LCG World Ahead Weekly Update

More severe weather conditions erupted this week. A “monster” snow and ice storm blanketed the state of Washington in the northwestern part of the USA, while torrential rains produced flooding in northeastern parts of South Africa. Here in Charlotte, Mr. Meredith finished a co-worker letter and a Personal for Tomorrow’s World magazine in addition to holding a number of meetings. Mr. Wayne Pyle reports that Mr. Meredith’s television program last weekend, The Real Jesus, is expected to draw more than 3,400 responses. Today, Mr. Meredith flies to Houston for a Tomorrow’s World Special Presentation. Mr. and Mrs. Ames are on their way to Jamaica for a TWSP this weekend. Dr. and Mrs. Wilner Pierre are on their way to Haiti for a Sabbath service and TWSP. Mr. Ed Breaux reports that a total of 48 new visitors attended the two TWSPs that were recently held in Pensacola, Florida. Please remember to keep these important activities and the needs of our brethren in your prayers.—DSW

In the December 8, 2011, issue of The World Ahead, we requested prayers for Mr. Wenceslas Kamwenubusa, a long-time member in the Central African country of Burundi suffering with terminal liver disease. Mr. Kamwenubusa later fell into a coma and, hope given up on his recovery, subsequently released from the hospital and sent home. We are thankful to report that this week Mr. Rees Ellis, French-speaking Africa Area Pastor, was able to speak with Mr. Kamwenubusa on the phone; he is no longer in a coma and is improving. Mr. Kamwenubusa would like to “thank all the brethren for their prayers which have been heard… God has graciously given [him] longer days,” wrote Mr. Ellis.

The Festival Office and the Internet Department are in full gear preparing for festival registration, planned to begin in February. As we prepare for registration, we would like to let our brethren in the U.S. know how congregations are assigned to the various Feast sites in 2012. As a reminder, brethren are assigned to a Feast site according to the congregation they attend, not according to their home address. For example, if you attend the Charlotte, North Carolina congregation, but live in Rock Hill, just across the border in South Carolina, you would be assigned to the Feast site for North Carolina, which is Virginia Beach. Following is the list of U.S. Feast sites and the States assigned to them:

We are now in the second week of the semester and classes are off to a strong start. Just over 200 students are enrolled from around the globe, and many are taking advantage of the tuition-free courses. It is exciting to see the focus, dedication and enthusiasm for learning in those who have enrolled in classes. It is also encouraging to hear comments of how thankful they are for the opportunity to take classes that will prepare them to be better Christians today and more effective leaders in Tomorrow’s World!—Scott Winnail

Have you checked out the enhanced @TomorrowsWorld and @LCGinfo Twitter feeds lately? It is our goal to deliver to you timely Bible topics, news and prophecy, current events, and news of the Living Church of God announcements in “real time” so you can stay on top of the important developments that are affecting you and our world. We encourage you to take a moment to sign up for the upgraded @TomorrowsWorld and @LCGinfo Twitter feeds at www.TomorrowsWorld.org and www.lcg.org. We also would like to remind everyone about our E-Zine service where you can receive the Tomorrow’s World Newsletter, Weekly Digest and News & Prophecy sent directly to your inbox. You can sign up for the E-Zine e-mail service at www.TomorrowsWorld.org. –Wyatt Ciesielka, Internet Manager

The Importance of Wisdom: When Solomon reflected on life, he concluded that gaining “wisdom is the principal thing” (Proverbs 4:7). Solomon also records that wisdom “is more precious than rubies” and that learning to make wise decisions brings happiness and long life (Proverbs 3:13-18). With this biblical emphasis on wisdom, it is not surprising to see that Jesus, who as a child studied the Scriptures, “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” as He grew older (Luke 2:52). The Apostle Paul also urged Christians to use wisdom in dealing with people (Colossians 4:5-6). The key to gaining wisdom is to learn to fear God and develop the desire to live by every word of God ((Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). If we earnestly ask God for wisdom (James 1:5-7), if we diligently seek wisdom by studying His word (Deuteronomy 4:1-10; 2 Timo thy 3:15), and if we spend time with and listen to older and wiser people (Proverbs 10:1; 15:7; 18:15; 22:17) we will become more like the wise God whom we worship (Romans 16:27).

Vatican Wants Greater Involvement in the Holy Land. Several leading bishops from the Vatican recently visited a “Christian” village in the Gaza Strip. This event was done in coordination with the Palestinian Authority (PA). The “high profile group” of bishops later described the living conditions of the Gaza Christians as being like in a “prison”—due to the intensified sea and land blockades of Gaza by the Israeli military. However, this one-sided description by Catholic leaders overlooks Israel’s stated objective of defending its cities against rocket attacks launched from Gaza, and the ongoing Muslim persecution of Christians in the Palestinian territories. In December, a Vatican center in Jerusalem also hosted a conference with Christian and Muslim leaders entitled, “How to live together in a future Palestinian state?” (IsraelNationalNews.com, January 11, 2012). The Vatican has long wanted greater involvement in the Holy Land and Jerusalem in particular. This recent visit and further cooperation with the PA against Israel appears to support this long-standing agenda. Bible prophecies have long stated that just prior to the return of Jesus Christ to this earth, “gentiles” (non-Israelites) will occupy and control Jerusalem for a 3.5 year period (Revelation 11:1-2). The actions of the Vatican in the Holy Land today appear to fit with biblical end-time prophecies. For more information on this topic, review our booklet The Middle East in Prophecy.

Archaeology Validates the Bible—Again! Archeologists continue to discover more evidence that corroborates clear statements in the Bible. Israeli archaeologists, excavating near Jerusalem’s Western Wall, recently unearthed what they believe to be a 2,000-year-old clay seal. “The button-shaped object bears the Aramaic words ‘pure for God,’ suggesting it was used to certify food and animals used in sacrificial ceremonies.” The Israel Antiquities Authority said, “it believed it was the first time such a seal had been excavated, providing direct archaeological evidence of ritual activity in the temple described in ancient texts” (Reuters, December 25, 2011). Archaeological finds like this one are exciting, because they help validate the authenticity of the Holy Bible as an historical document. It also makes it more difficult for critics to continue to refer to the Bible as “just a book of fables.” Jesus stated several times, “there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known” (Matthew 10:26, Mark 4:22, Luke 12:2). Even though archaeological and historical evidence continues to emerge that supports the authenticity of Scripture, critics continue to ignore this evidence. For more information on the authenticity of the Holy Bible, review our free booklet, The Bible: Fact or Fiction?

2011 Texas’ Driest Year on Record. Throughout 2011, the average rainfall in Texas was just under 15 inches (37.5 cm). It was also the second warmest year on record. News reports stated, “The prolonged Texas drought is to blame for devastating agriculture and livestock losses, estimated in the billions of dollars. The historic drought has killed as many as half a billion trees, not including those that died in wildfires that scorched some 4 million acres in 2011” (Reuters, January 7, 2012). While Texas has experienced extreme drought since September 2010, many northeastern states experienced record rainfall in 2011 (NJ.com, November 25, 2011; Silive.com, September 13, 2011; ncdc.noaa.gov). Ancient prophecies in the book of Amos indicate that God will punish His people at the end of the age for their disobedience, “I also withheld rain from you, when there were still three months t o the harvest. I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city. One part was rained upon, and where it did not rain the part withered” (Amos 4:7). As prophecy marches on, these extreme trends in weather will only continue and intensify. We need to watch world events and pray for those who are suffering, because fulfilled prophecies are clear indications that Christ’s return is coming closer!—Annette Wright, Julius Hart and Scott Winnail