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Dear Brethren and Friends,

God’s laws work—blessings for obedience and punishment for disobedience!

First of all, they can help EACH ONE OF US, individually. When we make the law of God the ultimate standard for ALL that we do—even to the point of HOW we think—then we are becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. Furthermore, based on our new relationship as begotten children of God (2 Corinthians 5:17), Christ lives in us, to help us (Galatians 2:20). And of us, the Word of God reveals that “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).

Only if these things are true can we bear godly fruit in the manner that Jesus did—who obeyed the Father faithfully and who committed no sin (compare Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 3:5).

Yet, it is because of SIN—the breaking of all of the righteous laws of God (1 John 3:4)—that the world is now on the verge of a kind of global suicide. Try as it might, humanity doesn’t have a clue of how to bring about true peace—only violence prevails, for individuals as well as for nations (Romans 3:10-18).

A second point is this, NATIONS can be saved IF they turn to God and begin to keep His commandments (compare: Book of Jonah)! The world is being warned through the preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 24:14), and this time-frame is limited—once the message is given, God expects a response:

“‘The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it’” (Jeremiah 18:7-8).

Will any nation repent in our day? We don’t know, but consider what Jesus Christ said regarding what we should expect when we also preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God:

“‘Remember the word that I said to you, “A servant is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also’” (John 15:20).

And Ezekiel, whose message contains prophecies for our time, was told by God:

“‘But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted’” (Ezekiel 3:7).

Even when the terrible events occurring at the end of this age become unbearable, most people will still refuse to humble themselves in repentance:

“But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts” (Revelation 9:20-21; also, 16:9, 11).

The Book of Revelation reveals, however, that some people will turn to God in the future, but it will be in the time of unparalleled trouble (Matthew 24:21-22):

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’… Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, ‘Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?’ And I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ So he said to me, ‘These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb’” (Revelation 7:9-10, 13-14).

Brethren, we have had our eyes opened to see and to understand these momentous events! That knowledge bears great accountability for us to respond to God’s calling to salvation. It also conveys God’s commission for His people to proclaim what is about to happen (compare Ezekiel 2:3; 3:4, 17; 33:7; Mark 16:15-16).

For those who were not able to join us at the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day observances, where we distributed our latest booklet, “When And How Will Christ Return?”, a copy is included with this letter.

This publication, written by Evangelist Norbert Link, is our fortieth booklet! Pointing to the absolute certainty that Jesus Christ will return and that world events are now coinciding with major prophecies of the close of this age, Mr. Link reminds Christians of our personal role in the timing of the Father’s determination to send His Son to save the earth and all life on it!

As we watch for and await the return of Jesus Christ, we must remain FAITHFUL and OBEDIENT to God, and in doing so, let us FINISH the Work of God which has been given to us!

In Christ’s Service,

Dave Harris

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Dear Members, Co-Workers and Friends:

Some of you might remember the following famous words of Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986), saying that this is a world of awesome progress and appalling evil. And how true this is! We can send humans to the moon and back; we can create highly sophisticated spaceships, satellites, airplanes, cars, robots and other magnificent accomplishments; but at the same time, we are not able to solve the mounting problems which are plaguing mankind, such as sickness, disease, famine, war and poverty—just to name a few.

Many suffer under oppressive and restrictive governments which all seem to have a hostile attitude towards the true God and His laws, while they are motivated and driven by a desire to control their “subjects” and influence or brainwash them through their propaganda and political ideologies.

If we are honest, we must conclude that we cannot find righteous political leadership ANYWHERE on this planet, and that is why no human government knows the way to peace and happiness.

Some think they could eradicate the evils of this world through violence and war. They participate in revolutions with the goal of toppling their government and replacing it with a “better” one. However, the replacement will be hardly an improvement—and in far too many cases, the situation will have become worse than before.

Others might try to bring about change by more peaceful means—through political campaigns perhaps and through voting in governmental elections—and if God’s people are not careful, they might also fall into this ditch of wrongful thinking, believing that we in God’s Church can and should help to make this present world a better place.

However, this is Satan’s world, not God’s, and every attempt to improve Satan’s handiwork will fail. The ONLY hope and SOLUTION for mankind is the return of Jesus Christ and the restoration of God’s Kingdom and His government on and over the earth. Christ will not try to reform Satan’s rule over this world—He will DEFEAT and DESTROY this world’s governments and REPLACE their leaders, while establishing a NEW and RIGHTEOUS government on earth—which will be administered by the Family of God OVER man. Human beings will not rule this earth any longer, nor will they be in God’s Kingdom; rather, they will be ruled by God’s Kingdom.

True Christians should concentrate on the great commission which God has given His Church in these last days—to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God in all the world as a witness, and to feed His Flock. Mankind is unable to solve its problems—only God CAN do this. The sooner we have completed our God-given task of ANNOUNCING the soon-coming return of Jesus Christ and the ESTABLISHMENT of GOD’s rule on this earth, the earlier the anticipated and desired future will have become reality.

