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Global
Church News

1993
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1993

February 1993

1Open Letter
But now we need to join
together to do what Mr. Herbert Armstrong virtually told us to do in his
autobiography. Mr. Armstrong wrote: "I know of evangelists who probably
are sincere in supposing they are serving God—and who would like to be
free to proclaim many truths they now hold back. They reason something
like this: ‘If I go farther, and preach those things, I'll lose all my
support. I'd be cut off from the ministry altogether. Then I could preach
NOTHING. Better serve God by preaching as much of the biblical truth as
possible, than to be prevented from preaching anything.'---R. Meredith

2 Editorial: A Church is Born!
Down
through the centuries God's Church has gone through many "dark ages. "
Misguided or fearful leaders would begin to compromise with the world and
bring in pagan doctrines or practices (See Revelation 2:14-15 and
20). But always, after a time, God would "revive" His work through the
efforts of faithful men and women.---R. Meredith
5 Fundamentals of
Prophecy
Because exotic symbolism characterizes so much
of prophecy, many tend to give it a wide berth—but for those who love and
obey God, prophecy is a thing to be understood. Take for example the Book
of Revelation, also called the Apocalypse. Symbol after mysterious symbol,
this book can hold its own with the most flamboyant of all prophetic
writings—yet Jesus Christ welcomes its readers, warmly inviting us to
understand!---J. Schroeder
8
News Trends and
Prophecy
Islam has not played a significant role in most
of modern world affairs. It has been a religion mostly fragmented and
disunited from nation to nation and sect to sect (Shiite, Sunni, etc.).
There was a rise in assertiveness of the Shiite Muslims in Iran under the
Ayatollah Khomeini. However, after his passing even Iran became more
moderate. But Islamic fundamentalism is making its presence felt in more
and more countries in North Africa, the Middle East and on into Southeast
Asia.---R. Nelson
12 Quick and Powerful
If you do
not remember the story of Phinehas (Numbers 25:1-18) and how his bold
action stopped the plague God sent upon Israel, spending about three
minutes to read it would be time well spent! Phinehas exceeded the
authority of a priest when he single-handedly killed Zimri and Cozbi for a
blatant sexual sin. There was no trial and no testimony given. Yet, the
law requires the death sentence to be carried out by stoning—and only with
the testimony of two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy
17:1-7)..---Staff

March 1993

1Open Letter
I have just finished
reading some of your very encouraging letters. Let me share with you just
a few sentences one person wrote us from Wisconsin: "After listening to
two recent tapes by you and reading your letter of December 31, 1992 and
putting, your words to the test for the last three hectic weeks, I feel
like I've come home. Suddenly the sun is shining and warm. You have
brought back God's truth, the Plain Truth. Now I can understand things
again. I'm not a smart man, but I could see wrong things for a long time.
Far too much confusion, too much contradiction with the Bible. Because of
the lukewarm thinking, I have a lot of damage to repair. But now I have
what I lost--h o p e--but I find things in my private life are repairing
fast. I have the 'first love' back, and the incredible urge to study and
improve and be outgoing and caring, not the likes since my first year
after baptism. God gives us such strength if only we are willing to walk
the walk, not water it down to where it's slide the slide.".---R.
Meredith
2 Editorial: Persecution
It may seem
strange in our modern world, but many of us are being harassed and
persecuted. Persecuted not for departing from our original beliefs, but
for holding them fast. Persecuted not for going into some orgiastic pagan
cult, but simply for transferring our membership from one Sabbath-keeping
Church to another which we feel is preserving the biblical Truths we were
converted to in the first place.---R. Meredith
5 Fundamentals of
Prophecy Part II
What Do Prophets Do?
The Law of
Moses is every true prophet's bread and butter. In the introduction to
this series we said that all prophecy is based upon the Law of Moses.
Actually, all Scripture is based upon the Law of Moses. And, in a sense,
all of Scripture can rightly be termed "prophecy," although just a part of
it specifically predicts the future. The biblical terms translated
"prophecy" include everything inspired by God, or "God-breathed, " as the
Greek has it in II Timothy 3:16. And there is false prophecy; but more
about that later.---J. Schroeder
9 News Trends and
Prophecy
1992: A Year of Stunning Losses
"Wind, rain,
earthquakes, hail, floods, fire—everything but pestilence—hit the
property/casualty insurance industry in 1992, the worst year ever for
catastrophes, " so says an article in the business section of The Los
Angeles Times, February 21, 1993. Assessing the effects of last year's
losses, the article about the insurance business went on: "Things were so
bad that even without Hurricane Andrew, the killer storm that caused more
than $15 billion in insured losses in Florida and Louisiana, 1992 still
would have been the second-worst year on record. That's because the Los
Angeles riots, Hawaii's Hurricane Iniki and winter storms in the Northeast
together caused more than $3 billion in havoc."---R. Nelson
14 Quick and
Powerful
Many of us use the statement "God allowed it."
Do we really know if God was involved in each instance where we have used
this expression? Could we be unknowingly attributing to God—even blaming
God—for something we did to ourselves or Satan may have caused?---B.
Brazil
15 The Night to be Much Observed
“And
it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years—on that
very same day—it came to pass that all the armies of the LORD went out
from the land of Egypt. It is a night of solemn observance to the LORD for
bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the LORD, a
solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their
generations” (Exodus 12:41-42, NKJV).---Staff

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April 1993

1 Open Letter
Once again I want to
share with you one of the very encouraging letters which came recently: "I
began to meditate on the changes and to study them. Like many second
generation Christians, I grew up in the Church and simply accepted the
doctrines as right because they made sense and my parents said they were
right. I never really proved the Truth to myself. However, after the
changes started to occur I was forced to go back and either prove the old
way wrong or the new way right. I was unable to prove the new way
right..---R. Meredith
2 Editorial: "Truth"
In the early days
of the Work of Herbert W. Armstrong, there were only a very few local
churches. So most all of us who were converted in those years spoke of
"coming into the Truth." Even years later, we would say: "When I came into
the Truth"..---R. Meredith
5
Fundamentals of Prophecy Part
III
Prophecy and the Covenants
There is an old and
popular tale in which a man is sent to heaven to enquire of God on behalf
of the children of Israel. He must ask if they are indeed the chosen
people. God answers without hesitation, "Yes, Israel is truly my chosen
people"—to which the timorous envoy replies, "Well, if Israel is truly the
chosen people, then on behalf of the chosen people downstairs, would you
please choose somebody else for a change!"---J. Schroeder
9 News
Trends and Prophecy
Religion Taking a Leading Role
Again
Anciently, religion was an extension of the state. It served to
control and direct the minds and hearts of the people. In much of the
Western world pluralism provides a "Heinz 57 varieties" of faiths from
which one can choose. But now there is a paradox developing. On the one
hand unusual, sometimes violent cults are making news again. And
simultaneously, established state religion is coming back!---R.
Nelson
11 Corrections
Thanks to those of you who have
contacted us regarding the inclusion of Exodus 12:3-14 on page 15 of the
March 1993 Global Church News under the heading: The Night to be Much
Observed.---Staff
12 Should I Readily Accept Doctrinal
Changes?
Does God want us to be open-minded to all
doctrinal change? Does God's Word show us that we need to readily accept
doctrinal change? When God has revealed truth through the body of Jesus
Christ, does He expect us to readily change it when someone comes along
and preaches a "new truth"?.---M. Meredith
15 Quick and
Powerful
Ancient Israel's captivity in Egypt was indeed
bleak as they suffered and toiled under the hard bondage of their
merciless Egyptian taskmasters. Many succumbed and died. The Israelites
did, however, have one thing in common with their captors—neither master
nor slave knew much of the true ways of the Eternal God. The Israelites'
existence was indeed bleak during the days they labored under the heavy
burdens of Egypt. They cried out by reason of their oppression—and God
heard their cries (Exodus 6:5). The God of their Father Abraham sent one
from among their brethren to be a deliverer (Exodus 4:19-23). We
understand that Moses was a fore-type of our Savior, Jesus Christ, sent to
deliver those held captive by sin (I Timothy 1:15).---J.
Reynolds

