“We’re living in uncertain times.” 

This was a common refrain in news broadcasts 6 years ago when Covid-19 was beginning to spread around the world. At the time, many people were getting sick. Death tolls were in the headlines. Fear was the dominant instrument used in propaganda to bring some semblance of control and order in our society. The confusion sown at the time was pronounced, making it difficult to discern the truth from fiction. Uncertainty abounded. Governments enforced policies affecting numerous people’s lives materially, and mostly in a negative way. Day-to-day life changed for just about everyone on the planet, causing many to not know what to do next. People made all kinds of wild speculations about what the future would hold, but nobody really knew what would happen. The future was not clear.

I raise this memory as an example of what collective uncertainty feels like. When the future is hard to predict, it can be a challenge to know what to do. We face uncertainty today as well. The advent of AI is changing the landscape of how work is done, with many predicting massive job loss and unemployment. Nobody really knows what will happen, but sensational speculations abound. War in the Middle East escalates instability in the region, putting the world’s nations on edge. These are current occurrences at a global scale. Individually, on a personal scale, we deal with uncertainty too. Sudden changes in life circumstances can alter the course of our future in a moment, sometimes at a global scale, and other times individually. Uncertainty is a fact of life. 

What are you going to do?

When faced with a choice for which any decision will lead to an unpredictable outcome, how do you make up your mind about what to do? If AI is taking over the world, threatening to steal your job, what are you going to do about it? When other kinds of calamities in your life disrupt your plans, how do you make decisions?

One way to make decisions is by trying to achieve an outcome, focusing on that goal, and modifying your behavior to reach that outcome. The ends justify the means. This is the approach that fear-mongering promotes. Those who claim to have solutions will say things to the effect of, “If you want this outcome, do this, not that.” They prey upon the fear of uncertainty, making empty promises for the stability of a certain and comfortable outcome. 

However, focusing our efforts to control our outcome is a trap. “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’ But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil” (James 4:13-16). The Bible is clear that we can do nothing to save ourselves. The circumstances of our lives are firmly in the grasp of the living God. He is the One who brings about the outcomes in our lives — not we. To get into a way of thinking that presupposes we can control our outcomes is doomed to cause compound problems. If the outcome is the fixed objective, and our behaviors are the variable that changes, we would be bound to deviate from righteous behavior in submission to God. This is not what God wants.

The Bible instructs us consistently to practice righteousness (compare Matthew 5:6; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:7,10). This is the superior way to make decisions. 

When we accept that it is impossible for us to do a good job of controlling the outcomes in our lives, it takes a lot of pressure away. We must trust God to direct our paths, knowing that He is the One who will give us exactly what we need. Our work is to listen to Him, focusing our efforts on being profitable servants to Him. Living this way keeps our behavior as the fixed constant, leaving the outcome as the variable. This places uncertainty into God’s control, not ours. In this way of making decisions, we can be satisfied inherently in doing what is right in the eyes of God. We don’t have to worry about the uncertain future.

When Daniel and his friends were in captivity, they faced life-threatening uncertainty. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego had their lives threatened if they refused to worship the god of Nebuchadnezzar. But rather than try to control the outcome of that situation, compromising their convictions to save their lives, they chose to not waver. “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up’” (Daniel 3:16-18). Note how they submitted to the Will of God, knowing that the outcome of their lives was in His hands. They had faith that holding fast to righteousness would yield the best result. And it did. Following this moment, they were indeed thrown into a burning fiery furnace, but their lives were miraculously saved. 

Uncertainty prevails in our lives. As the time of Jesus Christ’s return draws near, the magnitude of uncertainty will increase even more. Everyone will need to answer the question posed to them, “What are you going to do?” Many in the world will attempt to take matters into their own hands to control their outcome. But this way is corrupt. The right way in the eyes of God is live according to righteousness, directed by virtuous principles. This makes uncertainty powerless in its fight against us, placing God firmly in control.

Feelings are inner experiences that show how we evaluate or personally perceive something. They arise in response to thoughts, situations, or physical conditions and influence our actions.