God’s Church is getting ready to celebrate God’s Holy Days in the autumn, which remind us of God’s incredible plan of salvation for all of mankind and the only solution for this present evil world. The fall festival season begins with the Feast of Trumpets (September 25, 2014), picturing the return of Jesus Christ and our resurrection to eternal life and entry in God’s Kingdom, when God’s enemies will be defeated and human rule will become a thing of the past.

The next annual Holy Day, the Fast Day of Atonement (October 4), symbolizes the banishment of Satan the Devil and his imprisonment in the “bottomless pit,” preventing him from deceiving the nations any longer.

A few days later, we begin celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days (beginning with the opening night of October 8, and lasting until sunset of October 15), picturing God’s peaceful and righteous rule on and over this earth for 1,000 years. The Millennium will be heaven on earth, so to speak—not remotely resembling its dictatorial perversion propagated by Adolf Hitler who spoke of his 1,000-year-Reich of demonic rule.

No, God’s rule, administered by Jesus Christ and true Christians made immortal, will bring something to this earth which man has never experienced since a brief fleeting moment enjoyed by Adam and Eve—peace, tranquility, prosperity and TRUE and LASTING happiness, without hatred, violence, war, envy, strife and evil thoughts. Then, we will not experience any longer a world of awesome progress and appalling evil, but we will live in a world of awesome progress and incredible good. Humans will be given a new heart and once they qualify, they too will become immortal God beings.

The next and last annual Holy Day, the Eighth or Last Great Day (October 16), pictures a time when all those humans will be resurrected to physical life who had died without having been given an opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and to live God’s Way of Life. They will be given that opportunity then… and those in God’s Kingdom will help them to make right choices in order to qualify to become immortal members of God’s Family.

The Last Great Day also symbolizes those who knew better and still decided to rebel against God. They will be resurrected to physical life to be burned up and destroyed in the lake of fire. This will end God’s plan for physical human beings. All will either have become God beings in God’s Kingdom, or they will have been destroyed.

But there is much more, of course, once this aspect of God’s plan for humans has been completed. We read that Christ’s government will have no end, and that the Family of God will rule for all eternity. What will they do?

During sermons at the Feast of Tabernacles, further answers will be given. We will also distribute to our Feast-goers, as a Feast present, printed copies of our newest booklet, “When and How Will Christ Return?”

It is very true that we must keep God’s annual Holy Days if we want to understand fully God’s plan for mankind. Neglecting to observe them will in due course lead to forgetfulness as to their meaning, and what we might have comprehended at one time will soon have disappeared. Sadly, many have experienced this tragic development—they are now walking around in spiritual darkness without knowing where they are going. Let us not make the same mistake.

We are wishing all of you the “best Feast ever.”

With Christian love,

Norbert Link

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Dear Members, Co-Workers and Friends,

When a patient goes to a doctor with unidentified injuries or physical problems, the approach for determining what is wrong with him is to check his pulse, his body temperature, the mobility of his limbs, his blood pressure and any swelling or bruising. These are all prime indicators to assess any physical problems the patient may be having. The first thing the doctor or nurse will do is to ask the patient where it hurts or where the problem is located.

If we look at the current state of the world, what do we find? A war is raging between Hamas and the nation of Israel, while ISIS or IS, a radical jihadist terrorist group, attempts to take over Iraq, Syria and other countries, while brutally murdering everyone not in agreement with them.

All kinds of protests and demonstrations are being held worldwide about the conflict in the Middle East. They are mostly directed against Israel, while very few support it. Ironically, no nation would stand by and tolerate their sovereignty being violated by rocket and mortal attacks; yet, many are quick to condemn Israel for defending itself and retaliating against such attacks.

There is an ongoing conflict in the Ukraine with Russia flexing its muscles and assisting those who want to bring the country again into the sphere and territory of mother Russia.

We hear of an Ebola outbreak in western Africa, which threatens to spread worldwide, potentially causing a pandemic of nightmarish proportions. We are plagued presently by the worst drought in the history of California, with no end in sight.

A report was published that the lava beneath Yellowstone National Park is much larger than originally anticipated, and an eruption would cause unimaginable death and destruction to many US states, affecting the whole nation.

The USA is confronted with an immigration crisis pertaining to foreigners who are illegally entering the country. This includes many unaccompanied children, and this dissolving of its borders will only add to America’s economic downfall.

There have been recent earthquakes in Alaska and other regions of the world, and the “big one” to hit Los Angeles is overdue.

The death toll caused by murder and other violence in some U.S. cities is on the rise, especially in Chicago.

This is just some of the evidence indicating that the patient, namely this world, is nearing critical conditions and is about to expire.

Does all of this sound somewhat familiar in light of the warnings that Christ gave? This is what He told us, in Matthew 24:6-8 (Authorized Version, ”AV”):

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

What we are witnessing today is only the beginning of sorrows; so when can we expect the madness of this world to end? Christ gives us that answer, also. We read in Matthew 24:14:

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

Mark 13:10 confirms this: “And the gospel must first be preached (AV: “published”) to all the nations.”

