Rod McNair

[The text below represents an edited version of this Tomorrow’s World telecast.]

What Is Christmas About?

Christmas morning. It’s the highlight of the year for many children in the Western world. They leap out of bed to discover what Santa brought them this year. They bound down the stairs, eager with anticipation, imagining what new toys may be awaiting them.

And then, they see them.

Under the Christmas tree, there they are: neatly stacked presents covered in red and green wrapping, awaiting the children’s discovery of what’s inside. What could be more exciting than this yearly Christmas ritual?

Everyone loves a surprise. And children all over the Western world look forward to the thrilling moment on Christmas Day: The long-awaited instant when the presents are opened.

But does the Christmas-present opening ceremony live up to its billing? Do the presents really fulfill the wishes and dreams of those boys and girls? Or after a few minutes or hours of playing with a new game or doll, does the newness wear off? Or is the disappointment immediate, when an expected electronic game turns out to be pens or pencils? Sadly, all too often, the anticipation of the gift is greater than the real thing.

But think about it, though. Isn’t Christmas in general sort of like a disappointing gift? It’s bright, it’s colorful, attractive, and beckoning. But when you open it up, what’s inside? Is it what you had hoped for?

Let’s answer that question today on Tomorrow’s World, as we unpack the truth about this popular holiday.

Look Beyond Christmas Morning

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World, where we help you make sense of your world through the pages of the Bible.

Christmas is one of the most anticipated holidays of the Western world. For many, it’s a joyous time. And it’s especially fun for children. Millions of boys and girls arise Christmas morning, gleefully expecting to find gifts under the Christmas tree.

One of the most popular parts of Christmas is gift-giving. Everybody likes a present. And maybe that’s what makes Christmas so popular with children.

But just like children can be disheartened when they get socks or a sweater instead of the latest electronic game or a new puppy, Christmas is filled with unpleasant surprises for adults, too. Some are quite shocking.

Surprise #1: Christmas Is Not Christian

Let’s talk about some Christmas surprises in our program today. The first one is (number one) Christmas isn’t Christian at all.

Christmas is supposed to be the celebration of the birth of Christ. And yet, it’s made up of many customs that have their roots in ancient pagan traditions.

As author Desmond Morris wrote in his book Christmas Watching,

“Hardly anything we do during the Christmas festivities has the slightest connection with Christianity, let alone with the arrival of the infant Jesus” (Christmas Watching, p. 2, 1992).

Pagan Origins of Christmas

Simply put, the earliest Christians did not observe Christmas. This is a fact recognized by all reputable sources. Even those who observe this holiday with great fervor recognize this fact.

Notice this statement from The Catholic Encyclopedia:

“Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church. Ireneaus and Tertullian omit it from their lists of feasts; Origen… asserts… that in the Scriptures sinners alone, not saints, celebrate their birthday” (“Christmas,” The Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, p. 724. 1907).

The early Church never kept Christmas. That’s quite a surprise for some, especially for a holiday which is assumed to be one of the most important in the Christian year.

In 350 AD, Pope Julius proclaimed December 25 to be the date of Christ’s birth. But before that, practically every month of the year had been suggested, by some teacher or another, as the month of Christ’s birth.

This can be found in the book The Pageantry of Christmas on page 10, edited by Stanley Fillmore.

And according to biblical evidence, there’s no way that December 25 could have been the birthday of Christ.

What Portions of the Christmas Story Are in the Bible?

Adam Clarke, the prominent biblical historian from the 19th century, explained in his discussion of Luke 2 that the shepherds and their flocks would have not been in the fields at the end of December, as that was the cold and rainy season in ancient Israel (Clarke’s Commentary, Vol. 5, p. 370. ).

So, the story that countless millions of children are taught each year is absolutely false. Christmas isn’t Christian at all.

Even details of Christ’s birth are jumbled, when told in the Christmas story. For example, the wise men from the East did not visit Jesus as a baby in a manger. Luke 2 describes an angel telling shepherds they would find the newly born Messiah as “a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12). But by the time the wise men came to look for the “King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2), Jesus was already a young child and lived in a house (vv. 9, 11). At the time of the wise men’s visit, Christ would have been close to two years old (v. 16).

Surprise after surprise after surprise. You’d think a fundamental Christian holiday would actually stem from accurate Church history and from the Bible. But when it comes to Christmas, you’d be wrong.

Should Followers of Jesus Christ Love and Practice a Lie?

And what about the myth of Santa Claus? In the English-speaking world, Santa plays a prominent role. How many children go to sleep on Christmas eve, dreaming of the fantastic toys that Santa will bring during his night-time ride through the skies?

Did you grow up believing in Santa? Do you remember the instant you learned Santa wasn’t real? Were you perplexed and even crushed that someone—even your own parents—had lied to you?

It reminds me of a story from a few years back, when a morning disc jockey at Babylon, New York’s WBAB-FM station told his young listeners that there was no Santa Claus. Outraged mothers and fathers complained to the station, and disc jockey John Parise was forced to apologize. And yet, what he had said was true.

What an uncomfortable and even nasty surprise—to find out the people you trusted most had fed you a lie. In an article run by Newsday back on December 23, 2004, professor Cyndy Scheibe pointed out:

“Who tells you Santa Claus is not real? It’s usually someone you don’t know or someone who’s not particularly trustworthy, like your annoying older brother… And who tells you he does exist? People you trust” (“Why Santa Matters”, Newsday, December 23, 2004).

So one ugly surprise about Christmas is that it’s based on myths and legends that have nothing to do with the Bible or the teachings of Christ. Christmas isn’t Christian at all.

But most people think, what’s the big deal? After all, does it really matter where it comes from, as long as we use it to honor Christ? That’s a common question.

Surprise #2: How We Worship God Matters to Him

And that leads us to our second Christmas surprise.

Number two: It matters to God how we worship Him.

