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Dear Brethren and Friends,

When we look at all of the mounting problems in the world today, it becomes obvious that so many are caused by man’s lust for power.

We can see this in many places around the world and, particularly at this time, the tensions in the USA over the recent presidential election. Many of the accusations and recriminations from all sides of the argument have done nothing but to bring harm to this great country’s reputation. Unfortunately, it is replicated in so many other parts of the world and the advent of Covid-19 has enabled many other people to become decision makers in order to cope with this unfortunate outbreak, and how many seem to revel in their new found authority and control.

What is human power? Power is influence, authority over, personal or political ascendancy with the person having the power being the one in control, the one who makes the decisions and the one who is seen as important. 

Power is the ability to command—to get others to obey, even if they are reluctant. Authority is achieved when other people accept your right to tell them what to do.

There seems to be an in-built desire in so many people to have power and authority over others. And it is not new. It is a phenomenon that can be traced back thousands of years and there seems to be no let up. 

We all know the phrase that “power corrupts—and absolute power corrupts absolutely” and this may be true, to some extent, when addressing power exercised by man. The more you look at the way many people get into high office—and stay there—the more crookedness and power play there seems to be. Politics, because of the power and authority that come with high office, is certainly not the only area where this is evident.

That desire is not confined to politicians alone. It is in every facet of society. There are power struggles in the boardroom, in the factory and within trades unions, in sports clubs, in the entertainment and media industry, in churches and with some religious people—in fact in every nook and cranny of society. And within families too.

But power has been one of the main aims of people like Attila the Hun, Mussolini, Adolph Hitler, Ayotollah Homeini, Fidel Castro, Saddam Hussein, Kim Jong-un and so many others. Why? So that they could impose their will on the populace and basically do anything they want.

Generally, such dictators and autocrats don’t seem to have the well-being of their citizens at heart. They want to hang on to power, irrespective of the consequences. Often power mad—with no thought for anything or anybody but themselves

And when someone is in a position of power and authority, they can become paranoid about holding on to their position. It seems that wielding power is so vitally important to them. 

There is a vast gulf between progressing because of ability, diligence, vision and loyalty, rather than getting on because of power play and politics.

The Bible has many examples about the lust for power: Satan’s rebellion (Isaiah 14:12-14); the rebellion of Korah against Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16); the ambition of James and John (Matthew 20); Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8); and Diotrephes (3 John). All were the antithesis of true belief and faith in the great Creator God.

All of the problems that we see around the world, many caused by self-seeking political leaders, will be changed in the not-too-distant future.

In Acts 1:8 we read: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The power to which Jesus referred here was not political, but spiritual. When the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, they were clothed with heavenly power. And we see that chapter two of Acts describes the coming of the Holy Spirit. This is the power that true Christians have been given now. They should not be involved in the power game that seems to envelop every facet of life.

In Matthew 18:1-5, we read about the sort of humble attitude we should have. At Christ’s return, when the Kingdom of God will be instituted, those Church members who have remained faithful to the end and have God’s Holy Spirit together with those who died in the faith, will be changed into spiritual members of the God Family.

In God’s Kingdom we will have power—power to serve—not self-serving. We will have grown and overcome—we will be trusted and trustworthy and God will be able to entrust us with His unlimited power which is something that we couldn’t handle today.

How can we even begin to comprehend the power that God has available? Can we ever begin to appreciate just how great God is? God is watching us now, while we are still relatively powerless, to see how we live. He expects us to take seriously even the smallest details of the Way of Life we have been called to. We must use the Holy Spirit properly—that gift that we were given at baptism—and one day, we will be welcomed by the great Creator God into His Kingdom to live with Him in full brilliance and majesty and share His awesome power forever.

We may not have much power now, but in the future, as members of the God Family, we will have more power than we can ever realise at this time. It’s the power in the Kingdom of God that we should be eagerly looking forward to, not the selfish, self-serving power that seems to be a high priority with so many today.

We will be given the power to serve humanity, to teach about God and the proper way to live and to help in every way. We will use that power for the good of all concerned.

Just for the time being, man’s appalling rule on earth is being allowed in the short term but in the future, when Jesus Christ will rule as King of kings and Lord of lords, Godly power will be used in the very best interests of all concerned.

That is the time that we can all eagerly look forward to.

With Christian love,

Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

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Dear Members and Friends,

What a time of uncertainty that we are living in right now, especially when focusing on the current elections in the United States. But this has an overall effect on the world scene, according to biblical prophecy. That which is going on in the US at this moment is utter chaos, confusion, corruption, and to think that anything remarkably good will come out of these elections, whoever the next president is going to be, is wishful thinking filled with desperate hope. The core values which this country once put down on paper 225 years ago seem nonexistent today. A very important document was signed in the US which stated this:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” 

These are the famous memorable words that Thomas Jefferson laid down back in 1776 as the core values of the United States of America in what is known as the Declaration of Independence. They still stand at the head of the US Code to this day.

However, the present day does not seem to harmonize with this statement, as we see immorality all around us. This comes as no surprise, as this has been going on for many, many years, but we see how things are getting worse—not just here, but the whole world is affected. Just imagine how the world will react if Donald Trump is in fact re-elected, even after Joe Biden has now been declared to have won? And even if this is the case, to think that Mr. Trump would be out of the picture for the future is very unlikely. Ultimate damage for this nation has not been completed yet. Too many factors are still prophesied to take place which haven’t occurred yet on the world scene.

