World News and Prophecy in View of Pentecost

Well, thank you very much, choir. That was beautiful special music, and we appreciate it so very much. When can you do it again? I guess next week, maybe at Pentecost, we'll be having special music once again. We'll look forward to that. Brother, are you staying up with world news and prophecy? A lot of things are happening in the world, in the Ukraine, in Europe, in the Middle East. And here in the U.S., what about the weather and the climate changes of flooding and tornadoes and destruction at a level that people, when they are interviewed on television, just say they've never seen anything like it before. And it's very sad to see the destruction that is done by some of the flooding and tornadoes and storms. And what about social conditions, such as, well, gay marriage being accepted in our country by more and more people, morality issues and health problems and racial problems in our country? Today, we need to think about what is going on in the world in light of the next Holy Day that is coming up just a week away, the Feast of Pentecost. And I'd like for the sermon to reflect world news and prophecy in view of Pentecost. And we want to draw a connection because there is one. You know, there's so much suffering and evil in the world, and our hearts go out to those who are suffering from victims of crime, who are victims of floods and tornadoes. And what about Flight 370? We've seen all those families. We still don't know what happened to that airplane. It's just a very sad situation there. And one day we will know. What about the kidnapped girls in Nigeria? Around 300 or so of them. A question that we could ask ourselves as we look ahead to Pentecost just a week away and think about world events and prophecy. Is God concerned about what is going on? Does He even take note of what is happening? And the answer is a resounding yes.

God is very concerned about what is going on, and He is going to bring the solution. In fact, He is working on the solution right now. And that's where Pentecost comes in.

Well, first of all, let's take a look at a few of the major areas of world events that are happening at this time. Right here in the U.S., we certainly should take note that our social fabric seems to be pulling apart more and more. We are not a closely united states of America anymore, and people are pulling in many, many, many different directions. We can see that.

And so, and it's sad, it is a sad thing that is happening to our country. We keep borrowing a lot more money all the time, getting ourselves deeper and deeper in debt. It's just like your credit card. How much can you keep piling onto it? Even if you keep upping the level that you can borrow or spend, how long can that go on? There will be a day of reckoning also for our country and its economic condition. And so, in many ways, we need to keep an eye on events in the United States. And if the United States is no longer the recognized and respected leader in the world, we know that's going to have repercussions all around the world because America is a global superpower and has been the world policeman, striving to keep peace and order in the world so everybody can do business and live together without destroying each other. So, if America begins to go down and down in a way and we seem to be headed in that direction, watch out.

Now, in the book of Jeremiah, it prophesies that there will be a time of trouble. You can read it, Jeremiah 30 and verse 7. We've read it many times before that there will be a time called the time of Jacob's trouble, but he will be delivered out of it. And that is when Jesus Christ returns to deliver Israel and restore them and begin to use them in a way that he intended from the very beginning. So, keep an eye on the United States and Britain, modern-day Israel. Make sure you understand the history and the background of our people. I think we all do.

It's brought out very well in our booklet, The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy. Be sure to review that last chapter every now and then. The last chapter has the title, From Punishment to Destiny. And it shows how God is going to punish modern-day Israel, and then he's going to deliver Israel from their captivity and use them in a very big way to serve mankind all during the 1,000 years. From punishment to destiny.

The second area that we ought to keep an eye on as far as world news is over in Europe. What kind of impact is what Mr. Putin is doing in the Ukraine going to have upon the European nations? Don't you think they are wondering if Mr. Putin might eventually have some desires in their direction going toward the West? So, we should keep an eye on the situation there in Europe.

We have, of course, the European Union already functioning as an economic union, but something is going to force these nations, 10 of them anyway, into a close political alliance, and it's going to be a very strong force at the time of the end. We know that in Revelation 17, I'll let you turn to those verses later on, Revelation 17, verses 12 through 14, that 10 kings are going to give their power to one that is called the beast, and they're going to unite, and they're going to be one. It's actually the iron and the clay of the image that Daniel, that Nebuchadnezzar saw in Daniel chapter 2, and that iron and clay, on the feet, the 10 toes, is going to come together, and it's going to unite for a short span of time. And there will be one that is called the beast and the false prophet, a powerful, religious leader who will be working together. So events are also moving in that direction as well, so keep your eye on Europe in the days ahead. Another, well, I might add one other thing to that as far as Europe, and that is that many scriptures bring out that Assyria will be the leader of these 10 nations, and modern day Assyria is Germany, and Germany is the powerhouse of Europe. They are the leader of the European Union. They have tremendous economic and political clout already, and so in a moment of crisis, all this is going to come together in a German-led United States of Europe with 10 nations backing and giving their support to a powerful political and military leader called the beast and a powerful religious leader, no doubt coming out of Rome, will get together to lead these 10 nations and watch out. That's going to be a time of great tribulation and trouble for our people and for many in the world. The Ukraine crisis could certainly force a closer federation, or something of that type could force a closer federation in Europe, and it could happen fairly quickly. It probably will take a little bit of time, maybe a few years, but we certainly should keep our eye on what is happening there.