Feelings can be viewed from three perspectives. From a psychological point of view, feelings are subjective perceptions such as joy, fear, anger, or sadness. They help us to quickly assess situations, for example, to recognize dangers through fear—a kind of protective reaction. At the same time, feelings cause physical changes, such as a faster heartbeat when we are afraid, a sense of warmth when we are happy, or inner tension when we are angry. Hormones and the nervous system play an important role in this. Feelings also influence our relationships. Through facial expressions, voice, and behavior, we show others how we are feeling. They can occupy space within us and give rise to envy, pride, shame, gratitude, romantic love, and many other emotions.

However, feelings should not be confused with emotions. An emotion is a process, or a reaction that comes from within a person, a visible or tangible expression. A feeling, on the other hand, is the conscious inner experience of this emotion. Feelings are like an inner compass, so to speak. They guide us in our decisions. Whether these decisions were ultimately good or bad is another matter.

Paul already formulated an interesting thesis when he wrote: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:12).

Here, Paul sets an important standard between “lawful”, meaning legally possible or not expressly prohibited, and “not helpful”, meaning not useful and edifying, not beneficial to life and relationships with God and others. Feelings can lead us to allow or justify something that is not good. So, the question remains: Does it serve my salvation, my life? Does it build me or others up? Or am I about to be controlled by this feeling?

Paul does not warn against feelings per se, but against becoming a slave to false desires, impulses, or inner states.

The Bible knows the concept of spiritual influence. It speaks of temptation, accusation, or seduction that comes from the adversary, from Satan. At present, many people’s feelings are being put to the test. Peter wrote: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

For true Christians, such influence is often a hard trial. Questions may then arise such as: “Does it lead to hopelessness with no way out? Does it lead to self-condemnation? Does it lead away from love and trust? Does it bring inner enslavement or compulsion?”

The Holy Spirit of God, on the other hand, is described as the Spirit of truth, peace, freedom, and love: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that trust in God must be our inner anchor, regardless of what we feel or experience.

Solomon wrote: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

And Paul wrote: “… we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

No matter what happens to us, feelings are as volatile as a flag in the wind – confidence today, doubt tomorrow; joy today, sorrow tomorrow.

God’s Word does not say that we should suppress our feelings, but that we should not make them our ultimate standard. God is described as unchanging, while the human heart can falter. That is why trusting in God is not a feeling, but a decision.

Trusting in God is not about never being afraid, never doubting, and always being strong. Rather, it means turning to God with our fears and doubts, as well as our anger and sadness, and asking Him for help!

Even Jesus prayed to His Father in great agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, saying: “…not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).

Perhaps it can be summarized this way: Feelings say, “This is how I experience it right now.” But faith says, “This is how God is – even if I don’t feel or understand it right now.”

Trust in God is like a foundation underlying changing inner states. It is not our feelings that carry us – it is God who carries us.

Our trust must always be rooted in God and not guided solely by our feelings.

David put it concisely: “Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah” (Psalm 62:8).

(Initial translation: Daniel Blasinger)

Those of us who were members of the Worldwide Church of God went through quite a difficult time when, after Mr. Armstrong’s death, the new leadership started to change many, if not most, of the doctrines we were familiar with and had believed as being God’s Truth.

Many of the brethren and our friends accepted the changes and discarded what they appeared to have believed for many years. Could it be that their religious beliefs were preferences rather than convictions? When changes in doctrines were made that suited them better, things like no need to tithe or keep God’s Sabbath, or even clean and unclean foods, they preferred these new doctrines rather than the previous ones.

I was amazed how quickly some who appeared to be strong members welcomed the changes.

There is a vast difference between preferences and convictions. And to show that, I would like to quote from a U.S. Supreme Court decision from 1972. The case was named Wisconsin versus Yoder. It involved three families, their fathers being Jonas Yoder and Wallace Miller of the Old Order Amish religion and Adin Yutzy of the Conservative Amish Mennonite Church. It concerned the question of whether the state had the right to force children of the Amish religious community to attend school between the ages of 15 and 16.

The parents argued that if the children had to attend school for two more years, they would have to go outside the Amish community and learn secular values that were not in accordance with the Amish beliefs. Up to age 14 they had their own Amish schools. Also, the Amish children learnt further skills informally by working with their parents on various tasks.

This appeal was based on the 1^st and 14^th Amendments of the Constitution of the U.S. that guarantees U.S. citizens the right of free exercise of religion.

