Letter to the Brethren: March 30, 2017

Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:

Greetings again from the Five Cities region of California.

Much is going on to work towards fulfilling Jesus’ statements in Matthew 24:14 and 28:19-20, including Holy Day preparation.

Philippines Report

Received the following from Anthony Flavell in the Philippines on Wednesday:

Greetings Dr Bob,
First of all some sad news to report Rodel Baconguis the
Brother of Roy has died,evidently from a Heart Attack.
Rodel did attend a number of Sabbath Services here at my
Home & also came for one of the days of last years FOT.
Perhaps you could kindly mention Him in the next Letter to
the Brethren!
On a brighter note,the Brethren in the Philippines, have decided
to have the 2017 FOT again in Bacolod,more details to follow in
due course. Also good news is that we can now fly from Cagayan De Oro to
Bacolod.
Kind Regards.
Anthony Flavell

I never met Rodel Baconguis. But he came with us about a year or so ago. We have a small flock in the Philippines and Rodel Baconguis will be missed.

Bacolod is the capital city of the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. A mainly ‘DVD’ Feast of Tabernacles is planned for there.

Radio

As mentioned before, I was to have a short radio interview on March 29, 2017 on station KORN 1490 am, out of Mitchell, South Dakota with Randall DeWitt. This occurred and was recorded. The host told me it would probably be on tomorrow or Monday. During the interview we talked about how policies and statements from the US President are leading to the Great Tribulation, numerous predictive warnings that have started to come to pass, as well as some of how prophecy will affect various other parts of the world.

I unexpectedly received a telephone call from Zeb Bell, to be on his program, Zeb at the Ranch today. This was on 1230 am KBAR, Bell, Idaho. I just finished that interview (it was from 10:34-10:54 am MST). We discussed prophecy, God’s 6000 year plan, US debt, Europe, and Donald Trump.

We continue to go through the ‘open door’ (Revelation 3:7-8) of radio when we get the opportunity.

Passover: April 9th After Sunset

In 2017, Passover will be right after sunset on the Roman calendar date of Sunday, April 9th. Only true Christians who have been baptized, properly have had hands laid upon them, and have examined themselves should take Passover per 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 and 2 Corinthians 13:5.

Prior to the start of Passover, a few items are needed. Here are some comments from an article by Richard Nickels titled Instructions for Keeping the New Covenant Passover:

In advance of the Passover, purchase or prepare a small amount of unleavened bread. Jewish Matzoth, or Matzos, may be purchased at many grocery stores. The requirement for the bread to be used in the Passover service is that it be “Unleavened.”

(Before using products such as Rye Krisp or any other unleavened bread, be sure to check the ingredients on the side of the package). You may make some flat cakes, made without any leavening agent (no yeast, soda, baking powder, etc.). Also have ready a small amount of natural, red wine. Grape juice was never used at Passover by Jesus, ancient Israel or the original pure New Testament Church. Be sure you obtain a natural, unfortified wine. Alcoholic content will be between 10 percent and 13 percent. Wines containing 19 percent to 20 percent are fortified with grape brandy and should not be used.

Be prepared to observe the sacred ordinance in the early evening, soon after dark. Be sure the room is prepared very neatly, and clean. Have a small amount of the unleavened bread and very small glasses of wine (one for each person) prepared on a tray or table. Place not more than a tablespoon of wine in each small glass, and prior to the ordinance have these emblems covered with a… white napkin.

As the time to begin approaches, let those who will participate in the solemn observance of the New Testament Passover ordinance come quietly and solemnly into the room prepared. Let the head of the family or leading male conduct the brief and solemn service. No unconverted, or unbaptized individual may participate. There should be no visiting, talking, laughing, joking or unnecessary conversation prior to, during or after the service. You are meeting on the most solemn and serious occasion of the entire year. All should come into the room reverently. (Unbaptized children may certainly watch and learn from the proceedings, but should not participate.)

It should be noted that having a basin for water and towels to dry feet are also needed. Also, if someone is wheat or gluten intolerant, consider using unleavened bread made from some other grain like corn or rice. Only a very small amount of unleavened bread and a very small amount of wine (about a thimble full) is consumed by each participant.

April 17 and 22 in Jensen Beach Florida!

As mentioned before, my family and I expect to be in Florida for the Last Day of Unleavened Bread, which will be April 17, 2017. We also plan to be in Florida for Sabbath services on April 22, 2017.