A third area that we want to be watching is the Middle East. We know the nations there in the Middle East ultimately are going to confederate together as well, and they're going to give their support to one that is called in Daniel 11, verse 40, the King of the South.

And it says in Daniel 11, verse 40, that at the time of the end, the King of the South will push at the King of the North, the King of the North being those 10 nations that will unite in Europe.

And so we need to keep our eye on the Middle East. Actually, in the end, the Middle East is going to turn out to be the focal point of world news and prophecy. That's where all nations, just before Christ returns, will gather. They will gather at Armageddon and then come on to Jerusalem, and God is going to gather all nations at Jerusalem, and that's where Jesus Christ will return at that point and fight against those nations. Zachariah chapter 14.

I'm not going over all of these verses because we've gone over them many times, and I think we are very familiar with what the Bible says about these important vital areas that we should be watching. Certainly another area that we would watch as well would be nations to the north and to the east. And as the Bible puts it, in looking from the perspective of Jerusalem, that would be Russia to the north, and it would be China and India and other nations over in the Orient to the east.

And in the end, there's going to be a gigantic army of 200 million that will come across the Euphrates River. Ultimately, they'll come on down to Armageddon and on down to Jerusalem and be among those nations that are gathered there.

But that is in the time of the sixth and seventh trumpet that those events are going to culminate. So actually, the nations to the north and the east hold back a little bit as far as being at the forefront of some of the events to happen. The European nations will get the jump on Undum. But ultimately, Russia and China will play a major role in end-time prophecy.

And we need to certainly stay abreast of what is happening. What is happening right now with Ukraine certainly is something that is significant. What about other nations like Africa, in Africa, in Mexico, Central, and South America? Well, these are not in the Bible described as major players at the time of the end, but no doubt they will cooperate economically and religiously and politically with Babylon the Great that is going to rise up.

The system the Ten Nations is referred to as Babylon the Great because it is kind of a compilation of all those empires, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. It's kind of a compilation of all of those. And it truly is an end-time Babylon the Great that is going to rise. Actually, many of the nations south of our border, Mexico, Central, and South America are already Catholic anyway.

And many of the Christian people, people that profess Christianity in Africa, are actually Catholic as well. So they will back up this system that is going to rise up in Europe and certainly be a part of it. So, brethren, we need to keep our eyes on these areas of the world. As far as specific events, we should certainly keep our eye on social events. They are worsening. The Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 3 and verse 1 that at the time of the end, perilous times will come. And I think we're seeing those times more and more, aren't we? We're seeing crime and evils, brutality.

Somebody just becomes disenchanted so they get several guns and they just go on a shooting spree. So they kill people that they've never, maybe in many cases, never even seen before at a shopping center or maybe a college campus or a school. And so it's a sad situation. You and I live in this world. We never know when we might be caught up in something of that type. We pray we won't be, but it could certainly happen to us.

We're not exempt. And so far, as I know, none of God's people have been affected by these mass murders and shootings, but let's pray for God's protection daily. Certainly family breakup, gay marriage, racial friction, brutality, all of those things we can expect to increase in the days ahead. What about weather and climate changes? There's the melting of the arctic snow that's been documented over the last few years and decades.

Extreme weather conditions developing. It's expected that there will be more flooding, more and worse tornadoes. Drought. Drought is right now affecting at least a quarter of the southwestern part of our country. What about extreme flooding? Some of these areas down in the Gulf have had extreme flooding lately. And what about the prophecies in the Bible of famine? You know, so far our country is such an abundant country, we've been able to continue producing enough, basically, for everyone, in spite of all the bad weather conditions affecting our crops.

But what about famine? What about disease epidemics? Did you know that now there are a lot of, quite a number of superbugs they call them. Bacteria that are resistant to any antibiotics that we have. And so the doctors have nothing they can give people, and many people are dying as a result of it. Millions of people come in contact with these superbugs, and it's affecting many more and more people all the time.