What used to be the foundation of the United States is not the case anymore. Where in fact is equality, where is freedom? When focusing on God’s people, is there really a freedom of religion anymore, or freedom of speech, or freedom to assemble without the “fear of offending” someone, especially in light of the coronavirus debacle? It is remarkable that God has created all of us equally—meaning that we all have the ability and the same choice to follow Him and His Way of Life. God has called out specific people at this time, like you and me within the Church of God, with the special responsibility of proclaiming the Truth, but the time will come when every single person will ultimately have the chance to know and understand what we are experiencing now.

When it comes to what we believe in, no one should be able to take that away from us, as long as we are determined, making sure that our choices are the correct ones. This country still enjoys the freedom of religion, but the way things are going, that may very well not be the case anymore for long, as the Book of Revelation shows. We also read in 2 Peter 2:18-22 how false teachers will deceive many people, and this is something that we in the Church need to be cautious about as well.

As quoted above, three specific words are mentioned in the Declaration of Independence, and God talks about the same specific words that we should abide by and experience, namely Life, Liberty and Happiness. God tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 that the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

God explains to us what it is that we need to be doing to draw closer to Him in order to gain our freedom. It is quite simple but difficult to do by human standards. Notice what Christ said in John 8:32-36: “‘And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ They answered Him, ‘We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, “You will be made free?”’ Jesus answered them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.’”

Laws change in this world. Since the Declaration was written, so many things have happened in the meantime. Times are not getting any better, as more and more laws are created or changed that affect society, which is certainly not in accordance with God’s spiritual laws or the Way that He operates. God’s spiritual Law has been the same then, now and will continue to be so in the future. “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25). Do we want to be part of this perfect Law?

Christ has to make us free through the repentance that God the Father offers us. When we sin, we are not free but slaves to sin. However, one may think that we are also slaves when we submit to God and His Way. But there is a big difference. Being a “slave of sin” does not bring forth good fruit, and it will lead to death. Being “slaves to righteousness” brings everlasting life. Which one do we choose? If we want to have our freedom, we must obey God (compare Romans 6:16-19). And only when Jesus Christ returns to establish His Kingdom here on earth will we finally experience TRUE freedom and liberty.

We can say that we have signed our very own Declaration of Independence, but not of this world. We have devoted our lives to God; we look to divine protection and our lives are in God’s hands, for our citizenship is not of this world (Philippians 3:17-21).

God asks us to choose life and reject death (Deuteronomy 30:15-16, 19-20). The life that God is offering us is everlasting life (Matthew 19:17). It requires that we keep His commandments.

This, in turn, leads to true happiness. Proverbs 29:18 says, “…happy is he who keeps the law.” In John 13:17, Christ confirms that we are happy when we do the right things (Authorized Version). And Psalm 144:15 says that “happy are the people whose God is the LORD!”

When Thomas Jefferson wrote about Life, Liberty and Happiness, he had our physical condition in mind. God is using the same words but He is not just referring to our physical life, but also, and more importantly, to our eternal existence. This is the most vital aspect we need to consider, for whatever happens in the near future, let us continue to have God guide and direct what we need to be focusing on. Let us not make the mistake of falling into a false sense of security, for if we get sidetracked, we could become vulnerable. This is exactly what Satan wants to happen to God’s people—to catch us off guard like a thief in the night. 

Let us continue to be vigilant with ALL our faith in God, and we shall see what will happen next.

In God’s service and with Christian love,

Michael Link

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Dear Members, Co-Workers and Friends,

Our enemy, Satan the Devil, has been very busy. For nearly 6,000 years, he has been deceiving
mankind on a continuous basis. He tricked the first woman into believing that one can disobey God and get away with it. Satan lied to her, being the father of lies in whom is no truth (John 8:44), and in following him, Adam and Eve died. Satan caused their death, being a murderer from the beginning (same verse), and he has had the power of death over sinning mankind ever since (Hebrews 2:14). 

This world is cut off from God. Satan rules this world from his throne here on earth (Revelation 2:13). He has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:10), which is under his sway (1 John 5:19). His demons are ruling with and under him—evil spirits of darkness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). 

Satan persuaded mankind to follow his evil devices by establishing administrative, governmental, legal, economic and religious systems that are all in opposition to the true God. In this present evil age (Galatians 1:4), not one human government is righteous, and no country is subject to God. Rather, all follow the god of this world —Satan the devil (2 Corinthians 4:4)—the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2). 

Satan knows about God’s plan, but he thinks that he can thwart it. As he tried to knock God off His throne before the creation of man, so he tries again just prior to the return of Jesus Christ. He is being thrown down from heaven once more, as he was defeated during his first rebellion (Luke 10:18). And he is extremely angry because he knows that his time is short (Revelation 12:12). 

Out of this evil world—this Babylon of confusion—God has called specially selected chosen people to resist Satan. God expects and requires of them that they love and obey Him more than human beings and governmental officials who may act under Satan’s inspiration. But God also knows that in these end times, many of His people will fall away from Him and from His Truth (Matthew 24:10-12) and believe again the lie (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 11-12)—all under the influence of Satan who disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Already in Paul’s time, some had turned aside after Satan (1 Timothy 5:15). Paul was afraid that others might have too (1 Thessalonians 3:5). In our time, many will do so. 

Satan HATES God, and He hates God’s people. He wants to destroy them. Quite often, he is using human governments in his efforts (1 Corinthians 2:7-8). God’s people must be aware of this, but sadly, some are not. They are willing to follow governmental commands, restrictions and mandates, which violate God’s Law in letter or in spirit. They do so, thinking they can get away with it.

