LCG World Ahead Weekly Update

Western so-called “Christian” nations are certainly under siege from anti-Christian forces. Numerous attempts are underway to promote the acceptance of Islamic Sharia law in Western Europe, Britain and America. Atheists want any reference to God eliminated in the public sphere, and homosexual activists are making ever more bold efforts to flaunt and promote their perverted lifestyle in the media, in schools and through legislative and judicial means. Adversaries are increasing and Sodom and Gomorrah are rising again from the ashes of the past—as Bible prophecies have long indicated—because our nations have turned away from God (see Deuteronomy 28:15-47; Isaiah 1:1-10).

Here in Charlotte, Mr. Meredith has been writing and spoke to the office staff about the importance of our mission and the need to be able to adjust to changes that occur. His Tomorrow’s World telecast last weekend is expected to draw more than 4,200 responses. Dr. Scott Winnail reports that last weekend 27 visitors attended the follow-up Tomorrow’s World Special Presentation in Mandeville, Jamaica, entitled “Where Is God’s Church Today?” Mr. Ed Breaux presented a TWSP in Columbus, Mississippi, entitled “The Gathering Storm,” that was attended by 20 first-time visitors (see report below). On my most recent trip to Europe, I was able to spend Sabbaths with brethren in Geneva, Switzerland and Weert, Netherlands. In spite of train strikes, snow and very cold weather, Mr. Rod King and I were also able to conduct a short and profitable conference in Belgium with our French-speaking ministers. Please keep our scattered brethren, and those looking to God for His intervention, in your prayers.—DSW

Important Notice to All Pastors: This year the Passover Service will be observed on Thursday evening, April 5. Let us know as soon as possible if any of the congregations you serve will need additional Passover Service supplies (bread trays and/or wine trays or glasses) or a copy of the Passover Servicerecording. To ensure timely delivery and to save on shipping costs, please let us know this information right away, for international congregations, and by March 2, for U.S. congregations.

Additionally, let us know of any scattered members who are unable to keep the Passover with a congregation and who need to receive the Passover Service recording and letter instructions to observe it at home. Please direct your requests to Dorothy McNair at the Church Administration Department by e-mail at dmcnair@lcg.org or by phone at 704-844-1960, ext. 2248, as soon as possible.

Columbus, Mississippi: On the Sabbath of February 4, 39 people gathered at the Fairfield Inn in Columbus to hear Mr. Ed Breaux’s presentation titled, “The Gathering Storm.” Of those who attended, 20 were first-time visitors and 19 were members of the Columbus congregation, along with visitors from the Jackson, Laurel, Gulf Port, Mississippi; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, congregations. The visitors commented how much they enjoyed the presentation and how logical information was presented. Twelve of the guests asked about attending services next Sabbath before the follow-up presentation.

2012 Festival Registration will begin on Sunday, February 19, at 12:00 noon (Eastern Standard Time). All brethren will beinvited to register for their preferred Feast site at that time. To find a list of sites and descriptions, check out the new Feast of Tabernacles website (click on the “Feast of Tabernacles” link at www.lcg.org). This is a “limited functionality” version of a new website that will be enhanced and expanded over the next several months with added functions like activities, schedules, etc. We hope this new website will give members a helpful, user-friendly place to explore information about the sites and make all of their needed Feast arrangements.

If you will be registering for a site to which you are not assigned, please do not make housing reservations until your transfer request has been approved. Transfer approvals will be sent via e-mail. If you do not have Internet access or need help registering, please see your local congregation’s Festival Advisor! Festival Advisors have site information and registration forms to hand out and collect over the next two Sabbaths, in anticipation of registration on February 19.

In preparation for registration on February 19, we encourage all LCG brethren to make sure their “MyLCG” account is active and working. To find out, simply go to www.cogl.org and log on. If you do not yet have a MyLCG account, you can create one there. If you have any problems logging on, write to websupport@lcg.org.—Festival Office

We had initially announced that our new Feast site in Costa Rica would be a bilingual Spanish-English site. Due to the high interest in this site from English-speaking transfers, we have decided to make it an all-English site, meaning that services during the Feast will be conducted each day in English, while simultaneous translation is provided into Spanish for those who need it.

For those seeking a unique and exciting learning opportunity, Living University is now seeking applicants for a limited number of on-campus students to study full-time in Charlotte, beginning in the fall of 2012. We hope to have several new, male or female, students with us beginning in August! Applications can be initiated online through the University’s website, www.livinguniv.com. Additional details and requirements can also be found online, plus the estimated costs associated with on-campus study. We plan to have housing available for on-campus students this fall.

With our on-campus students, we are also looking for individuals who have skills they can use to contribute to the Work or University through part-time work. We have work study opportunities available in several areas, but are in greatest need of students with skills and interest in the areas of writing and editorial, Web graphic arts and online layout, and also in “Web content” design. If you are interested in on-campus LU study and also have interests and/or skills in these or other areas, please contact us as soon as possible. At this time we can only accept on campus students from the U.S. Our hope is to expand this opportunity to international students in future years. Because space is limited, students interested should plan to have their applications completed and submitted as soon as possible. Those with no previous college will need to submit college entrance test scores (GRE or SAT) along with the application. You can fin d out more about these exams through a local High School guidance office or local college testing service. If you have questions about on-campus study or to find out more, please call or e-mail Dr. Scott Winnail at 704-708-2292 or swinnail@livinguniv.com.