Now, you might say, stop right there. I know that the origins of Christmas are a little shady, a little suspect, but does God really care? Stay with me, and let’s see.

How NOT to Worship God

In the time of ancient Israel, when God was first bringing His people out of Egypt, He gave them specific instructions on how to worship Him. The Ten Commandments form the basis of those instructions. But He also gave many other details as well, including the mandate to not worship the true God with pagan practices. Notice one of those instructions, found in Deuteronomy 12:29.

When the Lord your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed… that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, “How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.” You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way (Deuteronomy 12:29–31).

Notice, God didn’t just tell them, “Don’t worship the pagan gods of those around you.” No, He said, “Do not worship Me, the true God, with the pagan forms of worship of those around you.”

Think about it. That’s exactly what is done today with Christmas. Ancient, pre-Christian symbols and forms used in the name of Jesus Christ. Maybe it is a big deal to God.

Pagan Holidays: The Way of the Gentiles

Later on in Israel’s history, the prophet Jeremiah got more specific. Notice what it says starting in Jeremiah 10:2.

Thus says the Lord: “Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the Gentiles are dismayed at them. For the customs of the peoples are futile; for one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple” (Jeremiah 10:2–4).

How could it be any more plain? The principle in the Bible is don’t mix the religion of the world with the religion of the true God. It matters to God how we worship Him.

Jesus Said Worship God in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24)

Notice what Christ said to the Samaritan woman at the well. By the way, the Samaritans were well known for mixing elements of the true religion with idolatrous practices—exactly what God has expressly forbidden. That’s one reason why the Jews were so antagonistic toward them. Notice, starting in John 4:23:

“The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23–24).

Think about it. How does keeping Christmas qualify as worshiping God in spirit and in truth? Jesus tells us how to worship Him, and the Father, according to truth, as outlined in Scripture.

True Worshipers Obey God

But Jesus goes on further. He explains that just proclaiming His name is not enough. We have to obey His and the Father’s commandments, not the traditions of men. Notice what He told the Pharisees in Matthew 15:3.

He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?... Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:3, 7–9).

To put this in the vernacular, Jesus is saying, “Don’t worship Me any way you want, thinking as long as it’s with the name of Jesus it’s ok. It matters to Me how you worship Me.” How can keeping an ancient festival of Saturnalia satisfy what Christ is saying? Especially when we see the early true Church never kept this festival?

Be Courageous: Follow Jesus and Do God’s Will

We need to seek not our own reasoning, but God’s will. What does God want, not what our friends do, or what our parents or grandparents taught us. We can’t be afraid of upsetting those around us. Some will not like it if we fearlessly follow the truth. But whom are we seeking to please? The world, or our Savior?

Many are shocked to read some of the actual words of Christ, such as in Matthew 10, starting in verse 34. Read it with me.

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:34–38).

Step Out in Faith

In other words, it’s difficult to really obey God in this world, because so many are going the opposite way. But if you’re watching this program, and if you’re seeking the truth, and you’re understanding what you’re hearing, you can step out on faith. You can determine in your heart, “I’m going to follow the truth no matter what. I will open this Book and find out what God is really telling me to do.”

So be courageous. Step out on faith. Determine to really seek Him and obey Him, and He will bless you for it. It matters to God how we worship Him.

Replace Pagan Holidays and Traditions

But if we are to not keep ancient idolatrous rituals in honor of Christ, what days ARE we to keep?

Surprise #3: Christian Holy Days in the Bible

In this segment, let’s unwrap the third Christmas surprise.

Number three: The Bible reveals holy days Christians are to keep.

What are they? They can be found listed in your Bible. You may have heard of some of them. But you might have assumed that they’re Jewish. It also may come as a surprise that they can be found in the New Testament.

The New Testament Christians of the first century understood and observed these days. So, what are they?

Passover Is for Christians

First comes the New Testament Passover. It occurs in the springtime, usually in early April. Passover reminds us that Jesus fulfilled the role of the Lamb of God slain for our sins. That’s why Passover is important to Christians. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5:7,

For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

In other words, the Christian Passover is the crucial first step in the plan of God, in bringing redemption to sinning mankind. And Passover was kept by the early Christians, even the Gentile Christians.

Feast of Unleavened Bread: Commanded in the New Testament

Next, we find the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It follows right after Passover. The Feast of Unleavened Bread teaches us that we must change and grow. Christ’s sacrifice sets us free, but we can’t continue in sin. We have to resist sin and learn a new way of life, with God’s help. As Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 5:8,

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Pentecost: Also Called Feast of Firstfruits and Feast of Weeks

The third holy day in the lineup of God’s New Testament holy day calendar is the Feast of Firstfruits. In New Testament times it was called Pentecost, meaning “fiftieth.” Pentecost occurred in late May to mid-June.

In the Middle East, in the holy land, this was the time of the beginning of the wheat harvest. For Christians in the New Testament, Pentecost was the day in 31 AD when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the early Church. That’s found in Acts 2:1.

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting (Acts 2:1–2).

This was the beginning of the New Testament Church of God. It began the “firstfruits” of salvation. The bigger harvest occurred later at the end of the summer. So, what we learn from this feast day is that God is not calling everyone today, only a small group of firstfruits, the early harvest. The rest will have their chance later.

New Testament Holy Days for Christians to Celebrate

Have you ever heard about the New Testament Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and Pentecost? Are you aware that New Testament Christians should be keeping these days? That might come as a surprise to you. But instead of Christmas and other traditional holidays, these are the biblical holy days that Christians are to keep.

Feast of Trumpets: End-Time Prophecy and the Return of Jesus Christ

The next holy day, or feast day, is called the Feast of Trumpets. The Feast of Trumpets occurs in late September or early October in the Roman calendar. It prophetically represents the triumphant return of Jesus Christ. He will come to earth a second time.

Only this time, He will come in power and glory, during a time of war, misery, and destruction here on earth. Find out more about it through our telecast entitled, “What Is the Feast of Trumpets?”