May 1993

1 Open Letter
As I told you in the
recent Co-Worker letter, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond McNair are now with us in
the Global Church of God. He and his wife, Eve, now are here with us for
preliminary meetings and preparation for his permanent move here from
Florida. It is great to be able to work with him again--and we appreciate
the faith and courage shown by him and his wife in standing up for the
full Truth! Be sure to read his article in this newsletter. It is only the
first of many, and I know all of you will appreciate hearing regularly
from one of the very senior evangelists who helped build the Work of God
in our day.---R. Meredith
6
Why We Withdrew Our Membership From the
Worldwide Church of God
Firstly, I wish to mention that
we did not resign from the Church of God! Neither did I resign from the
Ministry of Jesus Christ!---R. McNair
12 What Do You Mean
"Fall Away"?
What causes many normally rational people
to develop such a fanatic loyalty to an organization, particularly to a
religious organization or church? Why do some people continue to follow
the leaders of that organization or church even when they have
dramatically changed everything that had initially gotten them involved? A
dramatic and tragic case is that of the recent standoff of the Branch
Davidians near Waco, Texas and the tragic case of the Jonestown mass
suicide about 15 years ago. These are extreme cases but they illustrate a
basic error that has historically and is even today putting the spiritual
salvation of many Church members in serious jeopardy. That deadly error is
the misapplication of church government!---S. Hegvold
7 What Was Balaam's
Error?
Toward the end of the first century, the faith
Jesus Christ had given to the Church was being eroded by those who were
perverting the true Gospel. In his epistle, Jude warned the Church to
earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). In
so doing, he identified the main sin that characterized those being led
away from the Truth into dangerous error.---C. Adair
16 News Trends
and Prophecy
Intolerance is Back with a
Vengeance
Crimes motivated by bigotry are up virtually everywhere
around the world. In just the last few years there has been a perceptible
increase in hate crimes from the neighborhood variety of vandalizing
buildings and cemeteries to random incidences of physical violence. On the
international level, vast changes in governments and shifts in balances of
power have left whole ethnic minority communities terrorized and in
jeopardy.---R. Nelson
19 Quick and Powerful
"Well, we
just can't be sure," or "We can't tell," or "It really doesn't matter,
does it?" How many times have we heard these statements and wondered—is he
or she right?If one were to consult an existentialist philosopher he might
be told that we really cannot know anything for sure, everything is
relative and uncertain—after all, truth is what you make it—isn't it? This
kind of fuzzy thinking is common today.---Staff

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June 1993

1 Open Letter
My wife and I recently
returned from visiting Atlanta, Georgia, over Pentecost. We had a great
visit, all went well, and there was a total of 102 people in attendance.
This is the largest single attendance for any area here in the United
States thus far, so we are very encouraged, as we are admonished in the
Bible not to "despise the day of small things.” Also, we had seventy-eight
people in Akron with Mr. Dave Pack and; with Mr. Raymond McNair in Little
Rock, we had sixty-two people! There was a new all-time record in
Brussels, Belgium for Pentecost with a total of 201 in attendance! All of
this is very encouraging to us here at headquarters and I'm sure to all of
you as well.---R. Meredith
2
Editorial: What is a True
Philadelphian?
The next to the last church era was the
only one about which Christ gave no criticism whatsoever. That is
remarkable-especially considering the fact that most other eras were
criticized rather severely.
First off, Jesus says: "I know your works.
See, I have set before you an open door..." (Revelation 3:8). The
Philadelphians are those not merely interested in "getting saved"
themselves, but in reaching out powerfully to witness, to warn and to
teach others through the open doors of evangelism that God makes
available..---R. Meredith
5
Study and Gain God's
"Approval"
Do you really love the Truth? I mean do you
really love the Truth?
It's the summer of 1966! I'm walking up the
driveway with something very special in my hands. It's a packet of
information from California containing eight booklets. They explain such
truths as the answer to why I was born, the real modern identity of the
tribes of Israel, the method of proper baptism, the explanation behind the
many different churches that all claim to be right when only one could be,
and numerous others. I have never forgotten that early excitement I felt
for what I was then learning. I was thrilled!.---D. Pack
8 News
Trends and Prophecy
Multiculturalism-When Nobody Reasons
Together
Everyone wants respect, equal opportunities and to enjoy the
rights and benefits America offers. The civil rights movement and other
laws were intended to open American society to minorities and protect them
from human prejudice. So why the growing divisiveness in America? Where is
it all leading?.---R. Nelson
11 Quick and Powerful
"Why are
we the firstfruits?" "WHY?" Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong virtually shouted at
the top of his lungs during his 1985 Pentecost sermon. He continued:
"We're the firstfruits to become teachers to teach others.”---C.
Kohl

July 1993

1 Open Letter
Greetings from Southern
California! Mr. Raymond McNair is now with us here at our headquarters in
San Dimas! It is a real pleasure to be able, once again, to work together
with another of the real "pioneers" of God's Work in this age.
Mr.
McNair is busily writing the booklet on America and Britain in
prophecy--though we have not given it an "official" name yet. Because it
is such a big project, we have decided to run the booklet serially in The
Wor1d Ahead magazine . So you will get the booklet in installments before
it actually appears in booklet form.---R. Meredith
3 Editorial:
COURAGE—basic to the Christian leader
It took a fair
amount of courage for many of us to leave our former church association.
In many cases, we gave up some friends, some family, and a lot of
activities and relationships that we enjoyed. These social networks gave
us a sense of stability and security.---R. Meredith
3 Church's first conference gets a rousing
start
Energetically delivering the keynote address at
the opening of the week-long ministerial conference, Mr. Roderick Meredith
clearly outlined the "big picture" for the Global Church of God.
"The
purpose of this conference," said Mr. Meredith, "is to be sure we are
focused on the big goals the Church must accomplish." Mr. Meredith
explained that the recent experience of the Church, in which certain
leaders have abandoned most of the Truth that Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong had
gained during his 52-years ministry, has created "a remarkable test for
God's Church."---J. Patton
4
"Vital KNOWLEDGE"-- you need to
understand
During the past 50 years, the "Churches of
God" (primarily the Worldwide Church of God) have distributed about
15,000,000 books and booklets explaining the true identity of the
Anglo-Saxon-Celtic peoples. As a result, millions of Americans have come
to believe that our peoples are indeed the descendants of the so-called
"Lost Ten Tribes" of Israel. Possibly, as many as 10,000,000 to 20,000,000
Americans have learned of their true racial raots through reading the
books published by the Churches of God during this 50-year period..---R.
McNair
6 Don't mimic feathered fence-sitters
In the
early 1970s, while visiting the Big Sandy campus of Ambassador College, I
had the opportunity to tour the excellent facilities of the agricultural
program that then existed.
A farm supervisor drove me along a dirt road
to the turkey yard. A large number of these birds were approaching
maturity just in time for Thanksgiving Day. About fifty large fowls were
perched atop a wooden rail fence. As we pulled up in front of them, the
turkeys fell silent as the car motor stopped and we got out to more
closely view this unusual (to a city dweller) sight.---D.
Davis
9 News Trends and Prophecy
For the Europeans,
the 90s are no more civilized or enlightened than the 80s were before the
fall of the Berlin wall and communism. They see a more unstable world--one
of wars, border disputes, bitter racial and ethnic conflict, terrorism and
urban riots.
Is the European Community's current blueprint towards
unity going to survive? Though American headlines more often focus on
Europe's economic and social troubles, step by step Western Europe is
still moving toward complete union. But what kind of Europe will it
become? Will a united Europe be able to guarantee peace and stability on
the continent?---R. Nelson
11 Quick and Powerful
Christ
promised Christians who overcome in this era an awesome and truly
wonderful reward for their faithfulness. He says in Revelation 3:12, "He
who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he
shall go out no more." Yes, we will one day be pillars in God's temple but
do we really understand what all this means?
The word God uses for
pillar helps us understand. The word "pillar" is "stulos" in the Greek and
means to stiffen, support, or simply be a pillar. The base word from which
the word pillar is derived is also interesting. It is "histemi" and it
means to stand, continue and abide.---Staff

