Greetings from Charlotte,
Dr. Wilner Pierre spent the week in Charlotte recording 15-minute programs for French-language radio. Mr. Hernandez, Mr. and Mrs. Cristian Orrego, and Carol and I were in Guatemala last Sabbath spending time with members there. It was an encouraging visit. Mr. Richard Ames recorded a telecast, “Will You Obey the Fourth Commandment?,” offering the Which Day Is the Christian Sabbath? booklet. Mr. and Mrs. Ames are to be in Knoxville, Tennessee, this Sabbath. Mr. Darrell Lovelady reports that all our members in central Tennessee are okay after a series of deadly tornadoes ripped through the area a week ago. As mentioned last week, we have Living Youth Camps scheduled for South Africa and the Philippines at the end of this month. Additionally, we have a camp in Kenya and one for French-speaking teens in Benin. Please remember to pray for the safety and success of these camps. With many of you traveling to Family Weekend events and with various flus and viruses spreading around, please remember to take care of your health by getting enough sleep, exercise, and not too much food.—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentation in Jamaica
This week Mr. Rick Stafford is traveling to Jamaica and will present “The Gathering Storm” in the small town of Portmore, St. Catherine, Jamaica. TWPs in Jamaica have historically been well attended despite relatively small invitation numbers, as this one has, with a total of 42 subscribers invited. Your prayers for the success of this presentation are greatly appreciated.
Living Education
You may be aware of our Living Education–Charlotte program, providing young adults in the Church an opportunity to build a solid foundation in God’s way of life. But did you know that Living Education also offers a selection of free online classes for our members? For example, you can listen to Mr. Gerald Weston’s instructional lectures on the section of the Bible referred to as the “General Epistles,” comprising the letters of James, Peter, John, and Jude. To listen to these lectures, just go to online.lcgeducation.org and click on “Library.” Now is a good time to learn more about this portion of the Bible!—Jonathan McNair
Comments
What the World Needs Now: The Bible states, “in the last days perilous times will come” because people will be selfish, materialistic, proud, unloving, and brutal (2 Timothy 3:1–5)—which accurately describes our societies today. What the world needs now—as a song title goes—is love! Love is an unselfish, outgoing concern for others. Real love does not envy or hate, but is patient, forgiving, kind, and caring (1 Corinthians 13). This kind of love is a fruit of God’s Holy Spirit that promotes peace of mind and peace between human beings (Galatians 5:22–23). Christians who learn to exercise this kind of Godly love will be used by God in His coming Kingdom to show others the way to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). They will rule with Jesus Christ and show others how to love their neighbors and bring real peace to the world (Isaiah 9:6–7). Are you developing this kind of love?
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—December 14, 2023
Too Many Migrants in Europe? For the last decade, record levels of migrants have crossed sea and land borders into Europe, most of them hoping for a better, safer life. But Europeans are coming to realize that the current rates of immigration are unsustainable (The Telegraph, December 8, 2023). The UK’s recently resigned immigration minister, Robert Jenrick, acknowledged, “Integration [of immigrants] is impossible if you let in over 1.2 million new people as we have done over the last two years.”
Ireland is also seeing “unsustainable” immigration (Sky News, December 10, 2023). Through April 2023, there was a 50 percent rise in immigration to the Emerald Isle, compared to the previous year; and according to the 2022 census, 20 percent of the resident population in Ireland had been born outside of Ireland—that is, around one million out of 5.1 million people.
Over the years, France has welcomed immigrants, but that is changing as French culture is being transformed. French streets are becoming increasingly crowded and dangerous. A draft law in the French parliament will make immigration more difficult and put greater restrictions on migrants (Deutsche Welle, December 10, 2023). Many citizens in France and across Europe are frustrated by uncontrolled and unmanaged immigration. Increasingly, European nations lack the ability to house, feed, and take care of the medical needs of growing numbers of immigrants, which also limits goods and services available for legal residents.
God warned the Israelite-descended peoples—including many current European nations—that due to their rejection of God and His laws, “The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower” (Deuteronomy 28:43). And the impact of these high immigration rates on the cultural foundation that once helped to unify these nations is apparent to those with eyes to see. What we are seeing in many nations of Western Europe and other Israelite nations is the fulfillment of these ancient prophecies—and it will continue. To gain a biblical perspective on this disturbing trend, review our insightful commentary on “Europe’s Ticking Time Bomb.”
The Future of Migrants Who Die: Growing numbers of migrants have died crossing the Mediterranean from Africa to Europe. Many more are dying after arrival and are buried in unmarked graves. According to The Guardian, “at least 1,015 men, women and children who died at the borders of Europe in the past decade were buried before they were identified…. These, however, are the tip of the iceberg. More than 29,000 people died on European migration routes in this period, the majority of whom remain missing” (December 8, 2023).
While the numbers might seem low to some, every death is connected to a family—to a spouse, children, parents, or others. Many migrants are fleeing political or religious persecution or difficult social or economic situations, and often pay exorbitant fees for unsafe and illegal border crossings. Sadly, many die in the process of seeking a better life .But what is the future of migrants who die on their journey—many of whom may not even believe in the God of the Bible?
God says that all human beings are made in His image (Genesis 1:26) and that our lives are precious to Him (Luke 12:6–7). The Bible also describes God as loving and compassionate. It reveals that all those who die will live again (Acts 24:15), including those who perish at sea or are buried in unmarked graves. Be sure to watch “What Happens When You Die?” to learn the surprising truth of what God has in mind for mankind.—Scott Winnail and Francine Prater