Atonement Pictures Satan Being Locked Up

After the Feast of Trumpets comes the Day of Atonement. The Day of Atonement also occurs in late September or early to mid-October. It represents humanity being purified from sin. And it represents the source of that sin, the devil, being taken away.

The Day of Atonement was still held in high esteem by New Testament Christians in the first century, as we find in Acts 27:7. In this passage, Luke detailed the journeys of Paul and his traveling companions as they sailed on the Mediterranean Sea. We read this:

“We sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea. Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them” (Acts 27:7–9).

In the New International Version, it translates it this way:

“By now it was after the Day of Atonement” (Acts 27:9, NIV).

How are we to understand this? Well, the Day of Atonement took place in late September or early to mid-October. After that time, sailing on the Mediterranean was stormy and dangerous. But the writer, Luke, used the Day of Atonement as a marker of time that his audience would be familiar with, even Gentile Christians. Why would they care about the Day of Atonement, unless they were actually keeping it years after the Church was founded in 31 AD?

The Feast of Tabernacles Pictures the Millennium

The next biblical feast day is the Feast of Tabernacles. In short, the Feast of Tabernacles is a seven-day period that usually falls in early to late October, foreshadowing 1,000 years of peace, prosperity, and abundance on earth.

This is still in the future, but it is coming soon. Jesus Christ will personally reign on this earth. And all humanity—those who survive the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord—will enjoy the blessings and benefits of living under the rule of Jesus Christ.

The Last Great Day: The Second Resurrection and Great White Throne Judgment

That brings us to the last feast day of God’s biblical holy days.

This is called the Last Great Day. It follows on the heels of the Feast of Tabernacles and represents the time of the general resurrection. This is the time when the great masses of unsaved billions will be raised to life again and have a genuine chance for salvation. This day is for them. It’s after the 1000-year millennium.

Their understanding will be opened, God’s Spirit will be made available to them, and they’ll be offered eternal life.

Choose God’s Holy Days Instead of Pagan Holidays

Those are the holy days found in your New Testament. In contrast to Christmas, Easter and other traditional holidays, these are the holy days that are found in the Bible—and were kept by the early New Testament Church. And so, they should be kept by Christians today.

That might be a surprise to you. But check it out for yourself. Don’t believe us, believe your own Bible.

Follow Jesus’ Instructions

In 1 Kings 18:21, we read the famous account of the prophet Elijah and his showdown with the prophets of Baal. It says:

And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him” (1 Kings 18:2).

Live by Every Word of God—the Bible

God is delivering the same message to us today. God wants us to reject the world’s traditions that only have the veneer of the name of Christ. And He instructs us to keep the biblical holy days that He made holy. He commands us to worship Him in spirit and in truth with other sincere Christians who are discovering this precious truth as well. We hope and pray that includes you.

Hey, everyone, thanks for watching. We hope you found this video helpful. We here at Tomorrow’s World want to help you make sense of your world through the pages of the Bible. So if you found it helpful and want to learn more, be sure to get our free copy of our study guide Is Christmas Christian? Just click the link in the description or order online at TWTV.org/Christmas. It will be sent to you completely free of charge.

And remember to like and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss another video.

See you next time!

[The text below represents an edited transcript of the television version of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Christianity Is Under Attack

Is Christianity dangerous? Even the question sounds absurd. After all, Christianity is about loving your neighbor, turning the other cheek, and showing mercy to your enemies. How could that be dangerous?

And yet, in the last few years, there is a growing narrative that the Western Christian traditions are not healthy for society.

If you’ve lived more than a few decades, you’ve noticed this radical shift. And it has been shocking. After all, if Jesus taught mercy and love and consideration for our neighbors, how did Christianity turn into the enemy?

According to this narrative, Christianity is not inclusive. It’s not compassionate. It’s not keeping up with the times, nor is it on the “right side of history.” The list goes on and on. And yet, Christian and biblical traditions have formed the backbone of much of Western civilization. So what’s going on?

Cultural shifts don’t happen overnight, and they don’t happen in a vacuum. There are reasons for the dramatic changes we’ve seen in society. And there is a reason why hating Christianity has become the latest fad.

So, what are we supposed to think of this trend? Why is it happening? And more importantly, what can we do? You might be surprised by the answers.

On today’s program, let’s look for those answers. And get ready, because later in the program I’ll give you an opportunity to request today’s offer, Satan’s Counterfeit Christianity.

So, join us today on Tomorrow’s World, as we ask and answer the question: Is Christianity dangerous? I’ll be right back.

A Cultural Shift Is Redefining the Bible as Hate Speech

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World, where we help you make sense of your world through the pages of the Bible.

Some consider Christianity to be dangerous. But there’s no question that Christianity itself is under attack.

Roughly 2.4 billion people around the world call themselves Christians. And 365 million of them live in about 50 nations where they experience “high levels of persecution or discrimination,” according to Christianity Today (“The 50 Countries Where It’s Hardest to Follow Jesus in 2024,” ChristianityToday.com, January 17, 2024).

It’s easy for us to disregard them, if we live comfortably in the Western world, because they are far away. We enjoy much more freedom. But are there signs on the horizon that those freedoms are evaporating, even in the Western world? Is greater persecution coming?

In Finland, a former Finnish Member of Parliament was taken to trial in 2022 for a hate crime having to do with the Bible. Paivi Rasanen was charged with making derogatory comments toward homosexuals, quoting Romans 1:24–27 (“Paivi Rasanen: Finnish MP in Bible hate speech trial,” BBC.com, January 24, 2022). She defended herself by saying she was simply expressing what the Bible says.