Well, Jesus predicted these things in Matthew 24, the Olivet Prophecy, and we see Matthew 24 knocking on the door, as one of the country's songs says. We need to be well-grounded in world events, what is happening in the world. And we need to be well-grounded in the history, the historical background of some of the problems that the world is facing now, such as in Europe and in the Middle East.

The United Church of God has many resources that can help us. The Good News magazine, every issue certainly addresses prophetic events. And in the light of Bible prophecy, the world news happenings, booklets like You Can Understand Bible Prophecy. I hope you have a copy of all of these.

Are we living in the time of the end? And we are. The United States and Britain in Bible prophecy.

The Middle East in Bible prophecy. The Book of Revelation unveiled the Gospel of the Kingdom. These are just a few that deal directly with prophecy. And there's a lot of historical information in each one you'll find about as much history in some of them, because we need to understand the history of, say, the Middle East or Europe if we are to understand the present. We can't really understand what is going on now unless we see what led up to it in the past. And then we can better understand what is to happen in the future.

So our booklets will help you to have a good historical background as well as understanding what is to happen just up ahead. Brethren, again, is God concerned? Should we be concerned? Yes, we should. We love fellow human beings. We hate to see anyone suffering. And there's so much suffering that is going on. And God is very concerned. And He's choosing right now and preparing a people that are going to help to resolve the issues that we see developing in the world. There are quite a number of verses in the Bible that bring this out. Let's just read a few of those even right now. Daniel 7. You know, God is doing something about it. And this next Holy Day, Pentecost, actually shows that He is very busy preparing a people that are going to help bring the solution to the world's seemingly insoluble problems. In Daniel 7 in verse 21, I was watching, and the same horn was making war against the saints and prevailing against them. This is actually that religious horn of the Roman Empire who was then making war, persecuting, and put into death even the saints and prevailing, it says. Verse 22, until the ancient of days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High. Well, that's until the coming of Christ, and the judgment is made by God Almighty that is time then for things to be turned around.

Judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom. And verse 27, again about the same thing, the kingdom and dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High.

His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. So God's government is going to be established all over the earth.

Brother, you know, we are seeing more and more that mankind does not know how to govern.

Mankind just doesn't know whether it's in our country, whether it's our top leader or governors or local leaders. Human beings just on their own tend to go off in different directions than God's laws and God's ways. They don't understand God's laws and God's ways. So mankind just doesn't know how to govern. But the saints are being prepared. They will know how to govern. They will know which laws to teach and how to administer those laws. And they are being trained right now. All during the 6,000 years, God has been very busy choosing and developing a people here called the saints. Let's notice in Zechariah 14 that these saints that are being prepared are going to be with Christ when He returns. They're going to rise up and meet Him in the air. Or maybe read that verse as well. Zechariah 14 in verse 1, the day of the Lord is coming. And this is referring to the second coming of Christ. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem. And verse 3, the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations.

So Christ will come back fighting. Revelation 19 brings out that fight. He's going to be victorious too. In verse 4, in that day, His feet, the feet of Jesus Christ, will stand on the Mount of Olives. Did you know that's the same Mount that He ascended from almost 2,000 years ago? His feet when He left the earth to ascend to God's throne, His feet left the Mount of Olives. And He started rising up and the disciples saw Jesus rising up and then disappearing through the clouds. Well, He's going to come just like that, the angel told them. And His feet are going to land on the Mount of Olives. He'll probably come right back down to the same spot He left from, on the Mount of Olives. Well, notice in the last part of verse 5 who's going to be with Him when He returns and His feet do light down upon the Mount of Olives. Last part of verse 5, "...Thus the Lord my God will come and all the saints with you." All Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the righteous judges and prophets, King David, and the church, all those in the church who have grown and overcome, they're all going to be with Jesus Christ. Thousands and thousands and thousands, tens of thousands. I mean, we'll read that verse in just a moment. Let's go to Matthew 24.

So God has a solution to the problems of the world, but it's just taking a little bit of time, and we have to be patient. You know, we'd like to have this solution today, right now. But God knows just when to step in. Matthew 24 and verse 30, "...the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other." So all of the saints are going to be gathered together when Christ returns. Think about that.