In their determination for the families, the judges stated that the record in this case abundantly supported the claim that the traditional way of life of the Amish is not merely a matter of personal preference, but one of deep religious conviction, shared by an organized group, and intimately related to daily living.

In other words, the Amendments only protected religious convictions and not religious preferences. A belief, no matter how strongly held, is only a preference, and not a conviction, if, when circumstances change, the person will change their beliefs.

Many things can cause a person to change their preferences: Peer pressure, family pressure, legal pressure or even the threat of death. If any of these factors can cause a person to change their beliefs, then that person does not have a conviction, only a preference.

Let’s look at a few examples in the Bible which show the difference between preferences and convictions. Matthew 13:20-22 is an example of preferences of belief. Verse 20 reads: “But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy…” The Truth is exciting at first and he may embrace it enthusiastically and even live by it, but it becomes clear that it is only a preference and not a conviction, when future circumstances interfere with the new-found belief and he discards that Truth.

Continuing with verses 21 and 22:

“…yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.” Such individuals have not been convicted but have merely exchanged their previous beliefs for a whole new set of beliefs. If life becomes too difficult to continue on the new path, then these beliefs would be changed again to avoid the difficulties that have arisen. Real conviction is sadly lacking.

A legal comment on this judgement by the Supreme Court stated, “A conviction is not a spurious-of-the-moment decision. It is a premeditated response to a situation that was likely to occur. This means that it does not matter whether other people stand with you in the crisis or not. Only conviction can enable you to stand alone. People with preferences will usually, ultimately, follow the crowd.”

A good example of conviction is in Daniel 3:16-18. The king had commanded everyone to worship an image he had erected when they heard a certain type of music. Three Jews refused to bow down to the image and so they were brought before the king. This is their response to the threatened punishment of death in a fiery furnace:

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.’”

All three men were looking death squarely in the face. If their devotion to the true God had merely been a preference, they would probably have quickly recanted their “rebellious” position and reasoned their way out of the situation. Their decision was not an on-the-spot reaction. They had the courage of their convictions. They were not about to defile themselves. Remember, there were tens of thousands of other Jews in Babylon at this time. But the three men were not concerned about what others did or what others thought. They were willing to take a stand by themselves even when facing the death penalty.

They did not submit to the king to save their lives by using human logic and applying the principle stated in Romans 13:1-2, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgement on themselves.” They knew that submitting to and obeying the king and bowing to the statue would go directly against the second commandment of God, and as Peter and the other apostles said in Acts 5:29, “‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’” In other words, where there is a contradiction between men’s laws and God’s Laws, we must obey God’s Laws.

Over the centuries, God’s people have faced trials, tests, persecution and heresy. Regrettably, many compromised their beliefs. They gave up what they once proved to be true for a variety of reasons. Some couldn’t handle the ostracism they faced. Others gave in to pressure from family or friends and embraced false teachings to keep the peace. Still others were persuaded that false teachings were true, being convinced by clever arguments or false intellectual reasoning.

All had one thing in common. They proved that their previous beliefs were merely preferences, not convictions. Otherwise, they would have persevered in them. But those who are convicted of the truth do not compromise their beliefs for any reason. They prove, and then they live by the Truth. No amount of pressure from any source will convince them to believe another gospel.

When trials come, convicted Christians stand firm in their beliefs. Their foundations are not moved or shattered because such believers build on the solid Truths of God’s Word. They do not compromise with God’s Law and their understanding grows. Changes may come within the framework of the truth, but the basic building blocks of their faith never change. With God’s help, they stand fast in their convictions.

We all need to examine ourselves in the light of what happened to the Church of God just over thirty-five years ago. We all need to make sure that we are Christians of conviction and have not simply preferred God’s Church as opposed to another, or none. The Church of God will continue to face persecution and opposition to its teachings, intended to wear down our faith and undermine the Truth. As individuals, this will test our convictions. Our reaction will determine whether our beliefs are just preferences or whether we are truly Christians of conviction.

Mr. Armstrong stated many times that your spiritual growth is linked directly to your dedication and involvement in the Work of God by supporting the effort to get the Gospel of the Kingdom of God out to the world as a witness, coupled with the warning of imminent destruction of the modern nations of the ancient House of Israel. These nations include the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, who can trace their lineage back to the children of Jacob, who had his name changed to Israel.