The Feast of Trumpets reminds us that Christ will return soon, and then all will have to appear before His judgment seat to give account for what they have done (2 Corinthians 5:10). Some might be shocked to hear Christ’s words which He also uttered to Adam and Eve, when casting them out of Paradise. 

After He has returned, Christ will imprison Satan for about 1,000 years so that he cannot deceive the nations anymore (Revelation 20:1-3). Then, mankind will be given the opportunity to be at one with God, and the Day of Atonement reminds us of that unique event in human history. Satan and his demons will be held captive in the “abyss”—the “bottomless pit,” and the rule of God here on earth will produce peace, prosperity, happiness and joy, which mankind has NEVER experienced before. We are picturing this glorious and unique time in observing the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days.

But when the Millennium draws to a close, Satan will be freed for a short time, and as the wrathful and hateful being that he is, he will go out to deceive the nations, and millions will follow him to wage war against God and His people (Revelation 20:7-9). God will act quickly and decisively. The rebellious armies will be devoured by fire, and Satan and his demons will be cast into the lake of fire, never being able to deceive anyone anymore (verse 10). Then, the opportunity will be given to ALL of mankind who did not have the chance to accept Christ and God’s Way in this life, to embrace the Truth. Their eyes will be opened, and their ears will hear (Revelation 20:11-12). Today, this is not the case for most people. But it will be then, and the Last Great Day pictures this event, in part.

Sadly, these glorious events of Christ’s return, the banishment of Satan, the Millennium and the time thereafter have not happened yet. We still have work to do, both collectively and individually. Satan is still on his throne, and as the most vicious, evil, devious and mean being in existence, he will try everything he can to destroy YOU. He knows that it is your potential to replace him. He hates you for that, and he may even think that if he can successfully tempt and destroy all of God’s people, then his rule might continue a bit longer. 

Satan asked the Father to sift God’s people as wheat (Luke 22:31). He asked for permission to tempt and plague Job (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7). He was even allowed to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. He entered Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus. He accuses the brethren before God day and night (Revelation 12:10). He tries to take away the Word of God when it is sown in the heart of people (Matthew 13:19). Satan is the destroyer, and if Christ was not to return to shorten the coming days of the horrible Great Tribulation, Satan would have succeeded to see to it that no flesh would be saved alive (Matthew 24:22).

But Satan will not succeed. God allows Satan to tempt us and cause problems for us (1 Thessalonians 2:18), to see whether we will obey God more than men, no matter what. Some are willing to give up right away when trials come upon them. But Christ overcame and prevailed against Satan, commanding him: “Away with you, Satan!” (Matthew 4:10), and Satan had to obey (verse 11). God wants to free us from the power of Satan and to turn us to God (Acts 26:18). God has the greatest confidence in YOU that you will prevail (Philippians 1:6). God wants to crush Satan under your feet shortly (Romans 16:20). Don’t disappoint Him. Don’t compromise! Don’t give in! Don’t give up! Don’t fall away! Hold fast what you have! KEEP God’s Holy Days in the way ordained and ordered by God, including the entire time of the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. As you have opportunity, listen to the important messages which will be delivered during these days. Don’t even miss out on just one of them. 

It will be such a joyous time, even though Satan has been trying hard to convince God’s people that they do not have to keep the Feast in the way as commanded by God. Through governmental restrictions under his influence, he is using the same tactic as he did when deceiving Eve in the Garden of Eden: “Has God indeed said…?” Eve fell for it, and Adam followed his wife, convincing themselves that a “little” disobedience did not really matter. Far too many of God’s people are following today Adam and Eve’s bad example. Don’t you be one of them!

Wishing you a deeply rewarding Holy Day season. We will all be with you—in body and/or in spirit.

With much love, your brother in Christ,

Norbert Link

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

We are fast approaching the Feast of Tabernacles, and how quickly things have changed over the last six months, causing many people to change their plans in regard to where they are going to keep the Feast. Satan has been very strong in attempting to break God’s people through many different circumstances. The attacks so far this pre-Holy Day season have been trying and stressful. As I reflect on my own trials,
I realize that it is not that difficult to get discouraged and at times frustrated and even angry with situations, people and life.

It is easy to look at what we are going through now and understand that these are hard trials, but all of this brings home the point that as we go through them, we are growing in strength, faith, patience, knowledge and perseverance, and that we will be tried harder and harder, sometimes close to the breaking point. We may lose family, friends (Matthew 19:29), and earthen “treasures,” but these things hold no comparison to what God is doing in and through us on a daily basis.

Why is it that especially before God’s Holy Days, Satan makes the hardest attempts to get us to break down? What is it that you personally are facing right now? How personal are you taking the trials you are encountering? How are you getting through your trials? Are you finding yourself banging your head again and again against the same wall? Or are there new things that are being shown to you? When we honestly take the time to self-evaluate and look at the things that are happening (Lamentations, chapter 3), we can begin to see God’s hands crafting and molding us for His purpose and for His service, whatever that may be (Psalm 119:73-80).

One of the things that I am taking away from this time now is that it is God who is in control. I myself do not have the proper strength, wisdom or power, no matter what I face. Rather, it is when I humbly come before Him (Colossians 4:2) and bring the things that are happening before Him, that He then answers. This is not something that most people are willing to do. The act of laying everything before God and asking for His help and His understanding requires an attitude of humility. God wants to see if we are willing to stop thinking we know everything. He wants to find out if we are willing to wait on and for Him (James 4:10).