The Bible itself is being put on trial. This should raise alarm bells for all who consider themselves Christians. An article on the Religious Freedom Institute website summed it up well:

“The Räsänen prosecution did nothing more than draw a logical conclusion from the ideological shift that has occurred in the course of recent decades, not just in Finland but also in the United States, Canada, and the rest of Western Europe. In today’s West…. Now that this type of instinctive secularist progressivism has become the cultural norm, Romans 1:24–27 is hate speech” (“The Bible as Hate Speech?”, ReligiousFreedomInstitute.org, April 1, 2022).

So, what should you do if your belief system is being labeled as dangerous, and yet it’s becoming more dangerous for you to practice it? In the remainder of the program let’s talk about three things you can and should do.

#1: Christians Should Know and Live by the Bible

Number 1: Live by the literal, biblical word of God.

This might seem overly simplistic. But don’t overlook the obvious. Make sure you are living by the Bible and living like a Christian. That means, we need to get our house in order. The Apostle Peter explained this in 1 Peter 4:14–16.

“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you…. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed.”

Why is this important? Well, there are a lot of people out there today who profess Christianity, but the fruit of their lives tells a different story. Researcher George Barna points this out in a survey entitled, “American Worldview Inventory, 2024.” He explains the following:

Biblical worldview incidence in the United States has declined for five consecutive generations, and during that time the number of adults holding a biblical worldview has plummeted from 12% to today’s 4% level (“CRC Study Shows Younger Generations Reject Biblical Worldview, Ushering in ‘New Morality,’” ArizonaChristian.edu, May 28, 2024).

Biblical worldview means that you see your world through the lens of the Bible and the Christianity of the Bible. It means that the Bible and your faith and obedience in Jesus Christ affects and guides the countless decisions you make every single day.

When only 4% describe themselves this way, it means we have a lot of fake Christians. Some theologians have been saying this for a long time. Professor Rufus M. Jones wrote this:

If by any chance Christ Himself had been taken by His later followers as the model and pattern of the new way, and a serious attempt had been made to set up His life and teaching as the standard and norm for the Church, Christianity would have been something vastly different from what it became (The Church’s Debt to Heretics, 1924, pp. 15–16).

Back in the 1800s, the philosopher and theologian Søren Kirkegaard put it more bluntly.

The Christianity of the New Testament simply does not exist (Kierkegaard’s Attack Upon “Christendom”, Walter Lowrie, trans., 1946, pp. 32–33).

In other words, the Church Jesus founded was, over the centuries, watered down with compromises to become unrecognizable today.

So, Christianity is claimed to be dangerous and toxic and harmful by some today. But the truth is, very few actually practice it. How strange.

Don’t Be Fooled by Fake Christianity

We truly are living in a dangerous time. And they will get more dangerous. We shouldn’t really be surprised, because Jesus Christ gave His disciples warnings about how to handle it. Notice one of the first warnings He issued, in Matthew 24, beginning in verse 3.

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many” (Matthew 24:3–5).

Did you catch that? Jesus said many would come in His name. Many would profess faith in Jesus, and even say that Jesus is Lord. And then He said, “And will deceive many.”

So, just because someone uses the name of Christ and calls himself or herself a Christian does not mean they are a true follower of Christ. This is the first thing we must understand. We need to recognize false Christianity. Why is this so important?

We’ll answer that question in a few moments. But first I want to give you a chance to order our free study guide we’re offering today, Satan’s Counterfeit Christianity, written by the late evangelist, Roderick C. Meredith. He writes:

This booklet contains genuinely shocking information for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. It has profound implications for the future of our civilization (p. 1, Satan's Counterfeit Christianity, Roderick C. Meredith).

If you are concerned about our modern nations, and the future of your family, you need this information. We’ll send it to you free of charge. We don’t ask for money and we never will. So, call, write, or order online today. Order now.

Real Christians Do What the Bible Says

Welcome back. In the last segment, we saw that there are a lot of fake Christians in our world today. And our job, if we really want to be a disciple of Christ, is to find out what the Bible says and get our lives in line with it. There is a Church founded by Jesus Christ that will be around until His return. Notice what He said in Matthew 16:18. As He told His disciples:

“I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

In other words, He said His church that He built would never die out.

And that brings us to our second point. As we find ourselves in difficult times, when Christianity as a whole is being vilified as the enemy, as dangerous, what should we do? Does Jesus give us any instructions? He does.

#2: Don’t Fight Back Politically

That brings us to number 2: Don’t put your faith in political movements.

Jesus Christ faced immense pressure to fight back against the political forces He faced when He was on this earth. But notice what He said when questioned by the Roman governor Pilate. It’s found in John 18:36.

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

God doesn’t want us to get involved in the political contests of this world. He doesn’t want us to physically fight or even politically fight our adversaries. You see, for those who see their religious freedoms trampled on, there is a temptation to seek a political solution. Particularly in the United States, some have decided they need to support a movement, such as Christian nationalism. Christianity Today defines Christian nationalism this way:

Christian nationalism is the belief that the American nation is defined by Christianity, and that the government should take active steps to keep it that way (“What Is Christian Nationalism?”, Christianity Today, February 3, 2021).

Should sincere, heartfelt Christians support Christian nationalism? We all are grateful for any leaders in our governments who support any biblical values. That is for sure. But is it through political movements that we will solve our problems ultimately? Of course not.

If you watch the news, you know the bad press that Christian political activists are getting from many quarters. Here are some of the headlines:

• “Christianity ‘increasingly regarded’ by the state as ‘harmful’” (Sky News Australia)
• “‘Toxic Christianity’: the evangelicals creating champions for Trump” (The Guardian)
• “What is Christian nationalism and why it raises concerns about threats to democracy” (PBS News)

If you are concerned about the rights of sincere Christians being trampled on, you might feel a kinship with those trying to fight back against this avalanche. You might even want to get politically involved. But ask yourself, does God want you to put your faith in political movements?

The Real Danger Is Counterfeit Christianity—and the Rise of the Beast Power and False Prophet

Critics of Christian political activism warn that Christianity is dangerous. While they are terribly wrong on most counts, there is a grain of truth to what they say. You see, “counterfeit Christianity” is dangerous. And will be in the future. Let me explain.

