Dear brethren,

As most of you know, this weekend is the General Conference of Elders in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Please pray for the traveling ministry of Jesus Christ and their wives as they convene for this annual meeting of the elders.  Pray that all will be conducted as God the Father and Jesus Christ desire, for positive attitudes, and most of all unity.  God desires the church dwell together in unity!

We live in a world which is constantly negative.  Because of the nature of the media and the constant political battles and rhetoric, it wears on us.  Interestingly, the Bible foretells Satan will seek to try the patience of the saints.   

Dan. 7:25 "And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High"

Have you ever wondered what this verse means?  It has to do with the bedlam and chaos Satan is promoting and  constantly going on in society.  It is global warming, abortion, political scandals, wars and threats of wars, terrorism and violence, bigotry, racism, protests, strikes and teacher walk-outs, and a whole host of others things which are constantly taking place in this world around us---this wears us down.  It is a wonder people even come out of their homes with all the confusion going on around us. 

It truly is nice to come to the end of the work week and enter into the special Sabbath rest God has given us.  We can focus on those things which make for peace both now and in the world tomorrow when God's Kingdom and government is set up.  The prophet Isaiah proclaims this wonderful truth!

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called  Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,  Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."  (Isa. 9:6-7)

What a wonderful prophecy of hope the prophet Isaiah is inspired to give the saints!

As we look at the government of the United States, there are essentially at least two governments ruling at one time.  The U.S. has a two-party system, and when one party is in office they are trying to get the other one out of power and get themselves in the seat of government.  The party in power can never do anything right according to the other party, which thinks it should govern the nation.  It is like a tug-of-war all the time.

At times the media of the country is more on one side than the other, and works overtime to push the party they are against out and bring the one they endorse into power. It is a terribly "messed up" system, but even so, it is better than most governments in the world.

On the Sabbath we as the firstfruits can take the time to think about God's government when there will be no political parties or people playing politics like they do today.  Jesus Christ will be the King over the whole earth. Zech. 14:9 tells us, 

Isaiah records about that time when Jesus Christ rules, "The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose;  it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, even with joy and singing.  The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon.  They shall see the glory of the Lord, the excellency of our God."   (Isa. 35:1-2

Isaiah's prophecy paints a glorious picture of a wonderful future for all, and he then adds in verse 3, "Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees."

Until that time we will not doubt, but be a little worn by all the negativity surrounding us.  However, we certainly can be encouraged by what is foretold to come. 

I hope you strive to give your best to enjoy a rich and uplifting Sabbath!   There is no Prophetic Times in PDF for this week due to the GCE, but look for it next week. 
          
Your pastor and friend,                                             
Jim Tuck