We are sending out this issue of The World Ahead today because of the American Thanksgiving holiday. We certainly have much to be thankful for, wherever we are, in spite of the signs of turmoil that are evident around the world. Here in Charlotte, we are formulating plans and budgets for the Church, the Work and Living University for 2009. On Tuesday we had a meeting with Mr. Meredith, here in the office. He has been coming to the office several days each week. Last Sabbath, Mr. Meredith gave the announcements during services and a 30-minute message that was very encouraging to everyone. Mr. Rod McNair and his wife have returned from visiting offices and congregations in the Caribbean. I will be leaving next Tuesday for visits in South Africa, Kenya and the UK before returning to Charlotte in mid-December. Let’s be praying for each other and for God’s Work during these eventful times.

 

 

 

Thanks to all of you, pastors and members, for your love and loyalty!  My wife and I are continuing to improve, though slowly.  We deeply appreciate all of your cards, letters and e-mails.  I am sure you understand that we cannot possibly answer them all at this time.  

 

Meanwhile, our Creator is showing us clearly that the end of this society is very near.  The enormous financial problems facing our nations will certainly change our way of life.  So we all need to “tighten our belts,” hunker down, get on our knees, and genuinely prepare for God’s Kingdom as never before.

 

With Christian love,

Roderick C. Meredith

 

 

 

Mr. Rod King reports: You probably have heard by now through The World Ahead that Dr. Meredith has approved a four-week trial of our television program on CNBC (Europe).  This is the European cable subsidiary of the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) of America.  This is one of the three big networks in the U.S. Its European arm targets the top 20% of income-earners.  The footprint covers all of Europe, as far as Russia and the former Soviet satellite countries; Israel and the Gulf States, as well as parts of North Africa.  CNBC has a subscription base of 113 million homes, which translates to around 280 million possible viewers.

 

According to Mr. Wayne Pyle, “this could be the biggest door that has ever opened to God’s Work in the end times….  This is not a religious channel, so we can expect to reach a far wider audience than the religious channels we are now on ….”

  

As you can also imagine, we are going to need help with responses, so please pray that God will provide laborers in all of the languages that will respond.  By using the English language on our program, we should be able to serve future subscribers with English-language literature.

 

At the same time, we have a new opportunity in South Africa with a channel called Channel G.  This will cost the same as our present channel, with which we have had problems.  It has pre-empted (that is overridden) our slot with sport whenever it suited them.  Channel G’s viewing audience also has a greater scope.

 

Tomorrow night [Wednesday, November 25] the Meakins and the Kings will be attending the awards of the Foreign Press Association in London.  Prince Charles is the guest of honor and Mr. Meakin will have a chance to meet and talk with him.  In the last few years, Mr. Meakin has had the opportunity to make some good contacts in the area of media and other organizations.

 

 

The printing and distribution of the Tomorrow’s World magazine in the Spanish language will begin next year. After producing an electronic version of the magazine, titled El Mundo de Mañana, since May 2006, our first print issue will appear in January 2009. The print run will be of 1,500 copies, which will be sent primarily to Spanish-speaking members, prospective members and those who have responded to the Spanish radio program. The magazine will be printed and mailed from Costa Rica, under the supervision of Mr. George Schaubeck.

 

This Spanish magazine will be a 16-page full color publication, and will feature select articles translated from the Tomorrow’s World magazine. It is being produced by a team of volunteer members and professional translators, located in North and South America, under the direction of Mr. Mario Hernandez.

 

Even though the initial print run will be small, we hope that, with God’s help and the prayers of the brethren, it will experience good growth so we can fulfill our commission of preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to all nations.

 

 

Last Sabbath, the Living Church of God held services for the first time in Bern, Switzerland. A total of 22 members and prospective members from the Geneva, Zurich and Bern regions were present. The sermon was given in French by our recently-ordained elder, Mr. Roland Lecocq, and was translated into English. We plan to hold services in Bern once a month to serve our members, and those whom God will be calling in the future, who are scattered in Switzerland and are not able to travel to Geneva for services every week.  

 

 

On December 5, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzroy Greeman will be leaving Trinidad on a two-week trip to visit congregations in Guyana and Brazil. They plan to meet with members in Georgetown, Awarewaunau and Aishalton, Guyana. They also plan to visit, for the first time, some 50 persons who meet as the Living Church of God in Moscou, Brazil, across the border from Guyana. Your prayers for a profitable and safe trip are appreciated.

