August 16, 2007
Greetings from Charlotte,
This has been an eventful week. Yesterday, on August 15, 2007, Living University began offering online classes—60 years after Mr. Herbert Armstrong started Ambassador College in the fall of 1947. To date, we have received more than 200 applications and have about 150 students enrolled in classes. The University is dedicated to the concept that the word of God is the foundation of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7), and to recapturing true values (Matthew 17:11). In spite of a series of unforeseen challenges with computer software that resulted in lost e-mails, and other difficulties that have necessitated changing to another software program, we should be operating more smoothly within a week. Please announce that due to these start-up difficulties, assignment deadlines will be eased for the first few weeks. We need to remember that this is Satan’s world (II Corinthians 4:4) and that he will do all he can to create difficulties and confusion in this effort to make God’s Truth available to people around the world. Your prayers and patience are appreciated.
Earlier this week, Dr. Meredith taped television program #320 entitled “Restoring Original Christianity,” and Mr. Apartian taped today a sermon in French. Last weekend Mr. Rod McNair and I conducted the 8th Regional Conference in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with about 35 in attendance. Mr. and Mrs. Davy Crockett visited the congregation in Jacksonville, Florida. We were all deeply saddened by the sudden death of Mr. Carl Ponder, our area pastor based in Atlanta. Please keep Mrs. Ponder, her family and the brethren in the congregations Mr. Ponder served in your prayers.
Church Administration
East Texas Update
Mr. Dan Hall reports: Last Sabbath, August 11, we had a very successful Public Bible Lecture in White Oak, Texas, with 19 new people in attendance. About half of them asked for more information and expressed interest in attending Church! Several had Church of God background and one lady was thrilled to be back. The brethren were very excited to see these new faces walk through the door.
Winchester/Allentown Visit
My family and I had the pleasure of traveling to Allentown, Pennsylvania, for the Regional Conference last weekend—the eighth this summer. Thirty-five were in attendance for the Sunday and Monday meetings of pastors, elders, deacons, other leaders and their wives. It was an enjoyable opportunity to fellowship with each other and discuss leadership issues, and for leaders in the Northeast region to spend time with Dr. Winnail. We were also grateful for the opportunity to visit the Winchester, Virginia, congregation on the Sabbath. We had 39 in attendance in Winchester, and appreciated the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Dulaney, who hosted some of us at their home for an afternoon meal and fellowship.—Rod McNair
Cameroon Update
As reported in last week’s issue of The World Ahead, our brethren in Cameroon were experiencing difficulties obtaining potable water because of the pollution caused by the recent heavy rains. The Church in France sent them some money to buy water filters. Our local coordinator writes, “We are very grateful for the help received. The filters will not only benefit the Church families but also our neighbors, with whom we stand in solidarity and who have already requested our aid. You can’t imagine how many people you have helped.”
Spanish Update
Mr. Mario Hernandez sends the following report concerning the devastating two-minute earthquake that struck yesterday the nation of Peru: “Our brethren in Peru are all safe. Thanks to God, none of them were injured. I was unsuccessful in communicating with anyone in Peru last night, but this morning I spoke with Eden Hurtado, our host in Lima. Even though the earthquake was violent and prolonged, causing collective panic among the people, Lima was not greatly affected—and we thank God for protecting the brethren.”
United Kingdom Update
Mr. Rod King reports: Our fourth Bible Lecture was held in North London on the Sabbath of August 11. We had a total of 22 new people—our best response yet in the U.K. This brings to 61 the number of people who have attended our lectures. There were people from many nations, including the Philippines, Hong Kong, Nigeria and the Caribbean as well as the U.K. Our Irish elder, Mr. Henry Cooper, and his wife were with us for the meeting and he introduced me as the speaker.
Once again, we had many people with an evangelical background. I emphasized 1 John 2:6, explaining that we must walk just as Jesus walked. The audience was confronted by the fact that we must observe the Sabbath and the Holy Days, just as Jesus Christ did.
