WHERE ARE WE NOW A MESSAGE THE IN PROPHECY? WORLD FORGOT Is this “the end time”? What Taking communion should we be doing about it? 10 on the moon 18 July/August 2009 Exploring Life and Faith Duty of Care What is our responsibility to the environment? 5 Photo: iStockphoto.com Vol. 1 No.2 EDITORIAL By Tim Maguire Thanks to all for the support given to our first is- ings? “Where Are We Now In Prophecy” asks some sue of Face to Face magazine! My hope and prayer very interesting questions of us. Are we in the End is that our second issue will be met with just as Times? If so, what should we be doing about it? much enthusiasm, and will be just as helpful and These are interesting and often very debatable profitable as we go about living in this hectic, often topics. The article on the Greatest Book Ever Writ- difficult world. ten points us in the direction we should follow in As I write, the G8-summit is in progress and is seeking these answers. What does the Bible say discussing, among other things, the effect of climate about these issues? You may be surprised. Human- change on our planet. The Group of 5 emerging kind has many theories about important issues. nations, which includes South Africa, are joining Sometimes we turn to our own understandings. in the discussions today. As Christians, some argue However in Prov. 14:12 the Bible says that there is we have been given dominion over the a way that seems right to you and I, but if we fol- earth, and since we know that the entire low our own understanding, it often ends badly for universe is going to be restored in the us! 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that “All Scripture is future we need not be overly concerned. God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, Others argue, however, that as stew- correcting and training in righteousness, so that ards, we should be as responsible as we the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for can with what God has left in our care. every good work”(NIV). With Face to Face Maga- As a Christian, or caring citizen, what is zine, the Bible, God’s Word is our ultimate author- our Duty of Care? ity. As you read through the magazine my prayer is Some may be more interested in prophecy. I that God’s word comes alive for you, and not only can recall that even as a young kid I was always do you gain understanding of pertinent issues that fascinated by the talk of Prophecy, and the ‘End affect you as you go about living your life, but that Times’. What is it all about? When will it all hap- you come to an awareness of the good works that pen? Many would love a sneak preview as to what you have been called to do. the future holds. The Bible is filled with many pro- In Christian love. F2F phetic writings. What is the purpose of these writ- STAY FOCUSED Dawid Labuschagne One of my favourite kiddies’ movies is The Grinch to Jesus Christ, not further away from Him. starring Jim Carey. I have watched the video a couple If we strive after the pleasures of this life and world- of times over the years. The scene which I enjoy best ly rewards, it will have the same negative effect on our in the movie is where the Grinch, with the help of his focus. Although not admitting it outright, we tend to dog, builds a rocket powered sleigh that he plans to use to spoil Christmas for the residents of Whoville. His trusty dog assists by fetching all the tools exactly as the Grinch calls for them. At one point however the dog misses a beat and brings the wrong size spanner. He gets a scolding (irrespective of his remarkable ca- nine prowess) and a reprimand to “…stay focused!” You and I are also instructed to stay focused, specifically on our Lord Je- sus Christ. In Hebrews 3:1 we are told, “Therefore…fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we con- fanpop.com fess.” Sometimes the problems of life can cause us to lose our focus. Slowly but sure- regard it as more important and devote more time and ly we drift away - less church attendance, bible study effort attaining it, in the process crowding out the es- and prayer . When we lose our focus on Jesus Christ, sentials of our Christian walk. It is easy to deceive our- we tend to see problems as looming much larger than selves and slowly turn away from Jesus Christ, placing they really do. our trust more in worldly rewards at the cost of becom- As we become bogged down in worry, we tend to ing all we were meant to be in Jesus Christ. lose sight of the fact that Jesus Christ is far larger than Whether we are experiencing good times our problems, that He understands our human frailty or problems, let us stay focused and take hold and is able to help us, because He was also buffeted by of our calling. F2F the problems of this life. Let problems bring you closer 2 July/August 2009 |Face to Face Magazine IN THIS ISSUE 4 WARNING: THIS 16 WILL THE REAL JESUS wILL HAPPEN PLEASE STAND UP TO YOU WAS JESUS A SOLEMN satans’S snaRes! AND SAD PERSON who what yoU Need WAS FORCED DIE FOR US? to Know. 18 A MESSAGE THE 6 DuTY OF CARE wORLD FORGOT what is OUR TAKing commUN- ResponsibiLity to ion on the moon the enviRonment? 