1995
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Page
1995

January - February 1995

1Open Letter
Greetings! Truly
unusual events have been happening in our former association as
many of you may know by now. Since my last letter in this magazine, that
organization's religious authorities have finally decided to "go public,"
unmasking the real nature and extent of their MASSIVE doctrinal
changes.---R. Meredith
2 Editorial: A Fatal Mistake
In our
democratic society, we are constantly given examples of how it is best to
compromise. We are told that it is wise to be "flexible" in our
approach so that we can get along better with others. Often, older men or
leaders of the past are lampooned for being too rigid or
"inflexible."---R. Meredith
3
Take a Good Look at
Global
Jesus Christ said, "I will build MY
CHURCH" (Matt. 16:18 KJV)! He also said, "The gates of hell [Gk.
hades=grave] shall not prevail against it." Christ founded that Church on
the Day of Pentecost, 31 A.D. Where, today, is the Church which Jesus said
He would build? And where on earth today is the Work of the Living
God?---R. McNair
7 Must We Assemble Together Every
Sabbath?
In Acts 2:1 we find a remarkable and truly
historic scene unfolding. The New Testament Church is just about to
officially burst into existence. Not coincidentally, "they were all with
one accord in one place." This annual Sabbath would prove to be an event
that you would not have wanted to skip or be late for. A powerful sermon
from Peter ensues. Miracles are recorded. The Holy Spirit is given. After
repentance is explained, thousands request baptism. It is determined that
3000 have both been "called" (v. 39) and have "gladly received his
[Peter's] word" (v. 41). Probably the largest single group baptism in
history occurs. The New Testament Church is fully born.---D.
Pack
10 The Church in Europe and America
The
sixteenth century saw a world in transition from medieval to modern. In
the years just preceding 1500, two events occurred which changed the world
forever. Gutenberg's successful use of moveable metal type in 1454 opened
the way for the increase of knowledge spoken of by Daniel the Prophet
(Dan. 12:4). The first book printed by the new process was a Bible. With
Columbus' voyage to America thirty-eight years later, the history of the
New World became inexorably linked to that of the Old. These two
remarkable events, printing and the opening of a new world for European
settlement, set the stage for a new period in the history of the Church of
God.---J. Ogwyn
14 Are Sincere "Good" Intentions Enough for
God?
Uzzah's death was shocking when it occurred, and to
many today it still seems a harsh punishment from God. Do you
understand why Uzzah died? Could you be making the same mistake today?
God's wrath against Uzzah seems unfair to some. When we look at what
happened, we see Uzzah sincerely trying to serve God. He may
have had other motives rooted in the desire to be in the limelight and
receive the acclaim of men. But, let's give him the benefit of the doubt
and not question his sincerity. He was simply following the
directions of God's anointed leader—David. We, therefore,
might tend to think that he should have been excused because he made his
mistake with "good" intentions..---W. Webster
16 Trials—a
Lesson from the Desert
Have you ever felt bruised and
mauled by the trials you face? Do you ever feel you are bouncing along in
life, getting poked and jabbed by obstacle after obstacle, like a pinball?
Do you ever just want TIME OUT, to catch your breath, and nurse your
wounds, emotionally, spiritually and mentally?---R..
McNair
17 Crown Stealing
There is an uneasy feeling
in most of us regarding the crime taking place in our midst. The unlocked
door of yesterday does not exist and we are barricaded behind double
locks and protection devices. The big focus in 1994 was the Crime Bill
which was designed to combat the deteriorating public safety situation in
the United States. There is hardly a day that goes by without some
new intrusion into people's lives by some type of crime. Our lawmakers
know that lawbreaking and lawbreakers are slowly destroying us.---C.
Knowlton
21 In the Beginning Was the Word
Surprisingly,
the earliest point of time described in the Bible is not to be found in
the first chapter of Genesis. For that, we must turn to the New
Testament—to the opening verses of the fourth Gospel account of Christ's
life on earth. The Apostle John was inspired to write, "In the
beginning was the Word [Gk. logos], 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"
(John l:l-3).---T. Robinson
23 God's Watchmen
In a scene
from the movie "Tora! Tora! Tora!" two American sentries with a primitive
radar on one of the Hawaiian Islands called in a report to HQ of a massive
number of unidentified planes headed in their direction. Their
superiors told them to ignore what the sometimes-unreliable machine
discovered. The soldiers turned off the machine and returned to base.---K.
Frank
28 Global Village News

March-April 1995

1Open Letter
Greetings! As I reported
to you in the recent co-worker letter, four hundred faithful, zealous
brethren---who are the backbone and muscles of God's Church---and a score
of ministers and elders have come with the Global Church of God over the
last two months. Our total church attendance is now well over 4000. Our
community of faith is growing! As you know, Evangelist Colin Adair
and his wife, Margaret, have joined us and are already serving God's
people in the south Florida area.---R. Meredith
2 Editorial: Council of
Elders Appointed
Following Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong's
example, we have established a Council of Elders in the Global Church of
God. As this is a very important step forward, I want to tell all of you
about this Council because it certainly represents spiritual growth and
maturity in the Global Church.---R. Meredith
4 The Truth Shall Make
You Free
My wife and I have been set free from a great
deal of stress and strain since making the decision to resign from our
former affiliation and join the Global Church of God. We are very happy to
once again be part of a Work which is upholding the Truth and endeavoring
to preach the true Gospel, and all its aspects, to the world---C.
Adair
6 Should You Ever Leave God's
Church?
Did Herbert W. Armstrong err when he left the
"Oregon Conference of the Church of God"? Is it incorrect to leave a
corporate body that refuses to preach major, vitally important,
fundamental truths of the Bible?---R. McNair
10 Grace and
Discipline
Some people don't like the term "law."
Perhaps "discipline"---in the sense of maintaining proper conduct---would
be more palatable to them. It is apparent, in reviewing literature
currently being published in the world, that, to many "Christian" writers
and teachers, the concept of grace without law is problematical. As one of
them has written, "For some Christians the grace of God and the pursuit of
holiness may mean legalism and man-made rules."---C. McNair
14 The Church in the
Twentieth Century
They twentieth century is clearly the
time of the most rapid change in human history. The century opened with
the horse and buggy as primary means of transportation, yet within the
first seventy years, men had traveled to the moon and back.---J.
Ogwyn
18 Bearing His Reproach
Many of God's
people are emotionally hurting. They may be wondering if they have done
something to deserve the treatment they are receiving from the separated
brethren they love. How should we understand this situation? Is it unique
to our time?---K. Frank
26 Don't You Believe It!
From time to
time the Global Church News will answer some of the questions,
criticisms and misconceptions (due mostly to ignorance and
misinformation!) which have circulated concerning the teachings of
the Global Church of God. Global does not intend to try to address
all of these false rumors. However, periodically, some error will be
addressed in the Global Church News.
STATEMENT: Some have
charged the Global Church of God with teaching that, on the Sabbath,
members should never help anyone who is seriously ill, is badly injured,
or who might even be dying.---Staff
27 Global Village
News

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of Page

May-June 1995

1 Open Letter
Greetings! As I reported
to you in the recent co-worker letter, four hundred faithful, zealous
brethren---who are the backbone and muscles of God's Church---and a score
of ministers and elders have come with the Global Church of God over the
last two months. Our total church attendance is now well over 4000. Our
community of faith is growing! As you know, Evangelist Colin Adair
and his wife, Margaret, have joined us and are already serving God's
people in the south Florida area.---R. Meredith
3 Editorial: Are We
"Legalists"?
Detractors often accuse the members of the
Global Church of God of being "legalists." This, of course, is intended as
a big put down---a way of frightening people away from our Church and the
Work of Jesus Christ is doing through us. Why are we called this? Probably
people want to imply that we are too strict in teaching and
adhering to God's law---especially the letter of the law.---R.
Meredith
4 What Kind of Difference Does the Holy Spirit Make in
Your LIfe?
Many people are confused about the Holy
Spirit. They not only don't understand what it is; they have no idea what
it is supposed to do in their lives or why they need it. What about you?
Do you really understand the answer to these questions?---J.
Ogwyn
7 The
Work of God through the Ages...
"Let's focus on doing
the Work." "We must put our hearts into doing the Work." I'm sure that
you've heard statements like this many, many times. I have. Through the
years, as I grew up in God's Church, I heard the words "the Work" hundreds
of times. I'm sure you have too.---Jon. McNair
11 Elijah's Showdown
and the Identity of God's Church
Is your church God's
Church? Can you prove it? Hundreds of widely differing "Christian"
denominations exist in the world today. Why there is more homogeneity at
Basken Robbins 31 Flavors ice cream stores than in today's religion
scene. Can you sort out the devilish chocolate from the divine vanilla?
yet, everyone assumes that his or her church must be "God's Church."
Religious confusion abounds today.---Rod McNair
13 Will There Be a
Place of Refuge?
Will God provide a place of safety for
His Church during the Great Tribulation? Or, will members of God's true
Church be protected, individually, regardless of where they may be living,
scattered over the entire Globe?---R. McNair
21 Global Village
News

