf the Middle East, read or listen to our insightful booklet The Middle East in Prophecy.
Haitian Gangs Grow in Power: According to a new 156-page United Nations report, Haitian gangs “are getting stronger, richer, better armed and more autonomous” (Reuters, October 19, 2023). As one journalist summarized, “Haitian gangs run schools, clinics and foundations in place of an increasingly absent government, even as their criminal rackets help gang leaders amass funds and afford luxury homes with swimming pools in the hemisphere’s poorest country.”
From the UN report, we gain two important pieces of information: The Haitian government is increasingly dysfunctional and unable to take care of its people, and the Haitian gangs are stepping into the vacancy left by the government to increase their own power and prestige—interested less in truly serving the people than in using the people to get what they want. The worst of human nature is on full display as gangs subjugate not only populations in Haiti, but also in Mexico and everywhere else they operate. Humanity, unchecked and operating without the moral compass of the Bible, will descend into dictatorship—a progression observed down through history.
For human beings to really take care of and look out for each other, especially at a governmental level, will require a common moral code that is righteous, fair, and merciful. As we see societies around the globe coming apart, we can have hope that the time is coming when positive change will come to everyone. Jesus Christ—the God of the Old Testament and the One who thundered the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai—promised to return to the earth (John 14:1–3) and set up His government that will bring peace to everyone (Isaiah 9:6–7). When this happens, there will be no more selfish and brutal leaders to exploit other people. To learn more about the power of God’s laws to change society, read or listen to The Ten Commandments.—Scott Winnail and Francine Prater