Letter to the Brethren: September 21, 2017

Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:

Greetings on this Feast of Trumpets!

One of the things that I have liked about that Holy Day for decades is that it helps picture the return of Jesus and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.

The next annual holy day will be the Day of Atonement, which begins at sunset on September 29th this year. The Feast of Tabernacles starts the following week, and begins at sunset on October 4th this year.

Feast of Tabernacles

We put together two festival brochures and plan to get that out to the two sites in the USA.

Services for the Feast of Tabernacles is to begin the evening of October 4th and continue until through Last Great Day which is October 12th this year.

The plan is for my wife and I to attend two sites: Takanini, New Zealand and San Diego, California (USA).

Deacon Richard Close is to be in Wichita, Kansas.

Canadian vice president designee Steve Dupuie is to be in San Diego and then Kingston, Ontario (Canada).

Evangelist Evans Ochieng sent the following related to Kenya and Tanzania:

This time I will have a lot of work because I am needed to attend the Feast of Tabernacles 2017 in Rift Valley, NDHIWA and Tanzania. I will give Rift Valley two days and Tanzania, one day and the rest I will be in NDHIWA.
Evans

In addition to travel by speakers, CCOG congregants will be traveling to various sites themselves.

A listing of those sites is in the article: Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2017.

Fatima Sermon

This week’s recommended sermon, Fatima and the ‘Miracle of the Sun’, is a bit longer than usual. I wanted to cover aspects of Fatima and wished to show from the Bible why what appeared there in 1917 was not Jesus’ mother Mary. Furthermore, I wanted to point out that signs and lying wonders are not to be believed above the Bible. Next month, on October 13th, many will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ‘miracle of the sun’ that occurred in Fatima, Portugal. While non-Catholics generally ignore Fatima, please understand that the use of Marian apparitions, signs, and wonders has long been part of the Vatican’s ecumenical and interfaith plans. The Bible teaches that Satan will use signs and lying wonders and that most will believe the lies in the end times (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). We need not only to prepare ourselves, but warn others about these matters.

Essentially, the apparition that appeared to three little children gave false messages and taught a false gospel. Furthermore, the appearance of the apparition was NOT like the statue that many think represents the ‘Lady of Fatima.’

Fatima Chapel Statue and What the Fatima Children Said They Saw

We want people to understand the truth of the gospel as well as salvation through Jesus. The apparition at Fatima taught another, false, way to salvation.

Radio

As it turned out, I ended up being on the Nutri-Medical Report on the Republic Broadcasting Network (RBN) Monday, September 17th at 2:00 pm CDT. The host and I discussed speech restrictions, the 6000 years, and the subject of this week’s recommended sermonette (US Dollar being challenged by Gold-Petro-Yuan). The host and I also disagreed on the identity of the Beast and several other matters.

We continue to go through ‘open doors’ (1 Corinthians 16:8-9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Revelation 3:7-8), including difficult ones, to reach whomever we can. Please pray that other ‘doors’ will be opened for us to speak as God would have us speak (cf. Colossians 4:2-4).

Google Campaign

Google reported that our campaign with them reached 2,233,745 computers last month. That is down from the previous month and may be related to certain Google algorithm processing issues.

We also, of course, reach others through our websites as well as cogwriter.com.

Anyway, a witness is going forth as we are working to fulfill Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20.

COG News in Spanish

We have a Latin American translator who often translates COGwriter.com news items into the Spanish language.

Here is something he sent to me today:

Want to know some things you should pray about?

¿Desea saber algunas cosas acerca de las cuales usted debería orar?
http://www.cdlidd.es/desea-saber-algunas-cosas-acerca-de-las-cuales-usted-deberia-orar/
Book of Jasher: Scripture or Pseudepigrapha?
Libro de Jaser: Escritura o Pseudoepifrafía?
http://www.cdlidd.es/libro-de-jaser-escritura-o-pseudoepigrafia/
BBC: The end of the Anglo-American order?
BBC: ¿El fin del orden anglo-americano?
http://www.cdlidd.es/bbc-el-fin-del-orden-anglo-americano/
Healing power of prayer
Poder sanador de la oración
http://www.cdlidd.es/poder-sanador-de-la-oracion-2/
Sweden getting almost totally cashless: A portend for 666?
Suecia haciéndose casi totalmente sin dinero en efectivo: ¿Un augurio para 666?
http://www.cdlidd.es/suecia-haciendose-casi-totalmente-sin-dinero-en-efectivo-un-augurio-para-666/
The Worst Ideological Enemy Of The US Is Now Europe’
‘El peor enemigo ideológico de los EE.UU. es ahora Europa’
http://www.cdlidd.es/el-peor-enemigo-ideologico-de-los-ee-uu-es-ahora-europa/
Brussels to act ‘within days’ if US sanctions hurt EU trade with Russia – internal memo
Bruselas a actuar ‘dentro de días’ si sanciones de EE.UU. hacen daño al comercio de la UE con Rusia – memo interno
http://www.cdlidd.es/bruselas-a-actuar-dentro-de-dias-si-sanciones-de-ee-uu-hacen-dano-al-comercio-de-la-ue-con-rusia-memo-interno/