July-August 1995

1 Open Letter
Greetings from San
Diego! God continues to bless the Work in many different ways, Hundreds of
new brethren continue to come with us---and God is also providing more
ministers and leaders for the Work. Dr. Winnail and his wife Sherry, have
just come with the Global Church.---R. Meredith
3 Editorial: Feed On
Christ
The vast majority of brethren who have come with
the Global Church of God have done so because of one thing and one thing
only---the Truth. You knew that the leaders in this Work not only teach
the Truth but sincerely try to live by it as well. With God's help, we
will NEVER let you down. But will that alone keep you from falling away?
From giving in to sin or to vanity? From getting your "feelings"
hurt?---R. Meredith
4 Why Does the Church Exist?
What
instructions did Jesus Christ leave for His Church? What should that
Church be doing today? Motivated by a powerful vision, Jesus Christ was a
man with a mission. He came to this earth for a purpose. Part of that
purpose was to call a group of disciples and start the Church. Jesus told
His disciples that His Church would not die (Matt. 16:18), that it would
continue to exist down through the ages and be ready to marry Christ at
His return (Rev. 19:7).---D. Winnail
7 What Was Balaam's
Error?
Toward the end of the first century, the faith
Jesus Christ had given to the Church was being eroded by those who were
perverting the true Gospel. In his epistle, Jude warned the Church to
earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). In
so doing, he identified the main sin that characterized those being led
away from the Truth into dangerous error.---C. Adair
10 Be Reconciled to
Your Brother
We need to be reconciled with God our
Father through Jesus Christ our Savior. But are we also reflecting on how
we can reconcile with our brother or sister? From Genesis to Revelation,
the theme of the Bible is love---love for God and love for our fellowman.
The Bible also reveals the plan of God to all of us who understand! That
plan is for us to become literally born sons of God. We will be
genuine brothers of Jesus Christ who gave His life for us so that we could
be in the Father's family. Throughout the New Testament, Christ shows us
how to behave as His brothers and how we are to deal with one
another.---B. Swanson
12 Must Christians Keep the "Law of
Moses"?
Do New Covenant Christians need to keep none of
the Law of Moses, part of the Law of Moses or "the whole law" of Moses?
Many Christians who profess to believe in keeping the Ten Commandments
somehow fail to realize the simple fact that much of the Old Testament
"law of Moses" is still binding upon every true child of God! Does this
shock you? Then you need to read every word of this article!---R.
McNair
19 Global Village News

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of Page

September-October 1995

1 Open Letter
We are fast approaching
the joyous autumn Festival season. It is almost time for four of God's
commanded annual Festivals to be observed. We true Christians today are
"pioneers." We have the tremendous opportunity to set the pace---to
wholeheartedly keep these vital Holy Days and learn the lessons God wants
His future leaders to know.---R. Meredith
3 Editorial: Don't Be
Fooled!
Probably most of you reading this have heard my
two sermons on Galatians. I tried to be very technical and very
specific---literally "drilling" the listeners on the ways modern preachers
so often pervert Paul's writings. Why? Because during the years I was in a
sort of "exile" in Glendora, California, I determined that if I ever got a
chance again to help lead God's people I would strive with all my heart to
ensure that they would not be fooled again. I was literally sickened---as
were many of you---by the cunning twists of reasoning that were used to
undermine the truths of God.---R. Meredith
4 What Is the Biblical
Form of Church Government?
The religions of this world
are confused about almost every major doctrine in the Bible. It should be
no surprise that they are also confused about the biblical form of church
government. In my widely read booklet, When Should You Follow Church
Government?, I was addressing the issue of NOT following false leaders
who may come among God's people from time to time and can misuse almost
any form of church government.---R. Meredith
9 Feast of
Tabernacles
God gave His Church a Festival of joy and
learning. When Israel was delivered from bondage in Egypt they exited with
many wrong attitudes, religious ideas and customs. The story is related
quite graphically in Exodus. There were ten major "temptations" (trials)
recorded in some detail---each a significant lesson for us today.---C.
McNair
10 Talebearing
Shakespeare observed
that he "who steals my purse steals trash. Tis something, nothing. Twas
mine. Tis His, and has been slave to thousands. But he who filches my good
name, takes that which not enriches him, and leaves me poor indeed.".---G.
Anderson
12 Seven Lessons from the Seven
Churches
God provides His people with advance
information for guidance through troubled times. Human civilization is on
a collision course with reality! Numerous trends in today' world are
clearly unsustainable. The Church of God is also in a period of
transition. Many are wondering w2hat is happening to the Church and what
lies ahead. Your future and your eternal life may hinge on decisions that
you make at this crucial time.---D. Winnail
16 Setting the Stage
for Paul's Epistles
The Historical Backdrop of the New
Testament World. How can we better understand the message of the New
Testament? Particularly some of the difficult passages in Galatians,
Colossians and Romans? After, all, those passages weren't really difficult
for the original recipients of those letters, were they?---J.
Ogwyn
23 Global Village News

November-December 1995

1 Open Letter
My family and I have
just returned from a wonderful Feast of Tabernacles celebration. Though we
had human problems and "growing pains" in a few areas, literally scores of
brethren I have talked with felt that this year's Feast was truly
outstanding! My family was able to attend the Feast both at Niagara Falls
and Lake of the Ozarks, and the enthusiasm, warmth and love were
overwhelming. The weather was almost perfect in each area and we were
grateful to see so many wonderful brethren there and to feel their warmth
and appreciation for the work we are doing. Thank you!---R.
Meredith
3 Editorial: Time to Give Thanks
With
a wonderful Feast of Tabernacles just behind us, and with the American
Thanksgiving Day approaching, it is a good time to consider how much we in
God's Church have to be thankful for! Most of us are living in nations
where we have almost complete religious freedom. We all have the awesome
privilege of really knowing the true God and His Son, Jesus Christ. We
know why we are alive, where we are going and how to get there.---R.
Meredith
4 An Open Answer to an Unsigned
Letter
I received the following letter several weeks
ago. While we obviously can't normally respond to letters this way, we are
making an exception with this one. This is because the questions raised
are of general interest, and because the traumatized feelings expressed by
this letter's writer are shared among many of God's people. These kinds of
feelings stood in the way of this person from even signing this letter.
Sadly, such feelings continue to prevent too many of God's people from
reaching out for the help that they need.---J. Ogwyn
5 Are You
Hurting?
The writer of the letter in the accompanying
article suffers a trauma that so many of God's people are feeling. This
trauma h as been real, and there are high stakes, indeed, that are
involved in an individual's responses to it. The spiritual and emotional
healing that is needed from this trauma is a process. It is important that
we proceed from recognizing the source of pain and injury to understanding
what is needed to promote the recovery of our spiritual health and
energy.---J. Ogwyn
6 Help Wanted, Now Hiring REAL Leaders. Must Have
Experience!
Are you fed up with today's crop of wimpy,
confused and corrupt social leaders? Here are some godly traits of
Christian leadership! Christians have been called to reign with Jesus
Christ on this earth and to become leaders in the World Ahead (Rev. 5:10;
Dan. 7:27). This life is a training ground for the roles we will play in
the coming administration of God. Our future responsibilities will be
influenced by how we grow and develop now (Luke 19:12-26). Are you
developing the qualities that will enable you to be an effective leader
under Jesus Christ in the coming Kingdom of God?---D. Winnail
9 Don't Get Those Post
Feast Blues
With the end of the Feast, some people feel
a sense of being "let down" as they move from the spiritual high point of
the year and begin to face six months without the spiritual uplift the
Feast days provide. This doesn't have to happen to you. Here's how you can
avoid those post-Feast blues.---M. Hernandez
10 Global's
Answers to Important Questions
18 Global Village
News

1996
Top of
Page
1996

January-February 1996

1 Open Letter
Greetings from San
Diego! The Work of the Living Christ keeps expanding in every way. Your
telephone calls keep pouring in, more new brethren are attending Global
each week and, as you know, we're adding new, widely watched television
stations. Let me remind you again to watch our program on the new stations
in Shreveport and Nashville!---R. Meredith
3 Editorial: A Man of
Faith and Courage
Over 46 years ago, I met a remarkable
man. This man radiated faith and courage far more than anyone I had ever
known. God was indeed real to him. And he made God more real to me than
anyone else had ever done. This man was very human. he himself confessed
he had faults and imperfections. But they were all up front. If you were
perceptive, you could easily see them.---R. Meredith
4 Vital Keys to
Changing Your Life
How did duplicitous, conniving
"supplanter," appropriately named "Jacob," become transformed into a
"prince with God"---and renamed "Israel"? What led women such as Ruth and
Rahab to make such an about-face in their personal lives? They completely
forsook the pagan gods and practices of their youth in order to
wholeheartedly embrace the God of Israel and His ways.---J.
Ogwyn
7 Dress to Please the Great
Designer
Those who worship God are to worship Him in
spirit and truth. God's main focus is on our spiritual development---our
heart, our mind, our attitude. This is why God does not judge by outward
appearances as men often do, God knows our innermost thoughts!---C.
McNair
10 America and Britain in Prophecy
The
final edits are now being made on this brand new brochure concerning the
identity and destiny of the Anglo-American peoples. This brochure includes
the ancient history of the British and American people. It also includes
those people of British descent---from England, Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland---who emigrated from the Mother Country to Canada,
Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa and numerous other
islands or territories around the globe.---R. McNair
14 A Christian's Job
Description
It is fashionable today in some "Christian"
circles to assume that becoming a Christian involves merely
believing in Jesus---that He was the Messiah, who lived and died and
was resurrected. It is also widely believed that salvation is available
merely for the asking. Just say a little prayer acknowledging you
are a sinner, accept Jesus in your heart and, lo and behold, you are
headed for glory!---D. Winnail
23
Global Village News

