THE BRITISH & EUROPEAN SUPPLEMENT
TO…
September/October 2000
World Events Highlight
Importance
of Preaching the Gospel
Former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan was once asked what was most significant in politics. He replied with very few words. ‘Events, dear boy, events!’ he said. So it is with the world in which we live today.
When Jesus Christ was asked an important question by His disciples (Luke 21:7), He replied in much the same way as Mr Macmillan. Christ said that the end would suddenly come upon everyone throughout the world, taking them unawares. But then He also added that His disciples would not be caught unprepared and unawares if they would just watch events (verses 34-36).
In the last several weeks there have been many significant events taking place in the world. So many that unless we truly are watching, ‘that day’ will come upon us unawares.
A panorama of significant trendsRegarding the Middle East, intense negotiations and discussions transpired at Camp David, with President Clinton, the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Yassar Arafat of the Palestinians participating. Progress initially seemed to have been made, but the question of Jerusalem remained unresolved and the talks broke down. Knowing the entrenched positions of the two parties, should anyone have been surprised? With the Palestinians and the Jews both demanding Jerusalem as their capital city, this is going to remain a festering sore.
And then there is the question of well over 100,000 Jewish settlers on the West Bank. They and many in Israel insist that they should not be moved, as ‘This is the land God gave to our fathers’. Short of Christ’s second coming, nothing will remove the deep resentment and hostility on both sides.
Yet it is very possible that the Pope and the Catholic Church could offer to be mediators. They could even suggest that the Palestinians and the Jews should share the administration, with Jerusalem declared an international city, and with the Pope becoming the central authority ‘on behalf of the world community’.
In China, a considerable degree of ill will was recently engendered against the United States. Israel had agreed to sell China a substantial amount of state-of-the-art, highly sophisticated ‘defence’ equipment. But just as the deal was being concluded, the USA told Israel to back off. Israel, relying on huge American subsidies for its continued existence, did so. The Chinese reaction is understandable in the light of Washington’s determination to build the ‘Star Wars’ system in Alaska. Shouldn't Israel have known what American reaction would be in advance and avoided the deal with China?
And then there is the China-Taiwan situation. Taiwan has roughly two to three years to decide whether or not to be re-absorbed by China. If it decides not to be, and declares its independence, China has promised to take it by force. How will America react to this?
Internal pressuresChina has internal pressures as well, with continuing severe drought over the huge northern part of the country. This adds to the environmental damage already being done by a giant system of dams under construction further south, with tens of thousands of villagers having no option but to relocate – creating a situation beyond the ability of the government to resolve. Historically, faced with imminent civil unrest, governments have engineered wars to divert the attention of their citizens and maintain their own positions of power. Watch China in this regard.
Don't forget that there is a rapprochement between China and Russia, with a further link-up to North Korea. And within Russia there is a deep suspicion of a German-French led Europe .
In both Germany and France, various factors have come together to create a new confidence. Chancellor Schröder recently won a vote approving major tax cuts for both industry and the individual. This has had the effect of galvanising an already powerful German industry, perhaps strengthening the euro and thus bringing a new confidence to the rest of Europe. And don't underestimate the power of football! Football today is a major force in international politics. Germany was chosen rather than South Africa or England to host the 2006 World Cup, strengthening the view of an irresistible Germany.
And what of France? It has recently taken up the presidency of the European Union, and will seek to use this opportunity to try to force the union down the pathway to a federal state. Today's France is a lot different to the one of 30 years ago. There is a new national confidence and pride to parallel Germany's. As Newsweek recently said, ‘For the first time in 30 years [there is] a real rebound, a renewal of energy and passion, a desire to do something’. No mistake that the French football team won both Euro 2000 and the World Cup. The first nation ever to hold both trophies at the same time.
Preaching the gospel in Britain and Europe
We in the United Kingdom are well aware of these and other events – and they act as a spur to getting on with the job at hand. We continue with determination to preach the gospel of Christ's return and the coming Kingdom of God, together with a warning message of what is going to happen to our English-speaking peoples before that time.
As well as being on Manx Radio twice a week on both AM and FM, we are now twice a week on each of two major short wave radio stations broadcasting primarily to Europe and Africa, but also reaching other parts of the world. Further radio opportunities are being pursued. Please see the Radio Log.
In July we had a colour advertisement on the front page of The Sunday Telegraph, which has a circulation totalling 1.6 million. This well-respected newspaper not only circulates throughout the UK, but is also found on newsstands in most of the cities of Europe, and even beyond. Nearly 350 responses have been received from the UK and countries such as Japan, France, Greece, Norway, USA and Russia.
