Letter to the Brethren: June 12, 2014

Dear Brethren and co-workers in Christ:

We trust that you all had a fine Pentecost weekend.  Pentecost helps picture that we are God’s firstfruits living in this world and looking forward to the time of the greater coming harvest.

Over here in the Five Cities region of California we have been working on getting the gospel of the kingdom out as well as working on various aspects of the final phase of the work.

We also do practical related things.  For example, we were involved in restoring a house to a widow in Africa.  We sent the money for the materials from here, while the brethren in Kenya did the physical work of building it.  We also hope to do more for widows over there relatively soon.  We appreciate the support we get as we do put third tithe type offerings to proper work.

We also are working on sending some additional items to the Philippines to assist with spiritual needs there.

Pentecost Reports

Received positive Pentecosts from scattered locations around the globe.  We had a couple of first time visitors to CCOG services with here in Arroyo Grande, California.

Rose Brown submitted a first-time report from the middle of the USA where we have our newest USA congregation:

Wichita Kansas
6 Adults
4 children
Total- 10

From New Zealand, our host John Hickey sent the following:

Pentecost was great.  We loved your messages.

From Tanzania one of our hosts there, George Lemi, sent a brief note:

Pentecost went well here in Dar es salaam.

Here are three reports from Kenya, both from Pastor Evans Ochieng:

It is of a great pleasure to send these reports because it was a great joy when I met our brother Michael who was very happy when he was reading our Magazines.  He made a wonderful comment about the name of the church. He said something which had a meaning that since the foundation of the church in Jerusalem until this date the church is still continuing until the return of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

So it is good and truth to say that CONTINUING CHURCH OF GOD. This is because the true church of God will continue to teach the truth and proclaim the gospel of the kingdom to fulfill the book of Mathew.24:14.

And according to magazines and books of CCOG, it is true that this is the only church that will finish the work. He was very happy and his congregations to join the CCOG. So I was very happy because my trip was fruitful. He commented that CCOG is the only church that is trying to attack the end time prophecies without fear. He said that if the persecution will come, it will face mainly CCOG because this is the only place where the sins of the world are attacked directly.. He was very happy and I promised them that I will send them some English Bibles.

I have received the report of Pentecost only from 7 congregations. Ndhiwa where i was the speaker. Mbani,Rakoro, Kambare,Nyakach upper and Nyakach lower and Kiseke.

I hope that I will receive other reports soon.

The work in Kenya  is still expanding through the help of CCOG Magazines and books which are doing great work to reach many people. Recently I got a message from one family in Kericho town who came a
cross one of our books of church history.  He told me that he will come to my home to pay me a visit because he want to learn more from the church.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

Today, I received reports from Tanzania for both congregations that the feast was very good. Also I received reports from Migori and Kisii that they also had a good feast. Ezekiel Oanda sent me message that the brethren attended 99%. He also told me that three members were added in their congregation.

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

Today I received Pentecost reports from Mbita and Sindo that the Feast went well in those areas.

Overall, we had a fine Pentecost.  We are pleased that our literature, etc. is bearing fruit.

Booklets

Our new booklet: Faith for Those God has Called and Chosen has been printed and is in the process of being stapled together.  We plan to receive it within the next week mail that out to print subscribers to our Bible News Prophecy magazine.

We are always striving to be frugal where we can and sending this with the magazine seems to make the most sense, even though much of that booklet is also included in that edition of the magazine.  Of course, we can never have too much faith :), so at risk of repeated studying about faith, we are planning on putting both out together.

Radio

I ended up doing an interview on a internationally-syndicated radio program on Wednesday. Instead of being one hour, it ended up being two.  And for the first hour and three-quarters, I was basically by myself (the host did not arrive until the two hours was nearly done), so got an opportunity to cover a lot of topics in more depth than perhaps would have otherwise happened.

I discussed the three ‘councils of Nicea,’ which was the subject of last week’s recommended sermonette (you can still watch it if you have not seen it: 3rd Council of Nicea in 2025?).

The original Council of Nicea was called by Emperor Constantine in 325 A.D. formally endorsed a non-biblical date for Passover The second one in 787 A.D. declared that idols/icons should be worshiped/venerated  And the ‘third’ is a meeting that Pope Francis and Eastern Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew have called for to occur in 2025 to ‘celebrate’ the 1700th anniversary of the one forced by Emperor Constantine.