There is a counterfeit Christianity—we already saw that in the last segment. And Bible prophecy shows that a counterfeit religious system will rise to power and dominance at the close of this age. It will be led by a charismatic leader out of Europe. He will be cast as a savior, a defender of Christian values, and a follower of Christ. But Jesus tells us be careful, be warned, don’t be deceived. It’s a counterfeit. Notice how it’s described in Revelation 13:11.

“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.”

This religious leader will claim to be Christian—he has two horns like a lamb, and Jesus is symbolized as a Lamb. But he will speak like a dragon. His words and his teachings will not follow the Bible at all. What will this religious leader do? Going on in Revelation 13:13,

He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth… He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads (Revelation 13:13–16).

Mark 13:22 says the deception will be so great, that “even the elect, if possible, will be deceived.” This will be an extremely dangerous time for genuine Christians.

Later in Revelation, John describes this counterfeit religious system as a woman, sitting on a beast. A woman in the Book of Revelation symbolizes a church. Notice Revelation 17:3.

“And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus” (Revelation 17:3–6).

Is counterfeit Christianity dangerous? Yes. This system will have put to death true servants of God. It will take away religious freedom and compel obedience by force. This false prophet will, in league with a political and military leader known as the beast, bring our world to a state of suffering like we have never known. Notice what John writes in Revelation 19:19:

“And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.”

This alliance between church and state will literally try to fight against the returning Christ. But it will be no match. The One who sits on the horse, Jesus Christ, will return in glory and power to put down this rebellion. Notice, going on, in Revelation 19:20.

Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.

There’s more to the story, but first let me offer you our free study guide today, Satan’s Counterfeit Christianity. You’ll see for yourself how “the counterfeit religion spread,” how a “modern ‘Babylon’ was created,” and how in the future we’ll see “Babylon revived.” Don’t take these issues lightly. What is detailed in this book will affect your life and the lives of your family members in the very near future. So request your free copy of Satan’s Counterfeit Christianity. You can call, write, or order online. Order today.

#3: Let Jesus Christ Be yOur Rock and Protector

In the last two segments, we discussed the question: Is Christianity dangerous? As society grows more anti-Christian, we will find ourselves living in a time more and more dangerous for real, genuine Christians. What should we do? Completely align our lives with Christ, in every way. Don’t put our faith in political movements.

But what’s a third thing we must do? Number three: Let Christ be our rock and protector.

In the last segment, we saw that Revelation uses the symbolism of a harlot woman to describe a counterfeit church in the end times. In contrast, the Book of Revelation also uses the imagery of a chaste and pure woman to describe God’s faithful, true Church. What does it say about that Church? Will there be protection from the destruction and devastation of the Tribulation for that Church? Yes.

Notice, Revelation gives a behind-the-scenes picture of a galactic war yet in the future, when Satan the Devil will fight against God on His throne. We pick it up in Revelation 12:7.

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him (Revelation 12:7–9).

Remember, the counterfeit church deceives the masses and is influenced by the dragon. Here we see why so many Christians in the last days will be Christian in name only—because they have been deceived into accepting a counterfeit religion.

But what about those who really do follow Christ? God offers protection, on earth, to His faithful followers in a place of safety. Continuing on in Revelation 12:13,

Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent (Revelation 12:13–14).

Some people think this refers to the church being raptured. No, it’s simply taken into a wilderness. Heaven is not a wilderness. The children of Israel came out of Egypt symbolically on eagles’ wings—that’s mentioned in Exodus 19:4. But we know they just walked. It’s the same concept here. Going on, verse 15:

So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:15–17).

In other words, those who are faithful and protected from the wrath of Satan the Devil will also have the testimony of Christ and be keeping the commandments of God. That’s not the Jews. That’s God’s genuine Church.

You and I, if we really are followers of Christ, if we obey His commandments—all ten of them—and are covered with the blood of His sacrifice, and are led by His Holy Spirit, He says He will take care of us.

But in order to be under His protection, we have to let Him be our Lord and Master now. We have to trust Him. We have to give our lives to Him now. Notice what the prophet Jeremiah wrote, starting in Jeremiah 17:5.

Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord…. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes (Jeremiah 17:5–8).

God says our real trust must be in Him and our Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus is our Rock. He is our Protector. He is our Savior. And it is He who will raise us up if we die before His return.

David recognized that, and he was a man after God’s own heart. In Psalm 18, starting in verse 1, we read this:

“I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (Psalms 18:1–3).

How grateful we are for having a faithful and loving High Priest. He is our Rock. He is our Strength. How important that will be, as times get more difficult, in the days ahead.

And it’s important to remember that God’s ways are good for us and produce blessings for those who will walk in His ways. As Moses told the Israelites as they were coming out of Egypt, beginning in Deuteronomy 10:12,

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good” (Deuteronomy 10:12–13).

Yes, God’s way of life—it’s not bad, or evil, or hateful, or repressive. Everything He commands us to do, in the end, is for our good. That’s something to be thankful about.

Again, I want to mention the study guide we are offering today on this program, Satan’s Counterfeit Christianity. As we’ve seen, when it comes to our beliefs, sincerity is not enough. We’ve got to base what we believe on Scripture. There is a real devil, Satan, who has a kingdom and who is the counterfeiter. He’s the cause of the confusion in modern mainstream Christianity. He will cause the mayhem and destruction that is coming. But there is protection under the care of Almighty God. Open your Bible and read for yourself. Satan’s Counterfeit Christianity will help you in your studies.

You need this information. So, call, click, or write today. Order now.

