August 13, 2015 Brethren Letter
Dear Brethren,
What would you say is the number one topic that most news pundits are discussing right now? Is the MAIN topic of discussion about the nation of Iran and its progression toward building a nuclear weapon? While it’s true that Iran is in the news, I would hardly say it’s the MAIN topic. Is the MAIN topic of news concerned with Europe and the economic woes various nations of the European Union are having? Definitely not!
Here is one of the more “unnoticed” headlines found on the internet:
How a farmer’s strike in France is challenging EU core ideals. [Fox News]
French farmers are blocking the importation of German and Spanish food in protest – adding a new challenge to EU ideals that are already under fire across the bloc …
The strikes show a lack of understanding of the way European integration was intended to work, says Josef Janning, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. “People don’t care [about the European ideals] anymore. We have moved into a phase on European integration where it … is all about negotiations, who wins and who loses.”
Here is another news article that has relevance, but it’s hardly the MAIN topic being actively discussed by news pundits.
Stocks end week lower, bruised by China yuan weakness [Reuter’s News]
Earlier on Friday, Greece’s parliament voted to approve the country’s third financial rescue by foreign creditors in five years. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras still faces a confidence vote later this month.
European stocks had their worst week in six, falling 2.9 percent, as shares of exporting companies with exposure to China fell after the yuan was devalued.
Economic growth in the euro zone slowed in the second quarter as France stagnated and Italy lost momentum, held back by an uncertain global outlook that is weakening investment even in powerhouse Germany.
Actually, the MAIN topic of news found on the television seems to be about Donald Trump running for president, and how the many pundits and politicians alike are sure that Mr. Trump will be out of the presidential race any DAY, WEEK, or MONTH now! Frankly, “Donald Trump” is not even CLOSE to being the important topic of news!
As God’s people, we are to watch world events and how those events relate to Bible prophecy. That’s the news to be watching!
Christ said the following:
(34) “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.
(35) For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
(36) Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34-36).
For the rest of tonight’s letter, I would like to include a letter I wrote last November 7, 2014, on the subject of “politics.”
Have a wonderful Sabbath!
Your Brother in Christ,
Gary Liebold
November 7, 2014
Dear Brethren,
This past Tuesday, November 4th, was a day of voting across our nation. Obviously, some candidates were pleased with the various election results, while others were greatly disappointed. Once again, Americans viewed numerous political commercials in the weeks prior to the election. Candidates began attacking the other politician’s reputation in some way, hoping to gain more votes for themselves as a result. That’s POLITICS!
When I was a teenager, a young man in our neighborhood ran for political office. It seems that he ran for a county position, if I remember correctly. He had big plans for a lifelong political career, studying the subject of political science in college. However, the year he ran, it did not turn out too well. He lost the election and found himself deeply in debt. Subsequently, he became quite disillusioned with the whole process of running for office. His political aspirations ended abruptly! Yes, that’s POLITICS!
Why do we in the Church of God, NOT get involved in this world’s politics?
In II Corinthians, we see that converted Christians are called “AMBASSADORS for Christ.” “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (II Corinthians 5:20). Christ taught that His Kingdom was “not of this world,” or of this time. “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” (John 18:36).
As AMBASSADORS for Christ, we represent the Kingdom of God, not the kingdoms of this present society. Therefore, we do not get involved in its politics! “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” (Philippians 3:20).
Church members don’t run for office, nor do they get involved in earthly politics, but they are SUBJECT to those in authority. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” (Romans 13:1-2). We are to obey man’s laws, unless they conflict with the laws of God! (Acts 5:29.)
Mr. Armstrong wrote the following on the subject of submission to man’s government in the January, 1964 Plain Truth, “Personal from the Editor”:
I wonder how many of our readers know that the Bible commands us to pray for the heads of our nations? The Bible does NOT command us to take part in this world’s politics — strange as that may seem to many. But it DOES emphatically teach RESPECT for, and SUBMISSION TO the government of man that is over us.
Jesus Christ took no part whatsoever in human government — but He did command, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s” — meaning taxes, as well as subjection and respect.
Actually Jesus Christ came to qualify to become KING over the whole world. But His kingdom was not of THIS present world.
…But though Christ’s Church is forbidden to be a PART of this world’s governments, IT IS STRICTLY COMMANDED TO BE SUBJECT to the worldly government — to honor and pray for its rulers.
While we do pray now for the leaders in man’s government, we also know that when the Kingdom of God begins, “POLITICS AS USUAL” (the current system), will be a thing of the past. God’s RIGHTEOUS GOVERNMENT will rule this earth instead! “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-10).
Please have a wonderful Sabbath, everyone!
Sincerely, Your Brother in Christ,
Gary Liebold