Greetings,
Following the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 the Chicago Atomic Scientists, a group of researchers who had been involved in the development of these bombs, began publishing a newsletter which later became the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. In 1947 the bulletin began depicting a clock on its cover. This symbolic clock face represented a countdown to possible global catastrophe. Initially confined to nuclear threats, since 2007 its scope was enlarged to include basic changes in the level of continuous danger which mankind lives under in the nuclear age. Hence the clock face is referred to as the Doomsday Clock.
This week the scientists involved decided to leave the Doomsday Clock set at 3 minutes until midnight – no change from 2015. While this is better than a progression toward midnight, it still represents significant concern for a global catastrophe. Doomsday refers to “A dreaded day of judgment or reckoning” (The American Heritage Dictionary). Mankind, according to the Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, is living close to a tragedy of global proportions – a day of judgment which threatens to annihilate human life. It is somewhat ironic that the very ones responsible for developing this ability are the ones expressing concern. The Doomsday Clock presents a very negative view of the future – one with little or no hope.
It is interesting to view this perspective from its source – the god of this world. It is Satan and his demons that exist with and promulgate a “doomsday” mentality. They have been cast down to a place of restraint and are reserved for judgment (2 Peter 2:4). Christ said that Satan has been judged, “… the ruler of this world is judged” (John 16:11). Jude speaks of “wandering stars [demons] for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever” (Jude 13).
The negativity of this condemned being is cast upon mankind to produce a view of the future that lacks hope and purpose. Without hope man is less inclined to listen to or seek God. They accuse Him of being behind the doom and gloom hanging over their heads. To be sure, unrepentant sinners face a judgment. “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him” (Jude 14-15). However, a loving, kind and merciful God provides avenues for man to become aware of their ungodliness and to repent. After all, our Father desires a reconciled relationship with man. “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 20-21). The apostle Peter captures God’s focus very well: “But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:7-9). God’s judgment is administered in love as a means to bring man into a relationship with Him.
The Doomsday Clock serves to remind us of the time in which we live. Satan’s hostility is reaching its zenith as he knows the clock is ticking on his time as the god of this world. In the light of the message of the Doomsday Clock, the words of Christ ring out loud to His people. “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom the master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing” (Matthew 24:44-46).
With that positive encouragement in mind, let us turn our attention to something that gives us great hope – the Feast of Tabernacles.
Feast of Tabernacles 2016
US Feast Sites
Contracts have been finalized for two US Feast sites for 2016. We will again use The Residence Inn in Oxnard, California. This year we are able to hold all services in the main ballroom which will provide more space. The second site is in Granbury, Texas. (See this website for general information on the area: www.granbury.org). The Hilton Garden Inn is located on the shore of Lake Granbury close to the town center. The city has built a Convention Center adjacent to the hotel as a draw to attract visitors. We have been offered the use of the entire second floor during our time there. Granbury is about 30 miles south west of Fort Worth and is just over an hour’s drive from Dallas / Fort Worth Airport.
Both sites are now open for reservations. Please see our website for detailed information and festival registration. On “thefatherscall.org” go to the menu, choose Welcome > Feast of Tabernacles > Feast Registration.
We encourage those wanting to attend in Granbury to make reservations soon as the city has a festival that occurs over the first weekend we are there and the hotel assures us it will be fully booked. Most rooms have a shower rather than a tub/shower combination but if you need an ADA (handicapped accessible) room you will need to call the Hilton Garden Inn Granbury. Those wanting an upgraded room (suite or lake view) will also need to call the hotel directly as these are not in our negotiated rate. Please be patient with the inevitable initial glitches.
Oxnard Residence Inn can also be reserved online or by phone.
European Feast Site
There will once again be a Feast site in Bad Neuenahr, Germany. If you are interested in attending or would like more information about the site, please contact Cliff Veal at clifftonveal@me.com.
Warm Regards,
Brian Orchard