Some believed that Monday is the first day of the week. I showed them from the Spanish, Swahili and Tagalog that Saturday in all those languages can be identified with the word “Sabbath.” In Spanish the word for Saturday is “Sabado.” In Swahili the word for seven is “sabad” (though Saturday is called “Jumamosi” or “Moses’ Day”) and in Tagalog the word is the same as in Spanish, “Sabado.” In fact there are 71 languages that can trace the word back to “Sabbath.” Another nine use the word meaning “washing day” for Saturday. This shows that many people know that Saturday is God’s Sabbath day. Sunday became the accepted day of worship 300 years after the days of the apostles.
Feast of Tabernacles 2007
Feast of Tabernacles Sermons
Attention Pastors: Some of the brethren in your congregations will not be able to attend the Feast of Tabernacles for valid reasons. We will be glad to send them Feast of Tabernacles sermons on CD. Please send us their names and addresses by September 7, if you have not already done so—or if they haven’t registered yet as “unable to attend” on our online FOT registration system. The requests can be sent to us by e-mail at cad@lcg.org, or by phone at 704-844-1960, ext. 217, or by fax at 704-844-1975.
Sabbath Services on October 6 (Repeat Announcement)
Attention Pastors: Some brethren may still be “on the road” when the Sabbath of October 6, the first Sabbath after the Feast, comes and will want to know where services will be conducted around the country. Please send us a list of congregations in your respective areas that will be holding services on October 6, with the name and phone number of a local contact for each group. Send that information to Mrs. Genie Ogwyn at gogwyn@lcg.org.
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Special Music: Those attending the Feast of Tabernacles in Red Deer, Alberta, who are interested in performing special music, should contact Mr. or Mrs. Stuart Wachowicz at 780-466-1815 or, by e-mail, at swachowicz@lcg.org. Please indicate the name(s) of the piece(s) you would like to perform, whether it is instrumental or vocal, and if accompaniment is required.—Frank Best
Oxnard, California
Special Music, Choir, Piano Accompaniment: If you volunteered for the Festival Choir, Children’s Choir, Special Music or Piano Accompaniment and have NOT been contacted by the Music Director, there is a possibility that your contact/volunteer information did not reach him. Therefore, please contact him immediately by e-mail at Chris_Connelly@email.msn.com or by telephone at 909-389-9522.—Harold Way
Branson, Missouri
We are putting together the details of our activities at this new site—teen and singles activities, Family Day tournaments, games, souvenir photos, and a dance are all in the works. Everyone’s patience, as we work to get everything up to speed, has been greatly appreciated. Stay tuned—we will let you know as soon as details firm up!—Wallace Smith
If you would like to sing in the Festival Choir in Branson this year, please contact Mr. Dave Polosky at 828-883-8856 or at polosky@juno.com as soon as possible for music and information. We are also in need of an accompanist for the choir. Please contact Mr. Polosky if you can serve in this way. Also, parents who wish to have their child sing in the children’s choir should contact Mrs. Connie Sweat at 423-822-2970 or jwsweat@comcast.net.
Comments
Are You Positive or Negative? The Apostle Paul urged Christians to focus on the positive and to avoid murmuring, grumbling and complaining (Philippians 2:14; 4:8). He also noted the tendency of the ancient Israelites to murmur against their leaders (I Corinthians 10:10; see Deuteronomy 1:27). When Moses sent twelve men to scout the Promised Land, only two gave positive reports that their mission was possible, while ten gave negative reports that the road ahead would be too difficult and taking over the land could not be done—which discouraged the people (Numbers 13-14). Because the Israelites refused to trust God they had to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. When Nehemiah returned from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem, he too faced difficulties from adversaries who ridiculed and tried to disrupt the work by sowing doubts and confusion. However, against the odds, Nehemiah urged the people forward and finished the job. Looking back, they saw “this work was done by our God” and that God had put it in Nehemiah’s heart to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 1:3-4, 11; 2:5, 12, 17; 6:16).