Christ gave His Church the task of proclaiming the only true gospel or good news of the Kingdom of God. It is the spiritual Body of Christ which must do this (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15). How can we possibly accomplish this task when we are not even allowed to physically enter some countries to preach the gospel there?

The Bible does not say that we have to personally preach the good news face to face to every human being on the planet, but the gospel has to be made available to “all the nations.”

When you think about this, it is presently available through the Internet. Our 39 booklets (we are preparing the 40th booklet as we print this letter), our many articles, over 650 weekly Updates, numerous video and audio sermons and our StandingWatch video and radio programs are all accessible through the Internet from anywhere in the world.

That is how we fulfil our part of God’s Great Commission to the Church in order to hasten the return of Christ. Yes, we can hasten His return (2 Peter 3:12) by getting the job done sooner, to the degree that satisfies God, and by personally repenting of our sins (2 Peter 3:9). Then the Father can and will send His Son back to this earth to establish the rule of the Kingdom of God, which is the only hope for mankind. On the other hand, we can delay Christ’s return by getting side-tracked with peripheral non-essential activities, which draw our focus away from our commission to preach and publish the gospel to the world as a witness. As we have said many times, the more we are involved and engaged in God’s true Work, the more we will overcome spiritually. If we accomplish our task and responsibilities of finishing the Work, while not neglecting our spiritual growth, then, and only then, will Christ return.

The biggest favour and outpouring of true godly love we can do and have for this currently very sick world is to stay focused on God’s Great Commission. Nothing is more important for the entire world’s ultimate salvation (John 3:14-17).

If this madness was to continue, mankind would totally wipe himself off the face of the earth and all flesh with it (Matthew 24:22).

We have an important part to fulfil in not letting that happen, so let us make sure we are doing our very best to accomplish the task given to us by Jesus Christ, the living Head of the Church, for the world’s sake.

The gospel of the Kingdom of God will be preached to the world; since God has prophesied this to occur. We will need to continue to excel in this, even if others lose focus by misinterpreting the true gospel of the KINGDOM or FAMILY of God and by engaging in futile domestic and international “missionary” work and “outreach” programs. This distraction is NOT what Christ commissioned His Church to do in these last days. But if we are faithful in what God HAS commanded us, then we can look forward to real progress in setting things straight on this earth. This we will do when we rule in God’s Family, with and under Christ, which is our reward which God is anxious to give us.

In Christ service,

Rene Messier
(Canada)

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

Now that we are in the midst of summertime in the northern hemisphere, many of us experience impressive lightning shows when thunderstorms roll through. Even though they can be dangerous, the display is fascinating to watch. It is amazing to think that mere clouds in the sky, consisting of droplets of water so tiny that they float in air, can build up an electric charge so great that hundreds of millions of volts of electricity are released in a moment. The potential energy of something so simple as a cloud is impressive.

While looking at a cloud, it is fascinating to reflect on all of the things it can do. A cloud can shade the sun, and bring down enough rain to flood streams. A cloud may let down hail large enough to destroy anything in its earthward path. In the right season, a cloud may precipitate a blizzard of snow, deep enough to bring entire cities to a standstill. All of these powerful events are the potential of a cloud, an innocent puffy thing that hangs in the sky.

As great as the unsuspected power that a cloud may have, it is nothing in comparison to the immense potential of man. The ultimate fulfillment of man’s potential is something that the world finds foreign, yet the Bible has contained the truth in clear words for thousands of years. Jesus Christ Himself quotes the Scripture in John 10:34, “Jesus answered them, ‘Is it not written in your law, “I said, ‘You are gods’”’?”

What an inspiring and powerful revelation! A cloud may have the potential to bring down lightning but mankind has the potential to become part of the God Family, and thereby become God. As plain as this statement is, even the Scribes and Pharisees at Christ’s time considered it blasphemy to say such a thing. Many today fail to believe this fact.

Just because the potential is there for all people to be begotten and born into the Family of God, it is not automatic. One must first be called, and then answer that call, by living a life that proves repentance. “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born [better “begotten,” compare New American Bible] of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments” (1 John 5:1-2).

If we are called and if we repent of our sins, then through baptism and the laying on of hands, God gives us His Holy Spirit. It is through His indwelling power that we are able to begin harnessing our ultimate potential.

Jesus Christ makes a peculiar statement that provides an interesting and almost shocking insight into what we might be able to do if we have faith enough to make use of our potential. In Matthew 17:20 Jesus says, “’… for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’” It is an impossible physical feat for man to move a mountain, but with the power of God, through faith, what can we say is really impossible?

Knowing that we have such a great potential at our disposal, both in the future, and right now, what are we doing with it? It may not be necessary to move physical mountains at this time, but we can be confronted with spiritual mountains which need to be moved. And we can and must certainly be doing something. We, as part of the Church, are part of a living Body. Each part of the Body plays an essential role. Our potential is to become part of God’s Family in the future; our potential now is to harness the power of the Holy Spirit; but what is manifest now is our place in the Body of Christ. All of this taken together should serve to narrow our focus and define our purpose for being.