Greg Laurie on nuclear conflict between the USA and North Korea
Greg Lauri sobre conflicto nuclear entre los EE.UU. y Corea del Norte
http://www.cdlidd.es/greg-laurie-sobre-conflicto-nuclear-entre-los-ee-uu-y-corea-del-norte/
Jewish or Gentile Christianity: Which do Roman Catholic scholars teach was the original faith?
Cristianismo judío o gentil: ¿Cuál enseñan los eruditos católicos romanos que fue la fe original?
http://www.cdlidd.es/cristianismo-judio-o-gentil-cual-ensenan-los-eruditos-catolicos-romanos-que-fue-la-fe-original/
European leader was also titled as the ‘King of Jerusalem’
Líder europeo también tenía título como el ‘Rey de Jerusalén’
http://www.cdlidd.es/lider-europeo-tambien-tenia-titulo-como-el-rey-de-jerusalen/
Is Germany changing again?
¿Está cambiando Alemania de nuevo?
http://www.cdlidd.es/esta-cambiando-alemania-de-nuevo/
What’s a Dalmatic?
¿Qué es una dalmática?
http://www.cdlidd.es/que-es-una-dalmataica/
Should women preach in church services?
¿Deberían las mujeres predicar en los servicios de la Iglesia?
http://www.cdlidd.es/deberian-las-mujeres-predicar-en-los-servicios-de-la-iglesia-2/
¿Did Jesus fail?
¿Falló Jesús?
http://www.cdlidd.es/fallo-jesus/
Mark Biltz on the approaching Asteroid Apophis and the August 21, 2017 solar eclipse
Mark Biltz sobre el asteroide Apophis que se aproxima y el eclipse solar de agosto 21, 2017
http://www.cdlidd.es/mark-biltz-sobre-el-asteroide-apophis-que-se-aproxima-y-el-eclipse-solar-de-agosto-21-2017/
Former WCG member gives reasons why France is related to the biblical tribe of Reuben
Antiguo miembro de la WCG da razones por las cuales Francia está relacionada con la bíblica tribu de Rubén
http://www.cdlidd.es/antiguo-miembro-de-la-wcg-da-razones-por-las-cuales-francia-esta-relacionada-con-la-biblica-tribu-de-ruben/
M&M: Brace Yourself for the Dreaded Debt Ceiling Debate; COGwriter: Jeremiah gives clues as to how bad it will get
M&M: Abrácese usted mismo por el pavoroso debate sobre el techo de la deuda; COGwriter: Jeremías da claves de cuán malo será eso
http://www.cdlidd.es/mm-abracese-usted-mismo-por-el-pavoroso-debate-sobre-el-techo-de-la-deuda-cogwriter-jeremias-da-claves-de-cuan-malo-sera-eso/
Now, A Trade War; Next A Shooting War?’ USA-UK dividing from EU-Russia? USA to fight North Korea?
‘Ahora, una guerra de comercio; luego, una guerra de disparos? Los EE.UU.-el Reino Unido apartándose de Rusia-la UE? Los EE.UU. a combatir a Corea del Norte?
http://www.cdlidd.es/ahora-una-guerra-de-comercio-luego-una-guerra-de-disparos-los-ee-uu-el-reino-unido-apartandose-de-rusia-la-ue-los-ee-uu-a-combatir-a-corea-del-norte/
Der Spiegel: “Germany Must Abandon Its Military Reluctance and Lead … the era of total dependence on the U.S. military is over”
Der Spiegel: “Alemania debe abandonar su reluctancia militar y conducir … la era de total dependencia de los EE.UU. militarmente se ha terminado”
http://www.cdlidd.es/der-spiegel-alemania-debe-abandonar-su-reluctancia-militar-y-conducir-la-era-de-total-dependencia-de-los-ee-uu-militarmente-se-ha-terminado/
ZH: Are We Fiddling While Rome Burns?
¿Estamos haciendo tonterías mientras Roma arde?
http://www.cdlidd.es/estamos-haciendo-tonterias-mientras-roma-arde/
WND: ‘What’s scarier than a nuclear attack?’
WND: ‘¿Qué es más aterrador que un ataque nuclear?’
http://www.cdlidd.es/wnd-que-es-mas-aterrador-que-un-ataque-nuclear/
USA has too many liars, so relaxes standards to hire border control agents; UN issues civil unrest warning
Los EE.UU. tienen demasiados mentirosos, así que relajan los estándares para contratar agentes de control de las fronteras; ONU emite advertencia de desorden civil
http://www.cdlidd.es/los-ee-uu-tienen-demasiados-mentirosos-asi-que-relajan-los-estandares-para-contratar-agentes-de-control-de-las-fronteras-onu-emite-advertencia-de-desorden-civil/
Ten Prophetic Clues Concerning Naphtali – Sweden
Diez claves proféticas con respecto a Neftalí – Suecia
http://www.cdlidd.es/diez-claves-profeticas-con-respecto-a-neftali-suecia/