We have signed a contract to meet at the Vince Bocchino Community Center on the grounds of Langford Park, in Jensen Beach. The address is 2369 NE Dixie Hwy, Jensen Beach, FL 34957. We chose Jensen Beach as it will be closer for two that we heard from. We have the Vince Bocchino Community Center rented from 1:00pm and presume services will start by 1:30 pm both days.

If you are in Florida and may wish to attend, please email me: cogwriter@aol.com

Saoset Merigi 

Received the following email:

I greet you in the name of Messiah.

We had a good journey to Saoset Merigi  i start the journey on Thursday and on Sabbath we meta t Saoset, we held a great meeting with the congregation. Sunday we travel to another church and they warmly welcomed us and we come back on Monday after lunch.

They we obliged with the word of God and and they they urged that we visit again after Passover and i believe its May we  have not yet set exact date.

We shall be back together with Pastor Ochieng and other believers.

They also urged you that when you are planning about the Passover they are ready to attend.

On my return i pass through Bomet and the congregation were happy and they were much grateful for the trip to Nairobi. May God bless the work in Kenya and  lets pray for each other.

I hereby attached some photos on the same.

Pastor Sawek

Saoset Merigi  is a area and is located in Rift Valley, Kenya.

Bible News Prophecy Magazine

We sent out the latest edition of our Bible News Prophecy magazine. in Spanish and English.

bnpAprJun17Fcover

 

Marque aquí para ver el pdf revista: Noticias de Profecía de la Biblia – abril-junio 2017.

Here is a pdf link to the English edition of BNP magazine of the Continuing Church of God: April – June 2017 edition of Bible News Prophecy magazine.

 BNP Magazine Contents for April-June 2017:

2. From the Editor: African Conference 2017 The Continuing Church of God held a conference for some of its African leaders in 2017.

3. Where are the 12 Tribes of Israel? While many people understand where the tribe of Judah is
located, most do not realize where the other 12 tribes (including the two ‘half-tribes’) ended up.

19. Twenty-Eight Tips for More Effective Prayers: Part 7. Would you like to learn how to make your prayers more effective?

24. Lesson 12 Study the Bible Course: Proof of Biblical History-Introduction

31. Passover: Is It Only About Christ’s Death? Should Christians keep the Passover?

Post Conference Matters

Evangelist Evans Ochieng sent me the following:

Pastor Dr Bob.
Greetings from Kenya.
Since we came back from the conference, I have been getting so many good reports and requests from all parts of Africa. So many people are interested in truth and needs to join CCOG. I have noticed that the work is still expanding and catches most parts of Africa. I also received many calls from all parts in Kenya. Since then I am busy talking with new people who are visiting our website and are having interest in CCOG. I am planning to meet them and I promised them that I will visit them after passover. This is because I will travel to Tanzania before passover to meet our minister Martin Wanga and Andrew. I will also meet brethren from Rift Valley and kisii before passover. So I will be totally busy that I can’t meet them before passover. I am also very happy with the reports that I received from Malawi and Mozambique. I am getting some good reports from Mulozoswa. We will visit Malawi and Mozambique after passover and Unleavened bread.
I want to print out the magazines before passover so that I can take some to Tanzania. Especially the Swahili and Luo magazines.
Evans

The conference we had in Nairobi continues to bear fruit.

Europe

A lot is going on with Europe.

Here is something I posted at COGwriter.com a several days ago:

The Europeans have been meeting:

25 March 2017

EU leaders gathered in Rome on Saturday to mark the 60th anniversary of the bloc’s founding treaties against the backdrop of a series of crises that have challenged European unity.

Leaders from 27 member states declared “Europe is our common future” in a final declaration signed at the Campidoglio palace, where on March 25, 1957 six founding states signed the Treaty of Rome paving the way for today’s EU.

Noticeably absent was British Prime Minister Theresa May, who on Wednesday is set to officially start a two-year Brexit process for the bloc’s second-biggest economy.

Amid the symbolism and show of unity in Rome, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Britain’s departure was a “tragedy” for the other 27 member states. …

The document signed in Rome sets a new course for the EU, laying out the principle of a multi-speed bloc wherein some countries move ahead on stronger integration while others may not participate on certain issues. …

“Europe as a political entity will either be united, or will not be at all … The unity of Europe is not a bureaucratic model. It is a set of common values and democratic standards,” European Council President Donald Tusk said. http://www.dw.com/en/eu-leaders-minus-uk-declare-europe-is-our-common-future/a-38118672

The Bible shows that Europe ultimately will reorganize and unify (Revelation 17:12-13), develop into a major military power (Revelation 13:3-4), despite having problems of unity (Daniel 2:41-43).