Some of these ideas might seem to be general, or abstract, or difficult to translate into practical terms. Still, we all need to feel empowered to participate in the Work of the Church, contributing in our way to help the Gospel to be preached to the world as a witness. Only you can judge how you are most able to contribute to the Work. However, one of the most powerful things we can do is call upon God in prayer to bless the Work and lead the ministry so that God may be glorified, and His Kingdom established. The potential of all mankind is very great, but it takes concrete action in accordance with God’s Purpose right now so that it will be fulfilled.

With Christian love,

Eric Rank

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

In our weekly Update No. 639 dated 16th May 2014 we included a report from The Examiner which wrote on 2nd May the following: “A spokesperson for the Vatican officially announced that the coming of the Lord may not happen. They stated from the looks of it, Yashua, the only begotten Son of God will not return per John 14:1-3. Cardinal Giorgio Salvadore told WWN [Waterford Whispers News] reporters that Jesus may have been drinking (perhaps from the last Supper with his disciples) when he uttered the statements of his return. He rationalized that people make promises they can’t keep when they’re drunk…”

Both Mr Link in his StandingWatch programme, “Does the Vatican Question the Return of Christ?” and our Update point out that “there is much discussion as to whether the above-quoted comments were actually made, due to the fact that apparently no mainstream paper or news agency reported them. However, so far, there does not appear to be any repudiation of this report by the Vatican.”

But should we be surprised?

We read in 2 Peter 3:3-4: “…knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?  For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’” Likewise, Jude 17-18 has this to say: “But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.”

Further similar sentiments about the end time are expressed in 1 Timothy 4:1: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons…”

Those who know their Bible will not be surprised about mockers and scoffers at the end of this age and clearly many have, in recent years, abandoned the faith.

However, whilst it is interesting and necessary to be able to discern the sign of the times, too many in the past have been far too ready to set dates for Christ’s return, ignoring that Jesus Himself said: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36). Many feel that that may have applied 2,000 years ago but not now and, therefore, specifying a date that usually has been “revealed” just to them is legitimate. The fact that every one of these prognostications has been incorrect should tell all of us that the date is still not known to man. Failed predictions only serve to make those who fall into the trap of date-setting look ridiculous, but they also do not serve the Christian faith well. Christianity too often, and wrongly, is judged by the actions of its promoters and adherents rather than by what the Bible teaches about how we should live our lives.

If those who have formulated charts and intricate detailed prophecies to prove their point about Christ’s return at any given moment had spent their time preparing for such an event through their spiritual lives of prayer, study and meditation, their time would have been much better spent. We should not set dates, but there are those who still do.

I recall that a minister in the Church of God told me over 40 years ago that we had to be sold on the Way of Life, and how true that still is today. We must remember that there will come a time when certain prophecies will “fail” (1 Corinthians 13:8)—they will have come to pass and been fulfilled—and much more important is the character that we now must be building.  At the Judgment Seat, we will not be judged by how much intricate and detailed prophecy we knew and understood, but by how well we had kept God’s Commandments.

The rich young ruler asked Jesus: ”Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16). Jesus immediately answered him: “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (verse 17).  Jesus then went on to list some of the Ten Commandments (verses 18-19), and He also said to him: “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (verse 21). “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (verse 22). Physical things meant more to him than spiritual things.

The “Way” is spoken of a number of times in the book of Acts (9:2;  18:25, 26; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22) and is a Way of Life following Christ and His perfect Way. He said: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). And so Jesus Christ is THE Way.

We have to have a love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Many have failed that test over the years, but we must not.

We must ignore the mockers and scoffers. The Bible has warned us that they would be around at the time of the end with comments like: “Where is the promise of His coming?” (2 Peter 3:4), and it appears that some in the early New Testament Church were beginning to wonder why Jesus Christ had not yet returned to set up the Kingdom of God on earth. It wasn’t time then nor has it been any time since, but many Scriptures talk about the Second Coming and it will happen in God’s own time frame.

The Holy Spirit was given to the early Church on the day of Pentecost that we will be celebrating and keeping on Sunday 8th June this year. With the help of that Holy Spirit, baptised Church members will have all the help needed to keep “the Way” and to realise that detractors will be around to mock and to scoff, but we can and must ignore their words and actions.

In the end, we win, and those who now mock and scoff, without fully realising what they are doing,  will have their opportunity for salvation when it is God’s time to call them and offer the same opportunity that we now enjoy. We should rejoice in that knowledge.

With absolute certainty we can say that Jesus will return at a time that the Father chooses, as it will be necessary to do so in order to stop mankind from blowing himself off the face of the earth. Without His coming, “no flesh would be saved” (Matthew 24:22); that is, nobody would physically survive. Let us look forward to the time of Christ’s return with great anticipation—a time that will surprise many. But it will happen, whatever the doubters may think!

With Christian love,

Brian Gale
(United Kingdom)

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

What lies ahead for US in the Work of God?

Through prophecy given by God, we know that events taking place RIGHT NOW are “signs” of the end of this age and Satan’s deceptive rule over mankind. We also know the Bible reveals many detailed occurrences which have NOT YET taken place—but that they are at hand and on the way!