This Work is the most important work on the face of the earth which may lead to trials of mocking and persecution and in some cases martyrdom but for those who faithfully pursue this challenge to the end of their life or the return of Christ, whichever comes first, a great potential as resurrected children of God awaits them with the opportunity to rule with Christ during the Millennium and on into eternity for whatever God in His divine wisdom has in store for them.

Staying focused on this task is really a challenge in this day and age with all the distractions and temptations Satan likes to throw at us. We have to be aware of this as stated by Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:10-11: “Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

This was in reference to a member who had to be chastised, but following that, Paul was admonishing the brethren to forgive him, as they were aware of Satan’s devices.

Satan is not out to encourage us to faithfully push through trials we all face but wants us to get discouraged, weary and hopefully quit and potentially lose out on salvation if leaving the Truth is not repented of.

As the god of this world, he will do everything in his power to trip us up, who has polluted every aspect of society, including music, movies, books, church doctrines of this world, which teach a false Christ and Sunday worship, arts and language. He is the prince of the power of the air, and his footprint is everywhere and his influence is great.

The solution is his removal which will occur at the return of Christ, and his influence will cease until he will be used by Christ at the end of the Millennium to tempt mankind one more time. Afterwards, he will be dealt with by God, never again to influence mankind.

In the meantime, the question is: “Where is our heart?”

Deuteronomy 6:5 tells us: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

Fulfilling this takes time and effort on our part. This means that we have to diligently use the tools God has given us to accomplish this task, since it is possible for us to be successful. These tools include prayer, bible study, meditation and occasional fasting. There is no fast-tracking into the Kingdom of God; the path requires dedication and commitment on our part, but the outcome and the reward are really worth it.

You have to make the effort to draw close to God.  Then what will happen? 

James 4:8 says: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” 

The result is that God will draw close to you. The more you overcome sin which acts as a barrier and resistance, the more you can draw close to the Father and to Christ, and they will be close to you.

People are totally deceived who practice sin, including worshipping on the wrong day and breaking His commandments, sometimes with impunity, and who still think they have a close relationship with Christ and God the Father.

Thankfully, one day God will remove the veil from their eyes. They will be called and given the opportunity we now have. Let’s be grateful for that.

Matthew 6:19-21 admonishes us:  “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Treasures in heaven are building a strong relationship with God and Christ while our hearts have to be in the Work of God for us to truly fulfill our destiny and receive our glorious reward of a golden crown and rulership in the kingdom of God.

We all go through pain and suffering, some more than others, and when we go through it personally, it can be quite debilitating.  It affects us physically; our energy, appetite, and our ability to function properly, thereby impacting our work.   It affects us mentally, impairing our concentration, our moods, our behavior.  It’s a challenge and a part of life.  Yet, we find ways to cope with it, no matter the severity, big or small. 

However, completely ignoring it is inadvisable. Even something as small as a physical thorn in the flesh, if not taken care of, can lead to more serious problems.  A very simple thing to do, but one that can easily be forgotten, is prayer.  God hears all prayers and especially many prayers.  Our prayer requests are helpful as we all pray together as one big family, pleading to God to intervene on all our behalf, for we are all praying on behalf of the individual who is in need. 

Another crucial step, which should be the first step, is asking for anointing from one of God’s ministers with the laying on of hands with oil, which symbolizes God’s Holy Spirit – the power of God. Having faith that God will intervene is absolutely necessary.  And no matter the outcome, also know that it is all in God’s hands and according to His Will. 

Paul is a prime example.  He prayed to God three times to remove the pain he was suffering from (2 Corinthians 12:8). God did not heal him for a reason.  Instead of removing his ailment, God gave Paul more overwhelming humility and love, and more compensating strength for he responded by saying: “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). Paul learned that God’s “power is made perfect in weakness” (verse 9).  

What exactly his thorn in the flesh was is not specifically mentioned, yet he knew that this suffering was necessary to continue doing what God wanted him to do.  Things may have been much different if he had been in perfect health. Perhaps the urgency and purpose that God desired from him would not have been fulfilled in the same way that Paul carried them out.