Once down through the ages, Abel will be there. Noah, from the time of the flood, Abraham in the time of the patriarchs, Isaac and Jacob, Joseph, Moses. All down through history, then there will be ones that God has been working with, training and developing to govern with Christ. Let's go to Jude now. Jude in verses 14 and 15. So God has been working on the answer. He is concerned, and He is going to step in. And Pentecost shows that He has been working to develop a people. Now, this people, it is at the next holy day after Pentecost, the feast of trumpets that pictures the actual coming of Christ, the first of the fall festivals, the second coming of Jesus Christ. But Pentecost shows that this age, when most of the world is deceived, and what God has been doing all during this time, these 6,000 years, what has God been doing? Pentecost, a first fruits, has been developed by God, is being developed by God to reign with Christ. Jude, verse 14, Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints. So there's a huge number of people that God has been working with down through the ages. And all those who have overcome will be with Christ when He returns. And what will they do? Will they destroy all the wicked, then go up to heaven? No. They will execute judgment on all, on all nations, and convict all that are ungodly, of their ungodly deeds. You know, convicting means that we will persuade. We will help them to have a different viewpoint, God's viewpoint. And we will convict them that, hey, that doesn't work.

Of course, they'll have all the destruction that they can see all around and know that it doesn't work and that there is a way that does work. And so we will convict the world to turn to the ways of God. Let's read a few verses in Revelation, Revelation 2, verse 26. He who overcomes and keeps my works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations. Nations where? Right here on the earth. He shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the potter's vessels they will be broken to pieces. Chapter 5 and verse 10 is very specific where it will be. It has made us kings and priests.

So the first fruits represented by Pentecost are being prepared to be a king and a priest to our God and reign on the earth. Revelation 20 brings out it will be for 1000 years the saints are going to reign with Jesus Christ. Yes, brethren, is God concerned? He's very concerned. And we need to see the hand of God at work today. He is at work this afternoon right here. He's at work in many other congregations around the world on this Sabbath day. Many have already met. I mean, they're into the first day of the week over in the Orient now. And in Australia, New Zealand, they're way past the Sabbath over there. But in our country, there are services going on now. Others that went were conducted this morning. But God has been working this very day training people to reign with Christ as a king and priest. He's busy. God is very busy. He's calling additional ones.

Yes, he's opening the minds of different ones. And each one that he calls, he works with that one individually, just like he's working with you. He's working with you. And just exactly where you are. What grade are you? Where are you? What level are you spiritually? God knows. And He knows what you need to go on to the next level and keep growing and growing until you will have Christ in you. And you will be prepared to reign with Christ. So for 6,000 years, God has been working on the solution to mankind's problems. And that solution is summarized in the meaning of the next Holy Day, Pentecost, the Feast of First Fruits. It is God's solution to the world's problems. And so I'd like for us to think about the Church then just for a little bit and what is going on, just how God is working with His Church. And this Pentecost would be a good time for us to examine ourselves, each and every one of us. How are we doing with our high calling?

Are we overcoming? Or are we being overcome by the world? Are we going to endure to the end and not give up? Pentecost pictures the first fruits, and it means those that God is calling out of the world now. For our age, it means the Church. One time it was the patriarchs back in the Old Testament and prophets and others that God worked with back in the Old Testament times. But they have been prepared to be first fruits. And today, God is working with quite a number of quite a large number, thousands and thousands of people around the world. And we call it the Church.

Jesus said He would build His Church. And let's understand, make sure we understand about the Church. What is the Church? And where is the Church? And where is not the Church?

It would be good for us to be clear on this and exactly who is in the Church of God.

First of all, let's think about the meaning of the word itself. Church. What do you mean, Church? The word in the Greek is ekklesia or ecclesia, and it means called out ones. Ones who have been called out of the world. It means those few that God has called. But most of the world is deceived, it says in Revelation 12 verse 9. But God is calling just a few. And no one can just call Himself.

Jesus said in John 6, 44, no one can come to Me. People in the world will understand this. They think anybody can just come to Christ and give their heart to the Lord as they might put it.

But that is not true. Jesus said, no one can come to Me unless He's drawn by My Father.

Unless My Father who sent Me draws Him, no one can come to Me. So, brethren, our being able to understand, you know, look back at your, whenever you begin to understand, that was God's doing. God was beginning to open your mind. Maybe you grew up in the church, and as a young person, young people do have that opportunity. But it's God at work there to make that possible for you. So, called out ones. That is what the church means. But where is the church, and how could you prove where it is? Well, let me give you a few things that would make it very easy to narrow down to determine just where the church that Jesus said He would build is. He said He would build His church. Where is it? Well, for one thing, the church will have the name Church of God. Church of God. Twelve places in the New Testament we find this to be the name of the church. So, Church of God, that narrows it down, doesn't it? The right, the church will have the right name. It will be the Church of God. And isn't that the name it should have? It should not be named after a person. It should not be named after a doctrine or teaching. It should be called the Church of God. The second sign of where the church is, the church will be keeping the commandments of God. Yes, Revelation 14 and verse 12 talks about here are those that keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. So, the church will be keeping the Ten Commandments. Why, today, many churches believe the Ten Commandments were nailed to the cross.