March-April 1996

1 Open Letter
As you will see in
accompanying articles, we had a wonderful Ministerial Conference in late
January and the spirit of love and unity was really profound. We were all
very grateful for Christ leading in this conference---and for the Work He
is using all of us to do as His instruments.---R. Meredith
3 Editorial: Do You
Really Stand for Something?
In this swift-moving,
godless society, each one of us had better take the time to decide what we
really believe in---what we're willing to "fight" for and, if need be, die
for. Today's materialistic, secular culture is almost overwhelming in its
influence on most who call themselves Christian.---R. Meredith
4 They Shall Call His
Name Immanuel!
Around 735 B.C., the nation of Judah was
being threatened by King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel. The
aggressors' purpose was to compel Ahaz of Judah to join with them in a
coalition against Assyria. If he refused to comply with their wishes, they
threatened to overthrow his dynasty and put a new-king on the throne of
Jerusalem. In this context the Prophet Isaiah confronted King Ahaz. He
called upon Ahaz to respond in faith and to put his trust in the God of
Israel, who would deliver him from his enemies.---J. Ogwyn
7 Have You Been
Convicted---as a Christian?
Many of us have come through
a difficult time. The past few years have been a shock to our systems as
we saw cherished beliefs watered down and finally flushed away. many
brethren have been taken in by wrong teachings and have totally cast aside
what they once believed. How did this all happen?---C. Adair
8 When Should the True
Passover Be Observed?
When did Christ observe it? Was it
observed, originally, on the 14th or 15th day of the first month of God's
calendar? And what day should we keep it on today?---R. McNair
12 A Sense of
Family
There are many losses throughout the course of a
human life, but few are as painful or as mind-numbing as the loss of a
sense of family. In today's climate of job transfers, broken marriages and
disenchanted adolescents, blood bonds are often stretched to the limit, or
seem to be meaningless. The result can be an acute feeling of loneliness
and detachment, which causes some to spend a lifetime searching for
relief, trying everything from drugs to gangs to psychoanalysis. Some are
fortunate enough to find a "non-blood" family that offers acceptance,
traditions and a sense of security. For many of us that family was the
Church.---K. Meeker
18 Global Village News

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of Page

May-June 1996

1 Open Letter
I hope and pray that all
of you had a wonderful Passover season! Many fine reports have now come in
about the excellent sermons and fellowship during the Days of Unleavened
Bread. Encouragingly, a number of "brand new" people are beginning to
attend with us in the United States and Canada. Such early "fruit" is
coming even though, as I write this, we have not yet been on TV even one
full year! Once the telecast has been aired for at least 18 to 24 months
on a number of stations, undoubtedly hundreds of new people will begin to
request visits. We have much to be thankful for.---R. Meredith
3 Editorial: Careful
What You Say!
Reflecting on the current problem in the
Church, which is discussed in m y lead article in this issue, it is
evident that much of the problem involves our use of the tongue. We
have all got to be more careful in what we say! It seems that several
individuals out in the field churches have become "information centers" to
the rest of the Church. They probably pride themselves on this. Apparently
not having much else to do, they spend a LOT of time on the telephone---or
in writing letters and messages---relaying the "news."---R.
Meredith
4 Should We Celebrate Pentecost on Sivan
6?
Today, throughout the Churches of God, there has
arisen some debate on calculating when Pentecost should be observed. "You
shall count seven weeks for yourself; begin to count the seven weeks from
the time you begin to put the sickle to the grain. Then you shall keep the
Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God with the tribute of a freewill
offering from your hand, which you shall give as the LORD your God blesses
you" (Deut. 16:9-10).---J. Patton
6
"Use the Force,
Luke!"
Down through the ages Christians have battled the
forces of darkness. Our modern era is no exception. Dramatic doctrinal
changes and erupting divisions have traumatized and devastated God's
people. Thousands have been hurt and confused. Some are dazed and
shell-shocked and are finding it difficult to cope with the reality of
what has happened/ Others have retreated into small, isolated groups,
unsure of where to turn for help and direction. Many have been
disillusioned or even turned off from religion by the hypocrisy and deceit
they have witnessed. Their love of the Truth has been dampened or
extinguished. They are casualties in a spiritual war. Perhaps you have
experienced this trauma as well.---D. Winnail
14 Global Village
News
15 Festival Planner 1996
40 Global International
Feast Sites

July-August 1996

1 Open Letter
From what I hear, all of
us had a wonderful Pentecost! Attendance was up in San Diego. The
offerings were up. And I heard fine comments about the sermons everywhere.
I was privileged to spend this Pentecost weekend in the Atlanta, Georgia,
area with a record number of brethren in attendance. The enthusiasm was
infectious and the brethren inspired me as much as I, hopefully, did them.
I was especially encouraged to meet five new brethren who had never
previously attended any Church of God before coming to Global.---R.
Meredith
2 Editorial: Keeping the Feast Is
Vital
The Feast of Tabernacles will soon be upon us! Are
you faithfully saving your second tithe so that you can have a joyous,
abundant Feast? have you made your reservations to attend a Global Feast
site with your brethren? In His inspired Word, God makes it exceedingly
clear that this issue is of paramount importance to Him: "And it shall
come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came
against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the
LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that
whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to
worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain" (Zech.
14:16-17).---R. Meredith
3 Which Calendar Has God
Authorized?
Does GOD approve of any of the numerous
"sacred calendars" now existing? Since God commanded Israel to keep His
Sabbath (Ex. 20:8-11), and His seven annual Holy Days (Lev. 23; Ezek.
20:12-24), of necessity He would also have given His people a reliable
calendar showing when to observe those Sabbaths.---R.
McNair
6 What Are the "Postponements"?
Are
"postponements" to God's Calendar mentioned anywhere in the Bible? If not,
why do we use a calendar that sometimes postpones the beginning of
months---and even years? Some brethren are being confused concerning
whether to continue using the Hebrew calendar that God's people have
followed for many years. Their main objection concerns whether the
postponements used in that calendar are in some way contrary to the
scanty information on the calendar contained in the Bible.---R.
McNair
8 Who Were the Nicolaitans?
The events
recounted in Acts 2 mark the real beginning of the New Covenant Church.
These events happened on the Day of Pentecost, also called the Feast of
Firstfruits in the Hebrew Scriptures (Ex. 23:16). As the Church of God
began, those first members inherited a system of belief and structure,
which made for unity.---J. Ogwyn
11
An Open Letter in Defense of
Global
To My Friends: This may come as a shock to you,
but we've decided to start attending with Global. Sometime last November,
while channel surfing, I came across the Global telecast and was
immediately captivated by it. To me, it was powerful and gripping and I
realized that Global was doing a Work. I wondered if all the rumors about
Global could be true. I figured they had to be, since so many ministers
and brethren decided to align elsewhere.F. Dattolo
23 Global Village
News

