Letter to the Brethren: July 6, 2017

Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:

Greetings again from Grover Beach, California.

We tried something different for the sermonette.

Normally, more theological sermonettes are uploaded to the ContinuingCOG YouTube channel.

This time, I decided to do the longest sermonette I have ever given (essentially this could be consider part of what has been called a “split-sermon–meaning two sermon topics} and upload it to the Bible News Prophecy channel.

Anyway, I believe I am taking an audience risk with this. The topic has to do with false conversion and it is my hope and prayer that some who are not part of us will take the scriptures to heart and repent and be converted–but some may take offense. We will see.

Because the sermonette is the longest I have given, I also decided that the sermon should be about the shortest one I have ever given (though it is not much shorter than usual).

Bible News Prophecy Magazine

We were able to finish the April-June 2017 Luo and the July-September 2017 Spanish editions of the magazine.

                        SpanishFcoverbnpJulSep17

The Luo translations are coming along and we are basically catching up with missed editions. The Spanish magazine was delayed a little as we kept running into a technical problem with CreateSpace (the printer) that we were finally able to resolve.

The Spanish language magazines are mailed out from Grover Beach, whereas the Luo magazines are printed in Kenya and distributed essentially by hand.

Here is a link to the Spanish version online: Noticias de Profecía de la Biblia julio-septiembre 2017.

Here is a link to the Luo version online: Luo: Kor Mawuok E Muma. Due mar Ang’wen – Auchiel, 2017.

Radio

As mentioned last week, I was on the Republic Broadcasting Network (RBN) last Thursday afternoon. The host and I discussed world events related to various prophecies involving the USA and Europe. We also discussed topics such as envy and prophetic dangers associated with agricultural chemicals and genetically-modified organisms.

Film?

Today, Joyce and I plan to head to Malibu, California. I am to be interviewed tomorrow morning by a Protestant film maker for something that he is putting together related to Fatima. He has read my book, Fatima Shock!, and told me he agrees with it and that the ‘Lady of Fatima’ was not Jesus’ mother Mary. He hopes to get his film (which I believe he will promote online) out prior to October 13, 2017–which is when a major anniversary related to Fatima is to intended to be celebrated by many (including Pope Francis). Hopefully, I will be able to provide helpful information that will be in his film. We will see if this is an ‘open door’ (cf. Revelation 3:7-8; 2 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 16:8-9; Colossians 4:2-4) to reach others that we otherwise would not.

Watermelon in Kenya

Evangelist Evans Ochieng sent the following photograph related to seeds we sent to Kenya:

So, apparently watermelon grows in Kenya. In Michigan, my family had trouble growing it as the growing season was often too short.

Anyway, we provided heirloom seeds to Kenya (and Ghana). This means that presuming they keep some seeds from items grown (like squash, watermelon, and cabbage) that they will be able to grow them again in the future.

Prayer Request for South Sudan

Deacon Koang Deng sent me the following yesterday:

Dear Dr.Bob

Pray for the People of S.Sudan. Because,heavy fighting took place last Saturday up to now in a Town nears to (Pagak) About 12 hours from that area walking by foot. More lifes were lost. And many wars machine guns and cars destroys. Secondly, there is a problem of Rain fall in that area, which leads to get drought.

Thanks,

koang deng.

South Sudan is considered to be the world’s newest country. It has had a lot of problems since gaining independence. We have a few people with interest there. I told Koang Deng that I would pray and pass this request on.

World News Items

While the Vatican is facing another scandal (this one involving drugs and homosexuality), Pope Francis hailed that World Council of Reformed Churches move to agree to accepting unity in the Greco-Roman “gospel” (see Pope Francis hails declaration signed at Reformed churches’ as details of another Vatican scandal emerge). This, of course, is not unity for the Gospel of the Kingdom of God which is what this world needs. But instead is a false gospel. Such moves are part of what I have called ‘Satan’s Plan.’

