Dear Brethren and Co-workers with Christ,
I’m writing this letter on the anniversary of the 9/11 attack against the United States by fanatical Muslim extremists. It is a day that those of us old enough to remember will never forget—no doubt remembering exactly where we were when we became aware of what was happening. I was personally praying at the time, as I do each morning, when a Church member called our home to report on the first plane hitting the World Trade Center. My wife Carol immediately informed me that a plane had hit one of the towers. At that moment I could only imagine it to be a small private propeller-driven plane.
However, once I saw the live pictures coming out of New York, it was obvious that this was no small plane, and as events of the morning unfolded, the sinister nature of the attacks became clear—this day would change our world forever, as I mentioned during a sermon in Kansas City on the following Sabbath. But I had no idea how it would change our world, only that this was a 21st century Pearl Harbor moment.
Many of us remember going right up to the gate at an airport to see a loved one off, as can still be seen in older movies. But now there is a whole generation that does not know how it once was. They take standing in lines, taking off shoes and belts, and going through scanning machines for granted as though it has always been this way.
Airport security is only the most obvious direct result of the 9/11 attacks. International banking has become more onerous due to the threat of terrorists laundering money. Wars in Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere in the Middle East have also been, at least in part, the result of what happened 22 years ago, and the domino effect continues in ways we do not always realize. These Middle East conflicts have generated hordes of refugees fleeing to Europe for safety, creating resentment and fueling the rise of populist politicians in country after country. Some attribute the war in Ukraine to be a direct result of the disgraceful manner in which the United States left Afghanistan, but America and its allies would not have been there had it not been for 9/11. The conflict in Ukraine in turn has changed Germany and other European countries in ways that have yet to play out.
Yes, September 11, 2001, was a rude awakening to a new century and it did change our world, but the 21st century has many more surprises for mankind. According to Bible prophecy, there will be devastating shocks to which the 9/11 terrorist attacks pale in comparison. We are already seeing a geopolitical realignment of nations—something that must happen according to Bible prophecy.
The United States and the British-descended peoples will continue their downward spiral, and we may not have to wait very long to see their complete demise, but some ask “Why?” In the days following the attacks that September morning, church pews were full as the nation mourned. There was also an outpouring of patriotism. But patriotism is no substitute for repentance. And now, 22 years later, church attendance is declining, while shocking immoral behaviors have been accepted by many as mainstream. Patriotism, meanwhile, has sunk to a new low. The country that came together in the immediate aftermath of the attacks is now more divided than at anytime since the American Civil War.
But there is good news, not only for America and the British-descended peoples, but for the whole world. Peace among nations will finally come—so says your Bible! It will not come by man’s efforts, but in spite of them. When we come to the end of our rope, Jesus Christ will return and stop our madness (Matthew 24:21-22)!
Baptized members and families of the Living Church of God celebrate four annual Festivals in September and/or October. This year these Festivals begin on September 16 with the Feast of Trumpets. The Festival foreshadows a one-year period in the near future when the wrath of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, will be poured out on rebellious mankind (Isaiah 34:8; Revelation 6:17). This future period is divided into seven parts (seven trumpets). The first six trumpets spell painful news for rebellious mankind (Revelation 8-9), but the seventh trumpet gives good news—the return of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of His servants to immortality (Revelation 11:15-18). I hope all of you viewed Mr. Rod McNair’s Tomorrow’s World telecast, “What Is the Feast of Trumpets?,” where he gave a quick summary of all of God’s Festivals as spelled out in Scripture. You can still view it online at TomorrowsWorld.org at the telecast archives link.
From the first century onward, there has been great interest on the part of God’s people as to when Christ would return and set up His Kingdom. We see that in His Parable of the Minas. “Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately” (Luke 19:11). Jesus then explained, “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come’” (Luke 19:12-13).
This same question of when was on the disciples’ minds after the resurrection. “Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’” (Acts 1:6).
We understand that God’s faithful people have throughout the last two thousand years been looking for and even predicting the return of Christ and the setting up of His thousand-year reign. The Apostle Paul evidently thought the return would be in his day (1 Thessalonians 4:15). It is easy in retrospect to see how naïve those thoughts were. Nearly 1900 years have passed, and He has not yet returned. But does that mean as some think, based on Matthew 24:36, that He could come tonight or a thousand years from now? “But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” Yet, they fail to read the context around this passage. This chapter is devoted to signs of His return, and a few verses earlier, Jesus admonished us, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near, at the doors” (Matthew 24:32-33)!
While we cannot know the exact hour or even the day of His return, Jesus admonishes us to watch for certain signs, and “when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28). We are living at a time when all life could be destroyed from off the earth (Matthew 24:21-22). We are living in an age of mass travel and an information age such as the world has never known (Daniel 12:4). Morals are descending to that rivaling Sodom, and every intent of the thoughts of man’s hearts are only evil continually, as in the days of Noah (Luke 17:26-30; Genesis 6:5, 11).
So while we do not know exactly how long we have, it certainly looks as though time is short. It is virtually incomprehensible to think that this world with its rivalries and weapons of mass destruction can last another 50 years, and it will likely be much shorter than that. However, we must focus on that which is important—doing the Work of God while there is time. Many of us may not live to see the return of our Savior. That is not what is important. Doing the Work given to us to preach the true Gospel and give a warning of what is to come, is.
Thank you, dear brethren and co-workers, for doing just that. Through your prayers and generosity, a significant Work is being done. You are making it possible, even during this time of high inflation, to take Christ’s message to an increasing number of people around the world.
Whether we live or die, we look forward to a day that cannot be far off, when the Savior of mankind will return with great power to put an end to terror and strife, to political infighting, to division and hate. May our prayer always be, “Your kingdom come!”
Sincerely, in Christ’s service,
Gerald E. Weston