Beyond the key prophecies about end-time world events, the Word of God also addresses the Church during the tumultuous future that is coming.

When Jesus was asked about His return and when that would occur, His response was directed to His disciples—“‘the elect’” (Matthew 24:22). He gave specific instructions for Christians:

“‘Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is’” (Mark 13:33); “‘And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!’” (Mark 13:37); and, from Matthew’s account, we are told, “‘Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect’” (Matthew 24:44).

To whom are these admonitions being given? Who really understands how to apply what Jesus said? This is knowledge for the Church of God, and Jesus addresses converted men and women in order for us to be prepared. Jesus knew that His Church would be sustained throughout the centuries and still exist when He returns. The Work which He started would be continued and finished. His commission guides our activities now, and it will, as well, in the future:

“‘And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come’” (Matthew 24:14).

To all of the churches addressed in the second and third chapters of Revelation, Jesus said, “‘I know your works’”—telling some to “‘repent’” while others were to “‘be faithful’” and “‘hold fast.’”  Also, all were told that “‘He who overcomes…’” are the ones who would find eternal life in the Family of God.

Will we really take this instruction to heart? Jesus—understanding exactly what His people would face—said, “‘But he who endures to the end shall be saved’” (Matthew 24:13).

Following the prophetic revelations given by Jesus in Matthew 24, He then presents parables aimed directly at how His servants should be conducting themselves. You might want to carefully review Matthew 24:45-51 and all of chapter 25 in this regard.

As we face the future, we can do so with understanding, because God has revealed the truth to us (compare John 8:32), and we know that Jesus Christ is leading us:

“‘My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand’” (John 10:27-29).

The apostle Paul was called by God to preach the gospel, and the story of his life is recorded for us. In fulfilling the Work of God given to him, he faced tremendous difficulties (compare 2 Corinthians 11:22-33). This is what he wrote to Timothy:

“But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:10-12).

Paul looked forward with total reliance in God:

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:31-39).

We, like Jesus Christ and all the faithful men and women before us, have been chosen to have a part in the Work of God. That Work continues, and in the months and years directly ahead, our faith will be tested! Knowing this, we must become READY! Now is the time to draw close to God—PRAYING earnestly for God’s strength.

Brethren, thank you for your dedicated participation in the Work of God!

In Christ’s Service,

Dave Harris

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Dear Members, Co-Workers and Friends,

We have finished our annual Church Conference, and all in attendance felt that this was the most profitable and peaceful conference we have had for a long time. Even though some might doubt the accuracy of this assessment, as it may sound too good to be true, we are confident that our statement reflects objectively what we have experienced. We are all on the same page and dedicated to the Work of preaching the Gospel and feeding the Flock in the way that God would want us to do—something which could not always be said for all prior years with that same kind of emphasis. This kind of unity reflects growth through the help of God’s Holy Spirit, along with the fact that Jesus Christ continues to guide those who yield to Him.

Among many topics, we discussed the most obvious and some more subtle examples of doctrinal and administrative differences between our organizations and other church groups within the Body of Christ. We addressed our Internet presence and our ever-increasing and hard-working technical team, as well as plans and options for expansions, including on Facebook. We had a short look at our stunning new national and international websites, which are being prepared and which will show a unified design to better establish our identities. We confirmed our biblical understanding of John 7:37-39 and discussed, based on the Bible, how Jesus—the glorious immortal God Being—became a mortal Man. We evaluated plans for the Feast of Tabernacles in 2015, with the possibility of perhaps opening up a third Feast site. We also expressed our intent to write and publish a few more booklets this year—including one on the return of Christ and one on the fall and rise of the House of Judah. We decided to begin posting all video-recorded sermons on the Web. We will continue to address some of the doctrinal issues, as discussed in our Conference, in upcoming Q&A’s.

Even though statistics could be manufactured—and quite often are in certain circles—we objectively viewed and analyzed our presence on our different national and international websites for the last 12 months and made observations about trends that will help us to improve our efficacy in fulfilling the commission of the Church. We also decided to continue with our radio broadcasts, realizing that it may take some time to receive many meaningful responses. It was pointed out that we are blessed with many responses and encouraging growth in attendance in the German Work, but we must not forget that we have been regularly posting weekly video-recorded German sermons since December of 2008.

Statistics can help us to evaluate where we could do more and implement slightly different actions, while always remembering that it is not our job to convert others but simply to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God in all the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14). God will draw people to Christ and His Church (John 6:44, 65) whose hearts are being opened to the truth (Acts 13:48; 14:27; 15:8). When we diligently sow the seed, God will give the increase in those whom He chooses (Matthew 13:1-23)—many times in ways we will not understand (Isaiah 55:10-11).

When this letter reaches you, there will be only a few more days left before the Spring Holy Day season begins. As was pointed out in recent Editorials in our weekly Updates, we must prepare and be ready for the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread.

In our Editorial of February 28, 2014, we stated that “It is important for baptized members of the true Church of God to partake of the Passover (in the evening of Sunday, April 13). It is equally important for them to use the light of God to reveal their sins, so that they can repent and partake of the Passover in a worthy manner, thus pleasing their Creator God and their Savior Jesus Christ.”