As the Nelson Study Bible states, “Paul believed he was suffering the afflictions God wanted him to endure. Instead of facing his difficulties with dread, Paul saw his troubles as a time of joy… because they were producing an eternal reward…”

Just as Paul, we are not perfect, but we must be growing in perfection through suffering. And just as Christ suffered, so must we. Peter also tells us in 1 Peter 4:16 that “if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”  

He further says in 1 Peter 4:1-2, “Therefore, since Christ suffered FOR US in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for HE WHO HAS SUFFERED IN THE FLESH HAS CEASED FROM SIN, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”  This is talking about US since Christ never sinned, and suffering as a Christian or follower of Christ should motivate us to stop sinning. 

Christ suffered FOR US, and our suffering is also for the purpose of helping others. If one member suffers, ALL the members suffer (1 Corinthians 12:26). We suffer so that we can understand what it is like, enabling us to feel the pain of those who are suffering. When we go through suffering, God comforts us in many different ways, so that we, in turn, can comfort others in their suffering with the same comfort we ourselves received from God.

Whatever our particular “thorn in the flesh” may be, God knows all about it and will take care of us, according to His purpose, ensuring that we ultimately succeed—if we allow Him to.

Going back in time: Following the October 1973 Yom Kippur war, we were experiencing the Arab oil embargo (1973-1974) which also saw an unprecedented surge in global oil prices, when workers, students and soldiers took to the streets. All of this strained the US economy that had grown increasingly dependent on foreign oil. We were also confronted with the 1973-1975 recession; a terrible decline of about 48% at the stock market; and the Angola crisis (1974-75) contributing to strained relations between the USA and Russia.

The hotly disputed and highly controversial Vietnam War only ended in April of 1975, even though America had already withdrawn its troops in March of 1973. Still, the memory of that terrible war, in which about 58,000 American soldiers had died, still lingered on. The U.S. withdrew from Vietnam primarily due to immense domestic opposition, high casualties, massive financial costs, and the failure to achieve its goals. Key factors included growing anti-war protests fueled by media coverage, and the disillusionment with government. (Nothing has changed, has it?)

It was at that time in the early 70’s when many felt that Christ would come back very soon. And so, they did not take care of important aspects of their lives—from going to college or university and pursuing a career to saving money and looking after their financial situation. It also affected, to an extent, the concepts of marriage and family life.  

I remember it well. I was baptized in December of 1974, and in early 1975, after a Bible study, a Church member asked whether the time had come not to get married anymore, in light of Paul’s warning of a present and coming difficult situation or “distress” (1 Corinthians 7:26). Fortunately, the Pastor said he did not feel that this would apply then. But what if he had answered differently, and members had taken him at his word? What if I had followed a ministerial advice not to get married and have children? No marriage to my wife; no children, no grandchildren. (This shows the tremendous responsibility of a minister to give good, solid and godly advice.)

As we can see, many developments at the time in the 70’s mirrored pretty much what we are experiencing today. But now, we are very clearly much closer to Christ’s return than 50 years ago. However, if I were to be asked today whether the time had come not to get married or have children, my advice would be the same as the advice of the Pastor was way back then. I was ordained almost 30 years ago. During that time, I have never advised against marriage in the Church, because of “the signs of the time,” and I would not do so today. (Maybe in the future, but I had better be absolutely sure that at that time, it would be godly advice).

First of all, Christ told us that we do not know the times or the seasons or the day or the hour of His return. Not even He knows it—only the Father does. But God can delay or accelerate that moment. In the meantime, what are we to do? Are we to be living in fear and despair and hopelessness and resignation? Just the opposite! We must live in a way that we are worthy to escape all the terrible things to come and to stand before the Son of Man when He returns. But we also must live and prepare as if an entire lifetime of many years is still ahead of us. And we must do so with JOY, knowing that God is there to guide us and to direct our steps, if we let Him.

To be very specific, this means to get an occupation and career if you can (don’t be satisfied with working at a fast-food store for the rest of your life). This means going to college or university to get a degree and an education. This means, get married and have children, if the right opportunity presents itself. This means, don’t despair and give up on life or on God and become a hermit on a forsaken island—not even in your mind.

Live your life with joy—in spite of the evil days which are here and which will come. You CAN live with joy and hope and zeal and dedication in this terrible world. And there is still good in this world as well. Mr. Armstrong felt, for example, that the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena was one of the prettiest occasions this world has to offer (but he did not like the garbage and dirt left behind after the parade).