The Swedish Reader's Digest will carry a further full-colour, full-page advertisement in November. Another major advertising opportunity is scheduled for the UK in September. This will offer The Good News in one million copies of a high-quality booklet with a nationwide circulation.
We have recently printed 10,000 copies of our brochure offering The Good News, with a reply-paid tear-off card. We have two special projects in mind for these, but want to test them both first.
Preaching the gospel is a major part of the most important work in the world today. We deeply appreciate your continued interest and prayerful support.
John A. Jewell
Questions and Answers
Q I saw your advertisement in The Sunday Telegraph and thought you might answer a direct enquiry. I have no doubt that God exists and that the man called Jesus of Nazareth was His Son. What I cannot credit is all that is done in the name of God by organisations called churches. I hardly find any reference at all to ‘church’ in the words of Jesus, and I certainly cannot connect him with popes, cardinals or archbishops.
More importantly, what is the truth concerning our Lord’s final days on this earth? How can a meal shared with His disciples be linked with His execution? Can it save? Is it correct to view that execution like the sacrifice of an animal, that in some way excuses the sins of entire generations?
Was there any point to the life of the Lord? If sin be taken away on the cross, how can one add to Christ’s sufferings by sinning? Is the act timeless, or did it take place in time, never to be repeated? Jesus was not in the churches where I worshipped, and yet everyone insisted on His presence there.
The problem may be that the simplicity of the gospel has been left behind in the vast complications of theological speculation, which has nothing at all to do with the plain fact that God entered our history.
J R L, Southport
A
We do empathise with your concerns. Certainly there have been abuses in various churches. However, that was not the responsibility of God and Christ, but of human leaders who have exercised their free moral agency improperly. To the extent that church organisations have allowed themselves to become expressions of the darker side of human nature, the purity of godly standards has been damaged in the world of churchianity.Concerning the English word ‘church’, the gospel writers wrote in the Greek language. Matthew used the word ekklesia (translated ‘church’) which basically means assembly. Christ was referring to a special group of called-out ones who would follow His teachings and preach His Gospel to the world. What bound them together was the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 12:13).
What has generally emerged in the centuries since then is not what Jesus Christ had in mind. Nonetheless, there is no doubt that Jesus did use the word 'church' several times as recorded in the gospel of Matthew. And later as the resurrected Christ, He communicated to the seven churches of Revelation. (For further important knowledge, please request our free booklet The Church Jesus Built.)
As you suggest, the hierarchy of popes, cardinals, and archbishops is not based on New Testament thinking. Jesus said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles [i.e., the Romans] lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many' (Matthew 20:25-28). The New Testament example is one of stewardship and service.
The Passover meal symbolises that crucial step in our salvation that brings us into a right relationship with God (2 Corinthians 5:11-21). Jesus paid the penalty for our sins when He was crucified. As Paul put it to the Romans, ‘Having now been justified by his blood...we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son…[and] saved through His [Christ’s] life’ (Romans 5:9-10, excerpts). Christ’s shed blood made it possible for us to become guiltless – justified – in spite of our past sins. Ultimately we will be granted eternal life because Jesus Himself lives and functions as our Advocate or High Priest.
This is one of the central themes of the book of Hebrews. As this New Testament book fully explains, sacrificing animals does not erase the sins of human beings or cleanse their consciences.
The Old Testament sacrifices served the purpose of reminding the Israelites of the enormity of sin (Hebrews 10:3-4). However, the death of the Son of God was so powerful and efficacious as to actually take away the sins of all humanity – past, present and future (John 3:16; 12:32-33; Hebrews 2:9; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
One does not add to the physical sufferings of Christ by sinning. He completed that suffering when He was crucified nearly 2000 years ago (Hebrews 7:27; 9:25-28). His sacrifice was once and for all – never to be repeated. Yet the actual application of Christ’s sacrifice remains valid throughout our Christian lives (see 1 John 1:7-9; 2:1-2).
We should never take sin lightly. It hurts us and our fellow humans. God wants us to get rid of it with His help, thus fulfilling His plan and purpose.
The United Church of God does not believe in the doctrine of 'transubstantiation' – i.e., that the elements of the Passover or Lord’s Supper actually become the Lord when we partake of them.
Instead the Bible shows that they symbolise His body and blood, sacrificed for us. Partaking of the symbolic bread and wine during the annual Passover ceremony reminds us that Christ died for us. (For further information, please request our free booklet about God’s Holy Day Plan.)
We certainly agree that the simplicity of the gospel has often been lost in the shuffle of mainstream church politics and complex theologies. This was a problem even in Paul’s day (2 Corinthians 11:3; Galatians 1:6-8; Acts 20:29-30).