We stated in our subsequent Editorial of March 14, 2014, that in preparation for the Passover “true Christians ought to make an extra and diligent effort to examine themselves to determine whether and how Jesus is living in them (2 Corinthians 13:5), so that they do not partake of the Passover symbols in an unworthy manner (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). This self-examination should show us how we lived throughout the year—and if we are honest enough, we WILL find fault with ourselves. This realization must prompt us to repent, change, and make amends PRIOR to Passover eve.”

We also stated that “Paul tells us to examine ourselves, as to how we are doing, and to TAKE the Passover. But before partaking of the Passover symbols, we must repent of wrong conduct and wrong thinking, and we must understand and appreciate what the Sacrifice of Christ really means for us. Christ died for us to free us from sin. He did not die for us to give us license to sin. We must be willing to live our lives worthy of God and our holy calling, and obey God in everything.”

In addition, when addressing the Days of Unleavened Bread in our Editorial of April 3, 2014, we stated that “At times, the Bible compares sin with leaven, and if leaven is not removed, it grows and permeates the whole lump. In the same way, sin grows and spreads in our lives. The Days of Unleavened Bread picture our complete departure from sin, but this is impossible without God’s help. It is God who must fight our battles. According to tradition, Israel stood in front of the Red Sea on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread. They were completely helpless and in despair, when they saw Pharaoh’s army pursuing them. But God intervened miraculously and saved them from physical death or renewed physical captivity. Today, God is giving us—spiritual Israelites—spiritual victory over sin, if we submit to Him and let Him fight our spiritual battles for us.”

With God’s Holy Spirit living within us (the gift of the Holy Spirit to God’s Church is pictured by the annual Holy Day of Pentecost), we can be obedient to God. We stated in the above-mentioned Editorial:

“When we, as baptized members of the Church of God, keep the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread, while focusing already on the Day of Pentecost, we ought to remember that everything we accomplish in this life is not because of our might and strength, but because of God’s grace and favor. Because of Christ’s great love for us, He died for us, when we were still sinners and God’s enemies. We did not deserve to be forgiven—God forgave us because of unmerited pardon. It is God who shows us the way out of sin and who enables us to follow His path. And it is God who gives us His Holy Spirit to empower us to obey Him in spirit and truth. In doing this, we can gladly focus on the Holy Days in the Autumn, beginning with the next dramatic event in the plan of God. This earth-shaking occurrence is pictured by the Feast of Trumpets and describes the return of Jesus Christ to establish God’s rule here on earth and to give us His gift of eternal life, by changing us from mortal human beings to immortal members of God’s Family.”

How thankful we ought to be that we do understand the meaning and importance of God’s annual Holy Days which reveal to us His plan for us and all of mankind. Let us show God our thankfulness by doing His Will for us—collectively and individually.

We thank YOU for your continued love and support and wish you a very meaningful and
rewarding Spring Holy Day season.

With Christian love,

Norbert Link

Dave Harris

Rene Messier

Brian Gale

Eric Rank

Robb Harris

Michael Link

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Dear Brethren, Co-Workers and Friends:

As we are bombarded with terrible news from around the world, showing the perilous times and the lives of self-centered human beings in these last days (2 Timothy 3:1-5), those called by God to His Way of Life must be different. True Christians are to be happy people, reflecting and manifesting their inner joy which is focused on their future as glorified eternal Spirit beings in the very Family and Kingdom of God (John 17:13; Galatians 5:22; Romans 14:17). As we walk through this dark valley of human suffering and death, we must not allow ourselves to become frustrated and depressed; rather, we are to lift up our heads in anticipation of entering a spiritual world of splendor and beauty, joy and peace (Luke 21:28). In short, we are looking forward to the soon-coming time of our change (1 Corinthians 15:50-57).

Even when preparing for the sobering and serious Passover evening, we need to understand that our required self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:28) should produce thankfulness and happiness (John 15:11)—realizing that our sins have been forgiven because of the Father and Christ’s mercy, grace and selfless love for us and all of mankind. While this world is living a life of selfish pursuits and idle and vain endeavors, we—God’s people—are to exemplify a life of unselfish love and concern for the welfare and benefit of others. We do understand, of course, that we cannot change the world or convert others—nor should we ever try to do this—but we can help in whatever way possible to perhaps assist God in opening the minds of those who are being called (Matthew 5:16).

Prayer, Bible Study, Meditation on God’s Word and His Way of Life and occasional Fasting are in fact major pillars in the life of a Christian—part of the foundation on which a Christian stands. But sometimes, when we are confronted with “pressing” daily needs and “important” tasks, it might become difficult to “find the time” to pray or study God’s Word, and it may become far too easy to “convince” ourselves that it may not be that important. Also, we may be shocked to discover that our prayers have become “routine”—a habitual repetition of certain words—and our Bible Studies may lack quality and just consist of a superficial “reading” of a few verses in a randomly selected chapter.