And so, enjoy going with your family to a theater to watch a good movie together; enjoy going together to an amusement park; a zoo; or on sight-seeing trips. And especially to the younger people, God says:

“Rejoice, O young man [or young lady], in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth” (Ecclesiastes 11:9). Of course, don’t behave foolishly and do the wrong things because “know that for all these God will bring you into judgment” (same verse). Still, “remove sorrow from your heart” (verse 10), while putting away “evil from your flesh” (same verse).

This admonition is not limited to young people. God tells all of us—young and old—to live a meaningful life of joy, dedication, and zeal.

When we know God’s Way of Life and walk in it, then Christ gives us this astonishing and comforting promise, in John 15:11:  “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

This joy will and must never go away, as we read also in John 16:22: “… your joy no one will take from you.”

And so, we read the following conclusion of the matter in Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

For many people, the following account is little more than a “fairy tale”:

“Beyond question, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory” (1 Timothy 3:16 New American Standard Version).

This is about Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 3:16), but it is only part of the story about Him. He is also revealed as the “Word”:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-3, 14).

What Jesus did was actually planned “before time began” (2 Timothy 1:9), as the Apostle Peter confirms: “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you” (1 Peter 1:20).

Is this the Jesus Christ you believe in, know and serve? Furthermore, is the biblical description of the glorified Christ how you view Him to be? Note how it is found in Revelation 1:13-15:

“[A]nd in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters…”

Not only who Jesus is and what Jesus did misunderstood, but what He is doing and will do seems to hold no relevance for most people. Right now, He is the living Head of the Church of God (Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 4:14-16). Following His resurrection, He said, “‘…All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth’” (Matthew 28:18). We are also told that He will come back to the earth from heaven (John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 1:7).

Yet, for all the prophecies about Jesus Christ, people continue to ignore the very signs He gave which will herald His return, and we find this stern warning from Him:

“‘Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect’” (Matthew 24:44).

We simply don’t know the exact time, but we must not ignore events that are now signifying and heralding the end of this age and the establishment of the Kingdom of God. These things are happening exactly as Jesus foretold.

The key for us who know the story of Jesus Christ found in the Word of God is to be preparing, because we truly believe it! Let’s not treat the warnings of the Bible as improbable fairy tales, but as what they are—the very Truth of how God will bring salvation to mankind, which He promised before time began (Titus 1:2).

Recently, Elon Musk (the world’s richest man) claimed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the near future will create a reality where there will be an abundance of goods and services, which in turn will make money useless.

In a Podcast that he was on, he stated the following: “One side recommendation I have is: Don’t worry about squirreling money away for retirement in 10 or 20 years. It won’t matter.” He went on to iterate that AI will become so efficient that it will make the cost of everything nearly zero. Everyone will be able to have “universal income” and AI will create a “good future where anyone can have whatever stuff they want.” He also stated that AI in the next 5 years will become so advanced that we will have “better medical care than anyone has today” with “no scarcity of goods and services. You can learn anything you want about anything for free” (compare Moonshots with Pete Diamandis).

What struck me about this concept that Musk was introducing is that it is in direct opposition to God and what He has put man here on earth to do.

When God ripped apart man’s languages and scattered people at the tower of Babel, the people had similar ideas as to what is happening now: “How can we make something so great that it dwarfs God?”

I am reminded of what God told Daniel at the end of the book of Daniel: “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Daniel 12:4).

AI is undeniably increasing human knowledge and allegedly solving problems at an astonishing speed. But the question is not whether knowledge is increasing; the questions we should be asking are, what kind of world is this increase producing? These are some of the relevant questions:

Are our families stronger?

Is violence decreasing?

Is truth becoming clearer?

Is peace increasing?

Is Godly knowledge flourishing?

I suggest just the opposite as we read in chapter 59 of Isaiah (the first eight verses are about being separated from God). Verse 8 points out that man separated from God is lost: “The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace.” AI will not change human thinking at its core.

January 16th marks 40 years since the death of Mr. Armstrong, the late leader of the now defunct Worldwide Church of God. Mr. Armstrong consistently taught that man always chooses capability and intellect over submission to God. I wonder how he would view AI; my guess is that he would see it as a multiplier of the very problem God has always warned about. AI is massively expanding material knowledge but it does nothing to change human nature.