Pope Francis delivered a message to the EU leaders in Rome last night. Here are some excerpts:

Address of His Holiness Pope Francis
to European Heads of State and Government
24 March 2017

Distinguished Guests,

I thank you for your presence here tonight, on the eve of the sixtieth anniversary of the signing of the Treaties instituting the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community. …

At the origin of the idea of Europe, we find “the nature and the responsibility of the human person, with his ferment of evangelical fraternity…, with his desire for truth and justice, honed by a thousand-year-old experience”.[3]  Rome, with its vocation to universality, symbolizes that experience and was thus chosen as the place for the signing of the Treaties.  For here – as the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, J. Luns, observed – “were laid the political, juridical and social foundations of our civilization”.

It was clear, then, from the outset, that the heart of the European political project could only be man himself. …

As Saint John Paul II affirmed: “Today too, the soul of Europe remains united, because, in addition to its common origins, those same Christian and human values are still alive.  Respect for the dignity of the human person, a profound sense of justice, freedom, industriousness, the spirit of initiative, love of family, respect for life, tolerance, the desire for cooperation and peace: all these are its distinctive marks”. …

What hope do they offer for the Europe of today and of tomorrow?

Their answers are to be found precisely in the pillars on which they determined to build the European economic community.  I have already mentioned these: the centrality of man, effective solidarity, openness to the world, the pursuit of peace and development, openness to the future.  Those who govern are charged with discerning the paths of hope, identifying specific ways forward to ensure that the significant steps taken thus far have not been wasted, but serve as the pledge of a long and fruitful journey.

Europe finds new hope when man is the centre and the heart of her institutions. …

As leaders, you are called to blaze the path of a “new European humanism” made up of ideals and concrete actions.  This will mean being unafraid to take practical decisions capable of meeting people’s real problems and of standing the test of time.

For my part, I readily assure you of the closeness of the Holy See and the Church to Europe as a whole, to whose growth she has, and always will, continue to contribute. http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/03/24/pope_francis_address_to_eu_heads_of_state_and_government/1300895

While many consider Pope Francis very spiritual, notice something that the Apostle Paul warned against:

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9)

2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted — you may well put up with it! (2 Corinthians 11:2-4)

European humanism is a false gospel. Pope Francis’ endorsement of that as well as his interfaith and ecumenical agendas are false gospels. A ‘chaste virgin’ will not be entangled with false religions and humanistic politics.

Pope Francis wants European unity, people to trust man, and accept support from his Rome-based church. The Bible warns against a different, false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9) as well as a religious power involved in worldly politics which is based on the city of seven hills (Revelation 17).

US Senator, and former Republican presidential nominee, John McCain made some comments in Europe:

March 25, 2017

McCain renewed his calls on Friday for a return to a legacy neocon status quo, when speaking at the Brussels forum, said that the world “cries out for American and European leadership” through the EU and Nato, and said that the EU and the US needed to develop “more cooperation, more connectivity”.

In a “new world order under enormous strain” and in “the titanic struggle with forces of radicalism … we can’t stand by and lament, we’ve got to be involved,” said McCain who is now chairman of the armed services committee in the US Senate, quoted by the EU Observer. “I trust the EU,” he said, defending an opposite view from that of US president Donald Trump, who said in January that the UK “was so smart in getting out” of the EU and that Nato was “obsolete”. He said that the EU was “one of the most important alliances” for the US and that the EU and Nato were “the best two sums in history”, which have maintained peace for the last 70 years.

Further attacking Trump’s global worldview, McCan said that “we need to rely on Nato and have a Nato that adjusts to new challenges.” He noted that “the EU has too many bureaucrats, not much bureaucracy,” but added that “it’s not the only place on earth with that problem.” He said that he was “still wondering what the overall effect of Brexit will be” and that he did not know “if this is the beginning of a serious problem for the EU”. McCain did not disagree, however, with Trump’s demand that European countries increase their defense spending for Nato. http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-03-25/mccain-new-world-order-under-enormous-strain

John McCain trusts Europe. The Bible teaches that will be a mistake as Europe will takeover over the USA (Daniel 11:39). The Bible teaches that perceived friends will become destructive enemies (Lamentations 1:1-2).

Many do not believe that Europe will be able to rise up and accomplish this. But they have overlooked scriptures. Before getting to some of them, notice something a reader sent me last night:

The UK is handing control of Europe’s destiny to Germany by leaving the EU, Lord Heseltine has claimed.