Several years ago, we published a free booklet, “Teach Us to Pray,” to help our readers in their daily task of praying meaningful and successful prayers. This booklet is still available upon request. When we want answers to our prayers, we have certain obligations, and this booklet tells us what they are. We are now pleased to offer a brand-new booklet, which should help you to make your Bible Studies more interesting. It is titled, “Hidden Secrets in the Bible,” and was written to show you marvelous things from God’s Word.

We say in the introduction: “Based on the title of this booklet, if you are expecting to read about secret ‘Bible codes’ or obscure ‘biblical’ messages, you might be disappointed. Instead, we are going to lay out some interesting hidden secrets in the pages of the Holy Scriptures which might otherwise escape the casual reader.

“In Part 1 of this booklet, we will show you the beauty of Old Testament poetry and how it lends a deeper understanding of the Scriptures.

“In Part 2, we will explain the often overlooked significance of certain biblical numbers, while also clearing up some misunderstandings in this regard.

“In Part 3, we will discuss a hidden message in the book of Psalms. Rather than viewing this book as a collection of unrelated passages, you will see a story flow that reveals God’s plan of salvation.”

This booklet should be of great help to you to make your Bible Study more delightful. It also includes several boxes with related material, including an outline and overview of the psalms, briefly listing the topic of each psalm; and the identification of the seven psalms of repentance and the fourteen “psalms of ascent”; as well as those psalms which are focusing on and are related to a particular annual Holy Day, such as the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles.

For our subscribers in the USA, we enclose a copy of our new booklet with this letter. In other parts of the world, this booklet will be sent out shortly to those on the circulation list to receive new booklets. We trust that you will make good use of the discussed material. You will realize that it proves to you the unmistakable fact that it was indeed God who inspired the writings of the Bible—no human being and no human committee could have remotely accomplished what God did; and He left us His Holy Word for our benefit and learning (2 Timothy 3:14-17).

And so, we conclude this booklet with the following observation:

“For many, the Bible is a book ‘with seven seals’—a book which they seem to be unable to understand. Indeed, God must open our minds to see, but when He does, the Word of God will shine as a bright light in utter darkness, and it will truly reveal a whole world of previously unseen secrets which are not hidden any longer from those who want to understand…”

But as it is the case with prayer, we also have obligations and responsibilities when we want to study the Bible successfully. John 7:17 tells us that we must want to DO what we learn in God’s Word, and we are only privileged to be called Christ’s friends if we DO whatever He commands us (John 15:14).

With Christian love,

Norbert Link

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Dear Brethren, Co-Workers and Friends.

God commands us to examine ourselves on an annual basis prior to partaking of the Passover in the spring of the year. We are to analyse how we have been doing spiritually during the year that has just past, and how we are doing now by comparison. This is similar to checking your pulse to get an indication as to your health, and if you discover a physical problem, you need to find out what you can do to alleviate it.

To go a step further, let us take the pulse of English-speaking nations such as the USA, Canada and the UK (some of the modern descendants of the ancient house of Israel) to determine just how they are doing.

A few days ago, it was reported that since Wade vs. Roe (the decision that a woman could have an abortion on demand), fifty-five million abortions took place in the USA from 1973 to 2013—within a forty year period. That amounts to 1,375,000 abortions a year or 114,583 a month or 3,819 a day. That is more than the total population of Canada. This is nothing less than appalling to realize that so many innocent potential children of God are being butchered in the US alone. This does not include Canada or the UK, or other countries in Europe (not to speak of the rest of the world), which would put the figures much higher.

Our nations are the biggest users of illegal drugs and also prescription drugs. I worked in a prison for almost five years before being called, and I talked to and met a lot of drug addicts who told me about their miserable lives. While the drug producers may be happy about the increase in drug consumption, God is not at all pleased.

The USA has an insurmountable 17 trillion dollar debt, which works out to around $50,000.00 for every man, every woman and every child in the USA. Imagine this: Every child being born now has an automatic debt of $50,000.00 attached to him or her. This is unsustainable and will one day cause the collapse of the economy, and it will drag down Canada and other nations and may cause a worldwide economic depression, for which the US will not be very popular.

Added to the above is the dismantling of the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman, and replacing it with the concept of premarital cohabitation and same-sex marriages which are being legalized in more and more states in the USA, as well as in Canada, the UK and other countries around the world.

Is it any wonder that especially the nations of the modern house of Israel will be going into captivity?

Where does that leave us in God’s Church? It should give us an urgency to finish the Work of God (the proclamation of the Gospel and the feeding of the Flock) that was started by Jesus Christ and the New Testament Church. The Bible tells us that in these last days, we need to get the warning message out to the world. Nothing is more important. Our focus has to be on finishing this Work.

The gospel of the Kingdom of God has to be announced, as God opens doors for us, and we should be praying that God will open more doors. We should also be praying for “physical” growth that God would provide us with more labourers to shoulder this responsibility with us. We also need to be praying for spiritual growth, since we are to be growing in grace and knowledge. We are to pray for the ministry—for their health, safety and strength, and also, that God would inspire them to feed the membership with the needed spiritual food, as things will get tougher.