I had a few opportunities to tie this in with, and discuss, the kingdom of God.

Also, spent a lot of time discussing the inter-faith movement and items that are in the recommended sermonette for the week.

Dr. Deagle came for the last few minutes and we also discussed other aspects of the ecumenical and inter-faith movements (including the suggested sermonette for this week), as well as that the solution to the problems in the world is the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.  He commented that he was pleased how thoroughly I had covered various prophetic details.  He said others tend not to do that and hence will not understand key end time matters.

2014 Feast of Tabernacles in Florida: A Change Expected

World News Events

Pope Francis met with Protestant minister Joel Osteen and a delegation of American politicians last Thursday, the Prime Minister of Japan on Friday, and then held an inter-faith and ecumenical prayer meeting involving Catholics, Greek Orthodox, Jews, Lutherans, and Muslims on Sunday (see In Vatican City: New Babylon more openly forming!).  This is a step towards attempting to gain acceptance of a world religion (cf. Revelation 13:8) coming out of Rome (Revelation 17).

John Hickey, our host for the congregation in New Zealand, sent an article about the preference that the Israeli government is showing the Church of Rome instead of Jews when it comes to the Mt. Zion/Cenacle area (see Jews claim that they have been improperly blocked from visiting the ‘tomb of David’ since the Pope’s visit to Mt. Zion).  This is an important area to watch.  The Vatican really wants the building that we show some bricks of on the cover of our songbook and some of our other literature.

In Egypt, General Sissi took office as its president and hoped to stabilize Egypt (see Egypt’s Sissi has hopes, Bible shows reality).  However, according to biblical prophecy, the type of pan-Arabic/Islamic union that he is trying to suppress will again rise up.  This will not end well for Egypt according to Daniel 11:40-43 and Ezekiel 30:1-9.

In Iraq, opposition forces made major gains the past couple of days (see Iraqi government lost control of certain key areas and weapons–a civil war in progress?).  The gains have been so major that the USA is considering possible military action (see Iraq plunging into chaos).  As I have been writing for years, Iraq could break up into pieces and that civil war could happen there–and that type of civil war seems to be happening now.  The Bible itself indicates that Iraqis will ultimately support the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43) and will be part of a confederacy against the end-time descendants of Israel (Psalm 83:4-8).  The situation in Iraq is not stable.

In the USA itself, its attorney general has been looking at implementing/expanding a law that will restrict freedom of speech and possibly anti-government thought (see USA creating thought and speech crimes: A prelude to the ‘famine of the word’?).  Of course, the USA is not the only place where governments are monitoring the internet (see Egypt: Another government heavily monitoring bloggers and social media).  The time will come when Matthew 24:14 is fulfilled and the “famine of the word” will come Amos 8:11-12–and it may be under the guise of the so-called Patriot Act or anti-free speech laws that the USA may feel justified in helping fulfill that prophecy in Amos.

Spanish Language News Articles

Here are links to many recent news items we posted translated into the Spanish language:

Location of Judah: This tribe is not lost
Localización de Judá: Esta tribu no está perdida
http://www.cdlidd.es/localizacion-de-juda-esta-tribu-no-esta-perdida/

USA warns China, while China calls the USA hypocritical
EE.UU. advierte a China, mientras China llama a EE.UU. hipócrita
http://www.cdlidd.es/ee-uu-advierte-a-china-mientras-china-llama-a-los-ee-uu-hipocrita/

Sissi, Obama, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Egypt’s Fate
Sissi, Obama, la Hermandad Musulmana, y el destino de Egipto
http://www.cdlidd.es/sissi-obama-la-hermandad-musulmana-y-el-destino-de-egipto/

Should Justin Martyr be celebrated?
¿Debería Justino Mártir ser celebrado?
http://www.cdlidd.es/deberia-justino-martir-ser-celebrado/

Spain’s King Carlos abdicates in favor of his son Felipe
Rey Carlos de España abdica en favor de su hijo Felipe
http://www.cdlidd.es/rey-carlos-de-espana-abdica-en-favor-de-su-hijo-felipe/

Herbert Armstrong on Pentecost
Herbert Armstrong sobre Pentecostés
http://www.cdlidd.es/herbert-armstrong-sobre-pentecostes/