Mr. Armstrong often stressed the lessons from the two trees in the Garden of Eden. Humanity chose to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil while rejecting the Tree of Life (God’s Spirit, God’s mind and God’s government). AI does nothing to bring us closer to God in terms of choosing correctly. In fact, IF what Musk proposes turned out to be true, the question I have is how would this make people turn to God? Indeed, I would suggest that just the opposite would be true with AI giving man more ability to do wrong faster, more efficiently and on a global scale.

AI may eliminate scarcity, but it cannot eliminate sin. Without God, abundance only magnifies mankind’s rebellion (Deuteronomy 8:11-18). As we continue to watch this world deteriorate, our message and preaching remains the same! We continue to preach about the coming Kingdom of God and how only the return of Jesus Christ to set up this Kingdom will save humanity. The road to get to the Kingdom is going to be very tragic and devastating for mankind. Yet in the end, God’s goal is for all of humanity to have the opportunity to unite with Him and to join His Family. 

Earlier this year in the UK, there was an employment tribunal which was brought by a nurse who had worked for the NHS (National Health Service) for 30 years. She had refused to share a women’s changing room with a transgender colleague at Victoria Hospital, in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, and because of this, she had been suspended from work at the beginning of 2024.

The nurse claimed her experiences amounted to harassment. She took legal action against the health board and the transgender doctor, citing the Equality Act 2010.

Scotland’s first minister John Swinney said the tribunal ruling in “this complex case” was important and that his government would look at the “general issues to be learned”.

Mr Swinney told BBC News: “It is important to take time to consider the judgment, that is the role of NHS Fife to do so, and of course the Scottish government will consider any issues that arise out of the judgement for the taking forward of public policy in this area.”

In short, it was about access to a single sex space, and who has the right to occupy it.

The problem was that a man self-identified as a woman.

However, the Supreme Court of the UK had handed down its ruling on the definition of sex in the equality law – stating it meant biological sex.

It was only a complex case because the Bible was not used as a source of wisdom; but then again, it rarely is.   We have covered the transgender issue in our Q&A’s and other material previously.

It is easy to see that ignoring and thumbing their nose at the Creator and His Way, mere man who thinks he knows so much, can by his supposed intellect and understanding come to astoundingly stupid situations and outcomes.

After the ruling in her favor, the nurse said that “I am beyond relieved and delighted that the tribunal has found that my employer Fife Health Board harassed me after I complained about having to share a female-only changing room with a male colleague.”

Allowing people, even children, to identify as to what they are, doesn’t change the fact that they are still what they were born as.   You can call a pig a dog but it is still a pig!

Wikipedia writes: “Gender self-identification or gender self-determination is the concept that a person’s legal sex or gender is determined by their gender identity, without medical or judicial requirements. 

“It is a major goal of the transgender rights movement. Advocates argue that medical requirements for gender recognition are intrusive and humiliating forms of gatekeeping that can pressure transgender individuals into undergoing unwanted medical procedures. They also claim that self-identification simplifies the process of transgender people living without prejudice and discrimination.”

There was the case where Katharine Birbalsingh, the headteacher of Michaela Community School, was telling the Daily Telegraph that she knew of a school where a pupil identified as “a gay male hologram” and a private school where “a bunch of girls identify as cats.”

This is the sort of idiocy that can happen when godless educationalists take over.

The number of hours that the nurse’s case took over a period of time, the number of people involved and the cost of it all, showed the sheer stupidity of man.  The young male doctor was allowed to self-identify as a woman even though he was, biologically, a man.

Had God’s Way prevailed in the first place, no one would have been allowed to self-identify as anything other than what they were born as.   There are only two biological sexes, not umpteen definitions that have come out of the depraved mind of man.   And all the waste of time and money on this tribunal would have been unnecessary.

But will people listen to the Way that God has set before us?  It appears that matters have become so bad that God is going to have to reverse all of these, and so many other wrongs, by getting the attention of mankind through the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord.   And even throughout these horrors, there will still be some who will blaspheme God (see Revelation 16:9, 11, 21).

Better times are ahead when Jesus Christ will have returned and set up the Kingdom of God on earth, and only His own righteous Way will prevail for the good and welfare for everyone.