And nothing could be further from the truth. No, God's commandments are very much enforced today.

You know what that means? The fourth commandment, the Sabbath, on the seventh day of the week.

And that really narrows it down. A church of God that keeps the commandments of God, that has its worship services on the seventh day, the Sabbath, really narrows it down.

And furthermore, as far as the commandments of God, the church will be keeping the holy days, not Christmas and Easter. And so, this again, narrows it down. A third thing that the true church will have is the true gospel. And what is that? Well, let's turn to Mark. It will have the testimony, Mark chapter 1. It will have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Same message that Jesus came preaching. And what message was that? Well, he came preaching the gospel. In Mark chapter 1 and verse 14, Mark chapter 1 and verse 14, after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. That's the message Jesus came preaching. It's the same message we preach today. The gospel of the kingdom of God. And saying, the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel. Don't just hear the message, act on it. Put it into action in your life. And so, the true church is going to have the true gospel. And the gospel is the kingdom of God. It's that we may become a member, a part of the kingdom of God, which is the family of God. And our destiny is to become the sons of God. And this is for all of mankind. And God has a plan to bring everyone into His kingdom and His family. All that is the gospel, the first coming of Christ, by which we may be forgiven by the death of Christ as part of the gospel, the second coming of Christ, when He will reign on the earth as King. That's the gospel. And how salvation will be brought to all of mankind. That's the gospel. Pentecost that God is calling a few today. That's the gospel as well.

So, the true church understands then what is the true gospel, the gospel of the kingdom of God.

I tell you what, you put all these things together, and you have narrowed it down a lot, haven't you? The name of the church is Church of God, a commandment-keeping church of God, and one that has the true gospel of the kingdom of God. It understands the millennium, the 1,000 years, and that the saints are not going to go to heaven. They're going to reign with Christ on the earth. They understand the soul is not immortal. There's no immortality of the soul. Death is death, but there's the truth of the resurrection for everyone. So, the true church has the understanding of the Bible and of the truth that is in the Bible. So, where is the church? You could bring out other things, I'm sure, but these are some of the major ways that you begin to narrow down just where the true church is that Jesus said he would build. Now, another question that comes up, who is in the church and who is not in the church? This is something that we need to understand well. True church members have a call from God, and they have answered that call. Yes, as we refer to John 6 and verse 44, no one can come to me except the Father draws him. There is a calling that comes from God. Acts 2, as many as the Lord our God shall call. So, there's a calling from God, and true members of God's church have responded to that calling. That calling is just as real as it was to Abraham. That calling to you and me individually. God called Abraham. So, get to this country that I'll show you. God worked with Noah, called him to build an ark, and Noah responded to that calling. So, just like God called these individuals, he does call you and me and everyone that becomes a member of the church. When God calls a person, how does he do that? He begins to reveal the truth of the Bible. Person begins to understand, well, about the true gospel. I learned about the gospel of the kingdom of God. I had been to church up till about age 16. I'd never even heard a sermon about the kingdom of God, but I heard about it and read about it through the work that God was doing through his church and began to understand, of course, about the laws of God as well and many, many other things. But God calls an individual by opening his mind, his understanding, so that he's able to read the Bible and understand it. I remember reading the Bible when I was a boy coming up, and it just didn't make any sense to me. When God begins to call someone, the Bible does begin to make sense to them. They begin to understand it.

And ultimately, a person comes to the point that he wants to do something about it. He does want to change his whole outlook on life. In other words, he wants to repent. His whole direction in life now is different than what it was before. And it's a direction toward something that is spiritual and something that is eternal, not something that is here temporary and just here on a very temporary basis. And ultimately, God's calling will lead an individual then where he wants to be baptized.

