As we near the Passover, 84% of our U.S. brethren (4,343) have now registered for the Feast of Tabernacles. Counting international areas, the number of successfully registered brethren is almost 5,500. Thanks to all of you who have registered! If you are on a transfer waiting list, thank you for your patience—we are processing the transfer requests as quickly as we can.

The Internet Department here in Charlotte is also working in conjunction with the Festival Office and the site coordinators on more behind-the-scenes plans for the Feast, including adding more practical functions to the Festival websites in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!—Festival Office

Media

South American Radio: We share with gladness the news that God opened a door for the preaching of the gospel in the city of Cali, in southern Colombia, some 190 miles from Ecuador’s northern border. The broadcast will be aired on Sabbaths and Sundays by the Radio Station Red Sonora AM 1500. May the glory be to the LORD and we request the brethren’s prayers so that this project is guided by God and contributes effectively in the commission Christ gave to the Church.

—Armando Orrego

Comments

Can You Forgive? One of the most challenging things that we must do as Christians is to forgive someone who has offended or hurt us. Jesus said that we must not only love our neighbors, we must also show love to our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). This involves being able to forgive—which means developing the mind of God and learning to use the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Bible reveals that God is abundant in mercy and ready to forgive (Psalm 86:5). Jesus taught that if we do not forgive others—on a regular basis—then God will not forgive us (Matthew 6:14-15; 18:21-22). The Apostle Paul said that we should “be kind to one another… forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” and, “do not let the sun go down on your wrath” (Ephesians 4:32, 26). Real Chr istians cannot hold grudges—they must learn to forgive. Jesus asked God to forgive those who crucified Him, and Stephen also made a similar request (Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60). We must do the same. As the Passover approaches, we need to carefully examine ourselves in this area of our lives (Matthew 5:21-24; 1 Corinthians 11:27-32). Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there someone to whom you need to apologize and from whom you need to ask forgiveness? The capacity to forgive is one of the marks of a true Christian.

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

News and Prophecy—March 22, 2012

“Ten Nations” plus Germany: A Spanish newspaper reported, “Gathered around Germany, ten nations have formed the ‘Berlin Club’ to revive the European project” (presseurop.eu, March 21, 2012). At a meeting in Berlin, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle invited nations considered “the most Europhile” to discuss how to “revive the ideal of a united Europe… stabilize growth and the euro… as well as border controls… [and reopen] the discussion on the need for a European Constitution.” The German Foreign Minister “received qualified support” from France and other countries” including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Spain (presseurop.eu, March 15, 2012). Bible pr ophecy has long foretold that “ten kings… will give their power and authority [surrender their sovereignty] to the beast” (Revelation 17:12-13)—a German-led power that will arise in Europe that has links to the ancient Roman Empire (Daniel 2:42-44)—see our booklet, The Beast of Revelation.

Germany’s New President: A special assembly of the German parliament just elected a new president to replace Christian Wulff, who recently resigned amid scandal. The 72-year-old Joachim Gauck, a former Lutheran pastor, commented on the news of his appointment, “What a glorious Sunday!” Angela Merkel is the daughter of a Lutheran pastor. Both also hail from the former East Germany. Mr. Gauck has four children and is divorced. His partner (not his wife), will take on the responsibilities of “first lady” (BBC.com, March 18, 2012). The Scriptures clearly state that God removes and sets up kings and leaders, and gives power to whomever He will (Daniel 2:21; 4:17). Bible prophecies reveal that at the end of the age, a German-led Beast power will arise in Europe and will be promoted by a prominent religious l eader (Revelation 13). Will Germany’s new, outspoken and more religious president be more likely to work with the religiously motivated ambitions of the Church of Rome? Time will tell. For more information on this coming Beast power, review our free reprint article: “Resurgent Germany: A Fourth Reich?”

Jerusalem’s History Foretells Its Future: The nation of Israel has long benefited from its geographical location. A recent Stratfor report summarized the risks to Israel, based on its geography and its past. Throughout its history, Israel has been able to defend itself against its neighbors, and even a combined attack by more than one neighbor was relatively easy to repel because of its unique geography. What history reveals is that only external powers with clear military and financial advantage have been able to overthrow Israel (e.g., Assyria, Babylon, Britain, and Rome). The Stratfor analysis points out that Israel must ally with a strong power it can trust, in order to prevent invasion and dominance by a powerful outside force. The U.S. has been this power for the last approximately 60 years. Stratfor notes , “It [Israel] can survive only if it maneuvers with great powers commanding enormously greater resources… it must be constantly clever… No nation can be clever forever… But cleverness is not a geopolitical concept. It is not permanent, and it is not assured.” Speaking of a potential scenario in which Israel could be overcome, the report continues, “… Israel might face a Babylonian catastrophe or be forced into some variation of Persian or Roman subjugation” (Stratfor, May 14, 2011). Bible prophecy labels Israel, and specifically Jerusalem, as a “cup of trembling” to its neighbors (Zechariah 12:2, KJV). It has been exactly that for millennia—a critical geopolitical region that everyone wants but no one near can have. As Stratfor notes, it would take an extremely powerful outside force (like Rome) in the absence of a powerful ally (like the U.S.) to effectively gain control of this critica l region of the world. Bible prophecy reveals that this is exactly what will happen in the end times. Jesus said that in the “last days” Jerusalem would be “trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24, KJV). The Bible reveals that this period of time will last for 3.5 years (Revelation 11:2; 13:5) and include a German-led European Beast Power controlling the sacrifices on the Temple Mount (Daniel 11:31; 12:11). Geopolitics are shaping up for this long-prophesied event. For more information on this subject and the fate of Israel and Jerusalem, see our free booklet, The Beast of Revelation—Scott Winnail and James Ginn.

COGwriter 2012

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