Look at how Paul admonished Titus in Titus 2:11-15:

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.”

God’s ministers are to “exhort” and “rebuke,” but also to “encourage” to push on to finish this race. Look at what Paul had to endure. We read Paul’s description of a true minister of God who is willing to suffer for the Work of God, in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28:

“Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.”

Even in the face of such hardships, Paul pushed on to finish the race. He stated in Hebrews 12:1-4:

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.”

As far as we know, none of God’s disciples has been martyred for God’s Way of Life in this century, but we know that difficult times are coming with persecution, betrayal and death for some.

These facts should not discourage us but rather make us more zealous to finish the job we have been given collectively and individually, and to look to our future resurrection, when the Kingdom of God will rule this earth to make it a better place—after Satan, the current ruler over this world, will have been banished. Knowing all of this, we must remain focused on God’s Work which is still ahead of us, realizing that our reward will be great for us when we endure till the end.

In Christ’s service

Rene Messier

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

In our weekly Update of the 6th December, I wrote an editorial entitled “Getting On Together”. In this I wrote: “The Church of God should be a homogenous group, all pulling in the same direction, with the same goal of growing and overcoming so that we ‘may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man’ (Luke 21:36). In order to achieve that goal, we must pull together as the people of God, not pull apart.”

I have observed over 40 years in the Church of God that many have come and gone, including those whom we may have thought were “pillars in the Church” only to be disappointed. Without regurgitating that editorial, I would just repeat one part that I thought should concentrate our focus: “We see world events coming to a climax with seemingly little time left before Christ’s return and it is futile to concentrate on anything that will detract us from looking forward to that wonderful event and all that it means.”

How seriously do we take all of the warnings that we see in the four Gospel accounts, the Book of Revelation and many other biblical books?

Our head knowledge may help us to remember many of the warnings that we have been given, and the fact that we are reading this letter hopefully means that we have taken them to heart. For example: “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another” (Matthew 24:10). Our understanding is that this passage of Scripture applies to the Church. With all of the problems following the apostasy of the 1990’s, and since, many have been offended and gone off in different and wrong directions, and many more will be offended and leave in the future, but we shouldn’t be surprised because it has been prophesied.

We further read: “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:11-12). This is addressing those in the Church who at one time had the love of God, but who have begun to let it slip. That’s why it says that the love of God will grow or become cold and so, presumably, it was hot at one time.

Offences can and do occur and will be a challenge for the true Church at the end of this age. The Church does not have perfect people; if it did, there would be no offences, but we know, by practical experience, that some are easily offended, some have problems in forgiving others and some will not be entreated. Peter asked Jesus about forgiving others, as recorded in Matthew 18:21-22: “Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’” This was recorded just after Jesus had given the action required for conflict resolution.

Jesus also tells us: “‘Blessed are the peacemakers’” (Matthew 5:9), not the peace-breakers, and the second part of Psalm 34:14 tells us to “seek peace and pursue it.”

In a perfect Church we wouldn’t need such guidelines, but the fact that these are recorded show that we need to learn from such examples (compare 1 Corinthians 10:11).

But do we?

It is prophesied that many will be offended, will betray one another and will hate one another; that many false prophets will rise up and deceive many; and that the love of many will grow cold. It is not a pretty picture when we put all of these end-time traits together in one sentence, but if the Bible is true as we believe it is from cover to cover, then we had better take this information seriously. Head knowledge is not enough; it needs to penetrate every fibre of our being, taking it to heart as a matter of urgency.

It has always struck me as somewhat contradictory that some who espouse the way that Jesus taught agree with the theory but have big problems with the practice. We know that our adversary is on the prowl (see 1 Peter 5:8), and he is much cleverer than we are, but with the help of God’s Holy Spirit that we received at baptism, we can successfully withstand those spiritual forces that are arrayed against us. Satan and his demons will fight furiously to throw us off track, but with God’s help we can all win through.

Of course, our human nature can be another source of trouble for us, as we may struggle with the fact that someone else may be right and we may be wrong. The thought of losing face (which is only vanity if we have to apologise) may have no appeal, and it is sheer stubbornness and contrary to the way that we have been taught, if we hold a grudge against anyone.

Why am I raising this? It is because it is prophesied to happen, and we need to be truly aware of it so that Satan cannot craftily and cleverly suck us into his wrong ways of doing things. If we do have any of the problems, or situations as mentioned in this letter, it is of paramount importance to rectify such matters immediately and bring us back in line with what God expects of each and every one of us.

What is the alternative? Such occurrences happened in the time of Christ, and this is a warning for us all: “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life’” (John 6:66-68).

Having committed ourselves to the way of God at baptism, God expects nothing less than conforming willingly to His complete Way of Life as we read in His Word. Falling short must not be an option for us. Many have, regretfully, fallen by the wayside in the past and many more will do so in the future. We should make sure that that doesn’t happen to us. There is a lot at stake, and God is watching each one of us.

Let none of us be found wanting.

With Christian love.

Brian Gale
(United Kingdom)