Once a person does believe and has repented and then baptized, in Acts 2, verse 38, God promises to give him the gift of the Holy Spirit. And it's at this time that one actually becomes a member of the Church of God. It is when a person genuinely repents and is baptized that God promises to give him that gift of the Holy Spirit. And without God's Holy Spirit, we simply are not members of His Church. Who's in the Church? Those who have the Spirit of God. Let's turn to Romans chapter 8 and verse 9. Romans chapter 8 and verse 9. This makes it very clear who is a member of the true Church of God. It is one that has the Spirit of God at work in his life, who truly has repented and been baptized. And that God has granted him the gift of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8 and verse 9. But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. You know, you know our life. The life of a Christian is not one that's physically oriented. It is spiritually oriented or spiritually minded.

You are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.

Now, if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.

Brethren, this is a definition of a Christian. A Christian is one that has the Spirit of God.

This is the definition also of a church member. A church member is one that has repented and been baptized and has been given the Holy Spirit of God and is being led by that Spirit. Well, look at verse 14. Verse 14 says, "...as many as are led by the Spirit of God." They are the sons of God, and they are members of the Church of God, and they are true Christians as those who then receive God's Spirit and are led by it. What does it mean to be led by God's Spirit? I tell you, God's Spirit is a good spirit. His Spirit will bring about many good things in a person's life. A person's life? Well, you think that someone with God's Spirit is going to reflect things like hatred, anger, animosity. All of those things will become a thing of the past.

And this, a person begins to instead have the fruits of the Spirit that are mentioned in Galatians chapter 5. Let's read those fruits. They are holy, they are righteous, they are so good, and it's what we want to make sure we are growing in. We want to be increasing in these fruits all the time. We can have more of God's Spirit to help us produce more of these wonderful fruits.

Galatians chapter 5 and verse 22, "...the fruit of the Spirit is love." This is one that is led by God's Spirit. This is what He's going to see in His life. The fruit of the Spirit is love, the love of God, joy, just happiness, brim full and running over. Peace, His life is going to have peace. And what a wonderful quality that is. Not strife and fighting and bickering, but peace, long suffering. And that's a wonderful quality. Kindness, He's going to be a kind type of person. Goodness, faithfulness, a faithful person dependable. You can rely upon Him gentleness and self-control. Who would not like to have a neighbor like this living next to you?

Who would do you no harm and only do you good? And would be enjoyable, would be a pleasure to talk to from time to time over the fence. What a wonderful neighbor this is. Well, brethren, that's the kind of people that the members of God's church are. You see, the true church members have had a total change in their lives. They're no longer the same.

And it is because they have the Spirit of God at work in their lives.

Now, that's who is in the church and what they will be like. Who is not in the church?

Well, certainly those who don't understand God's laws, say, for example, they don't understand the Sabbath. How could they be members of God's church if they do not understand the Sabbath?

If God is going to call one to be a member of His church, He's going to reveal to that person about the Ten Commandments, and that will include the keeping of the Sabbath. Now, so the churches of this world sincerely believe in Sunday, but they're not the churches of God. They did not understand. They are deceived. They are in darkness. You know, we could say then that they are not members of the church that Jesus built. But what about ones that come to our services? Could there be ones that come to our services who are not really members of the church that Jesus built? Yes, that is absolutely possible and has happened. Mr. Armstrong, when he was alive, wondered many times if he would say emphatically, I wonder if even half of you are converted. Well, it turns out that he was about right, maybe except even more than half in 1995, went back to other doctrines and teachings and did not have deep roots in the truth.

So, yes, someone could come to our services even yet. Now, I think we are tried and tested people.

I think that the number that would come and not be a member of the church would not be that high a percentage, but a person could come. And if he is not led by God's Spirit, if he is not growing and increasing in God's Spirit and applying God's laws, then he certainly could just sit in a seat of our services but not really be a member of the true church.

Now, we also today in our scattered condition consider what happened since 1986 when Mr. Armstrong died. And we have members, we believe, that are scattered into different church of God organizations. We are scattered as far as different organizations. So, we don't know, do we? We don't really know ourselves. I don't know. My own congregations, I can't look at people and decide, well, this person is really a member and this one is not. I don't even try to think that way. But guess who really does know? God. God knows His sheep. Jesus said in John 10, I am the Good Shepherd and I call my sheep by name. He knows His sheep. And then notice this scripture in 2 Timothy, turn to 2 Timothy 2 in verse 19. Guess who does know every single person that is a member, a true spirit-led member of the church of God all around the world who knows every single one of them? You think He's forgotten even one? No, not a single one. 2 Timothy 2 in verse 19. Nevertheless, the solid foundation of God stands. You know, that's encouraging, isn't it? God's solid foundation will always stand. It is that rock. It will weather any storm, any problem, anything that ever comes along. God's solid foundation stands. But then notice, it goes on to say, having this seal, number one, the Lord knows those who are His. Apparently, quoted from Nahum 1 in verse 7 where it says that God knows those who trust Him. So God knows those who are His.

Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. That's what the true people of God are busy doing, aren't they? The true people of God, the ones led by God's Spirit, are certainly striving all the time daily to depart from iniquity. But, brethren, God knows exactly where the members of His Church are. You know, when I pray, and most every day I pray, God, you know where your people are. You know the ones that are led by your Spirit. You know the ones who really have repented and have surrendered and turned their lives over to you. Guide them, bless them.

And that's true in our organization as well as other organizations. We pray for those who are led by the Spirit of God. God knows His own. One thing I believe that if you get us all together and we just sit down and start talking, that there would be certainly a very loving and peaceful relationship between us. Those who are led by the Spirit of God have something in common. We have a powerful Spirit that, from our Father, that guides and directs. So, brethren, that answers some of the questions. What is the Church? It's the ecclesia, the ecclesia, the ones who are called out of the world. Who are they? They're the ones who have repented. Those who have turned to God's laws in God's ways and have changed their lives and surrendered themselves to God. They have become the slaves and the servants of Almighty God, and they are led by the Holy Spirit. And they're growing and increasing in the wonderful qualities and fruits of God's Spirit.

God knows where they are, and there's not a single one on the face of the earth that God does not know where His Church members are. He knows right where they are, and He's working with them.

Here at the end of this age, I'm encouraging us this Pentecost to examine ourselves. Why? Because at the end of this age, the Scriptures indicate that it would be a time of great trouble in the world. Parallist times would come, the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3, verse 1. And we see those perilous times are here. And Jesus warned that because of that iniquity would abound, the love of many would grow cold. Did you know that some translations translate that as the love of most? The love of most? Most Christians will grow cold. I think that we ought to take stock of ourselves this Pentecost to see how we're doing. The book of Daniel mentions in chapter 11 that there would be a work, and that those people that know their God would do exploits, and yet there would be persecution, there would be difficulty. It mentioned that some would cling to the Church by intrigue. That is, they were intrigued by the message in some way.

Intrigued, but not converted. Conversion is more than intrigue. It's more than a fascination with something. It's coming to see that it's true, and it's yielding ourselves, it's surrendering ourselves to God to go this way. The Scriptures indicate also in Daniel 12 and verse 7 that at the time of the end, the power of the Holy People will be shattered. That's the word that's used.

The power of the Holy People will be shattered. Well, I think we can say already the power of the Holy People has been diminished. It has been diminished over what the power of what it was at one point. Even so, we are preaching the message in a very powerful way. The United Church of God on television, the printed Word, and also the Internet. We are proclaiming a message very powerfully to be a small group of people. But ultimately, the night will come that no one can work, like Jesus said in John 9 and verse 4. And there will be a famine of the Word, and the preaching of the Gospel will not be possible as we're doing it now.

In the book of Matthew 24, the Olivet prophecy, Jesus then warned us that the members of God's church, many will be offended, maybe most, and the love of many or most would grow cold.

In the next chapter, he gave the parable of the virgins, and five of the virgins were wise, and five were foolish. It was a warning. And so Matthew 24 and 25, given on the very last day, think of this, this was the last day of the public ministry of Jesus Christ on a Sunday.

He went back out of town that night. He stayed away on Monday, and he didn't come back until Tuesday late afternoon when he would observe the last Passover on the day that he died.

So on that Sunday, just before, he gave the Olivet prophecy, and it's in the form of a warning.

It gives events to be watchful for, to look as far as what's going to happen on the world scene.

But then it's a warning. Much of the Olivet prophecy turns out to be a warning to Word church members.

Do we see these conditions today? What about the final church? And we do believe there is something to church eras, eras of the church. What about the final one in Revelation chapter 3, the Laodicean church, a smug, self-righteous church, lukewarm? The God says He will spew out of His mouth. He once wishes they were either hot or cold. But they say we have need of nothing.

We're rich and increased with goods. Not realizing, brethren, I hope all of us do that. We need, we are in need daily. We are in, we're not rich and increased with goods. We need God. We need His Spirit daily. And we're humble and meek and seeking, asking Him, please, to give us that power that we need from His Spirit. So do we see some of these conditions today? Are some members letting down? Do some misservices for the slightest reason when they really could be here?