As we prepare for the fall Holy Days, what is it that we will bring with us into this time? What type of mindset are we cultivating each day? Are we focused on God and on growing our relationship with Him? Or are we so preoccupied with “life” that we are giving no thought to our spiritual state and just mindlessly dealing with the tests and trials that besiege us? It is a mindset that we choose. We choose how close we want to be with God. God will allow trials in our lives to continue to bring us to the point where we recognize that we can no longer rely on ourselves. He will continue to help us in changing and eradicating those things in our lives that prevent us from drawing CLOSE TO HIM. And then He will mend and heal us (1 Peter 5:6).

One of the hardest things to do as a human being is to find joy in trials. James 1:2-5 tells us to be “joyful” that we suffer. In order to do this, we have to have the correct mindset and we have to have the faith of the Father and of Christ living and working in us. We will not find it joyful otherwise. Instead of being frustrated and annoyed or angry at our trials, the right attitude would be to start looking at what we are supposed to be learning. What are we going through that God deems worthy of us suffering (Hebrews 5:8)? James also tells us that tests produce “endurance.” Endurance is not something that one conjures up! Christ told us in Matthew 24:13 that it is the “one who endures to the end who will be saved.” 

There may be situations and trials that we will find ourselves in, when it feels that they are almost impossible to surmount, overcome or endure. But when we start to really trust in God, when we start to place all things into His care, we will become more and more aware of the Truth that God is willing and waiting to help. Paul summed this up in Romans 8:28-30 where he said: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”

We hope that all of us will take the time to really think and pray about what it is that God is trying to show each of us in our lives. He is preparing us for the times ahead that we are facing. He is preparing us to stick close to Him through all things. He is preparing us to become God beings in His Family, so that we can help others when the time comes. Our potential is before us. And if we must suffer a little now to bring to fruition the greater good, then so be it.

We pray that each of you will have a deeply rewarding Fall Holy Day Season.

With much thought and love, 

your brother in Christ,

Kalon Mitchell

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually,” according to what the apostle Paul wrote to the Church (1 Corinthians 12:27). In this chapter, he uses the parts of the body as an analogy to show the different functions of people who make up the Church of God.

His point is that every Christian has a function and a vital role in the Church. After all, being Christ’s representatives in this world is the commissioned Work that is being done on His behalf in preparation for His return.

But there is more!

We are in training to rule with Jesus. World government at that time will be God’s government! Our conduct in the Church right now is—undoubtedly—much more important than we may possibly realize. That point comes home when we really take the time to carefully study what Jesus said to churches of God in chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation.

To each church He gave a very specific message addressing weaknesses and strengths He found in them. We are included for Jesus said that we are “‘to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” You might wonder why all of the messages apply to us? It is because we must learn to do what Jesus also said, and that is to “overcome”—any and everything that would cause us to fail in our calling. You see, in addition to being trained, we are being judged on how well we are doing:

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’” (1 Peter 4:17-18).

The “ungodly and the sinner” will not appear in the first resurrection, but the righteous members of the Body of Christ will:

“‘Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.’ And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, ‘Write: “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!”’ And he said to me, ‘These are the true sayings of God’” (Revelation 19:7-9).

In the written messages of Revelation 2 and 3, it is quite evident that terrible times of persecution arose against the Church, and some members were martyred while others weren’t. We know that great tribulation lies immediately ahead for this world, and we also know that the Church of God will face these times. Once again, some true Christians will be martyred for the name of Jesus Christ, and some will be given protection by God.

Many scriptures, many prophecies, are for our time, and we have this warning from Jesus, “‘Take heed that no one deceives you’” (Matthew 24:4). We are also told—as an absolute certainty—that some will fall away from the Church of God in our time (2 Thessalonians 2:3; Matthew 24:10-12). That has
happened, and more will leave the Church.

That doesn’t have to happen to any of us. Jesus gives us the key, saying, “‘But he who endures to the end shall be saved’” (Matthew 24:13).

Brethren, we who are members of God’s Church—the true Body of Jesus Christ—must love one another. We must follow the lead of God’s love for us and the love of Jesus Christ, who not only died for us but lives to powerfully watch over the Church.

“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually”—don’t ever give up, don’t walk away from the Church of God and don’t reject Jesus Christ or God’s incomparable calling to everlasting life in His Kingdom!

In Christ’s Service, 

Dave Harris

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

We are seeing greater worldwide persecution and hostility against individuals that call themselves Christians. The following are news headlines from the past several months:

“Gunmen Kill 27 in Predominantly Christian Villages in Mali,”

“10 Christians, Including a 3-Year-Old Girl, Killed by Extremists in Nigeria,”

“Militant Extremists Kill More Than 80 in Nigerian Village,”

“Gunmen Kill 58 in Attacks Aimed at Christians in Burkina Faso,”

“Christian Boy, 16, Stabbed and Stoned to Death for His Faith in Eastern India.”

These attacks are from extremists in predominantly Muslim-controlled regions. The hatred towards Christianity in these countries is nothing new, but this disdain is not just from Muslim radicals. Earlier this year, Open Doors, an international organization tracking Christian persecution, released their annual report, assessing 50 countries where Christians are at risk. 260 million Christians live in these territories, where they are subjected to high levels of violence because of their beliefs. Based on their practices, we can assume most of those tortured are only Christian in name, but groups that target Christians to persecute don’t care. The tide of persecution is rising, and we must do all that we can not to bring unnecessary persecution upon ourselves.

We know that persecution will take place upon true believers as well. Paul warned Timothy of this, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:12-13). Christ, being perfect, suffered for the message and purpose for why He appeared to mankind. We must have the resolve to stand strong before adversity because adversity is drawing closer to each of our doorsteps.