Somewhat related to ‘Satan’s Plan,’ we continue to see more separation between the USA and Europe. In the past week, German Chancellor Merkel’s political party removed the terms “friend” and “friendship” related to Germany’s relationship with the USA (see FT: ‘Why there will never be a Trump in today’s Europe;’ CDU: USA is no longer a friend). Yesterday, the top two European Union officials called for the EU to be seen as the “global point of reference” (see EU sees itself as ‘global point of reference’).

Despite this, as prophesied (cf. Daniel 2:41-43), Europe still has problems with its own unity–though some are using US President Donald Trump as a foil for greater European cooperation. Europe is somewhat divided about how to handle Islamic migrants (see Austrian military wants to stop migrants as Central European nations face legal action for refusing Islamic migrants). In the future a strong leader, called the Beast of the Sea (Revelation 13:1-10) and the King of the North (Daniel 11:21-45) will rise up and deal with Islam. And this will not be as ‘kind’ as the current, official, European Union approach.

We continue to witness “saber-rattling” between the USA and North Korea (see North Korea launches ICBM and says it can hit anywhere: What will Donald Trump do?). This may not end well for North Korea, and the USA, itself, may be damaged if it heads to war.

Although we are getting nearer to the end, let me state here that since the deal of Daniel 9:27 has NOT yet been confirmed, it is not possible that the Great Tribulation can begin prior to 2021 (see The Great Tribulation CANNOT BEGIN BEFORE 2021!)–and it may well not start for some time after that. But we must not delay changing our lives, as they can be over in a heartbeat. As Christians, we need to watch and pray and change our lives so we “may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is a suggested Sabbath service for this week:

  • 2-3 hymns (our songbook, The Bible Hymnal, contains the materials from the 1974 Bible Hymnal from the old WCG with new covers, plus ten additional hymns; there is also some Choral Accompaniment online).
  • Opening prayer.
  • Sermonette, which for many who receive this letter via email will be a recorded one. The one suggested for this week is: False Conversion. Other sermonettes are available at the Bible News Prophecy channel.
  • Announcements (if any; though for many it will be this letter) and one hymn.
  • Sermon, which for most who receive this letter via email will be a recorded one. The one suggested for this week is: Mark 3-5: Healing, Demons, and Parables. Other sermons are also available at the ContinuingCOG channel.
  • Final hymn.
  • Closing prayer.

Note: If you have a slow internet connection, you can watch these by starting the video, then below it (and towards the right) look for an outline of a gear–if you click on that, it will allow the YouTube video to be played with lower video quality, but at least it will not stop often–you can select a quality as low as 144p. If your internet connection is still too slow (as my home one is) and/or you prefer audio messages to audio-visuals ones, go to the YouTube link for the message, click on SHOW MORE related to the description. You will then see something that says, “Download MP3.” Below that is a link to an MP3 file. Most computers (and even some cellular telephones) will allow MP3 files to be downloaded and played. This is an option we have made available (but we are also looking into ways to improve that as well)–and, of course, we have written article options. Some people have found that if their internet connections are not fast enough, that they can simply listen to the messages that are found at the new Bible News Prophecy online radio channel. IN CASE YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A ‘LETTER TO THE BRETHREN’ FOR ANY WEEK, REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE MANY SERMON MESSAGES ON THE ContinuingCOG channel AND MANY SERMONETTE MESSAGES ON THE BibleNewsProphecy channel. There are also some messages at the CCOGAfrica channel.

Concluding Comments

The Apostle Paul was inspired to write:

2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Colossians 4:2-6)

Brethren, speak as God wants you to speak, be earnest in prayer, and continue to pray for the opening of doors and that I and other leaders in the Continuing Church of God (“fellow workers for the kingdom of God” per Colossians 4:11) will speak the truth of Christ as God wills.

Sincerely,

Bob Thiel
Pastor and Overseer

Posted in Letters to the Brethren
About CCOG
The Continuing Church of God, which attempts to represent the most faithful remnant of the Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7) portion of the Church of God, bases its beliefs on the Holy Bible. Read CCOG's statement of beliefs for more information.