Church of the Open Bible

 

In last week’s SS lesson, one of the 9 things Pastor Jon Welch suggested we do while we “wait” for the Lord’s return (as Judah waited for 70 years to expire while in exile in Babylon) was to “be on the alert … to keep watching.”  (Mark 13:32-37)

          The e-mail below came in this week and I thought – “Yes, let’s stay alert regarding the Middle East!  Keep watching.  This is where it all will finally come down.”                            - Pastor Cain

 

“Russia has moved its navy into the Mediterranean Sea, to base them in Syrian ports.  This is critically important news for students of Bible prophecy!  Things are heating up rapidly over there!  Watch and pray!!  David Dolan's report is below”.

- Pastor Bill Wachtel / Washington State, 8-6-07

 

Sent: Monday, August 06, 2007 6:20 AM

Subject: [ISRAELUPDATE]

SHALOM FROM JERUSALEM,

The big news here in Israel today, boldly headlined in the nation's largest newspaper, Yediot Ahronot, this morning, is Russia's reported return to two naval bases that the Kremlin largely built and once controlled in neighboring Syria.  The move is said to be part of a large Russian weapons deal with Syria, at least partially funded by Iran, as I reported about in last weeks monthly news update.

 

    The dramatic Russian move will undoubtedly increase speculation among observant Christians and Jews that Ezekiel's Gog and Magog invasion is drawing very near.  In light of author Joel Rosenberg's popular novel about the theme, I get asked about this prophecy all the time now as I travel around the world, and especially if I see its fulfillment as possibly imminent.
 
    Frankly I do NOT see Ezekiel's penultimate [means, next to last / Rex] prophesied event as taking place in the near-term future.  Instead, I suspect that the region could well witness an apparent massive clash between Syria and Israel -described in Isaiah chapter 17.  It should unfold in the not too distant future, to which Russia and other countries listed by Ezekiel would eventually react, but not immediately in the climactic way described by Ezekiel. I have explained why I hold this view in several of my books, and also do a bit of that in the first installment of a new column I am writing for the MJAA [Messianic Jewish Alliance of America] web site, which will be published there soon, and every month thereafter.  To read the column, go to www.mjaa.org later this week.  I will also be doing my usual news report for the Moody Broadcasting Network based in Chicago later today, which can be accessed at their web site, www.mbn.org


Our Annual Church Picnic in 2 Weeks!!

Held at Longwood Park, 1-mile East of Macedonia on Rt. 82

No S.S. classes that day 

No services at the church building

Bring a Covered Food Dish to Share / Tableware

 

A NEW CHURCH directory has been printed for today.  Based on a show of hands recently, I’ve printed only 20 figuring one per family and others are getting them electronically.  Anyone reading this may request an electronic copy.

 

Dear Friends, We serve an awesome God and His love and care was exhibited through you by your generous gift.  Cheryl and I were "taken back" when we received it and we had tears of joy as it helped meet a very pressing need.  We sincerely thank all the NE Conference churches and individuals who helped us.  We are indeed grateful.  Thank you again.

Yours in Christ, Pastor Dale H. Swartz

 

5 MEN FROM ALBANY NEW YORK, one named Sean Finnegan, will arrive this Tuesday to do street witnessing in Bedford.  Our church is providing a meal at 6pm Tuesday evening.  They are sleeping at the church!
 

          They are on a 2-week evangelical trip visiting several of our churches in the Midwest.  Sean is a 2005 graduate of ABC and has also taught some intensive studies at the college.

 
          They have invited any of our congregation to be with them on the streets and to come by after dinner to visit with them in the church before they (yawn) retire for the night. J  They will travel on the next morning.  Here’s a chance to meet some of our N.Y. brethren and also a chance to watch them in action – maybe even to get involved in witnessing.

 

BILL & GINNY CRAMER continues to faithfully remember us in their tithes and offerings.  We deeply appreciate those who, though maybe living far away, still remember the needs of the Lord’s work here at Bedford.

 

          They are planning to move into their new home within a month.

 

MARK CAIN has been checking into the laptop for his pastor (and father!) and has purchased some miscellaneous items.  However, the Apple store is being renovated and we may or may not have purchased the actual laptop by today.  Our church Printer / copier / scanner, after 7 years of constant use, has given out and a new one purchased.

 

Here is something I wrote and sent out in 2004.  Some of you may have seen it then.  It is even more relevant to the world situation now than it was then!  (Pastor William Wachtel)

          I wonder how many on this list know that some of the official currency (the Euro) of the European Union bears the picture of a woman riding on a beast?  This, of course, goes back to the Greek myth of the woman Europa, with whom Zeus fell in love.  This father of the Greek gods transformed himself into a white bull and carried off Europa from Asia to the continent which now bears her name.  The Encyclopedia Britannica (art., "Europa") states that "she apparently is a personification of the continent of Europe." 

 

          It seems that the ancient myth and personification have been revived, as the European Union continues to grow and become powerful in the world, a competitor to the United States on the one hand and to the Islamic and Third World nations on the other.  The European Union is historically the successor to the old Holy Roman Empire, as some of its recent leaders have proudly confessed.  Is it significant that John the Revelator sees a "woman riding a beast" and many kings or governments giving their power to that beast (17:3, 13)?  Many Bible students have watched for centuries as a dictatorial religio-political system has dominated Europe and now seek to do so again.  This, of course, is nothing less than the Roman Catholic hierarchy, successors to the old Roman emperors.  Rome still exists in our day, the fourth empire revealed to Daniel in chapters 2 and 7, and is on the rise again   Watch developments within the European Union and their impact on Bible prophecy!        -Bill Wachtel / 7-16-07 

 

PRAY FOR: Tim Guiles ((cancer / S. Cain’s nephew)), Jim Engledue (accident, by Rx), Lois Maze (by Robertson), Vicki Phillis, Pastor Beder (cancer, Peru), Kate Liauw (28, MS, by R Phillis), Iris Horst (cancer, by Roper), Emory Macy, Amy Gunselman (cancer, by R Phillis), Evelyn Pennington, Ruby Korode, Lucinda (by Szekely), Gene & Gloria Faehnrich, Edith Speer, Grady Hudspeth*, Jacob Hinton*, Kathy & Destiny Reed*, (*by Skip), W.C. & Craig Blank­en­ship, College students: Jackie Schuld, Dan & Rachel Cain (internship / teaching degree), Shut-ins: Helen Matthews, Military: Rodger Schuld, Those serving in other countries: Lupe Badillo-Mexico, Tracy Zhykhovich-Russia, Beder Ucañay-Peru, Pastors in Malawi &  Mozambique, Lesly Bertrand and the Pastors in Haiti. Colleges / Churches: RRCC, ABC, Golden Rule, Grace Breth­ren and for the peace of Je­ru­sa­lem, Ps. 122:6; Isa. 62:6, 7

 

Aug. 2007

12        “Enter to worship – leave to serve.”

26        Annual Church Picnic / No services here (no SS classes) – all at Longwood Park, Rt. 82, 1 mile east of Macedonia

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45A.M. 

WORSHIP 10:45A.M.

 

Musicians: (Frank Roper and Mark Cain)

Prelude by Dorothy Robertson:

“Watchman, Tell Us of the Night”

Welcome / Announcements

Worship Hymns / Mark Cain

439 Dwelling in Beulah Land

470 Reach Out to Jesus

Prayer / Offering

Message: “Kiss the Son” (Ps. 2:12)

31 To God Be the Glory

 

August 12, 2007