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of Page

September-October 1996

1 Open Letter
Thank you for your
faithfulness to God and to the Work of the Living Christ! I deeply
appreciate the excellent response to my latest co-worker letter. The daily
income has been up a fair amount---and for that we are very thankful. I
arrived back here two weeks ago from our Global Youth Camp in Wyoming. I
had the opportunity while there to participate in many activities with the
young people---riflery archery skeet shooting, white-water river rafting
(boy did I get wet!) and horseback riding.---R. Meredith
3 Editorial: Living by
Faith
All of us in the Church know that we're living in
momentous times. Man does have the capacity to annihilate himself. Food
and water shortages are increasing. And the general trend of crime and
violence when compared to a decade ago---especially youth violence---is
up. As the Bible says, "But evil men and impostors will grow worse and
worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Tim. 3:13).---R.
Meredith
4 The Feast of Tabernacles---Key to Age-Old Hopes and
Dreams
Key to Age-Old Hopes and Dreams. From the
steaming jungles of Vietnam to the steppes of Russia, this 20th century
has been the scene of social upheaval and revolution. Large portions of
Europe, Africa, Asia, Central and South America have been plunged into
strife and warfare during the past two centuries by revolutionary zealots
who offered peace and prosperity for the common man.---J.
Ogwyn
7 Rejoice During God's Feast of
Tabernacles!
Why should we REJOICE and give thanks to
God during the Feast of Tabernacles? What should our minds be focused on
during this important Festival? For nearly 50 years, my family and I have
eagerly looked forward to celebrating each Feast of
Tabernacles. ---R. McNair
9
Will You Have a Spiritual
Feast?
This year thousands of people will attend the
Feast of Tabernacles at various places around the globe.... While all of
these exciting physical experiences w2ill be part of the Feast, perhaps
the most important question to consider, as we prepare for the coming
Festival, will be whether or not we will have a really memorable,
spiritual Feast. This coming Festival can be truly our "best Feast
ever" IF we consider the following questions.---D. Winnail
18 Global Village
News

November-December 1996

1 Open Letter
What a wonderful Feast
of Tabernacles we have just completed! During the first half of the Feast,
my family and I had an inspiring and uplifting visit to the Lake of the
Ozarks. Nearly 1,000 brethren were registered there. The weather in the
Ozarks was almost perfect and the sermons, sermonettes and warm fellowship
were all encouraging and uplifting.---R. Meredith
3 Editorial: We Are Now
Being Tested
Having just experienced a joyous Feast of
Tabernacles, we in the Global Church of God must now move forward and
spiritually grow more than ever before. God is opening---and will yet
open---marvelous doors to help us get out His Message if we're truly
yielded and surrendered to Him.---R. Meredith
4
Seven Lessons from the Book of
Job
We all have them. Some of us even seem to have more
than our share! The Apostle James tells us to count them all joy, but, as
we know, that's easier said than done.---J. Ogwyn
7 Make Your Election
Sure!
Don't be caught in Satan's deceptions! You are
living in a truly remarkable period in the history of the Church of God.
Critically important events are taking place! Can you recognize them? For
many people the daily pressure of busy schedules and personal problems
preoccupy their minds to the extent they don't really see the big picture.
What about you?---D. Winnail
13 Global Village News

1997
Top of
Page
1997

January-March 1997

1 Open
Letter
As I dictate this letter, we have now completed
exactly four full years in the Global Church of God and this Work to which
God has called all of us. We are indeed grateful to have the opportunity
to carry on the tradition of doing God's Work along the same lines as His
faithful servant, Herbert W. Armstrong. Many people make fun of Mr.
Armstrong and put him down. But the vast majority of those same people
need to ask themselves the question, "Would I even be in God's Church if
it were not for the Work that Jesus Christ did through Mr.
Armstrong?"---R. Meredith
3 Editorial: How Do You Picture
Yourself?
Each of us has a mental self-image---the way
we picture ourselves. A young man might say, "I'm Joe Jones, high school
football player." To him, that's the most important thing he is. Now his
mother may wish he would think of himself more often as her son, or at
least as a member of the Jones family. His father might want Joe to begin
picturing himself more as a future businessman---and begin taking steps
toward that goal. But for now, Joe's mental image of himself is of a high
school athlete---a strong young man to be admired by his peers.---R.
Meredith
4 Almighty God Will Always
Provide!
During the last 50 years, the Great God has
always provided for the needs of His Work and His people. Today, we can
have the same assurance that He will continue supplying all that we need.
Why are God's people experiencing so much hardship---sickness, financial
difficulties, persecution and trials of every sort? And difficulties are
by no means limited to the physical realm. In the spiritual area, perhaps
never before in the history of the Church of God have so many people been
so confused, scattered and discouraged by clever
manipulators---deceivers who have sought to turn them away from the
Truth and unto fables (2 Tim. 4:3-4).---R. McNair
7 Are You a High
Achiever?
Biblical principles for developing your
talents. Have you ever wondered what God's will is for you? Have you ever
asked yourself, "What does God want me to do with my life?" Many people
spend their entire lives wondering and searching for answers to these
questions. Others made decisions and do things with their lives.
They become high achievers! How do they do it?---D.
Winnail
10 The Holy Spirit and the Prophets
Did
the Old Testament prophets have God's Spirit IN them---or just WITH them?
Psalm 51 recounts the heartfelt, repentant prayer of ancient Israel's King
David over his tragic sin of murdering Uriah the Hittite after committing
adultery with Bathsheba, Uriah's wife. David pleaded with God  in
anguish, "Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me" (v. 11). Did David
actually have God's Holy Spirit IN him---or just WITH Him?---T.
Robinson
13 Technology Can Expand Our
Vision
Very often, science and technology are thought to
be the new "gods" of modern civilization. They can be thought of, in some
people's minds, as taking the place of the real God. Who needs the
Almighty in this day and age, when such amazing advances are being made?
But when rightly understood, modern technology, instead of
replacing God, can actually help us better understand His amazing
power and mind!---B. Gale
14 Financial Report
22 Global Village
News

June-July 1997

1 Open Letter
As we approach the
Pentecost season, all of us need to think more and more about the promised
Holy Spirit---and what it should be doing in our lives. We are all very
human---still in this human flesh. But we have the promise of a wonderful
Helper---the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost time, each of us should ponder,
"How much have I really CHANGED since my baptism? How much have I
grown in this past year? Am I truly reflecting Jesus Christ
more and more in everything I think, say and do?"---R.
Meredith
3 Editorial: By Whose Power?
We talk
and write a great deal about "overcoming" in the Global Church of God. And
so does the Bible. In Revelation 2:26, Jesus is speaking directly: "And he
who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power
over the nations." And again: "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit
with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on
His throne" (3:21).---R. Meredith
4
The Harvest of
Firstfruits
Every gardener knows the joy of picking
fresh, ripe vegetables, grown under the care of one's own hands. And every
grower has experienced the wonders of sweet, luscious fruit, hand-picked
at the end of a long season.---L. Salyer
7
How Are We Justified Through
Faith?
Many in nominal Christianity contend that we are
justified by faith alone. They maintain that it's good to have
"works"---though not required. But is that really so? Let's examine an
often-quoted passage on this subject. "If Abraham was justified by works,
he has something of which to boast, but now before God. For what does the
Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for
righteousness.' Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as
grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who
justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted righteousness" (Rom.
4:2-5).---T. Robinson
10 Is Jesus the Messiah?
Does the Old
Testament prove that the New Testament Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah?
Today there are nearly two billion professing Christians throughout the
world---one-third of the entire population of the earth. And they believe
that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God, the Savior of the world, the
long-prophesied Messiah of the Old Testament. But what about some who
accept the Old Testament as the Word of God, yet claim that Jesus was
merely a great man or prophet---or worse still, a complete fraud.---R.
McNair
14 Reaching Across the
Generations
Biblical guidelines for bridging the
generation gap. The Church today faces a challenging situation. Many
congregations are composed of older adults with only a scattering of young
people. The different generations live in, and are the products of,
different worlds. There are varying tastes, different perspectives and, in
many cases, one generation does not share the same values as another. Each
speaks a different language and has different aspirations and
expectations.---D. Winnail
17 Violence, War and Christianity
In
the 2,000 years since Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth, the blood of
untold millions has been spilled in His name. From the time of Roman
Emperor Constantine (A.D. 312-337)), millions of soldiers have gone forth
to battle under the sign of the cross, ostensibly the insignia of the
Prince of Peace. But professing Christians haven't fought only with
"infidels" or unbelievers. Throughout the last 17 centuries they have also
slaughtered one another with reckless abandon!---J.
Ogwyn
22 Global Village