The protection given to the descendants of Israel, because of Abraham, is quickly being withdrawn. Religious freedoms and tolerances, once considered sacred, are quickly and subtly being dismantled. It isn’t hard to imagine, based upon how rapidly our world has changed recently, that the true body of Christ will soon find itself in the crosshairs of oppression.

Are we prepared to stand up for the same values Christ died for? If we consider ourselves part of the body of Christ, then each of us must be grounded in an affirmative answer. After warning Timothy, Paul continued with encouragement. “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15).

Taking on the name of Christ, following Him and desiring to have Him live in us is the most important decision of our lives. We cannot steer through the flood of deception that is drowning the world unless Christ is in our sights. With His guidance, the temporary suffering we might face today will never outshine the magnificence of becoming a child in God’s Family. Suffering is human and passing. Paul experienced this throughout his life and found strength in it. “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). God promised favor to Abraham and his descendants, the blessings of which we have experienced. But those blessings were for physical nations and are passing like all flesh. We must look to the promise that doesn’t fade—eternity in the Family of God.

Many who prepare themselves for war will say that you don’t know yourself until the heat of battle. Do you cower or fight in the face of adversity? We have the ability to know how we will react to spiritual adversity through our faith in God. Strengthening our relationship with God is a preparatory act that will increase our belief and conviction. Bible study, prayer, fasting and meditation, over time, will lead us to a place of strength and resolve. With strong conviction, God will be at our side when adversity confronts us. Christ gives us this promise. “But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit” (Mark 13:11).

We do not need to focus on those things out of our control. God gave us His truth through the words of His Son and His many prophets to draw strength from. In focusing on that lasting power, we will outlast the short-lived powers of this earth.

With Christian love,

Robb Harris

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Dear Brethren,

These days we all have something in common. And when I say “we,” I mean everyone in the whole world. Every single one of us is affected by the societal response to the global pandemic of Covid-19. We’ve canceled trips. If we’re fortunate enough to have work, we’ve changed the way we do it. We’ve been forced to find masks to wear when we shop. We were told to stand in lines six feet apart from the person in front of us. Some have hesitated or refused shaking hands. We’ve been shocked to see shortages of goods. I could go on about how life has changed for everyone, but I think the point is clear. Life has changed on an unprecedented scale, and there’s no way that we can completely escape from it.

Some of the sacrifices have been difficult to make. But with the difficulty in responding to the changes imposed upon us, it gives us a chance to be tested. Generally speaking, tests are necessary if we want to determine how successful we are in achieving our goals and ambitions. With the difficult circumstances that we all face, what are the results of our tests? Do we find ourselves expressing short-tempered unrighteous anger, lack of patience, greed, frustration, depression, and fear? Or do we find ourselves grateful, kind, understanding, generous, faithful, and loving? It’s no surprise if we pick a few items from both of those lists. In whatever way we find ourselves behaving, the results of our actions provide us with insight into the state of our hearts. Difficult circumstances help us understand our true selves.

To be tested is a privilege because the results teach us how to improve. It is never easy to endure difficulty, but knowing that circumstances are purposeful in producing good in our lives (compare Romans 8:28), we can be confident that life’s difficulties will help us in the long run. Peter writes a challenging admonition for us to follow: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7). While it seems contradictory to rejoice in various trials, they provide us with information that we cannot otherwise obtain about ourselves. When we consider the end result of our trials, we can see our hearts more clearly. Do we produce the fruit of the Spirit in difficult times, or only when life is easy? Without this kind of information, how would we otherwise be able to learn how to grow? In whatever shape they take, the tests that we all endure provide us with invaluable insight about the underlying motivations of our behavior—which is what the Bible refers to in addressing the “heart” of a person.

Christians need to expect to be tested by difficult circumstances. Since we live in a world that opposes God’s teachings, when we follow God, we will find conflict with the world. Jesus Christ states that His true followers will be persecuted for their beliefs (compare Luke 21:12, John 16:2-3). In this time when the governments of the world prohibit Church gatherings and other essential Church functions, it is clear that God and His people are under attack. And we know that times will only get worse, increasing the difficulty of our tests.

But we have nothing to fear. We need to remember that God and His righteousness will prevail, and that He believes in our ability to overcome. “For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment [abundance]” (Psalm 66:10-12). As we can see, we must expect to be tested—refined in the fire like silver and gold—so that we can remove the impurities and things that hide deep within our hearts. But we can also see that the planned result of the process will be ABUNDANCE! Trials are difficult by design, but they help us to become purer, training us for life in the future Kingdom of God.

This Truth only makes sense to people who understand God’s plan. “Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand” (Daniel 12:10). If we are among the wise, we will understand that the difficult times we endure in the world have a purpose. Can we see that we are being refined right now? It’s true. The real question is, what are we doing with the information resulting from our personal tests? What do our trials say about what lies within our hearts? If we are being refined—and we are being refined—we have an opportunity to examine our hearts and do something about it.

If we come through our trials judging our hearts to be 100% pure already with nothing more to work on, we need to think again. A Scripture that we should take into consideration reminds us of our human condition: “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:9-10). It is humanly natural to look into our hearts and judge that we have nothing to fix. Our truest desires in our hearts can be deceitful, though. Since our hearts show us what we value the most, it is hard to see if our hearts’ desires may be misplaced. It’s no wonder that man’s heart is deceitful! Our values are founded on what we believe to be right and true, and our hearts reflect this. Therefore, it is difficult to judge on our own that we may have something in our hearts to fix.