We should continually pray, as we are instructed, for God’s Kingdom to come!

Having managed cities in my past, I have a unique perspective as to the problems commonly experienced. We’ve all seen examples of once-great cities that have declined. Cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Paris, and London were never godly, but they were admired for their outward beauty. I recall that during the early 2000s, New York City reduced the overall crime rate dramatically. This was celebrated as a major achievement, despite the ongoing presence of evil.

Several years ago, I attended a conference in Portland, Oregon. The city enjoys a pleasant setting along the banks of the Willamette River. The main gathering spot in the city, Pioneer Square, was a striking blend of green spaces, historic architecture, and commerce. Shops of all kinds lined the perimeter of the Square. Many of those shops have since closed due to factors such as the pandemic, violent crime, homelessness, street camping and the residue it leaves behind, not to mention rioting and retail theft. My point is that the most admired cities suffer degrees of chaos and confusion, as opposed to cities of God.

Consider the future of human societies as described in Isaiah 24. Some Bible translations give the following headline: “Impending Judgement on the Earth.” Verses 7-12 specifically illustrate God’s judgement for ongoing and unrepentant human sin: “The new wine fails, the vine languishes, All the merry hearted sigh. The mirth of the tambourine ceases, The noise of the jubilant ends, The joy of the harp ceases. They shall not drink wine with a song; Strong drink is bitter to those who drink it. The city of confusion is broken down; Every house is shut up, so that none may go in. There is a cry for wine in the streets, All joy is darkened, The mirth of the land is gone. In the city desolation is left, And the gate is stricken with destruction.”

We know that God’s judgement on this world is assured, and punishment for our disobedience and lack of sincere repentance will ignore social status, politics, and influence. The moral decay of cities the world typically lauds will not be spared God’s anger. Paris, once referred to as the City of Light, more aptly describes the darkness that defines so many cities. As true Christians, we understand that God’s plan for those He calls cannot be compared to the current state of our governments, no matter how well intentioned they may be.

As a former city manager, I think of the challenges we faced in addressing a multitude of problems. The choices we considered were never easy, but we knew that they were needed to face the problems or suffer the consequences of a bankrupt city. I realize now that God was merciful with me back then when, despite my indifference to His Law, we succeeded in making necessary changes. Yet, despite temporary outward prosperity, success is an illusion if it is not of God. Today, as a repentant Christian, I face challenges in an entirely different manner, striving to place my faith and trust in God.

We contrast the devastation of our cities discussed above with the glorious promise of Isaiah 9:6-7: “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given: And the government will be upon His shoulder: And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end…”

This is the book and chapter of the Bible that fueled my conversion away from the world because it clearly pictures the future Kingdom of God, and the stunning connection with the New Testament, as mentioned in Luke 2:7-14. This is the story of our God, our Creator, and our soon-coming King and Ruler from the Throne of David in Jerusalem.

Consider an ancient city known for idolatry and opposition to God’s law—Jericho, known as the City of Palms in ancient times. It was situated near the Dead Sea and the West Bank of the Jordan River, and it thrived for a time despite its evil focus. That is until God had enough of the sinfulness and established the region as the land promised for His people. In Deuteronomy 34:1-4, we see the story beginning to unfold: “Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is across from Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land of Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the South, and the plain of the Valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. Then the LORD said to him, ‘This is the land of which I swore to give Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, “I will give it to your descendants.” I have caused you to see with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.’”

We know what became of Sodom and Gomorrah as a result of their sinfulness, as recorded in Genesis 19. Alternatively, we read about the city of God in Psalm 48:1-3: “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, In His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, The joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, The city of the great King. God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge.”

In Psalm 125:1, we read: “Those who trust in the LORD Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.” Unlike trying to rebuild our cities at this time, regaining the trust of the public and enticing visitors back into a blighted urban core, true Christians can take heart by focusing instead on the coming perfect spiritual city—the New Jerusalem on the new earth. Consider Revelation 21:2-3: “Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.”

As true Christians, we have been called to obedience, but we have also been called to courage. In the past week our region experienced 100 mph winds, threats of wildfire, and the reality of extended periods without electricity and heating. Mankind’s cities, structures and systems are unbelievably fragile as we’ve all experienced. God’s Kingdom however is hopeful, bright, peaceful and eternal. Let’s focus on that!