Working Together: Jesus referred to His disciples as His “friends” and encouraged them to “love one another” (John 15:12-17). The Apostle Paul referred to those who assisted him in his ministry as “my fellow workers” (Romans 16:3) and “fellow workers for the kingdom of God” (Colossians 4:11). He referred to members of God’s Church as “God’s fellow workers” (1 Corinthians 3:9) and “workers together [co-workers] with Him” (2 Corinthians 6:1). To work together with others doing God’s work is a unique and exciting opportunity that carries a big responsibility! The Scriptures provide important guidelines about how to work together. We are instructed to “be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” and not let contentions divide us (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). We are also advise d to get along and live in harmony, to avoid being haughty and conceited or ambitious for a position, and to be humble and work together peacefully (Romans 12:16-18). If we can learn to really “love one another” and treat each other as “friends” we will be more effective “fellow workers for the kingdom of God.”

Crisis in Capitalism. In an ongoing series of articles, The Financial Times of London has focused on the demise of capitalism—the economic engine behind Western economies. The articles have noted a “crisis of legitimacy” or a “crisis of confidence” in the long-touted system, due mainly to the financial chaos wreaking havoc on world financial markets. The current crisis gives rise to the big question, “Will capitalism continue or will it be replaced?” Bible prophecies provide a glimpse into the future. Revelation 18 reveals that a Babylonian system will arise at the end of the age and make nations and peoples very rich—before it comes crashing down. Nations and merchants of the earth will “mourn” over its destruction because “no one buys their merchandise anymore.&rdquo ; These merchants will eventually “stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing” (vv. 3-15). Ultimately, Jesus Christ will return to the earth and usher in a new economic system based on the laws of God, tithing and the way of give (Isaiah 2:3-4). Those who will not work will not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10), but the righteous shall never go hungry (Isaiah 49:10; Revelation 7:16). God will not use man’s “isms” (capitalism, communism, socialism, or the like) in His perfect government. Jesus Christ will teach the peoples of the world the only way that leads to peace—a way that is far above the wisdom of man (1 Corinthians 1:20-21).

Germany’s Growing Influence. Angela Merkel stated “Time is of the essence,” in appealing to Israelis and Palestinians to push forward in their peace process. On a recent trip to Europe, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas traveled to Berlin to update leaders on current peace developments with Israel. “Abbas thanked the German government for its support, both on a material and political level. The country had helped in the building of Palestinian state institutions and was also in a position to be helpful in the peace process, enjoying good relations with both sides. ‘The fact that Germany is a good friend of Israel does not bother us, because Germany is also a good friend of the Palestinians,’ Abbas emphasized. Palestinians understood the historical reasons for Germany’s support of Israel, said Abba s, and they respected them” (Deutsche Welle, January 20, 2012). Germany feels responsible for the Holocaust and it has made it a priority to keep good relations with Israel while also giving economic and political support to the neighboring Palestinians. God inspired Daniel to write about a coming time when a fragile peace would be made in Jerusalem by a northern European leader. This peace will be cut short, when this king of the North is provoked by a king of the South and the king of the North then brings great desolation on Middle East countries aligned with the king of the South (Daniel 9:27; 11:40-41). With Abbas’ recent trip to Europe, it appears Germany will become more involved in the biblically prophesied attempt to bring “peace” in the Holy Land. For more information about these exciting prophetic events, request our free booklet Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ’s Return.

A Lack of Vision. A major reason the Allied Powers defeated Nazi Germany in WWII was that the U.S. military-industrial complex vastly out-produced Germany. Allied forces recently defeated the Gadhafi regime in Libya because of U.S. weapon supplies. However, the U.S. is now outsourcing military production and beginning to pay the price. Early in the Iraq War, the U.S. ran short of precision-guided bombs and could not produce replacements fast enough because a Swiss company, responsible for a critical part, refused to sell the part because it did not support U.S. actions in Iraq. In 2010, the U.S. purchased 59,000 computer chips for high-tech weaponry, and the chips turned out to be counterfeit. The U.S. is phasing out its ship-building facilities, while China now produces 97% of new ships built (SaturdayEveningPost.com, January-February 2012). This does not bode well for the future of the U.S. military. The Bible has long noted, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18, KJV). Regrettably, many of today’s leaders lack vision and are motivated by short-term thinking. They are focused on reducing costs and do not consider long-term consequences and lessons of history. Ultimately, this lack of vision will play into the hands of enemies and bring national captivity (Deuteronomy 28:25, 36-37). We are watching the beginning of this cycle now in the Israelite-descended nations of America and Britain.—Scott Winnail and Justin Ridgeway