In order to correctly and fully understand our hearts, we must have the mind of God so we can think like Him (compare 1 Corinthians 2:16). And the only way we can have the mind of God is with the Holy Spirit living within us. From the very beginning God knew that His people would need the Holy Spirit to learn righteousness and overcome the world. With the Feast of Pentecost upon us, we observe the memorial of when the Holy Spirit was given to the first-generation Christian Church (compare Acts 2:1-4). Like the first Christians, we too have the Holy Spirit available to help us.

Since we have a need to examine our hearts with the mind of God, we use the Holy Spirit within us, and look to God for help. He is the One who searches the heart and tests the mind. Since we are able to discern the Truth with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can see ourselves as God sees us. In that way, through the tests and trials that He gives us, we learn about what really lies within our hearts. With that information we can compare it to the standard of His righteousness and figure out what to do about it. If we find that our hearts direct our thoughts and actions in ways that lead us away from producing the fruit of the Spirit, we have some work to do. Do we find that we’re not faithful enough? Are we showing God’s love to our brethren and our neighbors? Is there something in our hearts that shows that we have our treasure misplaced (compare Matthew 6:19-21)? If we discover that we have work to do in our lives, we should be encouraged by it. We know that we have the opportunity right now to improve the way we live so we can please God more. The tests that we endure refine our hearts, showing us how to direct our efforts to produce the change that God wants to see.

In the difficulty of these end times, we are confident that God knows what we are going through. The world around us will falter, but God’s people are supposed to emerge stronger. We have a unique opportunity right now to take advantage of the tests we’re taking to examine our hearts and become refined. As we observe the Feast of Pentecost, we are reminded of the great gift of the Holy Spirit which God gives us. Will we use the gift of the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts and find ways to increase our treasure in heaven?

With brotherly love,

Eric Rank

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Dear brethren and co-workers,

What a difference a few months make. As late as February or the beginning of March, things were going along as usual with no major interruptions in our daily lives; yet all that has changed now since the outbreak of and the reactions to the Coronavirus.

Draconian measures have been implemented by most governments worldwide, including restrictions on travel and individual movements. In some areas, violations to these restrictions and the mandatory requirement to stay home can be punishable by fines and even imprisonment if not adhered to.

In some areas they are not so strict, allowing people to go outside for relaxation, as long as social distancing is maintained, or to work in essential jobs or buy essential goods.

It’s really amazing to consider as to how everyone’s lives have changed so quickly and drastically. It makes one wonder if we are observing the beginning of the very end of the Satanic rule over this earth.

Some major areas to watch for are the sacrifices starting in Jerusalem on the temple mount in conjunction with the building of the third temple; the rise of the false prophet and the beast, following the emergence of ten unified nations or groups of nations in Europe; the downfall of the USA and the UK, as well as countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand; and the occurrence of wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes and other natural disasters, increasing in magnitude and frequency.

Even though some of these events may seem a distance away, if you look at how things have changed so rapidly worldwide in just a few short months, you can visualize prophetic events finding their fulfillment pretty fast.

We are admonished by Christ to pray that we would be protected from the coming calamity which is going to affect the whole world; yet our priority should not be on saving our skins but rather on finishing the Work given to us by Christ of preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God to the world as a witness and of feeding and taking care of the flock.

If we are faithful in doing this, then God will protect us, as He has promised.

As a church, we have to stay the course and be focused on our assigned task for as long as we can and are not prevented to by governments of this world, since they could shut us down anytime, if God were to allow it. We may only look at the restrictions of gathering together for religious services which are currently in place in many countries, to see how quickly God’s people can be negatively affected.

Individually, we cannot let down on the important aspects of prayer, Bible study, fasting and meditation, to keep us in a close relationship with God. The closer we are to God, the faster He might respond to our physical and spiritual needs. Failure to fulfill our part could result in devastating consequences for us, both collectively and individually, by having us go through the great tribulation in order for God to stir us up and to renew our zeal for Him and His Law.

It will be much easier to do now what is required from us, rather than in the tribulation when self-preservation and survival become a priority.

The Sardis attitude is one of having fallen asleep, falsely thinking that one is alive spiritually, and the Laodicean attitude is one of self-sufficiency without the recognized need to change or get zealous. All of that leads to chastisement from God since God wants to minimize His losses. Being corrected is not very pleasant yet a requirement for some in order to be saved both bodily and spiritually.

Even though things will get progressively worse as we go from the beginning of sorrows to the time of the tribulation and beyond, we have the sure promise of God’s protection if we are faithfully committed to finishing the important Work given to us as a church and individually of doing our part in the advancement of the gospel message. We also need to grow and stay close to God since our reward is beyond our imagination. Just as a woman forgets about her labor pains once the baby is born, we will no longer dwell on our present trials and tests once we are in the Kingdom of God, ruling under Christ.

Let’s keep our eyes on the goal ahead and not be distracted by the things in this world which are only temporary and about to vanish. Instead, let us focus on our reward which shall never corrode or vanish away.

In Christian love,

Rene Messier (Canada)

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Dear Brethren and Friends, 

Prophecy is being fulfilled! That which has been prophesied to occur is happening right in front of our eyes, and the effects are being felt around the world. The worldwide panic-stricken results from the coronavirus are only the beginning, and we have seen what an impact this has had already, day by day, minute by minute, and even as this letter is being written, more dire developments are arising. We hear news about more closures, cancellations and quarantining happening all over the world in large proportions like the canceling of sporting events, concerts, schools, flights, with entire cities and even countries being on lockdown and quarantined, affecting millions upon millions of people, increasing shortages in food and supplies as panic-stricken people are trying to prepare for the worst. This pandemic has led to economic collapse as the markets tumbled, and we have observed the worst day in the USA for the Dow on March 12, 2020, since the 1987 crash, and the worst week for stocks since the 2008 crash. This has also led to the Federal Reserve slashing interest rates to near zero as they try to battle this potential economic shutdown. We in the Church of God have been warning about these developments for years.