Be on Guard Against Fake Christianity

In today’s program, we saw that in our world today, Christianity is often accused of being dangerous. But we’ve got to understand—what type of Christianity? There is a true and a false Christianity. The false Christianity truly is dangerous. It will bring the world to the brink of destruction. But the true Christianity, the Christianity of the Bible, is the only real hope for the world. It teaches us that Jesus Christ will return, set His feet on the earth, and bring peace and prosperity that we desperately need.

Jesus Christ promises He will help those who are His faithful and zealous servants. He is our Rock. He is our fortress, our High Tower. He is our protection. And we need that more than ever.

So yes, counterfeit Christianity—it is dangerous. We must be alert and awake, and not fall prey. And we must embrace genuine Christianity with all of our hearts. It’s the hope of humanity—that time of Christ’s millennial reign on earth. God speed that day.

Thank you for watching. And don’t forget to order your free literature today, Satan’s Counterfeit Christianity. It will open your eyes to the deceptions of Satan the Devil, and help you to recognize how to be a true and genuine follower of Jesus Christ, preparing for His wonderful Kingdom coming soon.

And be sure to join us next time, as Gerald Weston, Wallace Smith, and I explain the good news of Tomorrow’s World, and the truth, comfort, and hope it can bring to you and your family.

See you next time!

[The text below represents an edited transcript of the television version of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Jesus Gave Instructions on How to Make Disciples

Jesus told His disciples, “You will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” That’s in Matthew 10:23. In other words, they had a mission. They were to preach the Gospel to the cities of Israel.

But where were those cities? Many assume He was talking about the cities of the Jews. And certainly, they did go to those cities in His day. But what about after His death and resurrection? Where did they go? The apostles took the Gospel message to the Israelites where they had been scattered after the Assyrian captivity of 721 BC. And ultimately, that same Gospel was taken to regions all over the known world, as Christ commanded.

Notice what He said, in Matthew 28, verses 18–20.

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).

So, the Gospel message was made available to Israelites and non-Israelites. But did you notice something? Jesus also said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Preaching the Gospel Is the Mission of the Church

Did the preaching of the Gospel message stop with the death of the apostles? Or would it be preached in the time just before Christ’s return?

On today’s program, let’s answer that question. And at the same time, I want to give you a behind-the-scenes look at how Tomorrow’s World is striving to fulfill that very mission. In particular, I want to focus on live, in-person special events we call Tomorrow’s World Presentations. And later in the program I’ll give you an opportunity to request the free study guide we’re offering today, Where Is God’s True Church?

So, join us today on Tomorrow’s World, as we discuss the commission Christ gave to His Church, and how you can be a part of it. I’ll be right back.

Preach the Gospel of the Kingdom Until Jesus Returns

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World, where we help you make sense of your world through the pages of the Bible.

When Jesus was on this earth, He didn’t choose His disciples just so they could believe in Him and gain salvation. He called them to do a Work. And He describes that Work, or commission, in Matthew 28:19.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations….”

This is not an unfamiliar passage to many professing Christians. But there is another instruction of Christ, which is less well-known.

It’s found in Matthew 10:5–6.

These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Who are the lost sheep of the house of Israel? Well, certainly it may have included some of the Jews living around Jerusalem at that time. But students of the Bible will remember that there were ten other tribes of Israel that were long gone by the time Jesus lived. They had inhabited the northern portion of Israel, and were conquered by the Assyrians in 721 AD. They were exiled and never returned. Jesus directed His apostles to take the Gospel message to them. Notice what else Jesus said, in Matthew 10:23.

“…For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

He was telling them that this effort of taking the Gospel to the cities of Israel—scattered beyond Judea—would go all the way to the time of the end. And even when Christ returns, God’s servants would have not finished going through all the cities of Israel. In other words, they would be trying, but Christ’s return would cut their efforts short.

So, that’s exactly what the apostles did. After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, over time they scattered, traveling to the cities of Israel, where they had settled after the Assyrian captivity.

This fascinating story was brought out by our late fellow presenter, Rod King, in his telecast, “Where Did the Apostles Go?”

The point is, it was the Church’s mission to take the Gospel to the world. But also, in particular, to take that message to the cities of scattered Israel.

Fast forward almost 2,000 years.

Jesus said He would be with His Church to do His Work all the way to the end of the age. Where can you find that same Work being done today?

Tomorrow’s World Exists to Take the Gospel to the World

Tomorrow’s World takes Christ’s command to take the Gospel to the world seriously. That’s why we’re here.

And so, you’ll find our program being accessed all over the world, whether on network and local TV, or on the Internet. Whether you live in Mexico or Panama; India or Hong Kong; Lesotho or Eswatini. You can find it.

But you’ll also find that message being preached in the cities of modern Israel. That is, the English-speaking countries of the world and the nations in northwest Europe. There is a special focus, from Christ, to take the message to those places, based on Christ’s command.

How is that message going out? If you are a regular viewer of this program, you might be familiar with the presenters Gerald Weston, Richard Ames, Wallace Smith and me. If you’ve been watching Tomorrow’s World for some time, you might even remember, Roderick C. Meredith. He powerfully preached this same message for decades and served as the Presiding Evangelist of the Living Church of God before his death in 2017.

Going back further, some might be familiar with our predecessor in this Work, Herbert W. Armstrong. He started broadcasting on radio back in 1933. And that small start has grown into a Work reaching countries and territories all over the world. That’s what we’re doing today.

Platforms Tomorrow’s World Uses to Preach the Gospel

But sometimes people ask what’s behind Tomorrow’s World? Is it just a television program? That’s a good question. Let’s answer that.

Tomorrow’s World airs on local and network TV around the United States, across the North American continent, and all over the globe. We have a presence on YouTube, ROKU, and other platforms. Tomorrow’s World creates whiteboard videos and Viewpoint videos, addressing biblical topics and current social issues. And we do it in French, Spanish, Dutch, German and other languages. But one thing you may not be aware of is, we also organize live events. They’re called Tomorrow’s World Presentations. And one may be coming to a city near you.