10 WHERE ARE WE NOW IN PROPHECY? 19 YOUTH TALK IS this the “end cOME FOLLOW ME! time?” What shoULD WE REALLY can we be doing aboUT it? FOLLow CHRIST! 20 THE GREATEST 13 WEDDING bOOK EVER WRITTEN CEREMONY IF yoU coULD Read FOR TODAY onLY one booK NO demands, no EXpec which woULD it be? tations, no GUILT-TRips 22 BIBLE STUDY 14 LOST FOREVER, OR ARE THEY? 24 HMM IS theRE hope Something to foR SUicide victims? thinK aboUT FACE TO FACE NATIONAL MINISTRY EMAIL:[email protected] LEADER: Websites: www.wcg.org/africa Patent Pending 2008/17108 Unless otherwise noted, is published by the Tim Maguire Scriptures are quoted Worldwide Church of God From the Holy Bible, 274 Cromwell Road EDITORS: New International Version. Lombardy East Hilary Jacobs, Eben Jacobs Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Johannesburg 2090. International Bible Society Copyright © 2009, Worldwide Church of God CO-EDITORS: Used by permission of All rights reserved. Shaun de Greeff, Sandra de Greeff Zondervan Bible Publishers. PUBLISHER: Face to Face is made possible by the Notice: Worldwide Church of God generous donations of our readers. If you National Service Centre Face to Face cannot would like to contribute to spreading the PO Box 365, Pinegowrie, 2123 be held responsible for the gospel through this magazine, our bank TEL: +27 (0)11 022 4241 return of unsolicited articles details are as follows: FAX: +27 (0)86 549 0060 and photographs. First National Bank Account name: Worldwide Church of Address Communications to: God Acc. No. 59380027523 PASTOR GENERAL: Face to Face Branch name: Craighall Joseph Tkach 10 Yellowwoods Branch code: 255805 Redcliffe Road Please use: “F to F donation” Parklands 7441 as reference TEL: +27 (0)21 557-9023 July/August 2009 |Face to Face Magazine 3 THIS WILL HAPPEN TO YOU ! Banner photos: bigstockphoto.com Scary words! Satan has his evil traps and By Gordon Green schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11) and each one is de- signed to destroy, to ruin, to hurt; to take away joy, peace and love. hen I was very Discouragement is one of his snares. Doubt and young I used to fear are others. But there is one snare that we of- enjoy spending ten overlook because it is subtle and deceptive. It W happens so easily and quickly and is dangerous be- many school holidays on my cause it imprisons and hinders us from reaching our uncle’s farm in Estcourt, full potential. Kwa-Zulu Natal. I remem- ber one incident very well. OFFENCES WILL COME One morning, while hunt- In Luke 17:1 Jesus warns us that “it is impossible ing with my father, we heard a loud, that no offences should come” (NKJV). Jesus was saying that it is unthinkable that you or I will live piercing cry. this life with- out being of- We ran through fended. It is the long grass to- guaranteed. wards the sound, That’s the and near the river- way life is. A side saw the pitiful pastor half- sight of a little buck jokingly told with its head caught some new in a poacher’s wire members of noose. The snare his church; was tied to a fence “If we haven’t and because it was offended you so well hidden, the yet, please animal had walked be patient. right into the trap. We will!” The more it tried to free itself the tighter What the rusty wire cut into does an of- its neck. fence have to do with Sa- In the Bible we Photo: www.sanwild.org tan’s snares? discover that our en- Well, the emy, Satan, also has his snares. For example, in 2 word Jesus used for “offences” gives us a vivid and Timothy 2:26 Paul warns Timothy about “the snare powerful picture that we need to understand! This of the devil” and about the danger of people being Greek word skandalon originally described the bait “taken captive by him at his will.” stick in a trap.1 The bait stick is a small piece of wood 4 July/August 2009 |Face to Face Magazine used to keep the door of an animal trap propped open.