Can we see how one event leads to the next in the fulfillment of prophecy? Is this coincidence or are we really that much closer now to the end? What’s interesting is that everything that seemed to be of high concern before is insignificant now as the world has come to a halt. Also, with all these drastic measures and as more and more uncertainty is apparent, seeking the true God for help hasn’t even been considered, and if there was any mention of God, it has been on the back burner or the wrong “God” is being mentioned. We can clearly see how the God of the Bible is not in the picture or hardly even considered. Man tries to find a solution, and look what it has led to. Could a mandatory vaccine be executed if a “cure” is discovered? 

The big question now is, what will happen next, and are we prepared as a nation and as God’s Church? We need to ask this same question for ourselves, individually, as God’s true people, not just in a physical sense, but spiritually, in light of what is right ahead of us in the coming weeks.

Personal hygiene and the importance of cleaning has been magnified, something we all should have been doing in the first place, but until something drastic happens, it is not viewed as a critical must. And as the world is in the process of disinfection and quarantining, we in the Church are doing the same thing, as we do every single year, not just in a physical sense, but also spiritually. We are surrounded by uncleanliness, which has also affected us, and we need to clean ourselves and our households from the leavening that surrounds us (Exodus 12:15; 1 Corinthians 5:6-7). The Days of Unleavened Bread season now approaching is quite interesting in light of everything that is going on, and we should really think about and ask ourselves how close we are to God at this point in time? 

Are we truly ready and prepared for what will come next? Do we finally take seriously what we are witnessing now, if we haven’t already? Do we have our priorities in check or are we fearful? If we are obedient and have complete FAITH and TRUST in God, then there is no reason for us to fear. We know that this physical life is only temporary (2 Corinthians 4:18), and a much better future awaits when EVERYONE will have the opportunity to live God’s Way of Life as He intended from the very creation of man. If we are afraid, we must ask ourselves why that is? Do we not have enough faith in God? Are we worried more for our possessions, pets, families and friends, or anything else that we may have “hanging over our heads,” and are we even afraid that God will not protect us during this crucial period? 

If there was ever a time to be more serious about our personal lives and our closeness with God as the Passover approaches, then this is it, and it is high time we get our act together and our priorities in check. If there is anything that we are still struggling with, which needs to be taken care of, we need to make a change RIGHT NOW, and this is especially true for properly baptized members of the true Church of God who must keep the Passover in a worthy manner. This means, praying and even fasting to God, showing Him how serious we are and how much we NEED God’s protection and absolute TRUST that He will provide and keep His promises to those who are faithful (Proverbs 3:5; Matthew 6:18).

Remember, God can provide supernaturally (Luke 17:34-37). There is nothing impossible for Him (Luke 1:37). He will provide the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). Devastation can surround us, but He will protect us and keep us safe (Psalm 91). We are completely in His hands, and NOTHING happens to us which is against His Will (1 John 5:14). With that said, we should approach these upcoming Days of Unleavened Bread with joy, boldness and confidence, as God expects of us, while having the right attitude, even when everything may seem grim all around us. The upcoming Passover season should still be at the forefront of our minds, and as there are now more and more Church members who are prevented from taking the Passover together with others, also to a large extent now due to the prohibitions in certain countries to assemble together, nothing should prevent us from taking it individually and also observing the Holy Days which immediately follow. We shouldn’t make excuses and think that we do not need to do this, unless of course we physically can’t, due to illness or circumstances out of our control, but God knows this, as He looks into our hearts and we let God know how serious we are. We are judged by God individually for what we do.

These are exciting times right now because we know that these events must come to pass before Christ returns to establish His righteous and PERFECT government on this earth. In the meantime, we need to stay strong, stay vigilant, stay positive, stay obedient, keep praying and be there for each other, as we will get through this together in accordance with God’s great love and mercy for us.

In God’s service and with brotherly love,

Michael Link

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

In Galatians chapter 5 we read about the works of the flesh and the fruit of God’s Spirit. One such fruit is longsuffering, and it is one that I would suggest doesn’t come easily to most of us.

By comparison, God is very definitely longsuffering. Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries translates the word “makrothumia” as “(objectively) forbearance (or subjectively) fortitude; longsuffering, patience. Longsuffering is defined as enduring wrongs or difficulties; patiently enduring lasting offense or hardship; stoic, tolerant or uncomplaining; obliging, unconstrained and many other descriptions.” Does this describe you and me?

It could be said that we complain because there is much to complain about and there may be an element of truth in that. “Longsuffering” is not a word that we generally use today and is, perhaps, seen as a somewhat old fashioned word.

I have no doubt that over the last few years we have all, to one degree or another, had our share of problems. I well remember a former colleague who designated all problems as areas of opportunity, and of course he was right. Longsuffering is the Christian’s way of bearing troubles and ills and also the problems associated with being different to the rest of society. It is an opportunity to grow and overcome and demonstrate to God that we are sold on the Way of Life that He has revealed to us.