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of Page

August-September 1997

1 Open Letter
Christ's Work continues
to grow in every way, including income, which is still edging up through
your prayers and financial support. Thank you all for y our love and
loyalty. As I write, many of our "separated brethren" are beginning to
take a closer look at Global. In fact, dozens have started attending with
us in recent weeks. We are grateful for this, but we all need to do even
more to be a light to those who might join our ranks and to let them know
that Global is not "harsh" or "legalistic." And we need to extend a warm,
welcoming hand of friendship to these people when they start attending
with us.---R. Meredith
3 Editorial: Testing Time
Forty-five
years ago this spring, I graduated from Ambassador College. Having been
sent out on a nationwide baptizing tour with Raymond F. McNair the
previous summer, I was now---during the summer of 1952---the leader of a
tour that covered much of the United States and even included a brief
visit or two in western Canada.---R. Meredith
4
Discerning the
Spirits
In July of 1814 Napoleon Bonaparte surrendered
to the English. For two decades he had been the master of Europe and one
of the greatest military tacticians of all time. Virtually everyone in the
known world had heard of the obscure Corsican youth who rose to become the
most successful general in the French Revolution. His exploits in Egypt
stunned the world, as did his dozens of battlefield victories against the
combined armies of the crowned heads of Europe.---R. Sexton
7 The Truth About Old
Testament Warfare
Why does the Old Testament record so
much fighting and violence? There's no question that some of the greatest
heroes of faith---such as Joshua and King David---were also men of great
military prowess. But how does this fit with the New Testament teaching
that Christians are to love their enemies and shun violence?---J.
Ogwyn
10 Are You a Spiritual Athenian?
When
the Apostle Paul reached the shores of Greece on his second "missionary"
journey, he found a country ripe for new ideas. In the city of Athens,
people would often gather at the Areopagus, i.e. Mars' Hill, to hear of
and discuss new religious ideas. So when word came to the Athenians that
Paul, a Jew from Tarsus, was in the city preaching some strange things,
they wanted to know this new doctrine.---C. Adair
12 A Chosen
People
Does God play favorites? The Church of God has
been described as an elusive organization that claims a unique
understanding of Scripture as God's one true Church. For this it has been
branded by some as a cult. This categorization, however, overlooks
significant information from both history and the Bible.---D.
Winnail
15 A Joyful Noise
Here's a short quiz
for you to take: Why do we sing hymns in Church services? a. It's
good arm exercise for the song leader---just like aerobics!   b.
It gets the blood flowing into our legs after sitting for so
long.   c. It gives time to get a quick cup of coffee or take a
trip to the restroom.   d. No real reason---it's just tradition.
We've always done it that way.   e. None of the
above
SubHeads:
To Know
God     To Please God     To
Inspire Each Other---Rod McNair
16
The Preparation Day
However
big an aircraft carrier really is, its deck probably looks as small as a
postage stamp to pilots of F-14 fighter-bombers making landing approaches
at sea. Maybe you've seen them do it on TV....Does your Sabbath sometimes
begin that way? With a carrier landing in rough seas? Is your Friday
evening spent scrambling to get ready, feeling guilty for doing so much on
the Sabbath? ---D. Wakefield
18
Financial Update
23 Global Village
News

October-November 1997

1 Open Letter
As we enter the autumn
Holy Day season, I hope all of us will be re-energized and inspired by
God's awesome plan and our part in it. We picture through these
God-commanded Festivals the soon-coming return of Jesus Christ, the
banishment of Satan, Christ's glorious 1,000-year reign and the salvation
of all mankind. As we do so, we all need to focus more fully on the
Kingdom of God. We must NOT allow ourselves to be distracted by the
concerns of everyday life. We must not overcome by the "thorns" of this
world that Jesus described in His parable (Matt. 13:22).
3 Editorial: Christ Is
the LIVING Head
Because of the upsets and divisions
among God's people, many seem to have lost their perspective. They seem to
have forgotten that Christ is the LIVING Head of the true Church of God!
Strangely, a number of purported "leaders" of various groups act as though
Christ had been "asleep at the switch" from 1934 to 1986. Yet those were
the years of the powerful ministry of Herbert W. Armstrong. They
were the years of the greatest growth in God's Church in modern
times---and the years of its greatest IMPACT by far in preaching the
Gospel.
4 Day of Atonement---Come Boldly Before the Throne of
Grace
All the men of Israel---perhaps a million or
more---were assembled in the Sinai desert. Before them stood the
Tabernacle of God, the two-chambered tent made of goatskins inside a much
larger tent enclosure held up by a series of poles and rods. The only
opening in this large tent enclosure faced East, so the men of Zebulun,
Judah and Issachar had the favored places from which to peer inside in an
effort to see what was to transpire on this special day---R.
Sexton
7 Are You Ready for the Feast?
The
Feast is just around the corner! There is probably no event so anticipated
by God's people from year to year as the Feast of Tabernacles. We talk
about it and make plans for it months in advance. And for many, it's an
opportunity to get together with friends and family members whom they
don't see very often. The Feast also offers a chance to travel and see
faraway, exciting places. And, of course, most of us look forward to
eating out in nice restaurants...But while these are valid reasons to
anticipate the Feast, is that all there is?---J. Ogwyn
10 Judge with Righteous
Judgment
For most of us, our thoughts are now focused on
the fast-approaching Feast of Tabernacles. Will we enjoy the Feast site
we're traveling to? Will we be reunited with close friends or family
members we haven't seen for a long time? Can we take advantage of some
exciting activities that we just aren't able to afford at other times of
the year?---G. Foster
15 Calling All Parents---Teachers
Wanted
For two hours an attentive crowd watched eight
teams compete in the fair's most popular event, the ox pull. It didn't
take long for spectators to learn the animal's names and pick out their
favorites. Handlers, too, were in or out of favor with the crowd,
depending on their methods of control. The best handlers commanded their
teams, shouted praises and never lashed with their whips. The best teams
worked together with strength and cooperation.---J. & M.
Hendren
16 Religious Freedom Under Attack!
The
Los Angeles Times reported on July 22, 1997, that the U.S. State
Department had sharply criticized China for suppressing religious
freedom. The article continued, "The Chinese government has regularly
cracked down on unregistered Catholic and Protestant groups, raided
worship groups meeting in private homes and sometimes detained,
interrogated or beat leaders."---N. Link
18 Cultivate Godly
Kindness
Do you believe you're a kind person? Do
others---both in the Church and in the world---think so? Just what does
God expect from us when it comes to lovingkindness?---R.
McNair
23 Global Village

Top
of :Page

Post-Festival Edition 1997

1 Open Letter
By all reports, this
Feast of Tabernacles---with more than 6.900 in attendance---was the most
inspiring and unifying that most of us have experienced in many years! My
wife and I traveled to both Niagara Falls in Canada and Jackson Hole,
Wyoming. At both locations, the love, warmth and zest of the members was
remarkable---and we had a truly wonderful Feast. What a joy to see
hundreds of you brethren again in person. And the accounts we hear from
nearly all the Feast sites tell a similar story! So we have much to be
thankful for!---R. Meredith
2 Editorial: Courage
One of the main
characteristics God appreciates in a man or woman is courage. When we
contemplate the lives of Abraham, Esther, Daniel---and certainly Jesus of
Nazareth---we see rich examples of courage in many different and trying
situations. Abraham was willing to leave his home, his country and
everything he had ever known to travel to a land where he had never gone
before. Just why would he do this? Because God instructed him to!---R.
Meredith
3 Blessed Are the Merciful
The quality
of mercy is not strain'd
It droppeth as the gentle
rain from
heaven...
It blesseth him that gives
and him that takes... by
William Shakespeare---L. Salyer
8
Global
Village
10 Feast of Tabernacles

End of 1997

1998
Top of
Page
1998

January-March 1998

1 Open
Letter
Having entered the year 1998, it will be helpful
to review who we are, where we have been and our GOALS for this year and
beyond. One of the great weaknesses afflicting many Christians is that
they get their eyes off the BIG PICTURE. They fail to set GOALS for their
lives and to consistently work toward those goals.---R.
Meredith
3 Editorial: Will You "Hang in
There"?
Down through time one of the truly great
qualities of men and women of character has been perseverance. They didn't
give up and quit. They didn't turn aside from doing what's right. They
persevered. God has given us these past five years to continue
teaching the Truth through the Work of the Global Church of God. Although
we are certainly far from perfect, thousands of knowledgeable, thinking
individuals---even those not in our fellowship---acknowledge that we in
the Global Church of God are teaching the Truth and doing the Work
more along the lines Christ guided Mr. Herbert  Armstrong than is any
other organization on earth.---R. Meredith
4
"Let a Man Examine
Himself"
Are You Prepared for Passover? Modern
Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ died for you and that all you have
to do to be saved is to say a little prayer, "accept Jesus into your
heart," and let Him become the "Lord of your life." Salvation is a quick
and easy affair because Jesus "has done it all for you." We are also told
that Communion of the "Lord's Supper" is a love feast and "an occasion for
bringing believers together in unity rather than in
disharmony"---anytime it is observed (The Oxford Companion to
the Bible, 1993, op. 467).---D. Winnail
7 The Passover---God
Introduces Himself
The elderly man was a little
apprehensive as he approached the familiar buildings. Forty years earlier
he had fled for his very life from these surroundings. Now he was
returning to carry out a divinely commanded mission in the midst of what
was then, and had been for centuries, the most powerful nation on the face
of the earth.---J. Ogwyn
10 Appointed Time of Victory for God's
People!
"These are the feasts of the LORD, holy
convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times. On the
fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the LORD's Passover. And
on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to
the LORD; seven days you must eat unleavened bread" (Lev. 23:4-6).---R.
Sexton
14 The Leaven of Hypocrisy
As we
approach the end of the 20th century, we've entered a unique time for the
people of the Church of God. Never before have so many had such easy
access to the Bible. If Christians of the Middle Ages were to come back to
life today, they'd face a dizzying array of options. They might want to
read the King James Version, the New International Version, The
Living Bible or maybe the Women's Bible. Next they'd choose
whether to read their favorite version on CD ROM computer disks, on-line
at "http://www.bible.com/" or listen
to a reading of the Bible on cassette tapes. And of course, they could
still read it the old-fashioned way---on paper pages.---Jon.
McNair
17 The Road to Salvation
As we approach
the Days of Unleavened Bread, now is a good time to reflect on the
important process God has ordained whereby mankind will finally be able to
put sin behind him once and for all.---R. McNair
23 Global
Village