At these live events we invite our subscribers to come and meet the television presenters and other speakers and ministers from the Living Church of God. The Living Church of God sponsors and produces Tomorrow’s World. Guests at these presentations also meet other supporters and co-workers of the Tomorrow’s World program, many of whom are members of the Living Church of God.

These live events are a real thrill to us, because they are a unique opportunity to get in contact with our viewers and readers. And it also gives them an opportunity to meet our presenters and others who are living the way of life we discuss on this program.

Maybe you’d like to know more about these live events. In a moment I’ll give you more details.

But first, let me offer you our free study guide, Where Is God’s True Church Today? In it, the late Roderick C. Meredith explains “God’s Church does the real Work of God.”

What is the Work of God? How can you know? Who can be a part of it? You don’t have to wonder. You need the answers to these questions. And there are answers. This study guide is absolutely free. We never ask for money, and we never will.

So call, click or write for your free copy. Order today.

These Efforts Teach the True Christian Lifestyle

Welcome back. In the last segment, we saw that Tomorrow’s World is not just a television program. It’s not just a media effort. Tomorrow’s World, sponsored by and produced by the Living Church of God, is about teaching a way of life.

A way of life of obeying God’s laws, accepting the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and being forgiven of sin. It’s a way of life of being empowered by the indwelling of God’s Spirit, through repentance and baptism and God’s grace and mercy.

It’s God’s way of life. And this program is backed and supported by the Living Church of God, made up of faithful members who have dedicated themselves to this same way of life. Through their generous support, Tomorrow’s World is publishing a warning and a witness to the world, in these end times.

Attend a Tomorrow’s World Live Event

One of the services we provide at Tomorrow’s World is live events. It gives our viewers and subscribers an opportunity to come and see a presentation on a given topic, and interact with presenters and supporters of Tomorrow’s World. We call them Tomorrow’s World Presentations. You may be surprised that we’ve held more than 1,100 of these events in the United States over the last 18 years. Outside of the US, we’ve conducted almost 700 additional events, in that same period. All told, more than 37,000 subscribers and guests have attended these presentations.

Now, why do we do this? And what are they all about? Live, in-person presentations have been part of this Work for decades. The Worldwide Church of God conducted live presentations decades ago, all over the United States and around the world. One of those events was in Kenya in 1975. It drew thousands of attendees to the Kenyatta Center in Nairobi. Recently, evangelist and regional director of the Living Church of God in the United Kingdom, Europe and Africa, Peter Nathan told of two men who attended that lecture way back in 1975. They are still dedicated, faithful followers of Jesus Christ to this day and members of the Living Church of God.

My wife and I spent time in the Philippines in the late 1990s. We would often hear ordinary taxi drivers speak of the times when live presentations were also done there as well, in the 1970s, at the Philippines Cultural Center, in downtown Manila.

The late Roderick C. Meredith also conducted in-person presentations many years ago, including a seven-week, five-nights-a-week program in London for subscribers to the Plain Truth magazine.

What to Expect at a Tomorrow’s World Presentation

In more recent times, in 2006, the Living Church of God began conducting these live events as well. Not filling huge arenas, but typically smaller gatherings of 30 or 40 interested subscribers at a time in a hotel meeting hall or conference center. But as I said, even in these small groups we’ve totaled more than 37,000 guests attending these events over the last 18 years.

In that time, we’ve covered such topics as:

• “What’s Ahead for America?”
• “The Gathering Storm”
• “Has Religion Failed You?”
• “After Armageddon”
• “The Mystery of the Holy Days”
• “Wake-up America”
• “Has God Abandoned Mankind?”
• And “Signs of Christ’s Return”

Outside of the United States, we’ve covered such topics as:

• “Canada in Prophecy”
• “Africa in Prophecy”
• And “What’s Ahead for Australia and the World?”

What we find so exciting about these events is that it gives us, as presenters, an opportunity to get around and personally talk to our viewers and subscribers. We usually have a 50-minute to one hour presentation, followed by a break and refreshments, where we can chat with our guests. Afterwards, we typically have a question-and-answer session to answer Bible questions. And then we stick around and continue to chat and answer questions on a one-on-one basis. Frankly, it’s helpful and instructive for us to learn what’s on the minds of those who are watching Tomorrow’s World.

After the event, we usually have a follow-up presentation, given by the local Living Church of God pastor in the area. Sometimes he’ll conduct a series of Bible studies. Some who are interested inquire about attending a Living Church of God Sabbath service as guests. There’s no pressure. It’s not an altar call. It’s simply a chance for you, as a viewer and subscriber to Tomorrow’s World, to learn more about the Work being done by Tomorrow’s World and the Church behind it. And it’s a chance for you to meet others. You’ll meet real people, who are facing the same challenges you are, and have the same concerns you have, as you navigate this increasingly chaotic and dangerous world.

Tomorrow’s World Presentations Are Free Events

By the way, in case you are wondering, these events are absolutely free. Like everything else we do at Tomorrow’s World, there is no charge. Some ask, how can we do that? Why don’t we ask for money? It’s simple. As Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 10:8,

“Freely you have received, freely give.”

And that’s our guiding principle here at Tomorrow’s World. We simply don’t ask for money. Of course, there are expenses. The cost of hall rental, sending out invitations, and providing refreshments, to name a few. But those expenses are shouldered by the generous tithes and offerings of the members of the Living Church of God and co-workers of Tomorrow’s World. They supply the financial support and, frankly, the on-site logistical support in setting up the event as well.

If you’d like to attend a Tomorrow’s World Presentation, I’ll be right back to show you how.

In the meantime, let me offer you our free study guide, Where Is God’s True Church Today? In it, Roderick Meredith explains,

“One of the ‘signs’ Jesus gave of His coming, and of the end of this age, was this: ‘And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come’ (Matthew 24:14)” (p. 25).

What is that Gospel of the Kingdom? How can you recognize it? And how can you get involved? Find out for yourself. Request Where Is God’s True Church Today?