The Tory peer, sacked as a government adviser after defying the whip over Brexit, said the Germans had lost World War Two but the UK was now giving them the “opportunity to win the peace”.

“I find that quite unacceptable,” he told the House Magazine.

Lord Heseltine, who was deputy prime minister between 1992 and 1997, said he would continue to argue against the decision to leave the EU, believing it was against the UK’s historic national interest.

‘Disaster’

The 83-year old said he was “now free” to speak out after he was relieved of his five economic advisory roles after defying party managers to vote against Brexit in the House of Lords.

“If anyone is listening, I will continue to play a role in trying to avert what I perceive to be a disaster of British self-interest,” he was quoted as saying. …

“For someone like myself, it was in 1933, the year of my birth, that Hitler was democratically elected in Germany. He unleashed the most horrendous war.

“This country played a unique role in securing his defeat. So Germany lost the war. We have just handed them the opportunity to win the peace.”

‘Shift of focus’

He dismissed those who argue Britain’s standing in the world would be unaffected by EU withdrawal, saying the UK would lose its ability to act as a bridge between both the Commonwealth and the US and Europe. …

Mr Davies, who is vice chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British-German relations, added: “There is no chance of a war between Germany, France and Britain. We all share the same values and we are all open to each other for trade.”

Responding to Lord Heseltine’s comments, a UKIP spokesman said: “What an extraordinary thing to say. … I never realised the purpose of Britain’s membership of the EU was to stop German domination of Europe. …” http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-39380606

Brexit WILL INCREASE Germany’s influence in Europe. And according to biblical prophecies, yes, a German-dominated European power will go to war against the UK in the future (cf. Isaiah 10:5-8; Daniel 8:24-25).

As a rule politicians do NOT understand the following scriptures:

38 But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things. 39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain. (Daniel 11:38-39)

5 “Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger
And the staff in whose hand is My indignation.
6 I will send him against an ungodly nation,
And against the people of My wrath
I will give him charge,
To seize the spoil, to take the prey,
And to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
7 Yet he does not mean so,
Nor does his heart think so;
But it is in his heart to destroy,
And cut off not a few nations.
8 For he says,
‘Are not my princes altogether kings?
9 Is not Calno like Carchemish?
Is not Hamath like Arpad?
Is not Samaria like Damascus?
10 As my hand has found the kingdoms of the idols,
Whose carved images excelled those of Jerusalem and Samaria,
11 As I have done to Samaria and her idols,
Shall I not do also to Jerusalem and her idols?’” (Isaiah 10:5-11)

3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:3-4)

Notice that the strongest military power will be taken over–that would be the USA and its Anglo-Saxon descended allies (the “he” is a reference to the final European King of the North).

Notice that a power in Europe (Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History and Germany in Biblical Prophecy) will do so, even though he does not think so (Samaria is a reference to the USA; cf. Spiritual Samaritans: Old and New).

Notice that the world will marvel that Europe will rise up to become a successful military power.

How will Europe do this?

Partially, in my view, because of its ties to the USA, such as NATO.

But also, in my view, from its technology. In addition to Germany’s stellarator project (see Germany’s functional stellarator, Donald Trump, and ‘the unthinkable’), notice another new German technological advance:

25 March 2017

World’s largest ‘artificial sun’ turned on in Germany

24 March 2017

Scientists have just turned on the “world’s biggest artificial sun”.

The huge structure could help sed light on new was of making green fuels, among other technologies, the engineers behind it hope.

In all, the sun is made up of a honeycomb of 149 spotlights, which together make the structure known as “Synlight”. Inidividually, they are the kinds of xenon short-arc lamps used for cinema projectors, instead put to work simulating sunlight.

If it points all of those lights at one single, small spot, it can create about 10,000 times the amount of solar radiation that would normally fall there.

Such light is in rare supply in Germany at this time of year. So scientists are able to simulate it – and hence test new ways of making hydrogen and exploring cleaner energy sources. …

The goal is to eventually use actual sunlight rather than the artificial light produced at the Juelich experiment, which cost £3 million to build and requires as much electricity in four hours as a four-person household would use in a year.

Mr Hoffschmidt conceded that hydrogen is not without its problems – for one thing, it is incredibly volatile – but by combining it with carbon monoxide produced from renewable sources, scientists would, for example, be able to make eco-friendly fuel for the aviation industry. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/artificial-sun-light-synlight-juelich-cologne-german-aerospace-centre-dlr-a7648356.html

In December 2015, I reported about some of the potential other German hydrogen technology could have (see German helium fusion stellarator may help propel Europe to dominate the world).