These items are posted at our website CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios.

The Truth Does Not Matter to Many

Saw the following today:

September 21, 2017

Bloomberg’s macro commentator Mark Cudmore, who in his overnight Macro View writes that “traders should should spend less time studying economic releases and listen to the clear guidance from officials instead.”

The relevance of data is declining. Policymakers around the world are trying to make crystal clear that they’ll ignore that which doesn’t fit their narrative. Many financial commentators have failed to make the transition and are incorrectly transfixed by each data release.

Or, in short, data no longer matters in a world of central planning. http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-09-21/why-economic-data-no-longer-matters

What the above seems to be saying is that the truth of facts is getting more and more ignored. The Bible warns that in the end times all will be deceived except those that have the “love of truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:10): “for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

We are seeing a disregarding of truth by governmental, religious, and economic leaders, as well as by most people on the Earth. Do not fall in with those that do not value and appreciate the truth.

World News Items

While not yet over Hurricane Irma, the Caribbean has been hit with Hurricane Maria (see Hurricane Maria devastates Dominica, heading towards islands like Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic) and Mexico another hurricane (see Hurricane Maria pounds Puerto Rico; Hundreds die from Mexico earthquake). The small island nation of Dominica was devastated and other islands also suffered. Many are without power in Dominica, Puerto Rico, and elsewhere (see also Puerto Rico & Dominica without electrical power: ‘Exactly how many warnings do need before you figure out that something bad is about to happen?’). Those affected are in my prayers.

North Korea and the USA continue to trade barbs of rumors of war (see North Korea wants military equilibrium with the USA, while USA looking at military options against North Korea). At the United Nations on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump blasted North Korea, along with Iran and Venezuela (see ‘Trump Calls for World Action Against North Korea, Iran, Venezuela’). While the USA can defeat those nations militarily, Iran and North Korea want to cause physical harm to the USA and Venezuela took at step (watch US Dollar being challenged by Gold-Petro-Yuan) that ultimately may hurt the USA economically.

In the USA, we again have seen protests turning violent–this time in St. Louis, Missouri. In what seems to be a horrific ‘sign of the times,’ one of the so-called ‘peaceful’ protest organizers essentially defended violence from protesters (see Police arrest more than 80 amid violent St. Louis protests). While justice may or may not have been well served by the verdict in the trial being protested, lashing out violently against others is not the way to go. All should condemn such violence. St . Louis, like the rest of the world, needs the Kingdom of God.

We continue to see more restrictions on freedom of speech. Last Thursday, US President Donald Trump signed some type of proclamation against “hate speech’ (see President Trump and Congress move against ‘hate speech.’ Could this include quoting the Bible?). While there was no specific condemnation in that which would cause the CCOG problems, the fact is that many consider condemnation against certain biblical-identified sins as “hate speech.”

An election in Germany is set for September 24, 2017. Supporters of speech restrictions are expected to win. See the posts ‘The Death Of Free Speech Is Imminent,’ 666, & Germany’s election and  DW: Right-wing populists have already won the election. While looking for a photograph to go along with that latter post, I came across the following:


‘Holy Roman Empire’ painting from 1510

What caught my eye was that the above painting had several shields with a cross as well as a crucifix in the middle. It has long been my view that a mark of the Antichrist will involve a cross of some sort. We will see.

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: US Dollar being challenged by Gold-Petro-Yuan. 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: Fatima and the ‘Miracle of the Sun’. 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

Because of lying wonders and false teachings, billions have been deceived.

In the future, it will even get worse:

7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12)

Brethren, have the love of the truth. Walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7) in the word of God (cg. Romans 10:17), and do not let signs and lying wonders damage your faith.

Sincerely,

Bob Thiel
Pastor and Overseer

P.S. Next week’s Letter to the Brethren is expected to be sent out from California on Wednesday September 27th. In order to get to New Zealand prior to the Day of Atonement, my family is scheduled to fly out Wednesday night to arrive in New Zealand Friday morning. Since we do not expect to have internet access on that flight, it seems best to send the letter out a day early.

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.