Festival Planner 1998

1 Open Letter
Greetings from San
Diego! As this spring Holy Day season draws to a close, it's important
that we think deeply about the meaning of Pentecost as it affects us
personally. Most of us have repented and have been baptized. We accept
Christ's sacrifice for our sins and received the precious gift of the Holy
Spirit. Together we are to be the "firstfruits" of God's spiritual harvest
(Lev. 23:17). The Apostle Peter tells all of us who are truly converted,
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His
own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called
you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people
but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have
obtained mercy" (I Peter 2:9-10).---R. Meredith
3 Editorial: Be Warm
and Welcoming
Separated brethren are beginning to come
with the Global Church of God. And dozens more "brand new" people are also
beginning to attend. But how should these new people be received?
Remember when you first attended? Were the local brethren warm and
welcoming? Or did some seem to be cold and distant? No doubt many of you
have found memories of brethren greeting you, inviting you over for
dinner, calling when you were sick.---R. Meredith
4 The Just Shall Live
by Faith
What thoughts leap to mind when you hear the
word "faith"? Miraculous healing? Walking on water? Daniel unharmed in the
lion's den? All of these, of course. are the outcome or
results of faith. But they do not constitute faith itself. And
while there certainly is an association here, faith---as we will shortly
see---involves so much more.---T. Robinson
9
Global
Village
11 The Festival Planner
13 Designated Festival
Sites
14 Festival Site Descriptions
18 International
Sites
20 Amenities Legend
21 Site Housing
Information

Top
of Page

July-August 1998

1 Open Letter
Most of us have had a
wonderful Pentecost season! Since then, growth in the Work has continued
and we are still receiving nearly 50% more responses to the telecast than
we were a year ago---buty with virtually no added stations. Because
the response from Canada hs been so outstanding (we've been on television
there longer), my wife and I flew to Toronto for Pentecost weekend to hold
an "open service" to which we invited several hundred of our subscribers
in th Toronto area. With 80 new people, it was an inspiring occasion and,
hopefully, will lead to more such semipublic meetings in the future. We
do need to reach the people of this world with the "whole counsel
of God" whenever possible.---R. Meredith
3
Editorial: Do You Hate
Evil?
As we fully explain in this issue, nothing
is more important than Christian love and outflowing concern
toward God and toward our fellow humans. Nothing. Nevertheless, a
vital counterpoint to this wonderful and all encompassing truth is that we
must truly learn to hate---not the people who perpetrate
evil, but evil actions themselves.---R. Meredith
5 Building Better
Relationships
Life is full of challenges! One of the
greatest is learning how to handle problems that arise with other
individuals. We often ask ourselves, "How am I supposed to deal with
difficult people."---whether at school, on the job, in our families or
even in the Church. Are there sound ways to cultivate better relationships
with people who are hard to deal with? Are there proven principles that
work?---D. Winnail
8 When Love Is Not Returned
Therefore,
leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us
go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance
from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of
laying  on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal
judgment" (Heb. 6:1-2).---Jon. McNair
11 Philadelphia &
Laodicea
Are some of god's people actually going to flee
right before the Great Tribulation? According to Jesus the answer is yes.
He said, "And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the
Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been
since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be"
(Matt. 24:20-21).---R. Thiel
14 Woman to Woman---Our Challenges in the
90s
As Christian women today, what do we consider to be
our greatest challenge? And what do we feel should be our greatest
accomplishment? How do we judge our life? By what ruler or measure? Do we
most want to copy Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, or perhaps Madeleine
Albright or Cindy Crawford? Some of us probably do.---J.
Swanson
16 Be Careful What You Ask for---You Just Might Get
It!
While I was in college, there was a kind, gentle
lady who lived near us and would often visit the campus. Everyone called
her "Grandma." She spent a lot of time with the students, and would offer
priceless tidbits of sage advice. One morsel I'll never forget: "Be
careful what you ask for---you just might get it!"---Rod
McNair
17 Prodigal Son Syndrome
There's a
question young people often ask themselves as they grow up in the Church.
And it even occurs to baptized members at times. The question goes
basically like this: "Why can't I go out into the world, make my mistakes
and the later repent and come into (or come back to) the
Church?"---D. Wakefield
23 Global Village

September-October 1998

1 Open Letter
I hope all of you had an
encouraging and profitable summer. I've already heard that many of you
certainly did. As mentioned elsewhere in these pages, the Church conducted
an excellent summer activity for our young people---the Global Youth Camp
in Michigan. A second camp was held in Wyoming, which we'll read about in
just a moment.---R. Meredith
3 Editorial: Will You Willingly Suffer for Jesus
Christ?
International incidents with prophetic
implications continue to dominate the headlines! The recent savage attacks
on American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, coupled with U.S.
counterstrikes on a terrorist training base in Afghanistan and an alleged
chemical weapons plant in the Suda have heightened international tension
to levels we have not seen in recent years. With the threat of many more
attacks to come from international terrorists, along with continued
counterstrikes, a time of trial and testing is beginning to come upon the
United States in a way it has probably never experienced before.---R.
Meredith
5 Why Are You Going to the Feast?
Over
the years one question is invariably asked at the Feast of Tabernacles:
Why are we here? The simple and obvious answer is that it is
commanded (Lev/ 23:41; John 7:8). Since the Feast of Tabernacles
pictures the Millennium, when the saints will rule with Christ for 1,000
years (Rev. 20:4-6), it follows, then, that our experiences at the Feast
should serve as a foretaste of the coming Kingdom of God. Spending eight
days at the Feast with others of like mind, the daily spiritual focus, and
a theme of learning and rejoicing is truly a unique experience---a reason
we look forward to the Feast year by year. The whole occasion is an
opportunity to sense what the Government of God will be like when it is
established on earth.---D. Winnail
7
The Weightiest Matter of
All!
Beginning with our last issue in 1997 and
continuing into this year, the Global Church News ran what was then
a three-part series on the "weightier matters of the law" as identified by
Christ in His stinging rebuke of the Pharisees (Matt. 23:23). We believe
these to have been among the most critical articles we've ever published.
I'm sure almost all of us would agree that everything God tells us
is important. But somethings are more important than others. In the
verse cited above, Christ identified judgment, mercy and faith as
weightier---that's to say, more important---matters of the
law.---G. Foster
12 The World Ahead---Utopia on
Earth?
We now live in a world of unbridled selfishness,
greed and violence. A world of poverty, misery and fear. But will world
conditions always be so bleak? Or does the future hold real hope for
mankind?---R. McNair
17 Hold Fast What You Have
At one time
or another in our life, we've all had some thing brand new. There's
nothing like a new toy to brighten the eyes of a young child. A new outfit
or pair of shoes can be a special joy for the lady in our life. And
driving a car straight home from the showroom is a thrill for the whole
family.---Jon, McNair
21 Suffer the Little
Children...
Jesus...said, "Let the little children come
to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the Kingdom of God.
Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a
little child will by no means enter it." (Luke 18:16-17)
Jesus Christ
felt indignation when the disciples turned away those who had brought
their children for Him to touch..... But Jesus intervened saying, "Let the
little children come to Me, and do not forbid them" (Mark
10:14).---Staff
25 Global
Village

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