It is even clearer now that these projects have massive economic potential.

Several projects in Europe and Germany have definite military potential as well.

The Brexit and the rise of Donald Trump have became turning points for Europe to move to develop a new unity as well as a European military. The British exit from the EU, combined with the use of Donald Trump as a type of scapegoat by some European leaders, is emboldening many who have wanted to see Europe dominate the West.

The Bible foretells the time of a great army (Daniel 11:25) and military power (Revelation 13:1-10) in Europe. The Bible also shows that it will have vast economic power and cause many to prosper (Revelation 18). Many in Europe in general, and Germany in particular, are working towards that goal, despite biblical warnings of being part of it (e.g. Revelation 18:4).

That Beast power will be European (for more biblical details, watch Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?).

Technology seems to be the key to a powerful European military. While the U.S.A., Australia, and others are currently worried mostly about China, the European developments will not be good for the Anglo-Saxon descended lands, including England.

Consider something from the Old Testament:

19 For the Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had encouraged moral decline in Judah and had been continually unfaithful to the Lord. (2 Chronicles 28:19)

Might leaders like those in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand who seem to be encouraging biblically-moral declines cause their nations to be brought low?

The total destruction of the nation of the United States of America and its Anglo-Saxon descended allies is coming.

These lands needs national repentance to delay their coming destruction (cf. Daniel 4:27). Pray (1 Timothy 2:1-3; Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 21:36; Colossians 4:2).

The Europeans are rising up and technology, as I have long written, will be one of the keys to enable it to do so.

Despise not prophecies (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

The world order is changing, European technology is rising, and the USA will not be able to remain on top indefinitely.

Some wish to believe otherwise, but the USA’s rising debt and moral decline, combined with European determination to move towards unity and dominance, will help insure that.

Many in the world have plans, but they do not seem to seriously consider the warnings and prophecies in the Bible.

The “one-world” types not only misunderstand Revelation 17-19, they also misunderstand the following:

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

While Christians can do all things though Christ, Jesus is NOT behind that ecumenical humanist agenda that effectively leaves the true God out of the picture. Like the Pharisees of Jesus’ time, the “one-world” types think that human effort will bring in some type of utopian society. But the Bible shows that the governments of this world will be taken over by Jesus (Revelation 11:15) and that the the world will fight against Him at His return (Revelation 19). Yet, they will be defeated and Jesus will reign. It will take God’s true government on earth to bring in a true utopian society.

World News Items

The United Kingdom officially notified the European Union that it intends to withdraw yesterday (see UK officially informs EU of its intent to withdraw). The official two-year countdown for this departure has now begun.

Pope Francis and his bishops in Canada and Mexico have concerns about the policies of US President Donald Trump (see Pope pushed ecumenical interfaith agenda with Canadian bishops, while Mexican bishops denounce all who would build the border wall). Donald Trump’s policies on ‘climate change’ and fossil fuels is inconsistent with the agenda of Pope Francis and the United Nations (see United Nations: Humankind’s Last Hope or New World Order?). The European press referred to the USA as a “rogue nation” yesterday because of this (see Rogue State? Donald Trump’s election has started to fulfill at least 7 predictive warnings).

Earlier this week, the majority of European Union nations voted against the expansion of genetically-modified corn in Europe (see European nations say NO to genetically-modified corn). The USA has long pushed the Europeans to accept its genetically-modified corn and other products. Former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, who once referred to Donald Trump as “that blonde lunatic named Donald,” wants more passion from European politicians (see Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg wants more passion for unity and Europe).

Between Donald Trump and the UK’s Brexit, expect to see the USA more and more distant from Europe.

Some in the USA have considered that Donald Trump is an end-time ancient King Cyrus that God will use to restore the USA (see Donald ‘Trump of God,’ Cyrus, or Apocalyptic?). Unlike King Cyrus who was prophesied by name, Donald Trump was not. Donald Trump is apocalyptic, meaning that he has and will take some steps that will align with the start of the Great Tribulation. His election has already started to result in at least the partial fulfillment of several statements I made (see Rogue State? Donald Trump’s election has started to fulfill at least 7 predictive warnings).

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: Fatima and Pope Francis. 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: Oldest Christian Sermon. 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 wrote:

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said,  “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”  25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. (1 Corinthians 11:23-31)

Brethren, the Passover is coming soon. All baptized members who will be taking it need to examine themselves before they do so. The process of ‘deleavening,’ in preparation of the Days of Unleavened Bread, also should motivate us to examine ourselves.

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.