Order by mail, by phone, or online. Order today.

How to Become Part of the Work of God

Welcome back. In the last segment, we saw that Tomorrow’s World is much more than just a television program. It is an effort by the Living Church of God to take the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the world. Many of you rely on this program, Tomorrow’s World, to gain an understanding of what’s happening in your world. Some even write to us from time to time to ask questions about the Bible. Many of you let us know you are encouraged to know there is “someone out there,” boldly speaking the truth, straight from the Bible. My question is, are you just a spectator or do you want to be a participant?

Find a Tomorrow’s World Event Near You

Tomorrow’s World Presentations are an opportunity for you to find out more about this Work and how you can be a part of it.

To find out when a presentation is coming to your city, check out our website. That’s where we list upcoming events. All you have to do is go to tomorrowsworld.org, and click on the tab, “Presentations.” There you will find a list of upcoming presentations. Simply fill out the form and check the box of the city where you want to attend a presentation. An online invitation will be sent to you.

If you are a Tomorrow’s World magazine subscriber, an invitation will automatically be sent to you, when we have a presentation in your city. So, watch the website, and watch your mail, to find out when we’re coming to town.

Suggest Locations for a Tomorrow’s World Presentation

And if we don’t have one listed for where you live, write us a note. Give us a suggestion of where you’d like us to conduct one. Just go to the main website page of tomorrowsworld.org, click on the “Comments” tab at the top, and fill out the form to send us a comment. We’d love to hear from you. And while you’re at it, tell us why you want to have presentation in your area. Tell us if there are burning questions you’d like us to address.

You know, it’s exciting to be in front of this camera, knowing that what we record here in our Tomorrow’s World studio will reach out to thousands of viewers all over the world. But there is something equally or maybe even more exciting about doing these live, local events. Even if only a few dozen guests show up, that’s ok. Because those who do are there because they are hungry for the truth. They are searching for substance and meaning, and want to know what the Bible really says about our world today. And they want to know is there anyone else like me?

Support Tomorrow’s World in Taking the Gospel to the World

Jesus said His disciples would not go through all the cities of Israel before His return. Here at Tomorrow’s World, we’re doing our best to hit them all. As well, we are going to cities all over the world. But there’s so much more work to do. Tomorrow’s World Presentations are an opportunity for you to meet us, check us out, and decide, “Is this something I want to be a part of?”

In John 4, Jesus gave powerful insight into His Father’s Work. He had been speaking with a Samaritan woman while His disciples went into the city to get food. When they came back, they brought Jesus food as well, and they offered it to Him.

But notice His reply, in John 4:32, 34, and 35.

But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.”… “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest” (John 4:32-35).

Jesus was no doubt referring to the Samaritans who at that very moment were coming out to meet Him, as a result of the testimony of the women He had talked to. Jesus was not against eating lunch. But He was trying to show His disciples that at that moment, the absolute highest priority was for Him to teach and help those who were seeking the truth. Lunch could wait. Notice, going further, in verses 37–38:

“For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

Get Involved in This Work

Jesus was saying you are not the first ones to be involved in this Work. Others have gone before, and you are building on the foundation they laid. I can see this applies in my life.

My parents heard this same message preached back in the 1950s and 60s, and it changed their life. Through them, my siblings and I were blessed to learn the truths expounded on this program. And now we have the chance to put our shoulder to the wheel in this Work.

In Matthew chapter 20, Jesus gave an analogy about the Kingdom of Heaven. He described the Work of God as a landowner hiring workers into His vineyard. He then described how some were hired in the morning, others at noon, in the afternoon, and the evening.

Finally, notice what He said in verse 6:

“And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive’” (Matthew 20:6-7).

When is the last minute? When is the 11th hour? If we think of it in prophetic terms, it’s those who would be doing Christ’s Work just before the end of the age. Could that be you?

Again, today we are offering an insightful and thought-provoking study guide, Where Is God’s True Church Today? As Roderick Meredith explains:

“Somewhere on earth, just before Jesus’ Second Coming, His true servants will be preaching with increasing power the message of the coming world-ruling Kingdom of God!” (p. 25).

Do you want to know more about that Work? This is not just about surface-level Christianity or “playing church.” This is about getting to know our Savior and participating in the greatest activity on the face of the earth. You need this study guide. It will open your eyes to what the Church Christ built is doing in the world today. And how you can be part of it.

So click, call or write today.

The Gospel Includes a Warning Message

In today’s program, we’ve been discussing our in-person, live Tomorrow’s World Presentations.

I want to leave you with one more thought. It’s found in Ezekiel chapter 33. It’s a challenge we take very seriously in this Work. Ezekiel was given a warning message to take to the house of Israel, of impending calamity. The only problem is, that nation had already been destroyed before Ezekiel received his commission. Figure that one out.

The only possible way this can make sense is that Ezekiel’s message was to be given to his fellow Israelites in a fulfillment in the last days. In other words, Ezekiel’s message was not for his day. It’s really meant for our day. Ezekiel 33, verses 1–7:

Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their watchman, when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people, then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head….

But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’ “So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me” (Ezekiel 33:1-7).

Now, why is this important? The Church today should be fulfilling this Ezekiel warning. And yet, what are many churches doing? Getting involved politically? Pushing forward the woke agenda? Watering down God’s laws?

Ezekiel’s Warning Is for the End-Times

This warning is for us today. And if God has opened your eyes to His truth, what are you doing with what you know? Can you really sit idly by as a bystander, when the most important activity on earth is getting involved in and supporting the Work of the living God?

Jesus Christ is coming soon. He’s going to set up His government. He’s going to bring peace to a troubled world. He is offering a precious few the chance to be part of that team publishing this vital truth to a troubled world.

What an opportunity. Come to one of our Tomorrow’s World Presentations, if you want to hear more. It’s coming to a city near you.