In conclusion, we understand your frustration with your previous church experience. Many have shared it. Yet we must make a clear distinction between a negative manifestation of human nature, and that which comes down from 'the Father of lights' (James 1:17). The good gifts come down from God who is constant and unchanging. The bad arises from as-yet-unconquered human nature.
We have to learn to separate that which is from God, and that which is not. The divine goal is to eventually bring all under the sovereignty (kingdom) of God, winnowing out the evil.
God did enter our history, as you aptly put it, and He is now active in His true Church as He promised (Matthew 28:20). God’s plan and purpose to redeem mankind continues to unfold and reap a spiritual harvest of precious souls for His Kingdom. Each of us has a choice as to whether or not to participate.
Further discussion of these subjects may be obtained by requesting our free booklets The Road to Eternal Life and You Can Have Living Faith.
Tune in to The World Tomorrow on radio
BRITISH ISLES
MANX RADIO 1368KHz AM, and 89.2, 97.2, 103.7 FM
Tuesdays at 9.44 pm, repeated Thursday night (late) 1.02am
INTERNATIONAL – BRITAIN, EUROPE AND AFRICA
WWCR Short Wave (19 metre band) 15.685KHz
Tuesdays 5.15pm GMT (6.15pm BST)
Saturdays 1.00pm GMT (2.00pm BST)WINB Short Wave 21 metre band 13.570KHz
Mondays and Fridays 8.30pm GMT (9.30pm BST)
Also on our web site at www.worldtomorrow.org
Sunday Telegraph
adYou are to be highly commended for the fine eye-catching advertisement that you placed on the front page of The Sunday Telegraph on July 16th. At last, a group of Christians who are prepared to sacrifice money, time and resources in the interest of God’s Kingdom. Yes, please send me the copy of your booklet Does God Exist?, and kindly place me on the mailing list for The Good News magazine. Also I notice from the advert that you have a booklet that deals with creation and evolution. Is it just possible that you could send me a copy of this one? D R M, Stoke-on-Trent
Thank you for the encouragement! The two booklets and the magazine have been posted – and your name has been added to our mailing list.
Making a difference
I am aged 48 and for the most of my life gave little thought until now to any of the considerations contained in your literature. What has changed? I can’t get enough. Many thanks for making a difference in my life.
D S, Northern Ireland
I would love to enrol in the Bible Study Course. I work at Newcastle College and know by first-hand knowledge that education by science does not have the answers. This could not have come at a better time for me.
M V, Tyne & Wear
Your booklets are so important to me. My first introduction to The Good News was on an island 17 hours sailing away from Queens-land, Australia. It is called Percy Island. I picked up a copy on this uninhabited island (only two people live there), and my eyes were wide open. I suddenly identified with everything about Christ, God and the universe in your booklet....I am a member of our Parish Council and I want to make other members see this, but it doesn’t seem to work. We have had to discuss such issues as divorce and remarriage in church, and donating to NSPCC when such institutions openly provide gay parents with adopted children....Please find a small donation enclosed.
R C, Gloucestershire
Readers struggle with world of religion
Your magazine is so inspiring. There’s only one truth and I know you have it. Having had my fingers burned several times from following the teachings of many unscrupulous ‘false profits,’ I’m amazed that you can offer your teachings for free.
E R, Dorset
I have read some of your literature at a friend’s house. I was impressed and wanted to know more, so he gave me your address. I have attended many churches, but what they say confuses me. Please send me your Bible Study Course and your Good News magazine.
T E, London
I would love to believe in God, but I find it very hard to live with all the contradictions and hypocrisy connected with organised religion. I also fail to see the relevance of the Bible to modern society. Please continue to send your literature.
R W, West Midlands
The Good News uses the Bible as its primary source for understanding what is happening in modern society today. ‘The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding' (Proverbs 9:10).
The Scriptures show us many valuable insights into the vagaries of false religion (see Q&A on pages 2-3), but they also teach that there is a true religion on this earth, one that is based on the model revealed in the Bible.
Please write for our free booklet The Church Jesus Built. Also, there are true ministers of God who are willing to visit those who would like guidance and help (see page 2 of the main magazine).
Audiotapes are available
A correspondent in the July/August British & European Supplement to The Good News refers to an audiotape by John Jewell. I haven’t heard your audiotapes before, and would be interested to receive them. Could you send me one, and further information? D K, St. Albans
I would be very interested in receiving audiotapes as mentioned in the letters section of The Good News Supplement.
R B, Tunbridge Wells
Audiotapes of sermons are available to those who would find them of special interest.
Please note our
new address in Watford
The Good News
PO Box 705
WATFORD
WD19 6FZ
United Kingdom
Tel 020 8386 8467
Fax 01257 453978
www.goodnews.org.uk
Email
© 2000 United Church of God- British Isles