If we are to be longsuffering, it follows that we mustn’t give in and that we must show perseverance or stick-to-it-iveness which is one of the seven laws of success taught by Herbert W. Armstrong (the late human leader of the Worldwide Church of God). By persevering, we stick with it, and enduring to the end is an absolute requirement for us all. Matthew 24:13 states that “he who endures to the end, the same shall be saved”. Therefore, longsuffering must incorporate perseverance, and perseverance means that we must endure. They are inextricably linked and cannot be separated.

How are we doing in this vital part of our Christian life? Longsuffering is becoming more and more essential as the pressure increases. But we can take comfort. We are not alone. We all have, or have had, problems to one degree or another, and many of the great men of the Bible had to develop this essential quality. The patriarchs of old needed it, the apostles in the New Testament needed it, Mr. Herbert Armstrong needed it (his autobiography is replete with examples where this was necessary), and we need it today—because we’re no different!

Why? If everything went our way all the time, we wouldn’t develop the character that God is looking for—and is needed as a future immortal member of God’s Family. We must ensure that we don’t just give in. Generally, we don’t like it nor do we go looking for it when we have to endure hardship and difficulties, but these help us to develop longsuffering. Our human nature encourages us to avoid such character-building exercises. But we all have our problems and trials—it’s part of the Christian Way of Life—and automatically part of the refining process. Longsuffering, sticking with it and enduring are absolute requirements in our Christian lives. Anything less is failure, and we’ve not been called to fail.

Reliance on God for delivery is not only essential and effective, but is obviously a prime reason why we go through trials, and longsuffering is part and parcel of that process. We don’t always get instantaneous answers or solutions. As mentioned above, longsuffering is inextricably involved with perseverance, sticking with it and not giving in, which in turn means endurance—AND we must endure to the end.

It is the only character trait of the Spirit where time is built into the word itself. Longsuffering—perseverance—endurance! This process helps us to see why longsuffering is a part of the fruit of the Spirit.

Longsuffering is also defined by the New Bible Commentary as “that disposition of God with which he delays the punishments of men”. As things get progressively worse in society, God must be extremely longsuffering to allow things to seemingly go on and on. We need to be longsuffering but we should be astounded at the longsuffering that God has for His creation. 

We only have to look at the excesses of men, how they treat their fellow man and the state of the nations and the world, to realize that longsuffering is a character trait that God shows a greater deal more of than any man could ever do. How do we know that? Well, just look at what is happening around the world today, and we will see ample evidence of how longsuffering God really is. How many times have we heard people say words to the effect that if it were up to us, we would have taken action long ago? We simply don’t have the longsuffering that God has! We understand, of course, that God has a plan for mankind. He determined that man would be allowed to rule himself, under Satan’s direction, for about 6,000 years. During this time, He would let man make his own decision to ultimately learn the Truth that without God, man is doomed.

We must not try to equate God’s longsuffering with an unwillingness to help, and even though God may be slow to act against and eradicate evil behaviour, His people CAN and SHOULD entreat Him to intervene on their behalf, and in His due time, God WILL do so.

The homosexual lobby, unheard of just a few decades ago, has now been accepted as mainstream and fully acceptable behaviour. The change has been orchestrated over many years and has resulted in normality being redefined. The Bible is very clear on this subject but national leaders, some of whom openly state that they are Christians, blatantly ignore biblical teachings to push this agenda. If they opened their Bible and read the account of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19, and took it seriously, they would not have trodden this path. God is immensely longsuffering to allow this to go on for so long but eventually, He will take action.

Same-sex “marriage” is another abomination and is a contradiction in terms. Again, the Bible is clear on this subject; marriage can only be between a man and a woman but our leaders seem to think that they know better than God. He is longsuffering on this matter but it will only be for so long.

Blasphemy is something that is heard on the lips of the young and the old. Age seems to be no barrier to take the Name of God the Father and of Jesus Christ in vain; in fact, many neither know nor care about this insult to their Creator.

The rise of terrorism in many parts of the world is another evil that God is currently tolerating, but surely not for too much longer. Much of this is done in the name of a false religion which will be eradicated when Jesus Christ returns to this earth and will set up the true Kingdom of God. No paganism and false worship will then be tolerated.

There is much financial mismanagement of every shape and size and will bring down the world’s financial system when God is ready to let it happen according to His purpose. The love of money is very definitely a root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10), and the lengths that some will go to in order to acquire it is truly amazing.

In every nook and cranny of the world’s society today are the sins of fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like—much as they were nearly 2,000 years ago (see Galatians 5:20-21). Nothing really changes with the exception that in these end times, they have become much worse, but “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21).

Satan and his demons are alive and well and are bent on the destruction of as many people as possible. But we must stay with the Truth we’ve been taught over the years in the true Church of God. We have to be longsuffering as God allows us to be tested and tried in such an ungodly society. But we can be amazed at the longsuffering of God who allows all of these evils and wrongdoings to continue, at least for a little while longer until it is His time to act, and He is the master of timing.

How long did Sodom and Gomorrah live such an ungodly lifestyle before God took decisive action? We don’t know because the Bible simply doesn’t reveal such information. But as He took action then, He will take action again when He deems the time to be right. He is a longsuffering God, and we need to be longsuffering in our Christian lives so that we can be in the Kingdom of God when this is set up at Christ’s return.

Let us all make longsuffering a part of our everyday life and take this character trait of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) very seriously. We will then be rewarded when God’s longsuffering with all of the evils in this world finally comes to an end and the Kingdom of God is finally set up. What a time that will be—and, hopefully, will be set up in the not-too-distant future!

With Christian love,

Brian Gale (United Kingdom)