Church of God, New World Ministries

Monthly Letter - December-January 2012

31 January 2012
 
Greetings Everyone,
 
“Watch ye therefore and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36). Christ spoke those words after outlining a series of events that would take place prior to, and leading up to, His return to this earth.
 
Christ warned of many false prophets that would come in His name. He admonished true Christians NOT to follow them (Luke 21:8). He said there would be wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes in different places, famines, pestilences, fearful sights and great signs in the heavens (Luke 21:9-11). He further outlined tribulation and persecution for some in the last days (verses 12-26).
 
It was these events that Christ was referring to in the opening verse, “...that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things…rdquo; Christ admonished, “...when you see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand” (verse 30).
 
However, Peter was inspired to write that there would be scoffers in the last days saying, …&ldquo'Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” Yes, it is true, we have always had earthquakes, famines, pestilence, diseases, wars and rumors of wars. But, they will continue to escalate until Christ will have to intervene or else all life will be destroyed from the earth (Mat. 24:21-22). I have heard some in God’s Church make similar statements. It is a dangerous attitude to fall into; thinking He delays His coming.
 
Now, let’s assume that Christ will not return during your lifetime. The truth is …“of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Mat 24:36). But wait, Christ wasn’t finished with his admonishment. Notice Matthew 24 verse 42. He said, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come…” Christ continued on, “But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (verses 43-44).
 
My friends, NO ONE knows when Christ is coming. We have signs to watch for that point to His imminent return to this earth. But we simply do not know the day nor the hour. Therefore, it is imperative we follow Christ’s admonishment to keep our spiritual house in order and not fall back into the ways of this world. Read Matthew 24 verses 48-51.
 
For those of us who have received the free gift of the Holy Spirit, we must continue to grow in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18). We must continue to overcome (Rev. 2:26, 3:21) Satan, our human nature, and the ways of this world until Christ does return or until we die.
 
Now, please take heed to what I am going to tell you. Many of God’s called out ones are still floundering with the basic doctrines of God’s Church. Paul said he would like to give them strong meat but they were “dull of hearing” (Heb. 5:11). Paul was still feeding them with “milk.” The “milk” he was referring to was the basic doctrines of God’s Church. Doctrines they should have proved years ago. Notice, …“not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment” (Heb. 6:1-2). He said we should, “...therefore leaving the principles (basics) of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection…” (Heb. 6:1). Yes, we should be growing everyday in more knowledge of God’s ways and living by them. Remember, it is not the hearers, but the doers that will inherit eternal life (James 1:22).
 
That is what Christ meant by the good man of the house watching and not permitting the thief (Satan) to break into the house. He meant we should be spiritually ready always, just in case Christ did return.
 
If you have access to our website you should visit the articles and sermon sections and read the articles and listen intently to the sermon messages there. You will find much “strong meat” that will help you grow in grace and knowledge. You will find materials there that will help you fortify your spiritual house and keep it safe from outside influences. Read Ephesians 6:12-18. You need to continuously study your Bible (2 Tim. 2:15), pray without ceasing (I Thes. 5:17), meditate on God’s law (Psalms 119:97), and fast as needed. (Isaiah 58:5-6). If you receive our bi-monthly DVD’s you should listen to them for correction, reproof, and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16-17). Since we do not know the day nor hour we should be ready, always!
 
On behalf of the Church of God New World Ministries, I would like to thank all of you who have offered up prayers on behalf of this work, and for all those who have contributed financially. Very soon the website will be completed and this “little flock” will have the capability of “preaching the gospel into the entire world.”
 
Sincerely,
George Trent
 
To request the material(s) mentioned in this month’s letter:
 
  Order the Feast of Tabernacles 2011 DVD’s Request the FREE materials online by clicking here
  Enroll Me In The Mini-Correspondence Course series Request the FREE materials online by clicking here
  Enroll me in the Traditional Christian Doctrines series Request the FREE materials online by clicking here
 
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