Ecumenical meeting in Nicea planned for 2025: What happened in 325 and what could happen in/by 2025?
Encuentro ecuménico en Nicea planeado para 2025: ¿Qué sucedió en 325 y qué podría suceder en/para 2025?
http://www.cdlidd.es/encuentro-ecumenico-en-nicea-planeado-para-2025-que-sucedio-en-325-y-que-podria-suceder-enpara-2025/

How to Prevent Sin, In Mandarin and English
¿Cómo prevenir el pecado?, en Mandarín e Inglés
http://www.cdlidd.es/como-prevenir-el-pecado-en-mandarin-e-ingles/

COGWA on Daniel prophecies
COGWA sobre las profecías de Daniel
http://www.cdlidd.es/cogwa-sobre-las-profecias-de-daniel/

Does Astrology Work?
¿Funciona la astrología?
http://www.cdlidd.es/funciona-la-astrologia/

You can quickly disprove evolution as the cause of life
Usted puede improbar rápidamente la evolución como causa de la vida
http://www.cdlidd.es/usted-puede-improbar-rapidamente-la-evolucion-como-causa-de-la-vida/

Boniface the Martyr and Pope Boniface VIII
Bonifacio Mártir y el Papa Bonifacio VIII
http://www.cdlidd.es/bonifacio-martir-y-el-papa-bonifacio-viii/

D’Souza ‘America: Imagine a World Without Her;’ COGwriter ‘The Bible tells of it’
D’Souza ‘América: Imagínese un Mundo sin ella;’ COGwriter ‘La Biblia habla de ello’
http://www.cdlidd.es/dsouza-america-imaginese-un-mundo-sinella-cogwriter-la-biblia-habla-de-ello/

Inter-faith ‘prayer for peace’ in Middle East is planned for this Pentecost in Vatican City
‘Oración por la paz’ del Medio Oriente interconfesional está planeada para este Pentecostés en la Ciudad del Vaticano
http://www.cdlidd.es/oracion-por-la-paz-del-medio-oriente-interconfesional-esta-planeada-para-este-pentecostes-en-la-ciudad-del-vaticano

Pope Francis speaks of ecumenism to 52,000 Pentecostals and others
El Papa Francisco habla de ecumenismo a 52,000 Pentecostales y otros
http://www.cdlidd.es/el-papa-francisco-habla-de-ecumenismo-a-52000-pentecostales-y-otros/

Is Alcohol a Blessing or a Curse?
¿Es el Alcohol una bendición o una maldición?
http://www.cdlidd.es/es-el-alcohol-una-bendicion-o-una-maldicion/

Bible Game and Pentecost Quiz
Juego de la Biblia y examen sobre Pentecostés
http://www.cdlidd.es/juego-de-la-biblia-y-examen-sobre-pentecostes/

‘Beast’ asteroid to fly past Earth on June 8, 2014
Asteroide ‘de la Bestia’ voló el pasado 8 de junio, 2014
http://www.cdlidd.es/asteroide-la-bestia-volo-el-pasado-8-de-junio-2014/

Cartwright’s Journal Out: UCG, CBCG, CG7, & Harry Sneider
Salió Journal de Cartwright: UCG, CBCG, CGY, & Harry Sneider
http://www.cdlidd.es/salio-journal-de-cartwright-ucg-cbcg-cgy-harry-sneider/

In Vatican City: New Babylon more openly forming!
En Ciudad del Vaticano: Nueva Babilonia formándose más abiertamente!
http://www.cdlidd.es/en-ciudad-del-vaticano-nueva-babilonia-formandose-mas-abiertamente/

We are getting the true word of prophecy and doctrine out in any language we can.

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is our suggested format for Sabbath services 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 most will be a recorded one:  Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?  A somewhat related written item would be: In Vatican City: New Babylon more openly forming! Other sermonettes are also 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 will be a recorded one. The one suggested for this week CCOG on Moses, Mark of the Beast, Food Shortages, Gold, Psalm 23, and more. Two slightly related written articles would be What is the Origin of the Cross as a ‘Christian’ Symbol? and Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians.–since many topics were covered the written articles are only slightly related to the 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. So, 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 that we list each week.

Concluding Comments

Here is the 133rd Psalm:

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing —
Life forevermore.

Brethren, while I know that most of us outside of East Africa and New Zealand are scattered and cannot meet regularly together, we can and should be unified spiritually.

One of the objectives of the Continuing Church of God is to unify those who are willing to be Philadelphian in this time of the predominance of Laodicea.

Sincerely,

Bob Thiel, Pastor and Overseer
Continuing Church of God