Greetings from Charlotte,
Our world is changing in ways that make doing the Work of God by traditional means less effective. As was brought out in our recent Council of Elders meetings, in 2018 Canada received over 18,000 resource orders from television. That dropped to 11,700 over the next six years. There are multiple reasons for this decline, relating to specific Canadian issues, but we are also seeing a broad-based drop in interest when it comes to reading. While there is a resurgence of religious interest among the young, they are mostly flocking to ceremonial religion, such as Catholicism, or entertainment religion involving “Christian” rock or contemporary music. Instead of serious reading, many get their news from influencers on social media and headlines from dubious news sources. Artificial Intelligence is making it more difficult to know what is true and what is not. It is important for anyone finding news to check the source carefully. Think critically about information coming from any source, but be especially cautious of reports coming from unrecognized sources.
—Gerald E. Weston
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Last week, we held two Tomorrow’s World Presentations: one in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and another in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Because of Pentecost, we do not have any TWPs scheduled this week. Looking back, May was a very busy month for these events. In May alone, we held 27 total TWPs, drawing a total of 246 unique guests. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support for the Tomorrow’s World Presentations.
Feast of Tabernacles
Volunteers Needed
A couple of Feast sites are in need of volunteers for specific areas of service. If you can provide help in the following areas, it would be greatly appreciated:
- Arroyo Grande, California – Audio/Visual
- St. George, Utah – Choir Director
If you are able and willing to serve in either of these capacities, please contact the appropriate Festival Coordinator.
Comments
Are You Filled with the Spirit? The Scriptures contain inspiring accounts of people filled with God’s Holy Spirit, such John the Baptist, his mother Elizabeth, and his father Zacharias (Luke 1:15, 41, 67). On the Day of Pentecost in AD 31, Christ’s disciples were “all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4). Later, the Apostles Peter and Paul are described as being “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 4:8; 9:17; 13:9). Paul admonished brethren to “not be drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). But how do we become filled with the Spirit? If we repent, accept Christ as our personal Savior, make a commitment at baptism, and receive the laying on of hands, we are promised the gift of the Holy Spirit, which God gives to those who obey His commandments (Acts 5:32). However, that Spirit must be nourished by daily prayer and Bible study (2 Corinthians 4:16). Paul encouraged Timothy to “stir up” the Spirit, indicating that there are things we must do to become filled with the Spirit of God (2 Timothy 1:6–7). Let’s make sure we are doing our part to nourish and exercise the fruits of God’s Spirit so we can be instruments in God’s hands.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy – May 29, 2025
Germany Wants Europe’s Strongest Army: Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, is wasting no time advancing Germany. Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump demanded that European nations increase their defense spending to 5 percent of their GDP (Deutsche Welle, May 18, 2025). Germany’s new foreign minister accepted the challenge on behalf of his nation, meaning that Germany will increase defense spending from about €90 billion to more than €160 billion. Exactly where this money will come from is yet to be determined. However, with Russia undeterred in its war in Ukraine, Germany and other European nations are concerned and motivated. A defense budget of that size would represent a major shift in the nation’s defense policy, which has relied heavily on external support since World War II. Against this backdrop, the incoming German chancellor recently observed that he plans to make the German Bundeswehr “the strongest conventional army in Europe.”
While Chancellor Merz’s comments make military and political sense in the current environment, history documents all too well that Germany has wielded the strongest army in Europe twice before—which did not turn out well. Will this time be different? Bible prophecy foretells the emergence of a major military power in Europe at the end of the age. It will again be led by Germany, and it will dominate many nations—especially Israelite-descended ones. God will use Germany, referred to in the Bible by the ancient name “Assyria,” as the “rod” of His anger, punishing those who have rejected Him (Isaiah 10:5). The rise of a militarily powerful Germany is a key to fulfilling Bible prophecy. To learn more, you can read or listen to Germany in Prophecy.
A New Influence in Latin America and the Caribbean: For decades, Latin America and the Caribbean have been under the protection and leadership of the United States. However, that is changing as America turns inward to focus on its own domestic issues. This has created a power vacuum that China seeks to fill, gaining new support, power, and influence in the Western Hemisphere (Barbados Today, May 17, 2025). At a recent forum of the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States held in Beijing, President Xi Jinping outlined China’s plan for increased cooperation with the region. He noted that “China is ready to work with LAC [Latin America and the Caribbean] to jointly implement the Global Security Initiative… [work toward] the Denuclearisation of Latin America and the Caribbean, and enhance cooperation in disaster management, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, anti-corruption, drug control and combating transnational organised crime to safeguard regional security and stability.”
Investing heavily in the region, China is winning friends and influencing people in a powerful way. Another Chinese official noted, “China always pursues the greater good and shared benefits when developing relations with Caribbean countries, and attaches importance to helping with regional development and promotes shared development between the two sides.” While the United States remains the primary trading partner in the region, China is number two and growing in prominence—and this is all happening as America pulls back international aid and support.
Bible prophecy declares that the Israelite-descended nations, including the United States, will decrease in power and influence at the end of the age (Deuteronomy 28:43), becoming surpassed by those who have long stood in their shadow. To learn more, you can read or listen to The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy. —Scott Winnail, Chris Sookdeo, and Francine Prater