Greetings from Charlotte,
We are now less than three weeks away from the Feast of Trumpets and as experience tells us, it will come quickly. Similarly, although we appear to be some years away, the day the Feast of Trumpets pictures will be here much more quickly than we might imagine. Germany is taking a turn to the right and cracking down on immigration. Events in Europe are setting the stage for the fulfillment of prophecies that we have known for decades must happen. Here in the United States, this is likely to be the most consequential election in memory, but who knows how it will turn out, what the fallout will be whichever candidate is elected, and most importantly, who God will choose, as He can turn elections in whichever direction He chooses. Leaders do make a difference, but anyone placing his trust in man and in our democratic approach to choosing our leaders is destined to be disappointed.—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentations
This week we held five Tomorrow’s World Presentations that drew a total of 44 guests. This coming week we will hold presentations in Texas, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Georgia, and an online presentation in French by Mr. Yvon Brochu, primarily to our French-speaking Canadian subscribers. Thank you for your continued prayers and support for the Tomorrow’s World Presentations.
Feast of Tabernacles
Green Holy Day Envelopes Have Been Mailed—U.S. Only
Green Holy Day envelopes for the fall Holy Days were mailed out the week ending August 24. If you have not received yours and would like the personalized, pre-addressed offering envelopes, please contact [email protected] or call the office (704-844-1970) and we will mail you a set. If you choose to donate through the envelope system, using these pre-addressed envelopes greatly speeds up the counting and receipting process, which in turn saves valuable time and money. For those who will donate online, please use donations.lcg.org. Click on “Type of Donation,” then choose “Holy Day Offering.” A Holy Day drop-down menu will appear, and there you can select the applicable Holy Day.
Tithe of the Festival Tithe—Repeat Announcement
For many decades, the Church of God has practiced what is called the “tithe of the Festival tithe.” What this means is that brethren who can afford it are asked to send a tenth of their Festival tithe to the Church before the Feast, to help pay for meeting halls and other Feast expenses as well as to help brethren around the world who have limited resources to attend the Feast (Deuteronomy 14:27; 16:14). If you are able and you have not already done so, please send in your tithe of the Festival tithe for this year. This contribution is greatly appreciated.
Comments
Be Thankful for the Truth: The Sabbath is a good time to reflect on the question: Are you thankful for the Truth? If you are a lifelong member or if you grew up in the Church, it is easy to take the Truth for granted. Yet, Jesus said that no one can come to a real understanding of the Truth unless they are called and their minds are opened (John 6:44). The capacity to understand the Scriptures, the plan of God, the purpose of life, and God’s way of life is a gift that God is only making available to a few at this time (1 Corinthians 1:26–27), because Satan has blinded the eyes of most people of this world (2 Corinthians 4:3–4). Jesus stressed that it is a great privilege to be given an understanding of the Truth of God (Matthew 13:10–17). The Apostle Paul stated that to be called out of darkness into the Truth is something to be extremely thankful for (Ephesians 5:8–20). Let’s never lose sight of this incredible privilege. Are you thankful for the Truth?
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—September 12, 2024
Australia Dusting Off Old Air Bases: Rising tensions in the Pacific are stirring nations to act. “Across Australia, decades-old facilities—many built by the United States during World War II—are being dusted off or upgraded amid growing fears of another global conflict” (The Washington Post, August 24, 2024). According to officials, these efforts are not for offense but for “deterrence.” The U.S. Secretary of Defense claims these efforts will assist in promoting “greater peace, stability, and deterrence across the region.” He also touted the “unbreakable alliance” between Australia and the United States. Meanwhile, as the nation continues working more and more closely with the U.S., critics have begun to accuse Australia of becoming America’s “51st state.”
At only 2,000 miles away, the Australian air bases are strategically close to many flash points developing in the South China Sea and can be used to project additional power throughout the region. Australia also plans to upgrade three other bases in the north and a base in the Indian Ocean to monitor Chinese naval activity in the area. America is working with Australia on these projects, as well as providing money and eventually aircraft that will be located at several of the bases. The U.S. is also working to refurbish some of its own bases in the South Pacific—bases that were critical stepping stones in World War II (Forbes, April 10, 2024).
The winds of war are growing in Europe and the Pacific—the two major theaters of World War II. Nations that have been militarily quiet for the last 80 years now feel threatened by Russian and Chinese aggression and are preparing for a rapid response. To gain a biblical perspective on these events, read or listen to our commentary “Wars and Rumors of Wars.”
Anarchy: Gaza Follows Haiti: For over a year, Haiti’s law enforcement system has been in shambles. Despite police assistance from Kenya and monetary and military hardware aid from the United States and the United Nations, the situation in Haiti is far from being under control (MSN, September 4, 2024). The aid has been slow to arrive, leaving security forces struggling against gangs and losing hope. Upwards of five children die every week due to gang warfare (The Guardian, August 23, 2024).
On the other side of the Atlantic, as Israel dismantles Hamas, Palestinian crime families once kept at bay by Hamas are resurfacing (The Times, August 19, 2024). With Hamas’ police force disbanded, looting and lawlessness have gripped the Gaza Strip. Residents hear frequent gunfire in their neighborhoods—not fighting between Hamas and Israeli troops, but between Palestinian gangs. When Hamas took over, it moved powerful Palestinian clans to the side, but allowed them to keep their weapons. According to a source in Gaza, Hamas made an agreement with these large clans (each with a minimum of 3,000 men) that they would not use their weapons against each other. But with Hamas mostly gone, these clans are fighting again and running a black market in goods stolen and looted from the Palestinian people. As one humanitarian aid worker noted, “The fabric of society has been ripped apart,” and Palestinian clans are now helping to destroy the remaining shreds of their society.
Lawlessness in Haiti and Gaza highlights an inherent flaw in human nature. When left to themselves without the guidance of God’s Spirit and the moral compass of His law, people revert to self-preservation and self-promotion. People may take care of their friends and families but are often willing to subjugate everyone else. The Apostle James asked and answered an important question: “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” (James 4:1). There is a solution to the situations in Haiti, Gaza, Myanmar, North Korea, and many other nations around the globe that are currently self-destructing. That solution is the return of Jesus Christ! To learn more about this earth-changing event, be sure to read or listen to Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ’s Return.—Scott Winnail and Francine Prater