Greetings from Charlotte,
We are living in momentous times. Many have a sense that our world is in danger, but for most of us, life is still good. We have food on the table and feel safe in our neighborhoods and at work. That is not the case for every one of us, but for most of us. Commentators and politicians have described this as the 1930s over again—troublesome times leading up to World War II. It is difficult for any student of history not to make the comparison. When I wrote the article “Has World War III Already Begun?,” it was not for sensational effect. The question was real and that was before Hamas invaded Israel and committed atrocities that even hardened soldiers found difficult to stomach and which I do not wish to describe in the update. Let me pass along two comments I saw recently. First, United States Senator Marco Rubio pointed out that with 900,000 illegals released into the U.S., if only one-tenth of 1 percent are terrorists, that comes to 900 individuals. And over the last three years the numbers released into the country is in the millions. And second, Nigel Farage, a politician in the U.K. who was also a member of the European Parliament and who helped to successfully engineer BREXIT, recently asked, “Are we on the verge of a religious war?” That is exactly what Bible prophecy seems to indicate. These are times that call for sobriety and courage. We must fear God above all else. Only then will we not fear powerful or evil men.—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Last weekend, Mr. Weston held two successful TWPs in Schenectady and Binghamton, New York. These presentations had a combined total of 51 guests. This weekend, Mr. Ames will travel to Charleston, West Virginia, to give an initial presentation, and Mr. Adam West will give follow-up presentations in Schenectady and Binghamton, New York. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers for the Tomorrow’s World Presentations.
Family Weekends
Get ready for this winter’s family weekends! A number of areas plan to host overnight Family Weekends in the coming months. These are not intended to be huge gatherings, but rather local events where brethren from surrounding congregations can come together to learn, grow, and fellowship in the mid-winter months and on into the first quarters of 2024. Stay tuned for more information in next week’s World Ahead!
Living Education
We have now passed the mid-semester point for Living Education–Charlotte 2023–24. Not only does that mean that our students are well into their program, but also that we are preparing to accept students for next year! As of November 1, the application process is open. If you or someone you know would like to attend our LivingEd–Charlotte program for the 2024–25 school year, now is the time to begin the application. We are at full capacity this year and expect to be so again next year, so getting an application in early would be wise. We will begin sending out acceptance letters on February 1. To begin an application, go to lcgeducation.org and click on “Charlotte” on the menu at the top of the page.—Jonathan McNair
Comments
Watch World Events! Jesus told His disciples to watch for the fulfillment of Bible prophecies that indicate the coming end of the age and His imminent return (Matthew 24:36–44). Yet, these same scriptures indicate many will be shocked and surprised because they have not been told what to watch for! This is why God has given His Church “a more sure word of prophecy” so the Church can function as a watchman to proclaim the real significance of specific world events (2 Peter 1:19–20, KJV; Ezekiel 3:17–20). The moral decay and declining influence of Israelite nations (Leviticus 26:14–17), the resurgence of militant Islam in the Middle East and other parts of the world (Daniel 11:40), the growing focus of the world on violence and turmoil in and around Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:2–3; 14:1–2), and the revival of a European power with links to ancient Rome—all point to end-time events outlined in Bible prophecies. We need to be watching, and we need to be ready so we are not caught by surprise.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—November 2, 2023
Germany to Increase Trade with Africa: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier are in Africa strengthening economic ties with Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia (Deutsche Welle, October 29, 2023). In the wake of the war in Ukraine, which is greatly impacting food availability and prices in Africa, and as a counter to China’s growing influence in Africa, Germany feels it imperative to improve economic relations and trade with nations in Africa. Germany is working to reform its “Compact with Africa” as German companies look for greater economic opportunities there.
This week, Chancellor Scholz met with Nigeria’s president to also talk about regional security and global events. Nigeria’s economy is seen by many as on par with Egypt’s, and it is Africa’s most populous nation. As Chancellor Scholz meets with West African leaders, President Steinmeier will meet with East African leaders. “Steinmeier’s subsequent state visit to southern Zambia on November 1 will be the first ever by a German president.”
Such investment in global trade by Germany bears watching. Bible prophecy reveals that a German-led European “beast” power will arise at the end of the age. This entity will be a religious, military, and financial superpower that will impact the world in numerous ways. The Scriptures refer to this end-time mixture of religious and worldly power as “Babylon the great” and state that the nations of the earth will become rich by trading with her before her fall (Revelation 18). Today, Germany is on the move around the globe. Watch for Germany to grow in influence, wealth, and power in the years ahead. To gain further insight about this important nation, be sure to read or listen to Germany in Prophecy.
Jordan Asks for U.S. Patriot Missile Defense: Jordan is unique among the Muslim Arab nations in the Middle East due to its extremely close ties with the United States and peaceful working relationship with Israel. In fact, Jordan is one of the largest recipients of American military aid in the region (Reuters, October 29, 2023). Jordan is also the custodian of the Temple Mount located within the boundaries of Israel.
Like many in the Middle East, leaders in Jordan fear the war between Israel and Hamas could grow to engulf other nations in the region. Along its border with Syria, the kingdom of Jordan is also dealing with Iranian-backed extremist groups who are waging a drug war using drones. Such tensions have prompted Jordan to request Patriot missile defense systems from the U.S. to be stationed along its border.
Will Jordan remain an ally of the West and supportive of the U.S. and Israel? Some passages of Bible prophecy may suggest that, at the time of the end, the modern nation of Jordan in the region of ancient Moab will be a source of protection for Christians seeking to escape the coming Great Tribulation (Isaiah 16:1–4). The precise fulfillment of such prophecies remains to be seen. To learn more about the future of this unique kingdom in the turbulent Middle East, be sure to watch “Secret Rapture or Place of Safety?”—Scott Winnail and Francine Prater