Do some members a little blurry, not really clear on some of the basic teachings and doctrines of the Bible? Have some been affected by all that's happened to the church? God has let there be a trying and testing. I'll tell you what, my perspective goes back since 1958. And in 1986 to 1995, there came a severe testing culminating in 1995 on the people of God. But since 1995, with the formation of United Church of God, there has been trying and testing. And no doubt, there will be further trying and testing yet in the future. But could we be affected by it? Could we weaken? Because iniquity does abound all around us in the world. And even in conditions in the church, things have happened in the church. Could we be weakened by all of this? And not walk as closely with God. Could we come to be among those with that lukewarm type attitude spiritually?

Yes, we could. So this Pentecost, which is just a week away, I'd like to ask all of us to do some examining of ourselves. Because we do not want to fail to attain what we strive for, and that is entry into God's kingdom. We must not allow that to happen.

Like the Apostle Paul, we must fight in order not to become a castaway. We could become a castaway. Paul knew he could become one. This once saved, always saved, is another false teaching of the world. And Paul said he fought his body so that he would not become a castaway.

Read it, 1 Corinthians 9, 27. So brethren, we need to stay focused on our high calling.

The saints are going to be given the government of the earth. God is concerned about what is happening in the world, and he is in the process of doing something about it. He maybe is not doing it the way we'd like. We'd like for him to step in right now. But he is preparing a people and training them, and they will reign with Christ when Christ returns to set up God's kingdom on the earth. So yes, I exhort and encourage us then to examine ourselves this Pentecost.

Is our high calling crystal clear in our minds? Can we see clearly what God is doing?

I tell you what, God is behind all of us. He's just kind of letting events, almost purposefully, it seems like, letting it kind of go on and on. He's trying us. He's testing us. He's seeing if we'll endure. He's seeing if we will throw in the towel, or like some have done.

He's seeing if we realize our calling. We've been specially selected as a first fruit, and being trained to become a king and priest and reign with Christ. I'd like to conclude with verses in Philippians 3. No doubt we'll have more to say about our high calling and certainly never losing sight of it on the day of Pentecost, next Sabbath, and on the day of Pentecost.

In Philippians chapter 3 and verse 7, Philippians chapter 3 and verse 7, But what things were gained to me?

You know, we all had some things in this world that may have been considered gained to us.

These I have counted loss for Christ.

Rather than these physical things don't matter, including our physical lives.

And we don't need to worry about the physical aspect of our lives, but put that into God's care.

In verse 8, Indeed, I also count all things loss, everything on the physical level. Paul considered loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish. I believe the King James Version has done that I may gain Christ.

So he could prepare for God's kingdom and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, that is thinking we can earn our salvation somehow by what we do.

In no way does this do away with the Ten Commandments. It may be more from the standpoint of circumcision, which some people were doing in Paul's time, in order to have salvation.

But not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.

And that righteousness comes from God's Spirit working with us and helping us to be obedient and do what is pleasing to God. In verse 10, that I may know Him, that should be our objective and goal too, to know the true God and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. You know, we do have some sufferings we go through, and it's the fellowship with the sufferings of Christ being conformed to His death.

If by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead, that was Paul's goal, and that's what he devoted himself. His whole life was devoted to it, and so must ours be.

In verse 12, not that I have already attained or am already perfected, but I press on. I like those two words. Brethren, let us press on as well. It means more than just casually going forward. It means to be prodding ourselves. It means to be drawing closer to God.

It means praying just a bit more than we probably do and studying more, and maybe fasting more often. Pressing on. I press on that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. He wanted to lay hold of being a Son of God, and that's why God had chosen Him, and being a king and priest when Christ reigns on the earth. I press on that I may lay hold of that for which Christ has laid hold of me. Tell you what, Christ has laid hold of you and me. Why? He wants us as a first fruit to be prepared to be a king and priest. Verse 13, brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended. None of us either have made it yet. We've not attained yet what we're seeking. But one thing I do, one thing I do, that's what we need to do as well. Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.

I press. Here's that word, press again. I press. I prod myself toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Brethren, daily, let us press on toward our high calling.

And as first fruits of God, this Pentecost, let's be examining ourselves. Let's look at world events and prophecy and how things are being fulfilled. Let that even prod us to move on faster in our own spiritual growth in the future. And as we approach Pentecost, let's do some self-examination and make sure that we, like Paul, are pressing on toward the kingdom of God and reigning as a king and priest with Christ.