What Are You Thankful For? While the American Thanksgiving was established by settlers seeking religious freedom in a new land, thankfulness is also an important biblical concept. David wrote in Psalm 95:2, “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving,” and in Psalm 100:4 “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.” Daniel thanked God for revealing the meaning of a dream about the future (Daniel 2:23). Jesus thanked His Father for food (John 6:11) and for the wisdom of His plan (Matthew 11:25). The Apostle Paul thanked God for individuals called into His Church (Romans 1:8), for generous financial support (2 Corinthians 9:6-15) and for being placed in the ministry (1 Timothy 1:12). Paul urged believers to rejoice in the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6), to “rejoice in the Lord,” and to rejoice in the spreading of the Gospel (Philippians 1:18; 4:4, 10). Paul also encouraged Christians to give thanks “always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). In light of these instructions and examples, why not make a list of what you can thank God for?

 

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail  

 

 

 

EU Leaders Ignore Promises! One of the advertised differences between the “old” European Constitution and the newer and “better” Lisbon Treaty, was the promised elimination of the use of the EU symbols: the flag, the motto, and the anthem. Many EU nations dismissed the need for national referendum on the revised Treaty because of the promised elimination of these “EU symbols of statehood.” The fear among many European nations was that if these EU symbols were used too widely, their own national sovereignty would be in jeopardy. Now that most EU nations have signed on to the Treaty, the European Members of Parliament (MEPs) have decided that the EU Parliament will promote greater use of these symbols to “help people to identify with the union”—despite promises to the contrary. One British party leader was quoted as saying, “We were told that the symbols would disappear… now they are trying to ram them down our throats” (The Times, September 12, 2008). Bible prophecy records that two future kings of the North and South will “speak lies at the same table” (Daniel 11:27). This future king of the North will gain power by apparently peaceful means, but once in power, he will “seize the kingdom by intrigue” (Daniel 11:21). He will also act deceitfully, and become strong with only a small number of people (Daniel 11:23). As we watch the further development of the Beast power in Europe, we may be witnessing the character traits of nations that will become even more deceitful and ambitious in the future.

 

EU Has Greater Aspirations. The grand vision of the European Union includes pulling in six former Soviet satellite nations—Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan—over the next several years. These nations desire to join the EU. However, EU leaders are keenly aware of the need to maintain close ties with Russia. The future relationship of these six nations with the EU will be a true balancing act as Russian feelings on the matter are also considered. “The future European Economic Area will require the six states to ‘take over the entire acquis communautaire [the EU’s legal code], including the acceptance of European Court of Justice rulings.’ The Eastern Partnership will aim to create visa free travel in the long-term, but [in the meantime will]…set up Common Application Centres in the six countries to help people enter the EU’s passport-free Schengen zone” (EU Observer, November 24, 2008). For decades, we have understood the prophetic concept of a Beast power arising in Europe made up of 10 nations or regions (see Revelation 17). One scenario envisions this 10-nation power being composed of five nations from Western Europe and five nations from Eastern Europe—analogous to the two feet of iron and clay of the image in Daniel 2:33. Time will tell exactly how God chooses to unveil His prophecy, but events are happening now which could play into this end-time scenario.

Why Zimbabwe Is Crumbling. Once a wealthy and prosperous British colony, Zimbabwe has now been under the rule of a misguided leader for much of its very short history as an independent nation. Over the last 10 years, Robert Mugabe’s leadership has elicited increasing criticism from the international community. His participation in the Second Congo War, his seizing of white-African farms, and his fiscal policies that resulted in hyperinflation, wide-spread hunger, and destruction of the nation’s infrastructure, have destroyed what was a once-rich nation (Wikipedia, November 25, 2008). Most recently, Mr. Mugabe’s policies have resulted in a cholera outbreak that is claiming hundreds of lives across the nation (Mail & Guardian [South Africa], November 25, 2008). In many ways, Zimbabwe is sadly on the “cutting edge” of end-time Bible prophecy: wars and rumors of wars, disease and pestilence, ethnic group against ethnic group (Matthew 24:6-7), hyperinflation and starvation (Revelation 6:5-6). Mr. Mugabe’s regime is the “poster child” of the efforts of man, while being the exact opposite of God’s way. When we see the catastrophes on display in Zimbabwe, we need to pray, “Thy kingdom come”! (Matthew 6:10, KJV). We also need to yearn for a time when the people will rejoice when the righteous rule (Proverbs 29:2). God speed that day!—Daniel Bennett and Scott Winnail