When will peace come to the Middle East?

Once again the Middle East is in conflict, threatening to engulf the entire region in war.

Few know the background to the hatreds which fuel the atrocities we’ve recently witnessed. Yet it stems from a millennia-old family feud, which is set to intensify as we approach the end of the age. Gathering first at Armageddon, the nations of Earth will fight at Jerusalem against its returning king, Jesus Christ.

To find hope and reassurance during these troubling times, the prophet Isaiah advises, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7). Christ’s preaching began with a call to repentance (Matthew 4:17).

To learn more how this situation could affect your life, please read our Bible study aids, The Middle East in Bible Prophecy and Are We Living in the Time of the End?

Also view: www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-television-program/when-will-peace-come-to-the-middle-east

The devil may know the Bible better than we do!

Almost two thousand years ago, Satan the devil traded Bible verses with the One who had inspired them. This encounter is recorded in Matthew 4:1-11. Satan knows the Bible well but twists it to suit his deceitful purposes.

Since we are to live “by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4), we must ensure that we know what the Bible truly teaches and not satanically influenced interpretations and opinions.

Beyond Today TV has produced a series of five programmes unmasking some of Satan’s devious ways.

Part 1: Satan Goes to Church

Part 2: Religious Pretenders

Part 3: Who Controls the Message?

Part 4: Satan the Identity Thief

Part 5: Satan and the Beast of Revelation

View at: www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-television-program

Please also read our booklets Is the Bible True? and Is There Really a Devil? Satan may be closer than you think!

Request or download at: www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets

Festivals: A case of mistaken identity?

As the northern hemisphere emerges from the mid-winter festivals created by mankind millennia ago, it is worth considering why so many partake of them. Non-biblical celebrations are deeply rooted in paganism, and while professing to be Christian, participants are worshipping gods of human imagination. There is no understanding that the issues continually plaguing the world are the result of breaking God’s laws. Indeed, we live in a difficult time and in a troubled world that is on a collision course with its own destruction.

In contrast, the feast days that God declares to be His are outlined in Leviticus 23. These start with Passover in the spring, representing the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and culminate in autumn with the Feast of Tabernacles and the Eighth Day. Each of these Holy Days is ordained by God and show the stages of His awesome plan to rescue from death all human beings who are willing to obey Him. To study God’s Holy Days and their meaning for all humanity, please request or download our booklets God’s Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind and Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Observe?

https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/gods-holy-day-plan-the-promise-of-hope-for-all-mankind

https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/holidays-or-holy-days-does-it-matter-which-days-we-observe

Queen Elizabeth II

We at United Church of God-British Isles are saddened by the death on 8th September of Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts and prayers are with King Charles III and the Royal Family.

A cartoon in The Times newspaper for Friday 9th September had no words, simply the Union Flag flying at half-mast. At the centre of the flag was a silhouette in black of the familiar profile of the Queen’s head – illustrating that her death has left a Queen-sized hole at the heart of this nation.

Much has been said and written about our late Queen, the new King and about the Monarchy itself. Queen Elizabeth II is rightly praised for her dedication and her long life of duty and service.

Most of our country’s population has only ever known the Queen as head of state. What we are witnessing – in addition to the sadness of a family bereavement and funeral – is also a period of living history, the likes of which most people in this country have never witnessed in their lifetimes.

Thursday 8th September 2022 was a most significant day, a day when these words were proclaimed in our land: “The Queen is dead, long live the King”.

In the Bible, when King David died it is written that he rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David [1 Kings 2:9]. Along with the sadness of the Queen’s death and family bereavement, we are also witnessing living history, and God’s involvement in mankind’s affairs [Daniel 2:20-21].

Some of the words we have heard proclaimed in recent days are indeed biblical: when Saul was proclaimed as king, the people shouted, “Long live the king!” [1 Samuel 10:24].

The behaviour of kings, queens, and rulers in general is vitally important to the work of God’s Church – Paul wrote to Timothy, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour…” [1 Timothy 2:1-3].

At this time of significant transition let us support our Royal Family in our prayers.

As for the future, that remains in God’s hands.

God save the king!

David Fenney and Frank Jarvis