Today, some have ridiculed the idea of starting Living University and claimed that it should not be done, while others have rejoiced at the opportunity to learn and grow in the truth of God—and they see this as an “inspired decision.” We need to remember that Satan is the adversary of those commissioned to spread the Truth (I Peter 5:8-9). We also have been warned that in the last days there will be scoffers, murmurers and complainers who seek to cause division and disrupt the Work because they lack God’s Spirit (Jude 16-19). We also need to remember that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26), and as Gamaliel warned his contemporaries, “if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it” (Acts 5:34-39). We have been commissioned to preach the gospel, warn the world and prepare a people to reign with Jesus Christ (Luke 1:17). The Living University can become a powerful tool for achieving this mission. Let’s look ahead confidently and in faith for God’s guidance and blessing on this effort.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—August 16, 2007
Apocalyptic Weather Events and Prophecy. Some question the validity of claims involving global climate change. Yet, it is instructive to consider these claims in light of Bible prophecy. Jesus predicted that in the last days, there would be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in diverse places (Matthew 24:7). John foresaw a great earthquake, the sun becoming black as sackcloth, the moon turning blood red and every mountain being moved out of place (Revelation 6:12-15). Given these clear prophecies, it is worth noting what climatologists expect will happen with rising sea levels: increased earthquake activity due to increased pressure on the continental plates from rising sea levels, increased tsunami activity and more major landslides. Increased volcanic activity will produce more ash and soot in the air—making the sun black and the moon red as predicted by John. A one-meter sea level rise would also destroy one-third of the world’s agriculture (Guardian Unlimited, August 7, 2007). Some doubt the concept of global climate change, but the predicted outcomes of this apparent weather phenomenon correlate closely with the end-time events of the Bible. Whether or not climate change is “caused by man” is of little consequence—what is important is that God can use it to chastise the rebellious nations of the world.
China’s Developing Navy. Along with developing a new nuclear submarine propulsion system, China is now focused on developing an aircraft carrier battle group, with significant help from Russia. Currently, China has virtually no navy, but with its neighbors Japan and South Korea strengthening their own navies, China is intent on building its own. A powerful navy allows a nation to protect its shipping lanes around the world—a capability China lacks, but desperately needs, given its increasing worldwide trade. Carrier battle groups also give nations “strike” capability from sea—a capability increasingly needed in the regional conflicts around the globe (Stratfor Global Intelligence Brief, August 7, 2007). Experts warn of the dangers to China’s own military if it embarks on the path to developing carrier battle groups, but most analysts are unaware of end-time prophecy and China’s likely involvement. Should China develop one or more carrier battle groups in future years, it will develop the capacity needed to challenge the Beast power in the Middle East, as prophesied in Daniel 11:44-45 and Revelation 9:13-19. Again, we see God’s prophecies moving forward toward His plan.
Tighten Your Belts, Food Prices Are Rising! If you eat lunch at a restaurant, you have probably noticed prices on the menu rising from what they were earlier this year. The Financial Times reported (July 8, 2007) that the British are paying more for fish ‘n’ chips, because shortages are causing the price of potatoes and mushy peas–traditional side-dishes—to soar. Bob Cotton, CEO of the British Hospitality Association, says his members “across the board” have begun to raise menu prices. “Suddenly we’ve got food-price inflation.” The U.K. is facing a 50,000-ton shortfall in peas. Torrential rains have damaged crops, and farm machinery is bogging down in wet fields. Weather-related problems reduced the potato crop for the last two years. Nestlé chairman Peter Brabeck says food prices are poised for “significant and long-lasting” inflation because of demand from China and India, and the use of crops for bio-fuels. Britain’s Office for National Statistics reports that U.K. food prices have risen 4.9 percent; vegetable prices are up 9.6 percent and fish are up 12.7 percent. Because of flooded wheat fields, the cost of top-quality bread-making wheat has risen 75 percent in the last two years. The Scriptures warn, “The word of the LORD came again to me, saying: ‘Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it’” (Ezekiel 14:12-13).—Don Davis, Ben Whitfield, Scott Winnail
COGwriter 2007